At first she resisted, and told him she was not used to be taken to task by her confessors. But he overpowered her, and so threatened her with the Church's curse here and hereafter, and so tore the scales off her eyes, and thundered at her, and crushed her, that she sank down and grovelled with remorse and terror at the feet of the gigantic Boanerges.
"Oh, holy father, have pity on a poor weak woman, and help me save my guilty soul. I was benighted for want of ghostly counsel like thine, good father. I waken as from a dream."
"Doff thy jewels," said Fra Jerome, sternly.
"I will. I will."
"Doff thy silk and velvet: and, in humbler garb than wears thy meanest servant, wend thou instant to Loretto."
"I will," said the princess, faintly.
"No shoes: but a bare sandal."
"No, father."
"Wash the feet of pilgrims both going and coming; and to such of them as be holy friars tell thy sin, and abide their admonition."
"Oh, holy father, let me wear my mask."