The Heretic's Apprentice Read Online Free PDF Page B

testifies to his quality and courage.’
    It was characteristic of Serlo, that harmless and guileless soul – so Cadfael thought long afterwards, when the dust had settled – to speak up with the best of intentions at the wrong moment, and in disastrously wrong words.
    â€˜So good counsel prevailed,’ he said, beaming. ‘A timely word of admonishment and warning has had this blessed effect. Truly a priest should never be silent when he hears doctrine misread. His words may turn a soul astray into the right path.’
    His childlike gratification faded slowly into the heavy silence he had provoked. He looked about him without immediate understanding, and gradually perceived how most eyes avoided him, looking studiously far into the distance or down into folded hands, while Abbot Radulfus viewed him steadily and hard but without expression, and Canon Gerbert turned on him a cold, transfixing glare. The beaming smile faded sickly from Serlo’s round and innocent face. ‘To pay good heed to stricture and obey instruction atones for all errors,’ he ventured, trying to edge away whatever in his words had caused this consternation, and failing. His voice ebbed feebly into silence.
    â€˜What doctrine,’ demanded Gerbert with black deliberation, ‘had this man misread? What occasion had his priest had to admonish him? Are you saying that he was ordered to go on pilgrimage, to purge some mortal error?’
    â€˜No, no, not ordered,’ said Serlo faintly. ‘It was suggested to him that his soul would benefit by such a reparation.’
    â€˜Reparation for what gross offence?’ pursued the canon relentlessly.
    â€˜Oh, none, none that did harm to any, no act of violence or dishonesty. It is long past,’ said Serlo gallantly, digging in his heels with unaccustomed bravery to retrieve what he had launched. ‘It was nine years ago, when Archbishop William of Corbeil, of blessed memory, sent out a preaching mission to many of the towns in England. As papal legate he was concerned for the wellbeing of the Church, and thought fit to use preaching canons from his own house at St. Osyth’s. I was sent to attend on the reverend Father who came into our diocese, and I was with him when he preached here at the High Cross. William of Lythwood entertained us to supper afterwards, and there was much earnest talk. He was not contumacious, he did but enquire and question, and in all solemnity. A courteous, hospitable man. But even in thought – for want of proper instruction...’
    â€˜What you are saying,’ pronounced Gerbert menacingly, ‘is that a man who was reproved for heretical views is now asking for burial within these walls.’
    â€˜Oh, I would not say heretical,’ babbled Serlo in haste. ‘Misguided views, perhaps, but I would not say heretical. There was no complaint ever made of him to the bishop. And you have seen that he did as he was counselled, for two years later he set out on this pilgrimage.’
    â€˜Many men undertake pilgrimages for their own pleasure,’ said Gerbert grimly, ‘rather than for the proper purpose. Some even for trade, like hucksters. The act is no absolution for error, it is the sincere intent that delivers.’
    â€˜We have no reason,’ Abbot Radulfus pointed out drily, ‘to conclude that William’s intent was less than sincere. These are judgements which are out of our hands, we should have the humility to acknowledge as much.’
    â€˜Nevertheless, we have a duty under God, and cannot evade it. What proof have we that the man ever changed those suspect beliefs he held? We have not examined as to what they were, how grave, and whether they were ever repented and discarded. Because there is here in England a healthy and vigorous Church, we must not think that the peril of false belief belongs only to the past. Have you not heard that there are loose preachers abroad in France who