he intrusted him with gravest secrets; amongst others, that a person well known and greatly beloved is under watch for the highest of religious crimes. Pause now, O Princess, and consider the obligations inseparable from the relation and trust here disclosed.... Look then to this other circumstance. The person accused condescended to be the friend and patron of the same neophyte, and by vouching for him to the head of the Church, put him on the road to favor and quick promotion. Briefly, O Princess, to which is obligation first owing? The father superior or the patron in danger?" 

 The Princess replied calmly, but with feeling: "It is not a supposition, Sergius." 

 Though surprised, he returned: "Without it I could not have your decision first." 

 "Thou, Sergius, art the distressed neophyte." 

 He held his hands out to her: "Give me thy judgment." 

 "The Hegumen of the St. James' is the accuser." 

 "Be just, O Princess! To which is the obligation first owing?" 

 "I am the accused," she continued, in the same tone. 

 He would have fallen on his knees. "No, keep thy feet. A watchman may be behind me now." 

 He had scarcely resumed his position before she asked, still in the quiet searching manner: "What is the highest religious crime? Or rather, to men in authority, like the Hegumen of your Brotherhood, what is the highest of all crimes?" 

 He looked at her in mute supplication. 

 "I will tell you—HERESY." 

 Then, compassionating his suffering, she added: "My poor Sergius! I am not upbraiding you. You are showing me your soul. I see it in its first serious trial.... I will forget that I am the denounced, and try to help you. Is there no principle to which we can refer the matter—no Christian principle? The Hegumen claims silence from you; on the other side, your conscience—I would like to say preference—impels you to speak a word of warning for the benefit of your patroness. There, now, we have both the dispute and the disputants. Is it not so?" 

 Sergius bowed his head. 

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