purposes not coming to the evening meal, and intends spending the whole
night in prayer and vigil, before our Lady's shrine. Therefore the
Worthy Mother--I, myself--must start at once to fetch the great Lord
Bishop; and you, Sister Mary Mark, must open the gate and let me be
gone."

The porteress gazed, round-eyed and amazed.

"Nay, Sister Mary Antony, that can I not, without an order from the
Reverend Mother herself. And even then, you could not walk so far as
to the Lord Bishop's Palace. I doubt if you would even reach the
Fore-gate."

"That I should, and shall!" cried Mary Antony. "And, if my old legs
fail me, many a gallant will dismount and offer me his horse. Thus in
fine style shall I ride into Worcester city. Didst thou not see me
bestride the Lord Bishop's white palfrey on Play Day?"

Sister Mary Mark broke into laughter.

"Aye," she said, "my sides have but lately ceased aching. I pray you,
Sister Antony, call not that sight again into my mind."

"Then open the door, Mary Mark, and let me go."

"Nay, that I dare not do."

"Then, if I fail to do as bidden by the great Lord Bishop, I shall tell
his lordship that thou, and thine obstinacy, stood in the way of the
fulfilment of my purpose."

The porteress wavered.

"Bring me leave from the Reverend Mother, Sister Antony."

"Nay, that can I not," said Mary Antony, "as any fool might see, when I
go without the Reverend Mother's knowledge to report to the Lord Bishop
by his private command. Even the Reverend Mother herself obeys the
commands of the Lord Bishop."

Sister Mary Mark hesitated. She certainly had seen the Lord Bishop
pass under the rose-arch, and enter the garden, in close converse with
Sister Mary Antony. Yet her trust at the gate was given to her by the
Reverend Mother.

"See here, Mary Mark," said Sister Antony. "I must send a message
forthwith to Mother Sub-Prioress. You shall take it, leaving me in
charge of the gate, as often I am left, by order of the Reverend
Mother, when you are bidden elsewhere. If, on your return--and you
need not to hurry--you find me gone, none can blame you. Yet when the
Lord Bishop rides in at sunset, he will give you his blessing and, like
enough, something besides."

Mary Mark's hesitation vanished.

"I will take your message, Sister Antony," she said meekly.

"Go, by way of the kitchens and the Refectory stairs, to the cell of
Mother Sub-Prioress. Say that the Reverend Mother purpose