the metrical
biographer, who put it in his fifteenth; and Matthew Paris and the
Legend, who write him down as over sixteen. Mr. Dimock would have us
count from his entry into the canonry, and so counts him as twenty-four;
Canon Perry and Father Thurston say "nineteenth year," or "nineteen."
The Canons Regular of Villarbenoit seem to have been rather liberal in
their interpretation of church regulations, but it is hardly likely that
the bishop of Grenoble would so far stretch a point as to ordain a lad
much below the canonical age, even if he were of a great house and great
piety. Anyhow it is hardly worth while for the general reader to waste
time over these ticklish points. It is enough to say that Hugh was
ordained young, that he looked pink and white over his white stole and
broidered tunic, and that he soon preached vigorously, warmly, and
movingly to the crowd and to his old acquaintances. Sinners heard a very
straightforward message, and holy persons were edified by the clever way
in which he handled difficult topics, and in him they "blessed the true
Joseph, who had placed his own cup in the mouth of his younger brother's
sack." Indeed, he must have been a captivating and interesting young
man, and since he was so strikingly like Henry II. of England that
folks' tongues wagged freely about it, we may picture him as a young man
of moderate height, rather large in the brow, with red brown hair,
bright grey eyes, large chest, and generally of an athletic build and
carriage. He had a face which easily flushed and told both of anger and
a lively sense of humour.

He was the delight of his house, and of the people about, who welcomed
him with enthusiasm when he came back after nearly forty years' absence.
But most of all he was the apple of the eye to his old scholarly father
prior, who loved him as his own soul. It is not wonderful that when one
of the scanty brotherhood was called upon to take charge of a small
country living, the "cell of St. Maximin," the zealous deacon was chosen
to administer the same. The tiny benefice could hardly support one, with
small household, but Hugh insisted upon having an old priest to share
the benefice. A little parcel of glebe and a few vines, tended by honest
rustics, were his. They were able by pious frugality to nourish the poor
and grace the rich. The parishioners grew in holiness. The congregation
swelled from many sources, and the sermons (of life and word) were
translated in