e vow of celibacy. "God lives in virgin
souls," he said. There is a record of an argument with Germain, in
which his tutor tries to test the strength of his purpose. Germain
tells him that even in a monastery evil cannot be excluded, and that
many even of the most austere monks live lives of petty jealousy and
ignoble ambition. "There are many," Germain says, "who are saved in
the struggle of the world who would be shipwrecked in a monastery."
But Bernard is steadfast in his choice. "Happy are those who have
chosen to dwell in God's court, and to sleep on His estate." Thus day
and night he struggles against all temptations of worldly glory or
pleasure.

Then his father calls him home; and when he has returned to Annecy,
Bernard finds that every preparation has been made for his approaching
wedding with the daughter of the great Lord of Miolans. "_Sponsa
pulchra_," beautiful bride, this young woman was, according to the
record, and doubtless this was true. The attitude of Bernard toward
this marriage his father and mother could not understand. He held back
constantly, and urged all sorts of objections to its immediate
consummation, but on no ground which seemed to them reasonable. So the
wedding-day was set. The house was full of guests. Every gate and
door of the castle was crowded by armed retainers, and there seemed to
be no escape. Bernard retired to his own room, and in the oldest
manuscripts are given the words of his prayer:

"My adorable Creator, Thou who with thy celestial light enlightened
those who invoke with faith and confidence, and Thou my Jesus, Divine
Redeemer of men and Saviour of souls, lend a favorable ear to my humble
prayer; spread on thy servant the treasures of your infinite mercy. I
know that Thou never abandonest those who place in you their hope;
deliver me, I supplicate Thee, from the snares which the world have
offered me. Break these nets in which the world tries to take me;
permit not that the enemy prevail over thy servant, that adulation may
enfeeble my heart. I abandon myself entirely to Thee. I throw myself
into the arms of thy infinite mercy, hoping that Thou wilt save me, and
wilt reject not my demand."

Then to the good Saint Nicholas:

"Amiable shepherd, faithful guide, holy priest, thou who art my
protector and my refuge, together with God, and His holy mother, the
happy Virgin Mary, obtain me, I pray thee, by thy merits, the grace of
triumph over the ob