THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN. 71 



good-will that the evident excellence of his heart gave charms to his 

 wrinkled brow of trouble and misfortune. There was, too, a softened 

 dignity in his voice which won esteem as much as his smile invited 

 confidence and he stood before him an apt minister of that blessed 

 and hallowed Truth which it was his office to proclaim. 



The man who stood beside him presented a picture too strong and 

 striking in the contrast to harmonise with the thoughts which the su- 

 perior had inspired. 



His black and matted hair served only to conceal a set of features 

 cast in Nature's harshest mould, and dark as with servitude under the 

 burning sun of some foreign soil. The haughty curl of his lip, the 

 unbending frown of his low and flattened forehead, and a restlessness 

 of the eye that darted in suspicious flashes on those around him, 

 would have given one less versed in physiognomy than the Sub Prior 

 of St. Germans, no very favorable idea of his moral faculties. His 

 dress had in it little peculiarity. A short thick cloak covered his 

 shoulders, by the removal of which he exposed a rough leather belt 

 to which his weapons were appended. The whole appearance of the 

 man was equally humiliating and fearful, and the cool audacity of his 

 look rendered it impossible to divine the feelings which worked 

 within. The Sub Prior, who had before reproached his brother Eus- 

 tace with the delay of vespers, was now so much engrossed with his 

 own thoughts that it was necessary for the latter to remind him of 

 their duty. The service was accordingly performed but the stran- 

 ger's knee was neither seen to bend, nor his lips to move in prayer ; 

 he cast on the brethren a look of mockery, and gazed on them with 

 the bitter smile of scorn. 



It was the hour of rest. The religious separated for the night, 

 leaving the venerable Eustace to provide for the accommodation 

 of his guest The old man drew his seat towards the hearth, 

 threw a fresh log on the embers, and motioned to his visitor to take 

 his seat beside him, " who art thou my son, " he said, with a tone of 

 mingled sympathy and kindness, "who art thou, journeying alone 

 and at this dreary season ? Speak to me if thou hast troubles at thy 

 heart, that I may comfort thee. " " I have troubles " replied the 

 stranger, but they are mine own, and with me they rest. Seek nothing 

 further. " " Let me not be repulsed thus rudely, my friend, " said 

 Father Eustace, " I am aged and weighed down by years, and me- 

 thinks these grey hairs should claim respect even from the habitants 

 of the desert. If I can help thee in aught, distrust me not; and if 

 thou art stricken in spirit, bow down thine head and receive a bless- 

 ing. " " Forbear ! " exclaimed the stranger, I never bent to any 



