emembered, soon after his own coming
to the place; the records had been searched, and the arms of every prior
copied and emblazoned in the panes. There they all were; from Lanzo of
five centuries ago, whose arms were conjectural, down to Robert Crowham,
who had forsaken his trust; telling the long tale of prelates and
monastic life, from the beginning to the close. He looked round beyond
the circle of light cast by his own candle, and the place seemed full of
ghosts and presences to his fancy. The pale oak panelling glimmered
along the walls above the empty seats, from the Prior's to the left,
over which the dusky fresco of the Majesty of Christ grew darker still
as the light faded, down to the pulpit opposite where Dom Anthony's
grave ruddy face with downcast eyes stood out vivid in the candlelight.
Ah! surely there was a cloud of witnesses now, a host of faces looking
down from the black rafters overhead, and through the glimmering
panes,--the faces of those who had eaten here with the same sacramental
dignity and graciousness that these two survivors used. It was
impossible to feel lonely in this stately house, saturated with holy
life; and with a thrill at his heart he remembered how Dom Anthony had
once whispered to him at the beginning of the troubles, that if others
held their peace the very stones should cry out; and that God was able
of those stones to raise up children to His praise....

There was a sound of brisk, hurrying footsteps in the cloister outside,
Dom Anthony ceased his reading with his finger on the place, and the
eyes of the two monks met.

The door was opened abruptly, and Morris stood there.

"My master has sent me, sir," he said. "They are coming."

CHAPTER VI

THE LAST STAND

The court outside had deepened into shadows as they came out; but
overhead the sky still glowed faintly luminous in a tender translucent
green. The evening star shone out clear and tranquil opposite them in
the west.

There were three figures standing at the foot of the steps that led down
from the cloister; one of the servants with the two gentlemen; and as
Chris pushed forward quickly his father turned and lifted his finger for
silence.

The town lay away to the right; and over the wall that joined the west
end of the church to the gatehouse, there were a few lights
visible--windows here and there just illuminated.

For the first moment Chris thought there had been a mistake; he had
expected a clamou