They entered the tower, and Benedict, who walked feebly, sat for some moments silent in his chair, as if he had need of repose before the effort of speaking.

Through the window streamed a warm light, illumining the aged face turned thither with eyes which dreamt upon the vanishing day.
'So you are no longer impatient to be gone ?' were the abbot's first words, spoken in a voice which had not lost its music, though weakness made it low.
'My father,' answered Basil, 'I have striven with myself and God has helped me.' He knew that it was needless to say more.

The eyes bent upon him read all his thoughts; the confessions, the pleadings, he might have uttered, all lay open before that calm intelligence.' 'It is true, dear son,' said Benedict, 'that you have fought bravely, and your countenance declares that, in some measure, victory has been granted you.

That it is not the complete victory of those who put the world for ever beneath their feet, shall not move me to murmur.

The Lord of the vineyard biddeth whom He will; not all are called to the same labour; it may be--for in this matter I see but darkly--it may be that the earthly strife to which your heart impels you shall serve the glory of the Highest.