Then he prayed for themselves and all who were dear to them, and lastly, that light might be vouchsafed to Dirk in his present difficulty.

No, not quite lastly, for he ended with a petition that their enemies might be forgiven, yes, even those who tortured them and burnt them at the stake, since they knew not what they did.

It may be wondered whether any human aspirations could have been more thoroughly steeped in the true spirit of Christianity.
When at length he had finished they rose from their knees.
"Shall I open the Book at a hazard," asked Dirk, "and read what my eye falls on ?" "No," answered Brant, "for it savours of superstition; thus did the ancients with the writings of the poet Virgilius, and it is not fitting that we who hold the light should follow the example of those blind heathen.

What work of the Book, brother, are you studying now ?" "The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians, which I have never read before," he answered.
"Then begin where you left off, brother, and read your chapter.

Perhaps we may find instruction in it; if not, no answer is vouchsafed to us to-night." So from the black-letter volume before him Dirk began to read the seventh chapter, in which, as it chances, the great Apostle deals with the marriage state.