"
"No! I should like to abbreviate it, were you not the anointed of
the Lord. You ought to have rat-poison."
"Mercy! I confess that I have acted from bad motives; that I have
only thought of myself; that I have never loved the people, but used
them in order to put down the nobles; I grant that I made agreements
and treaties with the deliberate purpose of breaking them; that I
... Yes, I am a poor sinful man, and my name will be forgotten; all
that I have done will be obliterated...."
A stranger now appeared in the open door. It was a young man in the
garb of the Minorites.
"Murderer!" screamed the King, and sprang up.
"No," answered the monk, "I am he whom you called Vincent of Paula."
"My deliverer! say a word--a single word of comfort."
"Sire," answered Vincent, "I have heard your confession, and will
give you absolution in virtue of my office."
"Speak."
"Very well. Your motives were not pure, as you yourself confess, but
your work will not perish, for He who guides the destinies of men
and nations uses all and each for His purposes. Not long ago it was
a pure virgin who saved France; now it is not quite so blameless a
man. But your work, sire, was in its result of greater importance
than that of the Maid, for you have completed what the Roman Caesar
began.
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