y there were no foolish virgins
about. There was but one foolish prelate.'"

She, who so lately had been Prioress of the White Ladies, flushed with
indignation at the words.

"Wherefore said he so?" she inquired, severely. "He, who is always
wiser than the wisest."

Hugh noted the heightened colour and the ready protest.

"Perhaps," he suggested, speaking slowly, as if choosing his words with
care, "the Bishop's head, being so wise, revealed to him, in himself, a
certain foolishness of heart."

Mora struck the table with her hand.

"Nay then, verily!" she cried. "Head and heart alike are wise;
and--unlike other men--the Bishop's head rules his heart."

"And a most noble heart,", the Knight said, with calmness; neither
wincing at the blow upon the table, nor at the "unlike other men,"
flung out in challenge.

Then, folding his arms upon the table, and looking searchingly into the
face of his bride: "Tell me," he said, "during all these years, has
this friendship with Symon of Worcester meant much to thee?"

Something in his tone arrested Mora. She answered, with an equal
earnestness: "Yes, Hugh. It has done more for me than can well be
told. It has kept living and growing in me much that would otherwise
have been stunted or dead; an ever fresh flow of thought, where, but
for him, would have been a stagnant pool. My sad heart might have
grown bitter, my nature too austere, particularly when advancement to
high office brought with it an inevitable loneliness, had it not been
for the interest and charm of his visits and missives; his constant
gifts and kindness. There is about him a light-hearted gaiety, a
whimsical humour, a joy in life, which cannot fail to wake responsive
gladness in any heart with which he comes in contact. And mingled with
his shrewd wisdom, his wide knowledge of men and matters, there is ever
a tender charity, which thinks no evil, always believing in good and
hoping for the best; a love which never fails; a kindness which makes
one ashamed of harbouring hard or revengeful thoughts."

Hugh made no reply. He sat with his eyes fixed upon the beautiful face
before him, now glowing with enthusiasm. He waited for something more.
And presently it came.

"Also," said Mora, slowly: "a very precious memory of my early days at
Court, when as a young maiden I attended on the Queen, was kept alive
by a remarkable likeness in the Bishop to one who was, as I learned
this morning for the fir