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didn't agree with, because he had been taught other-
wise, but he thought it was better to entrust the
boy's guidance to a young minister, who would
understand young people better. As far as he could
see, too, Floris had found peace. Whenever his
thoughts oppressed him, he could go to the domine
by the Spaarne, opposite the Melk Bridge. He had
confessed everything ; how, as long as he could
remember, as though a guileful voice was whispering
to him within, he had always had to think to prevent
himself from doing things he was afraid of. Domine
Tuynders had often explained to him about the law
of God and the law of sin, but each time he returned
he repeated that he couldn't believe that there would
be mercy for him, and each time, with a reassur-
ing smile, his arms stretched across the table, the
domine told him about the redemption. Then they
prayed together, and Floris went away with moist
eyes.
He went to Church twice on Sundays and to the
Bible readings. As he walked about the town or
when he was sitting in his room, all he wanted to
think of was his wickedness. He became melancholy
from staring in search of the darknesses in which no
more thoughts would come. What was the use of
believing that it was no longer himself who did the
wrong things, but the sin that dwelt within him?
What was the good of the will to good being there,
but not the power to do it ? And if the spirit was