"But you are here," cried Paul. "What saved you?"
"The grace of God, which is beyond telling, at the moment, and, under Him, Father Vassall afterwards. He may tell you if he please."
Paul glanced at the priest. But he shook his head. "I t-t-told you it was the d-d-devil," he said.
"Father Vassall, perhaps, can hardly speak of it, Mr. Kestern. He fought for my soul. He held me all one night, and a crucifix in my hands, while Satan shook my body, my bed, the very room, but could not prevail."
And silence drew in and sat between the three of them.
Paul broke it. He sighed. "Forgive me," he said, "but what is one to believe? You explain one thing by an unknown force; why not so explain this? And--I don't mean to be rude, Mr. Etheridge--I suppose we all have a side to our character which, supposing it were for any reason developed and released, might do terrible things."
The ex-Spiritualist bowed slightly. "You are quite right," he said tranquilly. "That is one explanation. You can explain the Gospels and the Incarnation and Lourdes and--and Spiritualism that way. Men even explain man. If there were no explanation possible, there would be no need of faith."
Father Vassall made a quick gesture. "'_Si scires donum Dei_,'" he said. "Don't t-t-tempt God, Kestern."
Etheridge rose as if he had not heard. "Let us walk in the garden a little," he said, "and breathe clean air."
That evening, Father Vassall varied the order of night prayers somewhat. He crossed over the chapel to Paul, after the Scripture reading, and put a little manual in his hand. It was not wholly unfamiliar to the boy, but for the first time the real significance of the Office of Compline dawned on him. He saw the long dark corridors leading from chapel, the silent shut-off monastic cells, the peasant on his lonely road home, the soldier on sentry guard while the camp slept. He saw that the night had been alive to such, and that their faith had made these prayers for a shield. And he was not sorry for that shield himself that night.
Grant us, O Lord, a quiet night and a perfect end. Your adversary the devil, goeth about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Thou shalt not be afraid for the Terror by night, For He shall give His angels charge over thee. Visit this house, we beseech Thee, O Lord. Drive far from it all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell therein....