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THE MONASTERY.
309
CHAPTER XI.
Julian Avenel saw with surprise the demeanour of the reverend stranger. "Beshrew me," he said, "these new-fashioned religioners have fast-days, I warrant me—the old ones used to confer these blessings chiefly on the laity."
"We acknowledge no such rule," said the preacher." We hold that our faith consists not in using or abstaining from special meats on special days; and in fasting we rend our hearts, and not our garments."
"The better—the better for yourselves, and the worse for Tom Tailor," said the Baron; "but come, sit down, or if thou