out overhead for mass as they sat there in the dim
morning light, twenty or thirty strokes, and ceased; but there was no
movement from the little door of the guest-house across the court. The
portress had disappeared through the second door that led from the tiny
room in which they sat, into the precincts of the convent itself.

Mary looked distractedly round her; at the little hatch that gave on to
the entrance gate, and the chain hanging by it that communicated with
one of the bolts, at the little crucifix that hung beside it, the
devotional book that lay on the shelf, the door into the convent with
the title "_Clausura_" inscribed above it. She glanced at her father and
brother.

Sir James was sitting with his grey head in his hands, motionless and
soundless; Chris was standing upright and rigid, staring steadily out
through the window into the court.

Then through the window she too saw Mr. Morris come out from the
guest-house and pass along to the stable.

Again there was silence.

The minutes went by, and the Saunce bell sounded three strokes from the
turret. Chris sank on to his knees, and a moment later Mary and her
father followed his example, and so the three remained in the dark
silent lodge, with no sound but their breathing, and once a sharp
whispered word of prayer from the old man.

As the sacring bell sounded there was a sudden noise in the court, and
Mary lifted her head.

From where she knelt she could see the two doors across the court, those
of the guest-house and the stable beyond, and simultaneously, out of the
one came Ralph, gloved and booted, with his cap on his head, and Mr.
Morris leading his horse out of the other.

The servant lifted his cap at the sound of the bell, and dropped on to
his knees, still holding the bridle; his master stood as he was, and
looked at him. Mary could only see the latter's profile, but even that
was scornful and hard.

Again the bell sounded; the mystery was done; and the servant stood up.

As her father and Chris rose, Mary rose with them; and the three
remained in complete silence, watching the little scene in the court.

Ralph made a sign; and the servant attached the bridle of the horse to a
ring beside the stable-door, and went past his master into the
guest-house with a deferential stoop of the shoulders. Ralph stood a
moment longer, and then followed him in.

Then again the minutes went by.

There was a sound of horse-hoofs on the road presen