He had a mistress, the prettiest wench I ever saw, and three as beautiful children .-- There is no trusting monks, fair nephew--no trusting them--they may become soldiers and fathers when you least expect it--but on with your tale." "I have little more to tell," said Durward, "except that, considering my poor mother to be in some degree a pledge for me, I was induced to take upon me the dress of a novice, and conformed to the cloister rules, and even learned to read and write." "To read and write!" exclaimed Le Balafre, who was one of that sort of people who think all knowledge is miraculous which chances to exceed their own.

"To write, say'st thou, and to read! I cannot believe it--never Durward could write his name that ever I heard of, nor Lesly either.

I can answer for one of them--I can no more write than I can fly.

Now, in Saint Louis's name, how did they teach it you ?" "It was troublesome at first," said Durward, "but became more easy by use; and I was weak with my wounds, and loss of blood, and desirous to gratify my preserver, Father Peter, and so I was the more easily kept to my task.

But after several months' languishing, my good, kind mother died, and as my health was now fully restored, I communicated to my benefactor, who was also Sub Prior of the convent, my reluctance to take the vows; and it was agreed between us, since my vocation lay not to the cloister, that I should be sent out into the world to seek my fortune, and that to save the Sub Prior from the anger of the Ogilvies, my departure should have the appearance of flight; and to colour it I brought off the Abbot's hawk with me.