The abbot raised his hands to heaven in sign of mute desolation, while Berthoald, who had pensively stood near, said to Charles Martel: "Charles, the commission of jailor is repugnant to my character of a soldier. I feel thankful to you, but I must decline the gift." "Your refusal afflicts me. You have heard the monk. I need here a vigilant guardian. This abbey is, by its position, an important military post." "Charles, there are other soldiers in your army whom you can charge with the child and to whom you can confide the defence of the post. You will find men enough who will not be restrained by any scruples such as restrain me." For a few minutes the chief of the Franks remained silent and thoughtful, then he said: "Monk, how much land, how many colonists and slaves have you?" "Seigneur, we have five thousand eight hundred acres of land, seven hundred colonists, and nineteen hundred slaves." "Berthoald ... you hear it! That is what you decline for yourself and your men. Moreover, I would have created you count of the domain." "Reserve for others than myself the favor you meant to bestow upon me. I absolutely refuse the function of jailor." "Seigneur," put in Father Clement with a holy resignation that, however, but ill-concealed his anger at Charles: "You are the chief of the Franks and all-powerful. If you establish your armed men on this domain, we shall have to obey, but what will become of us?" "And what will become of my companions in arms, who have valiantly served me during the war while you were counting your beads?... Are they to steal or beg their bread along the roads?" "Seigneur ... there is a way of satisfying both your companions in arms and ourselves. You wish to change this abbey into a military post. I admit it, your armed men would be better keepers of the young prince than we poor monks. But since you dispose of this abbey, deign, illustrious seigneur, to bestow another one upon us. There is near Nantes the abbey of Meriadek. One of our brothers, who died recently, lived there several years as the intendant. He left with us an inventory containing an exact list of the goods and persons of that abbey. It was at the time under the rule of St. Benoit. We have learned that later it was changed into a community of women. But we have no positive information on that head. But that would matter little." "And that abbey," Charles asked, rubbing his beard with a sly look, "you ask me for it as a charity to you and your monks?" "Yes, seigneur; since you dispossess us of this one, we solicit indemnity." "And what is to become of the present holders of the abbey of Meriadek?" "Alack! what we would have become. The will of God be done. Charity begins at home." "Yes, provided the will of God turn in your favor. Is the abbey rich?" "Seigneur, with the aid of God, we could live there humbly and in seclusion and prayer and with a little privation."