Providence, which is always kind to us, and has infinite treasures of
mercy for our miseries. Now I will enshrine you, for the rest of my
days, each night and morning in my prayers, if you will aid me to obtain
this girl in marriage. And I will fashion you a box to enclose the holy
Eucharist, so cunningly wrought, and so enriched with gold and precious
stones, and figures of winged angels, that another such shall never be
in Christendom,--it shall remain unique, shall rejoice your eyes, and so
glorify your altar that the people of the city, foreign lords--all,
shall hasten to see it, so wondrous shall it be."

"My son," replied the abbot, "you have lost your senses. If you are
resolved to have this girl in wedlock, your property and person will
escheat to the chapter of the abbey."

"Yes, my lord, I am devoted to this poor girl, and more touched by her
misery and truly Christian heart, than by her personal perfections. But
I am," said he, with tears in his eyes, "yet more astonished at your
hardness, and I say it, though I know my fate is in your hands. Yes, my
lord, I know the law. Thus, if my goods must fall into your possession,
if I become a serf, if I lose my home and my citizenship, I shall yet
keep the skill developed by my culture and my studies, and which lies
here," he added, touching his forehead, "in a place where God alone,
besides myself, is master. And your whole abbey cannot purchase the
creation of my brain. You will have my body and my wife, but nothing can
give you my genius, not even tortures, for I am stronger than iron is
hard, and more patient than suffering is great."

Having said this, the goldsmith, enraged at the calmness of the abbot,
who seemed resolved to secure the good man's doubloons to the abbey,
dealt such a blow with his fist on an oaken chair, it flew in pieces as