"Child!" he said, "does any one but God `quite understand'? Do we understand ourselves?--and how much less each other? It is only love that understands. He who most loves God will best understand men. And for the rest,--O Lord who hast loved us, pardon the blunders and misunderstandings of Thy people, and save Thy servants that trust in Thee!--Now go, my child,--unless thou hast more to say. _Absolvo te_." Doucebelle rose and retired. But she did not know that Father Bruno heard no more confessions. She only heard that he was not at home when dinner was served; and when he appeared at supper, he looked very worn and white, as if after a weary journey. CHAPTER SEVEN. THE SHADOW OF LONG AGO. "'Tis a fair, fair face, in sooth: Larger eyes and redder mouth Than mine were in my first youth." _Elizabeth Barrett Browning_. So faithfully had the Countess adhered to her plighted word that Belasez should be seen by no one, that not one of the priests had yet beheld her except Father Nicholas, and the meeting in that case had been accidental and momentary. But when Father Bruno announced to his brother priests his intention of seeking an interview with the Jewish maiden, Father Nicholas shook his head waggishly. "Have a care of the toils of Satan, Brother Bruno!" said he. "The maiden may have the soul of a fiend, for aught I wot, yet hath she the face of an angel." "I thank thee. There is no fear!" answered Bruno, with a smile which made him look sadder. The Countess had not returned from the coronation festivities, and the girls were alone in Margaret's bower, when Father Bruno entered, with "God save all here!" Belasez rose hastily, and prepared to withdraw. "Wait, my child," said the priest, gently: "I would speak with thee." But when she turned in answer, and he saw her face, some strange and terrible emotion seemed to convulse his own. "_Domine, in Te speravi_!" fell from his trembling lips, as if he scarcely realised what he was saying. Belasez looked at him with an astonished expression. Whatever were the cause of his singular emotion, it was evidently neither understood nor shared by her. With a manifest effort of self-control, Bruno recovered himself. "Sit down, daughters," he said: for all had risen in reverence to the priest: and he seated himself on the settle, whence he had a full view of Belasez. "And what is thy name, my daughter?" "Belasez, at your service." "And thy father's name?" "Abraham of Norwich, if it please you." "Abraham--of Norwich! Not--not the son of Ursel of Norwich?" "The same." Again that look of intense pain crossed Bruno's face. "No wonder!" he said, speaking not to Belasez. "The very face--the very look! No wonder!--And thy mother?" "My mother is Licorice, the daughter of Kokorell of Lincoln." Bruno gave a little nod, as if he had known it before. "Hast thou any brethren or sisters?" "One brother only; his name is Delecresse."