lthough nothing further was said in conversation or at chapter, there
was a consciousness in the minds of both Dom Anthony and Chris that a
wall had arisen between them and the rest. Talk in the cloister was apt
to flag when either approached; and the Prior never spoke a word to them
beyond what was absolutely necessary.

Then, about the middle of January the last process began to be enacted.

* * * * *

One morning the Prior's place in church was empty.

He was accustomed to disappear silently, and no astonishment was caused
on this occasion; but at Compline the same night the Sub-Prior too was
gone.

This was an unheard-of state of things, but all except the guest-master
and Chris seemed to take it as a matter of course; and no word was
spoken.

After the chapter on the next morning Dom Anthony made a sign to Chris
as he passed him in the cloister, and the two went out together into the
clear morning-sunshine of the outer court.

Dom Anthony glanced behind him to see that no one was following, and
then turned to the other.

"They are both gone," he said, "and others are going. Dom Bernard is
getting his things together. I saw them under his bed last night."

Chris stared at him, mute and terrified.

"What are we to do, Dom Anthony?"

"We can do nothing. We must stay. Remember that we are the only two who
have any rights here now, before God."

There was silence a moment. Chris glanced at the other, and was
reassured by the steady look on his ruddy face.

"I will stay, Dom Anthony," he said softly.

The other looked at him tenderly.

"God bless you, brother!" he said.

That night Dom Bernard and another were gone. And still the others made
no sign or comment; and it was not until yet another pair had gone that
Dom Anthony spoke plainly.

He was now the senior monk in the house; and it was his place to direct
the business of the chapter. When the formal proceedings were over he
stood up fearlessly.

"You cannot hide it longer," he said. "I have known for some while what
was impending." He glanced round at the empty stalls, and his face
flushed with sudden anger: "For God's sake, get you gone, you who mean
to go; and let us who are steadfast serve our Lord in peace."

Chris looked along the few faces that were left; but they were downcast
and sedate, and showed no sign of emotion.

Dom Anthony waited a moment longer, and then gave the signal to depart.
By a week la