tly, and of talking
that grew louder. The hoofs ceased; there was a sharp peal on the bell;
and the talking began again.

Chris glanced across at his father; but the old man shook his head; and
the three remained as they were, watching and listening. As the bell
rang out again impatiently, the door behind opened, and the portress
came swiftly through, followed by the Abbess.

"Come quickly," the old lady whispered. "Sister Susan is going to let
them in."

She stood aside, and made a motion to them to come through, and a moment
late the four were in the convent, and the door was shut behind them.

"They are Mr. Torridon's men," whispered the Abbess, her eyes round with
excitement; "they are come to pack the things."

She led them on through the narrow passage, up a stone flight of stairs
to the corridor that ran over the little cloister, and pushed open the
door of a cell.

"Wait here," she said. "You can do no more. I will go down to them. You
are in the enclosure, but I cannot help it."

And she had whisked out again, with an air of extraordinary composure,
shutting the door behind her.

The three went across to the window, still speaking no word, and looked
down.

The tiny court seemed half full of people now. There were three horses
there, besides Ralph's own marked by its rich saddle, and still attached
to the ring by the stable door, and a couple of men were busy loading
one of them with bundles. From one of these, which was badly packed, a
shimmering corner of gold cloth projected.

Ralph was standing by the door of the guest-house watching, and making a
sign now and again with his whip. They could not see his face as he
stood so directly below them, only his rich cap and feather, and his
strong figure beneath. Mr. Morris was waiting now by his master's horse;
the portress was by her door.

As they looked the little black and white figure of the Abbess came out
beneath them, and stood by the portress.

The packing went on in silence. It was terrible to Mary to stand there
and watch the dumb-show tragedy, the wrecking and robbing of this
peaceful house; and yet there was nothing to be done. She knew that the
issues were in stronger hands than hers; she glanced piteously at her
father and brother on either side, but their faces were set and white,
and they did not turn at her movement.

There was the sound of an opening door, and two women came out from the
convent at one side and stood waiting. One