“I am quickly rising to man’s estate,” answered the boy, rather impetuously, “and my thoughts will not be chained.  I must give them liberty to rove where they will.  All men are talking and thinking of these things, and wherefore not I?  But, Brother Emmanuel, tell me, who was yon black-browed brother?  Methinks I have seen his face before; but beneath the cowl many faces look alike.  Who was he? and wherefore looked he so askance at thee?”

“Brother Fabian loves me not,” answered the monk with a slight smile.  “I scarce know how it began; it seemed to commence from the day I entered the priory.  I had looked to find things there somewhat different.  Perchance I spoke more than I should, being young and ardent, and fresh from places where a different order reigned.  Brother Fabian holds various offices in the priory.  He liked not my words.  Methinks he has never forgotten or forgiven.  He has always sour looks for me, and ofttimes sneering words.  But I heed them not greatly; they do not touch me near.”

Edred was looking straight out before him, with a gaze in which there was much of shrinking and surprise.

“Brothers in the same monastery at enmity one with the other!” he said slowly, grasping more than had been spoken, with that quick intuition which existed between tutor and pupil.  “Some, leading lives of luxury, indignant with those who would protest against them.  Brother Emmanuel, my father, my friend, when these things come before me, I turn with loathing from the thought of entering the life of the cloister; and yet how I long to give myself wholly to the cause of God!  How can I judge? how can I choose aright?”

“Thou must not try to choose,” answered the young monk, with a touch of austerity in his tone; “thou must await that leading and that guiding which never fail those who truly wait upon the blessed Son of God, and strive to do not their will but the will of Him who pleased not Himself.  At the foot of His Cross—­before the altar, where His precious body and blood are ever abiding in memorial of His one sacrifice for sin—­there is the place to seek grace and guidance; there is the place where peace may be found.  Because man is frail, shall we despise the ordinances of God?  Because men are able to make (if such be their will) a hell upon earth even of holy places, is that any reason why we shall think scorn of those sanctuaries, provided by the merciful goodness of God, where men may flee for shelter from the world, and lead a life of devotion and fasting and prayer?  My son, beware of the manifold snares of the devil.  The young are ever ready to condemn and to revolt.  It is the nature of the unchastened will of man.  Be patient, and watch unto prayer.  The day will surely come when (if thou wilt but listen for it) the voice will speak in thine heart, and tell thee what thou art called upon to do, even as it spoke in mine, and called me from the snares and enticements of the world to the haven of the cloister.  I know not yet what my work in this world will be; but it is enough that my Lord and Master knows.  I am here, abiding in my place and awaiting my call.  May He grant that whensoever and howsoever that call may come, I may hear it and be ready for it, and may follow the guiding voice even to the end.”