The Prince of India, vol 2 | Page 3

impropriety when,
trudging slowly after the train of attendants, he associated her with
heroines most odorous in Church and Scriptural memories; with
Mothers Superior famous for sanctity; with Saints, like Theckla and
Cecilia; with the Prophetess who was left by the wayside in the desert
of Zin, and the later seer and singer, she who had her judgment-seat
under the palm tree of Deborah.
Withal, however, the monk was uncomfortable. The words of his

Hegumen pursued him. Should he tell the Princess? Assailed by doubts,
he followed her to the lookout on the edge of the promontory.
Seating herself, she glanced over the wide field of water below; from
the vessels there, she gazed across to Asia; then up at the sky, full to its
bluest depth with the glory of day. At length she asked:
"Have you heard from Father Hilarion?"
"Not yet," Sergius replied.
"I was thinking of him," she continued. "He used to tell me of the
primitive church--the Church of the Disciples. One of his lessons
returns to me. He seems to be standing where you are. I hear his voice.
I see his countenance. I remember his words: 'The brethren while of
one faith, because the creed was too simple for division, were of two
classes, as they now are and will always be'--ay, Sergius, as they will
always be!--'But,' he said, 'it is worthy remembrance, my dear child,
unlike the present habit, the rich held their riches with the
understanding that the brethren all had shares in them. The owner was
more than owner; he was a trustee charged with the safe-keeping of his
property, and with farming it to the best advantage, that he might be in
condition to help the greatest number of the Christian brotherhood
according to their necessities.' I wondered greatly at the time, but not
now. The delight I have today confirms the Father; for it is not in my
palace and garden, nor in my gold, but in the power I derive from them
to give respite from the grind of poverty to so many less fortunate than
myself. 'The divine order was not to desist from getting wealth'--thus
the Father continued--'for Christ knew there were who, labor as they
might, could not accumulate or retain; circumstances would be against
them, or the genius might be wanting. Poor without fault, were they to
suffer, and curse God with the curse of the sick, the cold, the naked, the
hungry? Oh, no! Christ was the representative of the Infinitely Merciful.
Under his dispensation they were to be partners of the more favored.'
Who can tell, who can begin to measure the reward there is to me in the
laughter of children at play under the trees by the brooks, and in the
cheer and smiles of women whom I have been able to draw from the
unvarying routine of toil like theirs?"

There was a ship with full spread sail speeding along so close in shore
Sergius could have thrown a stone on its deck. He affected to be deeply
interested in it. The ruse did not avail him.
"What is the matter?"
Receiving no reply, she repeated the question.
"My dear friend, you are not old enough in concealment to deceive me.
You are in trouble. Come sit here.... True, I am not an authorized
confessor; yet I know the principle on which the Church defends the
confessional. Let me share your burden. Insomuch as you give me, you
shall be relieved."
It came to him then that he must speak.
"Princess," he began, striving to keep his voice firm, "you know not
what you ask."
"Is it what a woman may hear?"
A step nearer brought him on the tesselated square.
"I hesitate, Princess, because a judgment is required of me. Hear, and
help me first."
Then he proceeded rapidly:
"There is one just entered holy service. He is a member of an ancient
and honorable Brotherhood, and by reason of his inexperience,
doubtless, its obligations rest the heavier on his conscience. His
superior has declared to him how glad he would be had he a son like
him, and confiding in his loyalty, he intrusted him with gravest secrets;
amongst others, that a person well known and greatly beloved is under
watch for the highest of religious crimes. Pause now, O Princess, and
consider the obligations inseparable from the relation and trust here
disclosed.... Look then to this other circumstance. The person accused
condescended to be the friend and patron of the same neophyte, and by

vouching for him to the head of the Church, put him on the road to
favor and quick promotion. Briefly, O Princess, to which is obligation
first owing? The father superior or the patron in danger?"
The Princess replied calmly, but with feeling: