"These things done," said the King, "and the lands I have mentioned
secured by my gift to this monastery, you are of opinion, father,
that I stand as much in the good graces of our Holy Mother Church
as to term myself her dutiful son?"

"Surely, my liege," said the prior; "would to God that all her
children brought to the efficacious sacrament of confession as
deep a sense of their errors, and as much will to make amends for
them. But I speak these comforting words, my liege, not to Robert
King of Scotland, but only to my humble and devout penitent, Robert
Stuart of Carrick."

"You surprise me, father," answered the King: "I have little check
on my conscience for aught that I have done in my kingly office,
seeing that I use therein less mine own opinion than the advice of
the most wise counsellors."

"Even therein lieth the danger, my liege," replied the prior. "The
Holy Father recognises in your Grace, in every thought, word, and
action, an obedient vassal of the Holy Church. But there are perverse
counsellors, who obey the instinct of their wicked hearts, while
they abuse the good nature and ductility of their monarch, and,
under colour of serving his temporal interests, take steps which
are prejudicial to those that last to eternity."

King Robert raised himself upright in his chair, and assumed an air
of authority, which, though it well became him, he did not usually
display.