I trust that there will be nought you will hear save what is to the credit of these worthy folks." Paul secretly in his heart vowed that no syllable which should hurt his hosts should ever pass his lips; but he bent his head with due reverence before the monk, who smiled and nodded cheerily to him before he went his way.

It seemed strange that so jovial and kindly a man should so lightly speak of burning to death fellow creatures whom he had regarded for years with kindly goodwill.

But there were strange anomalies in those days, even as there are in our own, and Paul saw nothing strange in this, nor in his own conduct, which made him appear submissive to the dictates of the Holy Church, as he ever called her in his thoughts, whilst all the time he was resolved neither to hear nor to see any of the things which would, if made known, injure his hosts in the eyes of the spiritual authorities.

The very teaching of those spiritual pastors inculcated a certain amount of deceit and double dealing.

What wonder if the weapon so freely used by themselves sometimes turned its double edge against them in its turn?
Paul accompanied the monk to the gate which led to the so-called road by which Figeon's was approached.