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Prior. Go to! what are names?—Ask him what questions you will, and finish the confession quickly.

Ben. (to Osterloo.) But have you never till now confessed this crime; nor in the course of so many years reflected on its dreadful turpitude?

Ost. The active and adventurous life of a soldier is most adverse to reflection: but often, in the stillness of midnight, the remembrance of this terrible deed has come powerfully upon me; till morning returned, and the noise of the camp began, and the fortunes of the day were before me.

Prior. (in a severe voice.) Thou hast indeed been too long permitted to remain in this hardened state. But Heaven, sooner or later, will visit the man of blood with its terrours. Sooner or later, he shall feel that he stands upon an awful brink; and short is the step which engulphs him in that world, where the murdered and the murderer meet again, in the tremendous presence of Him who is the Lord and Giver of life.

Ost. You believe then in such severe retribution?

Prior. I believe in it as in my own existence.

Ost. (turning to Jerome and Benedict.) And you, good Fathers, you believe in this?

Ben. Nature teaches this, as well as revelation: we must believe it.

Jer. Some presumptuous minds, dazzled with