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to be Prioress of the White Ladies of Worcester; but when she laid herself down before the shrine of Saint Oswald, full length upon the stretcher, at her lover's feet. Hugh stooped, and hid the bandages beside her. He could not bring himself to touch or to disguise that lovely head. Instead, he covered her completely with the cloak; saying, in deep tones of infinite tenderness: "Our Lady be with thee. It will not be for long." Then, shrill through the silent crypt, rang the dear call of the blackbird. CHAPTER XXXII A GREAT RECOVERY AND RESTORATION Symon, Bishop of Worcester, attended by his Chaplain, chanced to be walking through the Precincts on his way from the Priory to the Palace, just as the men-at-arms bearing the stretcher came through the great door of the Cathedral. Father Benedict, cowled, and robed completely in black, a head and shoulders taller than the Bishop, walked behind him, a somewhat sinister figure. The Bishop stopped. "Precede me to the Palace, Father Benedict," he said. "I wish to have speech with yonder Knight who, I think, comes this way." The Chaplain stood still, made deep obeisance, jerked his cowl more closely over his face, and strode away. The Bishop waited, a radiant figure, in the afternoon sunshine. His silken cassock, his silvery hair, his blue eyes, so vivid and searching, not only made a spot on which light concentrated, but almost seemed themselves to give forth light. The steady tramp of the men-at-arms drew nearer. Hugh d'Argent walked beside the stretcher, head erect, eyes shining, his hand upon the hilt of his sword. When the Bishop saw the face of the Knight, he moved to meet the little procession as it approached. He held up his hand, and the men-at-arms halted. "Good-day to you, Sir Hugh," said the Bishop. "Hath your pilgrimage to the shrine of the blessed Saint Oswald worked the recovery you hoped?" "Aye, my lord," replied the Knight, "a great recovery and restoration. We start for Warwick in an hour's time." "Wonderful!" said the Bishop. "Our Lady and the holy Saint be praised! But you are wise to keep the patient well covered. However complete the restoration, great care is required at first, and over-exertion must be avoided." "Your blessing for the patient, Reverend Father," said the Knight, uncovering. The Bishop moved nearer. He laid his hand upon the form beneath the blue and silver cloak. "_Benedicti
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