For all that, she had power to cool him towards the rest of her sex, and now for every reason he wished to be ordained priest as soon as he could pass the intermediate orders.

He knew the Vulgate already better than most of the clergy, and studied the rubric and the dogmas of the Church with his friends the monks; and, the first time the bishop came that way, he applied to be admitted "exorcist," the third step in holy orders.

The bishop questioned him, and ordained him at once.

He had to kneel, and, after a short prayer, the bishop delivered to him a little MS.

full of exorcisms, and said: "Take this, Gerard, and have power to lay hands on the possessed, whether baptized or catechumens!" and he took it reverently, and went home invested by the Church with power to cast out demons.
Returning home from the church, he was met by little Kate on her crutches.
"Oh, Gerard! who, think you, hath sent to our house seeking you ?--the burgomaster himself." "Ghysbrecht Van Swieten! What would he with me ?" "Nay, Gerard, I know not.