ght course, and
he went on rejoicing and said pleasantly to his companions: "I will go
before you and shield you from the wind with my cloak." But as they drew
near to the place, they went up to the top of an hill, and having made a
circuit round the mountains for some little space, they at last beheld a
valley, that was narrow and deep, upon the northern side of the mountain,
and Gerard's disciples asked him a question, saying: "See! most beloved
Master, how good is this place, and how private; here we may hide for the
love of Christ, as of old the holy Eremites did hide in the mountains and
in caves in the earth." But this they said in simplicity of heart out of
the fervent zeal of their devotion, and their desire for a life more
remote from the world, for they thought there they could be hid, screened
by the thickets of brushwood. But the Master being most discreet and
wise in counsel soon dissuaded them from this purpose, for a place that
lieth low doth never suit the human complexion, nor would a place so
narrow avail in future for many men to dwell in. So they withdrew their
feet prudently therefrom and visited another mountain that was near; and
their wise leader saw that on the south side thereof was a level place
fit for crops, and he said to them that stood by: "Place your tabernacle
at the foot of this mountain--then shall ye be able to make a little
garden for your herbs and fruits on the level place toward the south. If
the Lord grant me life I will be here often with you." Having visited
this place and walked about it through God's inspiration, they returned
again to the City together, leaving the issue of the matter to the
pleasure of the Almighty. But in the same year the beloved Master
Gerard, that light and lamp of devotion that shone upon his country of
Utrecht, was taken away from this world to receive the reward of his
labours, and he went up from the vale of our lamentations to the mount of
everlasting bliss.

CHAPTER II.

_Of the building of the first House on Mount St. Agnes_.

But after the passing of the Master, who must ever be held in
remembrance, the new branch of his planting ceased not to bear fruit;
moreover the heaven shed dew upon it from above, as Gerard at the end of
his life had promised, so that our land yielded increase in her season;
and the men above named continued to carry into effect the intention
which they had formed in their minds. The chief mover in this ho