God called me back with the voices of my dead, the voices of my father and mother.

Then I left the woman who loved me, but I was without strength of purpose, wavering in my heart between good and evil.

Soon I returned to her, all aflame with sin, knowing I should lose myself, even determined to lose myself.

There was no longer an atom of grace in my soul when a dying hand, dear and saintly, seized me and saved me." "Look me in the eyes," said the Abbot, without allowing him to rise.
"Have you ever let any one know you were here ?" "I have never let any one know." The Abbot answered drily: "I do not believe you!" Benedetto did not flinch.
"You know why I do not believe you ?" the Abbot continued.
"I can imagine why," Benedetto answered, dropping his eyes.

"_Peccatum meum contra me est semper_." "Rise!" the Abbot commanded, still inflexible.