ned man, and an
artist."

"And what is the daily life of Solesmes?" asked Durtal.

"Very methodical and very simple: Matins and Lauds at four in the
morning; at nine o'clock tierce, mass for the brethren, and sext; at
noon dinner; at four nones and vespers; at seven supper; at half-past
eight compline and deep silence. As you see, there is time for
meditation and work in the intervals between the canonical hours and
meals."

"And the oblates?"

"What oblates? I saw none at Solesmes."

"Indeed--then if there are any, do they lead the same life as the
Fathers?"

"Evidently; excepting, perhaps, some dispensations depending on the
Abbot's favour. I can tell you this much: that in some other Benedictine
Houses that I have visited the general system is that the oblate shall
follow as much of the rule as he is able for."

"Still, he is, I suppose, free to come and go--his actions are free?"

"When once he has taken the oath of obedience to his Superior, and,
after his term of probation, has adopted the monastic habit, he is as
much a monk as the rest, and consequently can do nothing without the
Father Superior's leave."

"The deuce!" muttered Durtal. "Of course, if the ridiculous metaphor so
familiar to the world were accurate, if the cloister were rightly
compared to a tomb, the condition of the oblate would also be tomb-like,
only its walls would be less air-tight, and the stone, a little tilted,
would admit a ray of daylight."

"If you like!" said the Abbe, laughing.

As they walked, they had reached the Bishop's palace.

They went into the forecourt, and saw the Abbe Gevresin making his way
to the gardens; they joined him, and the old priest asked them to go
with him to the kitchen garden, where, to oblige his housekeeper, he was
to inspect the seeds she had sown.

"Aye, and I too promised long ago to look at the vegetables," exclaimed
Durtal.

They went down the ancient paths and reached the orchard on the slope;
and as soon as Madame Bavoil caught sight of them she grounded arms, so
to speak, setting her foot in gardener fashion on the spade she had
stuck into the soil.

She proudly pointed to her rows of cabbages and carrots, onions and
peas, announced that she intended to make an attempt on the gourd tribe,
expatiated on cucumbers and pumpkins, and to conclude, declared that at
the bottom of the kitchen garden she meant to have a flower-bed.

Then they sat down on a mound that formed a sort of sea