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Rh

Lay-B. I know not, please you: the messenger only said, she was taken ill yesterday.

Prior. (shaking his head.) Aye, this malady has got there also.—I cannot send one of the brothers to bring infection immediately amongst us.What is to be done? Leonora is a most noble Lady; and the family have been great benefactors to our order.—I must send somebody to her. But he must stop well his nostrils with spicery, and leave his upper garment behind him, when he quits the infected apartment. Jerome, wilt thou go? Thou art the favorite confessor with all the women at the castle.

Jer. Nay, Father; I must attend on our prisoner here, who has most need of ghostly assistance.

Prior. (to another Monk.) Go thou, Anselmo; thou hast given comfort to many a dying penitent.

Monk. I thank you, Father, for the preference; but Paul is the best of us all for administering comfort to the dying; and there is a sickness come over my heart o' the sudden, that makes me unfit for the office.

Prior. (to Paul.) Thou wilt go then, my good son.

Paul. I beseech you, don't send me, reverend Father; I ne'er escaped contagion in my life, where malady or fever were to be had.

Prior. Who will go then? (A deep silence.)