He approached and read:—
"Rule for Visitors."
It was composed of numerous paragraphs, and opened as follows:—
"Those whom Divine Providence has guided to this monastery are requested to note the following:—
"They will at all times avoid meeting the religious and lay brothers, and will not go near their places of work.
"They are forbidden to leave the cloister for the farm or the neighbourhood of the monastery."
Then came a series of instructions which he had already seen on the printed horary.
Durtal skipped several paragraphs, and read again:—
"Visitors are requested not to write anything on the doors, not to strike matches on the wall, and not to spill water on the floor.
"They are not allowed to visit each other's rooms or to speak to one another.