I would fain have a confessor visit me, that I may lay bare my inmost heart to him, and receive absolution." "I have already anticipated the request," replied the earl, "and have provided a priest for you.

He shall attend you, within an hour, in your own chamber.

You will have ample time between this and daybreak, to settle your accounts with Heaven, should they be ever so weighty." "I trust so, my lord," replied Paslew; "but a whole life is scarcely long enough for repentance, much less a few short hours.

But in regard to the confessor," he continued, filled with misgiving by the earl's manner, "I should be glad to be shriven by Father Christopher Smith, late prior of the abbey." "It may not be," replied the earl, sternly and decidedly.

"You will find all you can require in him I shall send." The abbot sighed, seeing that remonstrance was useless.
"One further question I would address to you, my lord," he said, "and that refers to the place of my interment.