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and for the rigorous discipline demanded by the holy Institute?" inquired the youth with an outburst of bitterness that betrayed the excitement of his spirit.

"That thou mayest learn to subdue the passions which agitate mankind," replied the elder. "The greater is his gain who sacrificeth himself in the struggle, and who conquereth the unruly instincts of nature and youth!"

"And of what value can be such mock piety?" murmured the youth.

The Jesuit smiled sadly, reading the depths of his companion's thoughts, and, reaching a fallen tree, he sat upon it, drawing to his side the unhappy Novice.

"Listen to me," said the Father, with kindly accents. "I too have passed through thine age; I too have felt boiling in my bosom the passions which I perceive in thee—passions which drove me from the path of true happiness here, and which threatened to do so hereafter. I also, like saintly Ignatius de Loyola, the founder of our holy Institution, found myself engaged in the extravagant and disorderly struggles of life. I too have fought like a soldier, have travelled like a pilgrim, have suffered hunger and thirst, peril, imprisonment, and exile. I, as well as others, learned to my cost, was taught by the experience of evil, sincerely to repent me of my misdeeds, and the Eternal took pity upon me. He opened for me in due time the eyes of reason, and He led me to seek refuge and repose of body and soul in His sacred house. May God be merciful to thee also, and show thee in eternity His infinite compassion!"

"Ah! let me also taste the joys of my youth," exclaimed the Novice. "Let Nature follow in my case, as she did in thine, her legitimate career."

The Padre looked at him, and saw, despite the words which betrayed a firm resolution, tears starting from his eyes. He judged this exaltation of fancy to