'Is that so? You are indeed good. If you English crucified Christ afresh, I imagine you would consider the Holy Father sufficiently appeased by a pecuniary compensation. In your country you are the Marquis of Twickenham?' 'I am.' 'You have been guilty of offences so rank, and so notorious, that you fled your father's anger, and hid your face from your kith and kin.' 'I have suffered for my sin.' 'You have suffered? Wait for the wrath to come. 'My father!' 'Your family is Protestant?' 'Alas!' 'You are entitled, from your spiritual elevation, to pity heretics, especially those of your own flesh and blood. Here are pens, ink, and paper. Sit down and write the bond of which you have spoken.' His lordship did as he was told. 'So far, so good. But do not imagine that this is a quittance for the debt which you owe Holy Church. As you are entrusted with this world's goods, so the Church demands from you her tithes. On your property you will provide a sufficient religious establishment. You will build churches and endow them. And in all your affairs you will be advised by Holy Church. As you are seated, write that also.' 'My father!' 'Obey. Or I will summon the fraternity, and in their presence I will call down on you the curse of the Church and of the Holy Ghost, and will chase you from the fold out into the darkness of the night, that night which for you shall be unending. Do not think that because you leave us, we leave you. The arm of the Church is long, and, as you have learned from experience, the fires of hell burn from afar. Write as I have said.' His lordship wrote. 'Do not imagine that this bond which you have given me is but an empty form, any more than is your promise to pay the fifty thousand pounds. You are of the Church, if you are not in it, a leaf, if not a branch; and she will demand from you exact and prompt payment of every jot and tittle which is her due. Above all, do not neglect your religious duties, not for a single hour of a single day.' 'But, my father, I cannot be a monk out in the world.' 'You will neglect them at your proper peril. Do not suppose I shall not know. You will be in error.' 'Do you intend to have me spied upon?' 'We intend to have you kept in sight. You had better do as I advised, and have a discreet priest as your companion.' 'But I am entitled to my freedom!' 'And is the presence of such an one incompatible with your ideas of freedom? My son, you'll be on your knees calling for me within a week.' 'At least--at least wait until I call.' 'In that case, take care lest you call in vain. Remember five years ago. If you become again what you were then, it will be for ever, and ever, and ever! You'll be but a voice perpetually calling out of hell.' 'My father, I--I am stronger than I was then.' 'We will hope it. Though I seem to hear the devil laughing. Now, my son, go!' 'Bless me, my father, before I go.'