Later
he heard my story; and when he found I had some small skill with
the brush, he kept me with him, and taught me as only such an one
can teach: him I served five years. And many times Satan desired
my soul; nay, once I was in peril of hell-fire, but the Lord was
with me, and plucked my feet out of the pit. But of that I will
speak anon, at my shriving, as is meet."
The Prior remembered his dream, but he said no word, and Hilarius
took up his tale.
"Then one day my master cried there was an end to teaching;
nevertheless he would have me bide with him in honour for the work.
But my heart was full of longing for home and the scent of the
forest; and, above all, for thee, my Father; therefore I set my
face north, that I might bring back my gift to St Benedict and our
Church; and should have been here long ere this, but I was let by
the way."
The Prior looked up a little anxiously, and Hilarius smiled at the
question in his face.
"'Tis a lawless tract, my Father, under the shadow of the great
mountains beyond Florence; and I was taken by robbers, who bore me
and others of our company to their fastness in the hills: there I
lay in a little cave many days; but what befell the rest I know
not.
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