Shrewdly hit, mistress; never before has Hilarius looked a maid in the eyes, and now he drops his own.
“Dost thou not know it is sin to deck the body thus, and entice men’s souls to their undoing?”
“An what is the matter with my poor body, may it please you, kind sir?” she asked demurely, and stood with downcast eyes, like a scolded child.
“It is wrong to deck the body,” began Hilarius, softening at her attitude, “because, because—”
Again the merry laugh rang out.
“Because, because—nay, Father” (with a mock reverence), “methinks thy sermon is not ready; let it simmer awhile, and I will catechise. How old art thou?” She held up her small finger admonishingly.
“Seventeen,” replied Hilarius, surprised into reply.
“Art thou a monk?”
“Nay, a novice only.”
“Hast thou ever loved?”