"Agostino," he said presently, "you are upon the eve of taking a great step, a step whose import you may never fully have considered.

I have been your tutor, and your rearing has been my charge.

That charge I have faithfully carried out as was ordained me, but not as I would have carried it out had I been free to follow my heart and my conscience in the matter.
"The idea of your ultimate priesthood has been so fostered in your mind that you may well have come to believe that to be a priest is your own inherent desire.

I would have you consider it well now that the time approaches for a step which is irrevocable." His words and his manner startled me alike.
"How ?" I cried.

"Do you say that it might be better if I did not seek ordination?
What better can the world offer than the priesthood?
Have you not, yourself, taught me that it is man's noblest calling ?" "To be a good priest, fulfilling all the teachings of the Master, becoming in your turn His mouthpiece, living a life of self-abnegation, of self-sacrifice and purity," he answered slowly, "that is the noblest thing a man can be.