"I believe Jesus Christ my Lord. The rest is all to me a very little matter. I never pray with an image; I need it not. If another man think he does need it, to his own conscience I leave it before God. For Mary, Mother and Maid, I honour her, as you maybe honour your mother. _I_ do not worship her: about other men I say nothing. And as to the Church,--why, what is the Church but a congregation of saved souls, to whom Christ is Lawgiver and Saviour? Her laws are His: or if not, then they have no right to be hers." "Ah Bruno," said Abraham rather sadly, "thy religion is not that of other Christians." "It is better," said Belasez softly. "Father, my Christianity is Christ. I concern not myself with other men, except to save them, so far as it pleases God to work by me." "Well, well! May Adonai forgive us all!--My son, what dost thou mean to do with the child? It is for thee to decide now." "My father, I shall endeavour to obtain absolution from my vows, and to become once more a parish priest, so that my Beatrice may dwell with me. Until then, choose thou whether she shall remain with thee, or go back to Bury Castle. I am sure the Lady would gladly receive her." "Nay, Bruno, do not ask me to choose! If the child be here when Licorice returns, she will never dwell with thee. I believe she would well-nigh stab us both to the heart sooner than permit it. And I fear she may come any day." "Then she had better come with me to Bury." "`It is Adonai!' So be it." "But I shall see thee, my father?" asked Belasez, addressing Abraham. "Trust me for that, my Belasez! I can come to thee on my trade journeys, so long as it pleases the Holy One that I have strength to take them. And after that--He will provide. My son, wilt thou come for the child to-morrow? I will let thee out at the postern door; for thou hadst better not meet Delecresse." And Abraham drew back the bolt, and opened the baize door. "Father Jacob!" they heard him instantly ejaculate, in a very different tone from that of his last words. "What hast thou been about now?" demanded the shrill voice of Licorice in the passage outside. "When folks are frightened at the sight of their lawful wives, it is a sure sign they have been after some mischief. Is there any one in yon chamber except thyself?--Ah, Belasez, I am glad to see thee; 'tis more than I expected. But, child, thou shouldst have set the porridge on half an hour ago; go down and look to it.--Any body else? Come, I had best see for myself." And Licorice pushed past her husband, and walked into the room where Bruno was standing. He came forward to meet her, with far more apparent calmness than Abraham seemed to feel. "Good even, my mother," he said courteously.