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In that city wherein Evaft and Aloma lived as penitents, it came to pass that an old man, who was given to luft, took a wife that was young, and a woman of ripe age was wedded, for the sake of carnal pleasure, to a gallant youth, who took her to wife because she was rich. The youth and the damsel were neighbours, and saw one another often, and the devil, who strives with all his might to lead men aftray, treated with them till they were vanquished by the sin of luft.

n that State of carnal sin, and

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other therein, it chanced that upon a feaft-day the old man and the youth with their wives were in the church at Mass. Now as they heard Mass, the rain descended heavily. Evaft and Aloma were Sanding at the doors of the old and the young man, asking alms for the sake of Jesus Chrift as was their wont, when from each house came forth a servant bearing a rain-cloak and over-shoes for her lord and lady. The one servant said to the other: “ Let us give alms to these two poor folk, and let them bear the cloaks and shoes to the church that we be not harmed by the rain.” Each of the servants thought it well, and gave bread to Evaft and Aloma, telling them to take the cloaks and shoes to their employers.

2. So Evaft bore the cloaks and the shoes of the men, and Aloma those of the women. And they entered the church, which was filled with people, and in the presence of all performed their errand. Great marvel had the people at the humility of Evaft and Aloma, and greater than all was the marvel of the two men and the two women to whom Evaft and Aloma had brought the cloaks. And because the holy lives of Evaft and Aloma were known throughout the city, and the noble and honourable eftate of their former days was very great, therefore the youth and the girl re¬ solved that they would know each other carnally no longer, nor commit the sin of luft. The older woman also repented of the intent for the which she had wedded the youth, and likewise did the old man ; and each one, through the good example of Evaft and Aloma, grew to love chaftity and religion.