y of the chapel until he could depart under the care of twelve
monks of Glastonbury, who were coming in the stead of the Abbot--he
being, unfortunately, indisposed. Sir Philip Ashton had likewise been
invited, in the hope that his presence might prove a check upon
Clarenham.

CHAPTER IX

With the first dawn of morning, the chapel bell began to toll, and was
replied to by the deeper sound of the bell of the parish church. Soon
the court began to be filled with the neighbouring villagers, with
beggars, palmers, mendicant friars of all orders, pressing to the
buttery-hatch, where they received the dole of bread, meat, and ale,
from the hands of the pantler, under the direction of the almoner of
Glastonbury, who requested their prayers for the soul of the noble Sir
Reginald Lynwood, and Dame Eleanor of Clarenham, his wife. The
peasantry of Lynwood, and the beggars, whose rounds brought them
regularly to the Keep of Lynwood, and who had often experienced the
bounty of the departed lady, replied with tears and blessings. There
were not wanting the usual though incongruous accompaniments of such a
scene--the jugglers and mountebanks, who were playing their tricks in
one corner.

Within the hall, all was in sad, sober, and solemn array, contrasting
with the motley concourse in the court. Little Arthur, dressed in
black, stood by the side of his uncle, to receive the greetings of his
yeoman vassals, as they came in, one by one, with clownish courtesy,
but hearty respect and affection, and great satisfaction at the
unexpected appearance of the young Knight.

Next came in long file, mounted on their sleek mules, the twelve monks
of Glastonbury, whom the Knight and his nephew reverently received at
the door, and conducted across the hall to the chapel, where the parish
Priest, Father Cyril, and some of the neighbouring clergy had been
chanting psalms since morning light. On the way Sir Eustace held some
conference with the chief, Brother Michael, who had come prepared to
assist in conveying Arthur, if possible, to Glastonbury, but was very
glad to find that the Knight was able to take upon himself the charge
of his nephew, without embroiling the Abbey with so formidable an enemy
as Lord de Clarenham.

The next arrival was Sir Philip Ashton and his son, who could hardly
believe their eyes when Eustace met them. Leonard's manner was at
first cordial; but presently, apparently checked by some sudden
recollection,