wall. Old words of prayer rose
familiarly to his lips. He remembered his sins of omission and
commission--venial faults they would seem, to many of us, but black and
heinous in pure-hearted Dino's eyes--and pleaded passionately for their
forgiveness. And then the words turned into a prayer for the welfare of
his friend Brian and the woman that Brian loved. Dino was one of those
rare souls who love their neighbour better than themselves.

The Prior quitted the chapel at last, and approached his former pupil.
He did not come alone, but the brothers who followed him kept at some
little distance. Some of the other occupants of the monastery--monks,
lay-brothers, pupils--occasionally passed by, but they did not even lift
their eyes. Still, there was a certain sense of publicity about the
interview which made Dino feel that he was not to be welcomed--only
judged.

Father Cristoforo's face was terrible in its very impassiveness. There
was no trace of emotion in those rigidly-set features and piercing eyes.
He looked at Dino for some minutes before he spoke. The young man
retained his kneeling posture until the Prior said, briefly--

"Rise."

Dino stood up immediately, with folded arms and bowed head. It was not
his part to speak till he was questioned.

"You left England without permission," said the Prior in a dry tone,
rather of assertion than of inquiry.

"Reverend Father, yes."

"Why?"

"There was no reason for me to stay in England. The estate is not mine."

"Who says it is not?"

"Reverend Father, I cannot take it away from those to whom it now
belongs," said Dino, faltering, and growing red and white by turns.

The Prior looked at him with an examining eye. In spite of his apparent
coldness, he was shocked by the change that he perceived in his old
pupil's bearing and appearance. The finely-cut face was wasted; there
were hollows in the temples and the cheeks, the dew of perspiration upon
the forehead marked physical weakness as well as agitation. There was
more kindness in the Prior's manner as he said:--

"You felt, perhaps, the need of rest? The English winds are keen. You
came to recruit yourself before going back to fight your cause in a
court of law? You wanted help and counsel?"

Dino's head sank lower upon his breast: he breathed quickly, and did not
speak.

"Had you not proof sufficient? I sent all necessary papers by a trusty
messenger. You received them?"

"Yes." Dino's voice had sunk to