olas, half checking his horse, "and when was
that arranged?"

"Last night," went on Ralph. "He went to see the Holy Maid at St.
Sepulchre's, and it seems that she told him he had a vocation; so there
is an end of it."

"And what do you all think of it?" asked the other.

"Oh! I suppose he knows his business."

Nicholas asked a number of questions, and was informed that Chris
proposed to go to Lewes in a month's time. He was already twenty-three,
the Prior had given his conditional consent before, and there was no
need for waiting. Yes, they were Cluniacs; but Ralph believed that they
were far from strict just at present. It need not be the end of Chris so
far as this world was concerned.

"But you must not say that to him," he went on, "he thinks it is heaven
itself between four walls, and we shall have a great scene of farewell.
I think I must go back to town before it takes place: I cannot do that
kind of thing."

Nicholas was not attending, and rode on in silence for a few yards,
sucking in his lower lip.

"We are lucky fellows, you and I," he said at last, "to have a monk to
pray for us."

Ralph glanced at him, for he was perfectly grave, and a rather intent
and awed look was in his eyes.

"I think a deal of that," he went on, "though I cannot talk to a
churchman as I should. I had a terrible time with my Lord of Canterbury
last year, at Otford. He was not a hunter like this one, and I knew not
what else to speak of."

Ralph's eyes narrowed with amusement.

"What did you say to him?" he asked.

"I forget," said Nicholas, "and I hope my lord did. Mary told me I
behaved like a fool. But this one is better. I hear. He is at Ashford
now with his hounds."

They talked a little more about Chris, and Ralph soon saw on which side
Nicholas ranged himself. It was an unfeigned pleasure to this hunting
squire to have a monk for a brother-in-law; there was no knowing how
short purgatory might not be for them all under the circumstances.

It was evident, too, when they came up with the others a couple of miles
further on, that Nicholas's attitude towards the young man had undergone
a change. He looked at him with a deep respect, refrained from
criticising his bloodless hands, and was soon riding on in front beside
him, talking eagerly and deferentially, while Ralph followed with Mary
and his father.

"You have heard?" he said to her presently.

"Father has just told me," she said. "We are very much pleased--