usiness, Reverend Mother. I must ask for all the books of
the house, with the account of any sales you may have effected, properly
recorded. I must have a list of the inmates of the house, with a
statement of any corrodies attached; and the names and ages and dates of
profession of all the Religious."

The Abbess blinked for a moment.

"Yes, Mr. Torridon. You will allow me of course to see all your papers
to-morrow; it is necessary for me to be certified that all your part is
in order."

Ralph smiled a little grimly.

"You shall see all that," he said. "And then there is more that I must
ask; but that will do for a beginning. When I have shown you my papers
you will see what it is that I want."

There was a peal at the bell outside; the Abbess turned her head and
waited till there was a noise of bolts and unlocking.

"That will be your man, sir. Will you have him in now, Mr. Torridon?"

Ralph assented.

"And then he must look at the horses to see that all is as you wish."

Mr. Morris came in a moment later, and bowed with great deference to the
little old lady, who enquired his name.

"When you have finished with your man, Mr. Torridon, perhaps you will
allow him to ring for me at the door opposite. I will go with him to see
the horses."

Mr. Morris had brought with him the mass of his master's papers, and
when he had set these out and prepared the bedroom that opened out of
the guest-parlour, he asked leave to go across and fetch the Abbess.

Ralph busied himself for half-an-hour or so in running over the Articles
and Injunctions once more, and satisfying himself that he was perfect in
his business; and he was just beginning to wonder why his servant had
not reappeared when the door opened once more, and Mr. Morris slipped
in.

"My horse is a little lame, sir," he said. "I have been putting on a
poultice."

Ralph glanced up.

"He will be fit to travel, I suppose?"

"In a day or two, Mr. Ralph."

"Well; that will do. We shall be here till Monday at least."

* * * * *

Ralph could not sleep very well that night. The thought of his business
troubled him a little. It would have been easier if the Abbess had been
either more submissive or more defiant; but her air of mingled courtesy
and dignity affected him. Her innocence too had something touching in
it, and her apparent ignorance of what his visit meant. He had supped
excellently at her expense, waited on by a cheer