told of it--told often--but refused to believe it. He could not

comprehend how a man could be so depraved as to use the sacred

protection

and security of hospitality as a means for the commission of such a crime

as that. But when he heard the rowdies in the streets singing the

love-songs of Abelard to Heloise, the case was too plain--love-songs come

not properly within the teachings of rhetoric and philosophy.

He drove Abelard from his house. Abelard returned secretly and carried

Heloise away to Palais, in Brittany, his native country. Here, shortly

afterward, she bore a son, who, from his rare beauty, was surnamed

Astrolabe--William G. The girl's flight enraged Fulbert, and he longed

for vengeance, but feared to strike lest retaliation visit Heloise--for

he still loved her tenderly. At length Abelard offered to marry Heloise

-but on a shameful condition: that the marriage should be kept secret

from the world, to the end that (while her good name remained a wreck, as

before,) his priestly reputation might be kept untarnished. It was like

that miscreant. Fulbert saw his opportunity and consented. He would see

the parties married, and then violate the confidence of the man who had

taught him that trick; he would divulge the secret and so remove somewhat

of the obloquy that attached to his niece's fame. But the niece

suspected his scheme. She refused the marriage at first; she said

Fulbert would betray the secret to save her, and besides, she did not

wish to drag down a lover who was so gifted, so honored by the world,

and who had such a splendid career before him. It was noble,

self-sacrificing love, and characteristic of the pure-souled Heloise,

162

The Innocents Abroad