"My lord," replied the monk, "I listened to her earnest prayers."
"Did you accompany her home?"
"I did, my lord."
"For what purpose?"
"To calm the last moments of a sinner."
"Did you not know that his crime had shut him out from the aid of religion?"
"Yes, my lord; but I was assured, that if he survived, their sinful intercourse would cease, and that by public penance they would strive to obtain forgiveness."
"Have you never heard of the fallacy of death-bed promises?" The monk was silent.
"Did you administer the sacrament of penance to the incestuous wretch?"
"I did, my lord," returned the monk firmly.