rather
Saxon era. The arches were sharply pointed. The windows, narrow and
lancet-shaped, were deeply recessed; the slender shafts of the columns
were carried in clusters to a vast height, surmounted by pinnacles of
rich and elegant tracery; these gave a light and airy character to the
whole, highly significant of the buoyant feelings that accompanied so
wonderful an escape from the heavy trammels of their predecessors.

Craving shelter, De Poininges was admitted without any question, as all
travellers partook indiscriminately of the general bounty. The religious
houses in those days were the constituted almonries of the rich and
great; and through these overflowing channels, for the most part,
proceeded their liberality and beneficence.

He was ushered into one of the _locutories_, or parlours, where, his
business being with the prior, he was desired to wait until an audience
could be granted.

Prior Thomas, from some cause or other not assigned, held himself at
that season much estranged and secluded from his brethren. He had seldom
been seen from his lodgings, except when performing his accustomed
office in the church. He had not taken his place in the refectory of
late, the duties of the day being performed by one of the elder canons.

De Poininges, after a short space, was summoned to the prior's chamber.
In his progress, he passed the door of the refectory where the brethren
were at supper. It was large and wainscoted, and furnished with an ample
dresser. Cupboards were let into the wall, and windows opened into the
kitchen, through which their meal was served.

One of the monks was reading the appointed service from a low pulpit or
desk. The prior's seat was still vacant. Their way now led through the
cloisters, and at the opposite side of the quadrangle a portal
communicated by a long and dark passage with the prior's lodging. This
was a sort of inferior castellated mansion, with a spacious hall, and a
smaller dining-chamber immediately adjoining. At the end was a fair
chapel or oratory. Ascending a flight of stone steps, they came to a
low door. The conductor knocked, and De Poininges soon found himself in
the presence of the proud Prior of Burscough. He wore a square cap of
black stuff, after the fashion of his order. His cloak, or upper
garment, was of the same colour, trimmed round the bottom with a double
edging. He reposed on a couch, or oaken settle, and seemed, in some
measure, either indisposed or