"
Don Clemente's whole face flushed as he spoke thus, in low tones.
Benedetto bowed his head, and Don Clemente laid his hands upon it with
gentle dignity.
"Do you desire to surrender your whole being to Supreme Truth, to His
Church, visible and invisible?" said the low, manly voice.
As though he had expected both the action and the question, Benedetto
answered at once, and in a firm voice:
"Yes."
The low voice:
"Do you promise, as from man to man, to remain unwed and poor, until I
shall absolve you from your promise?"
The firm voice
"Yes."
The low voice:
"Do you promise to be obedient always to the authority of the Holy
Church, administered according to her laws?"
The firm voice:
"Yes."
Don Clemente drew his disciple's head towards him, and said, his lips
almost touching Benedetto's forehead:
"I asked the Abbot to allow me to give you the habit of a lay-brother,
that on leaving here you might, at least, carry with you the sign of
a humble religious office. The Abbot wished to speak with you before
deciding.
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