h. The chill doubts all melted away; she
was subdued by the sense of something unspeakably great to which she was
being called by a strong being who roused a new strength within herself.
In a voice that was like a low, prayerful cry, she said--

"Father, I will be guided. Teach me! I will go back."

Almost unconsciously she sank on her knees. Savonarola stretched out
his hands over her; but feeling would no longer pass through the channel
of speech, and he was silent.

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

COMING BACK.

"Rise, my daughter," said Fra Girolamo at last. "Your servant is
waiting not far off with the mules. It is time that I should go onward
to Florence."

Romola arose from her knees. That silent attitude had been a sort of
sacrament to her, confirming the state of yearning passivity on which
she had newly entered. By the one act of renouncing her resolve to quit
her husband, her will seemed so utterly bruised that she felt the need
of direction even in small things. She lifted up the edge of her cowl,
and saw Maso and the second Dominican standing with their backs towards
her on the edge of the hill about ten yards from her; but she looked at
Savonarola again without speaking, as if the order to Maso to turn back
must come from him and not from her.

"I will go and call them," he said, answering her glance of appeal; "and
I will recommend you, my daughter, to the Brother who is with me. You
desire to put yourself under guidance, and to learn that wisdom which
has been hitherto as foolishness to you. A chief gate of that wisdom is
the sacrament of confession. You will need a confessor, my daughter,
and I desire to put you under the care of Fra Salvestro, one of the
brethren of San Marco, in whom I most confide."

"I would rather have no guidance but yours, father," said Romola,
looking anxious.

"My daughter, I do not act as a confessor. The vocation I have
withdraws me from offices that would force me into frequent contact with
the laity, and interfere with my special duties."

"Then shall I not be able to speak to you in private? if I waver, if--"
Romola broke off from rising agitation. She felt a sudden alarm lest
her new strength in renunciation should vanish if the immediate personal
influence of Savonarola vanished.

"My daughter, if your soul has need of the word in private from my lips,
you will let me know it through Fra Salvestro, and I will see you in the
sacristy or in the choir of