'Greeting, my son,' he said, when he had scanned me for a while. 'The
abbess mother has told me of your errand. You are full young for such a
task.'
'Were I old I should not love it better, father. You know the case. I
am asked to provide a deadly drug for a certain merciful purpose. I have
provided that drug, but I must be there to see that it is put to proper
use.'
'You are very cautious, my son. The Church is no murderess. This woman
must die because her sin is flagrant, and of late such wickedness
has become common. Therefore, after much thought and prayer, and many
searchings to find a means of mercy, she is condemned to death by those
whose names are too high to be spoken. I, alas, am here to see the
sentence carried out with a certain mitigation which has been allowed by
the mercy of her chief judge. It seems that your presence is needful to
this act of love, therefore I suffer it. The mother abbess has warned
you that evil dogs the feet of those who reveal the secrets of the
Church. For your own sake I pray you to lay that warning to heart.'
'I am no babbler, father, so the caution is not needed. One word more.
This visit should be well feed, the medicine is costly.'
'Fear not, physician,' the monk answered with a note of scorn in his
voice; 'name your sum, it shall be paid to you.'
'I ask no money, father.
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