"I must leave the monastery," he said, very calmly.

"At once, and for ever." Don Clemente did not answer, but opened the letter.

When he had read it he observed, smiling, that Benedetto's departure for Jenne had been decided upon the night before.

True, but the Abbot had said never to return, Don Clemente's eyes were full of tears, but he still smiled.
"You are glad ?" said Benedetto, almost plaintively, Oh, glad! How could the master explain what he felt?
His beloved disciple was leaving him, leaving him for ever, after three years of spiritual union; but then the hidden Will had made itself manifest; God was taking him from the monastery, setting his feet in other ways.

Glad! Yes; afflicted and glad, but he could not communicate the cause of his gladness to Benedetto, The Divine Word would have no value for Benedetto did he not interpret it for himself.
"Not glad," he said, "but at peace.