avoured somewhat more of pride than humility, informed him that he came
to beg a lodging for himself and his monks for one night. Sir Godfrey
knew, he said, that poor monks, who abjured the vanities of the world,
were not accustomed to grandeur; a little straw and some coarse rugs
were all they asked. Had the Abbot been taken at his word, he would
have been much astonished; but he well knew that the best bedchambers in
the Manor House would be thought honoured by his use of them. His
Reverence alighted from his mule, and, followed by the four monks, was
led into the hall, his bareheaded and obsequious host preceding them.
The ladies, who were assembling for supper, dropped on their knees at
the sight, and also received a priestly blessing. The Abbot was
conducted to the seat of honour, on Sir Godfrey's right hand.

The servers now brought in supper. It was a vigil, and therefore meat,
eggs, and butter were forbidden; but luxury, apart from these, being
unforbidden to such as preferred the letter to the spirit, the meal was
sufficiently appetising, notwithstanding this. Beside some fishes whose
names are inscrutable, our ancestors at this time ate nearly all we
habitually use, and in addition, whelks, porpoises, and lampreys. There
were soups made of apples, figs, beans, peas, gourds, rice, and wheat.
Fish pies and fruit pies, jellies, honey cakes and tarts, biscuits of
all descriptions, including maccaroons and gingerbread, vegetables far
more numerous than we use, salads, cucumbers, melons, and all fruits in
season, puddings of semolina, millet, and rice, almonds, spices,
pickles--went to make up a _menu_ by no means despicable.

Supper was half over when Sir Godfrey bethought himself of Perrote's
appeal and suggestion.

"Pray you, holy Father," said he, "have you in your abbey at this season
any of them called the poor priests, or know you where they may be
found?"

The Abbot's lips took such a setting as rather alarmed his host, who
began to wish his question unasked.

"I pray you of pardon if I ask unwisely," he hastily added. "I had
thought these men were somewhat in good favour in high place at this
time, and though I desire not at all to--"

"Wheresoever is my Lady Princess, there shall the poor priests find
favour," said the Abbot, with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "The
King, too, is not ill-affected toward them. But I forewarn you, my son,
that they be not over well liked of the Church and t