The phrase, “it is convenient,” must be understood as meaning, “it is ordered.”  For the mediaeval lord used such gentle expressions when issuing his commands; and the angel talked like a feudal messenger.  But in spite of the command, the sick man does not tell his friend about the angel’s visit, until Amile, who has overheard the voice, forces him to acknowledge whom he had been talking with during the night.  And the emotion of the lord may be imagined, though he utters it only in the following gentle words—­“I would have given to thee my man servants and my maid servants and all my goods—­and thou feignest that an angel hath spoken to thee that I should slay my two children.  But I conjure thee by the faith which there is between me and thee and by our comradeship, and by the baptism we received together, that thou tell me whether it was man or angel said that to thee.”

Amis declares that it was really an angel, and Amile never thinks of doubting his friend’s word.  It would be a pity to tell you the sequel in my own words; let me quote again from the text, translated by Walter Pater.  I think you will find it beautiful and touching: 

“Then Amile began to weep in secret, and thought within himself, ’If this man was ready to die before the King for me, shall I not for him slay my children?  Shall I not keep faith with him who was faithful to me even unto death?’ And Amile tarried no longer, but departed to the chamber of his wife, and bade her go to hear the Sacred Office.  And he took a sword, and went to the bed where the children were lying, and found them asleep.  And he lay down over them and began to weep bitterly and said, ’Has any man yet heard of a father who of his own will slew his children?  Alas, my children!  I am no longer your father, but your cruel murderer.’

“And the children awoke at the tears of their father, which fell upon them; and they looked up into his face and began to laugh.  And as they were of age about three years, he said, ’Your laughing will be turned into tears, for your innocent blood must now be shed’; and therewith he cut off their heads.  Then he laid them back in the bed, and put the heads upon the bodies, and covered them as though they slept; and with the blood which he had taken he washed his comrade, and said, ’Lord Jesus Christ! who hast commanded men to keep faith on earth, and didst heal the leper by Thy word! cleanse now my comrade, for whose love I have shed the blood of my children.’” And of course the leper is immediately and completely cured.  But the mother did not know anything about the killing of the children; we have to hear something about her share in the tragedy.  Let me again quote, this time giving the real and very beautiful conclusion—­