The monastery; The abbot.

226 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
sured death. Thou wert wont to be generous, though stern and stubborn
in thy resolves; let not thy sense of what thine own thoughts term duty,
draw thee farther than mine have done. Remember, that every sheep whom
thou shalt here lead astray from the fold, will be demanded in time and
through eternity of him who hath left thee the liberty of doing such evil.
I ask no engagement of thee, save that thou remain a prisoner on thy word
at this tower, and wilt appear when summoned."
"Thou hast found an invention to bind my hands," replied the preacher,' more sure than would have been the heaviest shackles in the prison of thy
convent. I will not rashly do what may endanger thee with thy unhappy
superiors, and I will be the more cautious, because, if we had farther opportunity of conference, I trust thine own soul may yet be rescued as a brand
from the burning, and that, casting from thee the livery of Anti-Christ, that
trader in human sins and human souls, I may yet assist thee to lay hold on
the Rock of Ages."
The Sub-Prior heard the sentiment, so similar to that which had occurred
to himself, with the same kindly feelings with which the game-cock hears
and replies to the challenge of his rival.
" I bless God and Our Lady," said he, drawing himself up, " that my
faith is already anchored on that Rock on which Saint Peter founded his
Church."
"It is a perversion of the text," said the eager Henry Warden, "grounded
on a vain play upon words-a most idle paronomasia."
The controversy would have been rekindled, and in all probability - for
what can insure the good temper and moderation of polemics? —might have
ended in the preacher's being transported a captive to the Monastery, had
not Christie of the Clinthill observed that it was growing late, and that he,
having to descend the glen, which had no good reputation, cared not greatly
for travelling there after sunset. The Sub-Prior, therefore, stifled his desire
of argument, and again telling the preacher, that he trusted to his gratitude
and generosity,, he bade him farewell.
"Be assured, my old friend," replied Warden, "that no willing act of
mine shall be to thy prejudice. But if my Master shall place work before
nle, I nmust obey God rather than man."
These two men, both excellent from natural disposition and acquired
knowledge, had more points of similarity than they themselves would have
admitted. In truth, the chief distinction betwixt them was, that the Catholic, defending a religion which afforded little interest to the feelings, had,
in his devotion to the cause he espoused, more of the head than of the heart,
and was politic, cautious, and artful; while the Protestant, acting under
the strong impulse of more latelv-adopted conviction, and feeling, as he
justly might, a more animated confidence in -his cause, was enthusiastic,
eager, and precipitate in his desire to advance it. The priest would have
been contented to defend, the preacher aspired to conquer; and, of course,
the impulse by which the latter was governed, was more active and more
decisive. They could not part from each other without a second pressure
of hands, and each looked in the face of his old companion, as he bade him
adieu, with a countenance strongly expressive of sorrow, affection, and pity.
Father Eustace then explained briefly to Dame Glendinning, that this
person was to be her guest for some days, forbidding her and her whole
household, under high spiritual censures, to hold any conversation with him
on religious subjects, but commanding her to attend to his wants in all other
particulars.
"May Our Lady forgive me, reverend father," said Dame Glendinning,
somewhat dismayed at this intelligence, " but I must needs say, that ower
iOony guests have been the ruin of mony a house, and I trow they will bring
down Glendearg. First came the Lady of Avenel- (her soul be at restshe meant nae ill) - but she brought with her as mony bogles and fairies,