our Lady
should herself offer it, by vision or revelation. I could wish thy gay
little Knight of the Bloody Vest might indeed fly with her to his nest
and teach her a few sweet lessons, in the green privacy of some leafy
paradise. But I tell thee too much, worthy Mother. Keep a silent
tongue in that shrewd old head of thine. Minister to her; and send
word to me if I am needed. _Benedicite_."

An hour later, mounted upon his black mare, Shulamite, the Bishop rode
to the high ground, on the north-east, above the city, from whence he
could look down upon the river meadow.

As he had done on the previous day, he watched the Prioress riding upon
Icon.

Once she put the horse to so sudden and swift a gallop that the Bishop,
watching from afar, reined back Shulamite almost on to her haunches, in
a sudden fear that Icon was about to leap into the stream.

For an hour the Prioress rode, with flying veil, white on the white
steed; a fair marble group, quickened into motion.

Then, that penance being duly performed, she vanished through the
archway.

Turning Shulamite, Symon of Worcester rode slowly down the hill, passed
southward, and entered the city by Friar's Gate; and so to the Palace,
where Hugh d'Argent waited.

The Bishop led him, through a postern, into the garden; and there on a
wide lawn, out of earshot of any possible listeners, the Bishop and the
Knight walked up and down in earnest conversation.

At length: "To-morrow, in the early morn," said the Knight, "I send her
tire-woman on to Warwick, with all her effects, keeping back only the
riding suit. Should she elect to come, we must be free to ride without
drawing rein. Even so we shall reach Warwick only something before
midnight."

"She tore it up and planted her foot upon it," remarked the Bishop.

"I will not give up hope," said the Knight.

"Nothing short of a miracle, my son, will change her mind, or move her
from her fixed resolve."

"Then our Lady will work a miracle," declared the Knight bravely. "I
prayed 'Send her to me!' and our blessed Lady smiled."

"A sculptured smile, dear lad, is ever there. Had you prayed 'Hold her
from me!' our Lady would equally have smiled."

"Nay," said the Knight; "I keep my trust in prayer."

They paused at the parapet overhanging the river.

"I was successful," said the Knight, "in dealing with Eustace, her
nephew. There will be no need to apply to the King. The ambition was
his mother's. No