In a few moments it opened again to admit a short square monk with a heavy, composed face and an authoritative manner.
"You have sent for me, holy father ?" "Yes, brother Jerome, I wish that this matter be disposed of with as little scandal as may be, and yet it is needful that the example should be a public one." The Abbot spoke in Latin now, as a language which was more fitted by its age and solemnity to convey the thoughts of two high dignitaries of the order.
"It would, perchance, be best that the novices be not admitted," suggested the master.

"This mention of a woman may turn their minds from their pious meditations to worldly and evil thoughts." "Woman! woman!" groaned the Abbot.

"Well has the holy Chrysostom termed them _radix malorum_.

From Eve downwards, what good hath come from any of them?
Who brings the plaint ?" "It is brother Ambrose." "A holy and devout young man." "A light and a pattern to every novice." "Let the matter be brought to an issue then according to our old-time monastic habit.

Bid the chancellor and the sub-chancellor lead in the brothers according to age, together with brother John, the accused, and brother Ambrose, the accuser." "And the novices ?" "Let them bide in the north alley of the cloisters.