Perchance it is as well, for the Company were in need of it about that time." The pious Alleyne was deeply shocked by this reminiscence.

Involuntarily he glanced up and around to see if there were any trace of those opportune levin-flashes and thunderbolts which, in the "Acta Sanctorum," were wont so often to cut short the loose talk of the scoffer.

The autumn sun streamed down as brightly as ever, and the peaceful red path still wound in front of them through the rustling, yellow-tinted forest, Nature seemed to be too busy with her own concerns to heed the dignity of an outraged pontiff.

Yet he felt a sense of weight and reproach within his breast, as though he had sinned himself in giving ear to such words.

The teachings of twenty years cried out against such license.