Here he paused suddenly, struck his breast swiftly and repeatedly with his fists, and continued eagerly:  “Here, Father Benedictus, here are old and strong demands, which you, too, must once have known ere you offered the other cheek to the foe.  I know not what to call them, but until they are satisfied I shall never be yours.  They must be fulfilled; then, if in battle and bloodshed I can also forget the love which ever rises again when I think I have given it the deathblow, if Heaven still desires poor, heartsick Heinz Schorlin, it shall have him.”

The Minorite received the promise with a silent bend of the head.  He felt that he might seriously endanger the fulfilment of his ardent wish to gain this soul for heaven if he urged Heinz further now.  Patiently awaiting a more fitting season, he therefore contented himself with questioning him carelessly about the foe and his castles.

The day was hot, and as Biberli laced the gambeson—­the thick, quilted undergarment over which was worn the heavy leather coat covered with scales and rings—­the monk exclaimed:  “When the duty which you believe you owe to the world has been fulfilled, you will gratefully learn, as one of our order, how pleasant it is to walk with liberated soul in our light-brown cowl.”

But he ought to have repressed the remark, for Heinz cast a glance at him which expressed his astonishment at being so misunderstood, and answered with unyielding resolution:  “If I long for anything in your order, reverend Father, it is not for easy tasks, but for the most difficult burden of all.  Your summons to take our Redeemer’s cross upon me pleases me better.”

“And I, my son, believe that your words will be inscribed amongst those which are sure of reward,” the monk answered; then with bowed head added “At that moment you were nearer the kingdom of heaven than the aged companion of St. Francis.”

But perceiving how impatiently Heinz shrugged his shoulders, and convinced that it would be advisable to leave him to himself for a time, the old man blessed him with paternal affection and went his way.  When the fiery youth had performed the task which now claimed all his powers, he hoped to find him more inclined to allow himself to be led farther along the path which he had entered.

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