er important
instructions.

"Firstly: that it must be the Prioress's own wish and decision, apart
from any undue pressure from without, to resign her office and to
accept this dispensation, freeing her from her vows.

"Secondly; that she must leave the Nunnery and the neighbourhood,
secretly; if it be possible, appearing in her new position, as your
wife, without much question being raised as to whence she came.

"Thirdly: that when her absence becomes known in the Nunnery, I am
authorized solemnly to announce that she has been moved on by me,
secretly, with the knowledge and approval of the Holy Father, to a
place where she was required for higher service."

The Bishop smiled as he pronounced the final words. There was triumph
in his eye.

The Knight still looked as if he felt himself to be dreaming; yet on
his face was a great gladness of expectation.

"And, my lord," he exclaimed joyously, "what news for her! Shall you
send it, in the morn, or yourself take it to her?"

The Bishop's lips were pressed against his finger-tips.

"I know not," he answered, slowly; "I know not that I shall either take
or send it."

"But, my lord, surely! It will settle all doubts, solve all questions,
remove all difficulties----"

"Tut! Tut! Tut!" exclaimed the Bishop. "Good heavens, man! Dare I
wed you to a woman you know so little? Not for one instant, into her
consideration of the matter, will have entered any question as to what
Church or State might say or do. For her the question stands upon
simpler, truer, lines, not involved by rule or dogma: 'Is it right for
me, or wrong for me? Is it the will of God that I should do this
thing?'"

"But if you tell her, my lord, of the Holy Father's dispensation and
permission; what will she then say?"

"What will she then say?" Symon of Worcester softly laughed, as at
something which stirred an exceeding tender memory. "She will probably
say: 'You amaze me, my lord! Indeed, my lord, you amaze me! His
Holiness the Pope may rule at Rome; _you_, my Lord Bishop, rule in the
cities of this diocese; but _I_ rule in this Nunnery, and while I rule
here, such a thing as this shall never be!'"

The Bishop gently passed his hands the one over the other, as was his
habit when a recollection gave him keen mental pleasure.

"That is what the Prioress would probably say, my dear Knight, were I
so foolish as to flaunt before her this most priceless parchment. And
yet--I know not