might prove a word in season to thy soul's refreshment."

"It has sometimes proved a refreshment to my body," said the boy; "his
exhortations are so ravishing, that they are apt to lull one to sound
repose."

"Thou art a flippant youth!" said the chaplain, stopping abruptly, and
speaking in an accent of displeasure. "But I pity thy delusion," he
added, after a brief pause, "and bid thee remember, that if thou hast
access to the word, and turnest from it, thou can'st not make the plea
of ignorance, in extenuation of thy crime."

"It is no fault in me to believe as I have been taught," said the boy,
sullenly; "and it would ill become me, to dispute the doctrines which I
have received from those who have a claim on my respect and obedience."

"They are evil doctrines, child; perverse heresies to lead men astray,
into the darkness of error and idolatry."

"I could not have believed it!" answered the other, gravely; "I thought
I was listening to the truth, from the lips of my lady's chaplain."

"And who says, that I do not teach the truth? I, who have made it my
study and delight from my youth upwards?"

"Not I, truly; but your reverence chides me for believing in error,
when, my belief is daily confirmed by your own instructions and
example."

"Who are you, that presumes to say so? and, with these vestments of