Page:Twelve Years in a Monastery (1897).djvu/224

 of them paid nothing. I had now entered upon the troubled waters of ecclesiastical intrigue, and I give these details in [sic] practical illustration of that interesting topic.

Immediately after my arrival the councillors came to the college for inspection and a two days’ conference: they prudently sent me a ten pound note in advance. The conference was an interesting one; only one man, and he in a minor position, knew the cost of the building, the amount of debt upon it and annual interest to be met, and the expected source of its income. The others loudly proclaimed that they were going to demand full explanation, security, &c. &c., and that I should be left in perfect tranquillity over financial issues. For two days the little college resounded with loud but, unfortunately, inarticulate discourse. When the last meeting was over I saw by the smiles of the one and the frowns of the others that nothing had been done. I demanded instructions from the provincial, a worthy but obtuse man who had now, by some curious freak of diplomacy, reached—or rather been pushed into—the highest position. He replied blandly that there were no instructions to give me; the Definitorium very flatteringly gave me carte blanche. Was I superior of the monastery, such as it was, as well as rector of the college? Certainly: I was chief professor and rector, superior of the house, instructor of the lay-brothers, parish-priest—everything, and I was free to make