"But  Columba  fortunately  was  connected  with  other  house-
holds more  united,  where  he  could  admire  the  happiness  of
his  friends  without  feeling  himself  compelled  to  make-
peace. From  his  sanctuary  at  lona  his  habitual  solicitude
and  watchful  sympathy  followed  them  to  their  last  hour.
One  day  he  was  alone  with  one  of  the  Saxons  whom  he
had  converted  and  attached  to  his  community,  and  who  was
the  baker  of  the  monks.  While  this  stranger  prepared  his-
bread,  he  heard  the  abbot  say,  looking  up  to  heaven,  'Oh  L
happy,  happy  woman  !  She  goes  into  heaven  with  a  guard
of  angels.'  Exactly  a  year  after,  the  abbot  and  the  Saxon
baker  were  again  together.  '  I  see  the  woman/  said
Columba,  '  of  whom  I  spoke  to  thee  last  year  coming  down
from  heaven  to  meet  the  soul  of  her  husband,  who  has  just
died.  She  contends  with  powerful  enemies  for  that  dear
soul,  by  the  help  of  the  holy  angels  :  she  gains  the  day,  she-
triumphs,  because  her  goodman  has  been  a  just  man — and


106       The  Monks  of  lona  and  the  Duke  of  Argyll.
