"If the ministers of God become the creatures of the king, despotism and irreligion must inevitably ensue.

How long will virtue be accounted a crime?
Shall every faithful shepherd be supplanted, to make room for the wolf of lay investiture, the instrument of a lustful tyrant, raised by simony, and upheld by royal favor ?" Gilbert's light slumber had been broken by the voice of his benefactor.
As soon as Father Omehr saw the youth awake, he approached him, and inquired, with great kindness of manner, whether he felt better.
The youth replied in the affirmative.
"I have discovered," continued the other, "that you have richly deserved this wound.

You killed with your own hand the husband of the woman who stabbed you, and though the chance thrust of an affray, it was noted, and communicated to Bertha by an eye-witness, one of the combatants.
This is her revenge--but how inadequate to her suffering!" "It is, indeed," said Gilbert, replying to the last remark, which had been particularly emphasized.

His companion could not conceal the satisfaction with which he hailed this reply, as an omen of regret, and of a right apprehension of his former violence.

But the youth was drowsy, and prudence forbade a longer conversation.