Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-16
4 \ x
CHAPTER xI-Continued.

"Ah, you start" said she, with the Same
sidelong look Of mischief, land cannot
marvel at 1t. Didst not look to see the
distressed damozel again Oh. that were
minstrel. that I might put 1t into rhyme,
with the whole romance-the luckless maid,
the wicked socman and the virtuous clerk!
So might our fame have gone down
together for all time, and You
be numbered with Sir Percival or Sir Gala
had or all the other rescuers Of oppressed
ladies'"
what did," said Alleyne, was too
small a thing for thanks; and yet. If may
say 1t without offense. 1t was too grave and
near a matter for mirth and raillery. had
counted on my brothers love. but God has
willed that 1t should be otherwise. 1t Is
joy to me to see you again. lady, and to
know that you have reached home In safe
ty. II tbs be indeed your home"
Eyes, in sooth, Castle Twynham is my
home. and Sir Nigel Loring my father.
should have told you SO this morning. but
you said that you were coming thither, SO
1 bethought me that 1 might hold it back
as surprise to you. Oh, dear! but it was
brave to see you'll" she cried, bursting out
a-laughing once more, and standing with
her hand pressed to her side, and her half
closed . eyes twinkling with amusement.
your eyes upon my book there, like the
mouse who shifts the cheese and yet breads
the trap"
II take shame" said Alleyne, that I
should have touched It,"
Nay, it warmed my very heart to see It..
So glad was I that / laughed for very
pleasure. My fine preacher can himself be
tempted then, thought 1; he is not made of
another clay to the rest of u.s.
God help me! I am the weakest of the
weak groaned Alleyne. Il pray that
may have more strength"
And to what end?" she asked, sharply.
IF you are, as 1 understand, to shut your
self forever in your cell within the four
walls of an abbey, then of what use would
1t be were your praper to be answered"
"The use of my own salvation"
She turned from him with pretty shrug
and wave.
+ us that alI?" she said. Then you are
no better than Father Christopher and the
rest Of them. Your own, your own, ever
your own! My father is the kings man,
and when he rides into the press of fight he
Is not thinking ever of the saving of his
own poor body; he recks little enough If he
leave 1t on the field. Why. then should
you, who are soldiers of the spirit, be ever
moping and hiding in cell in cave, with
minds full of your own concerns, while the
world, which you should be mendng. Is
going on Its way and neither sees nor
hears you? Were we all as thoughtless of
your own souls as the soldier Is of his body
We would be of more avail to the souls of
Others"
There is sooth in what you say, lady"
Alleyne answered.; land yet I scarce can
see what you would have the clergy and
the church to do"
II would have them live as others. and do
mems work in the world, preaching by
their lives rather than by their words. 1
would have them come forth from their
lonely places, mix with the bored folks, feel
the pains and the pleasures, the cares and
the rewards, the temptings and the stir
rings Of the common people. Let them
toll, and swinken, and labor, and plow the
land, and take wives to themselves
Alas! alas!' cried Alleyne. aghast. "you
have surely sucked this poison from the
man W1chffe, OF whom l have heard such
evil things"
Nay. know him not. 1 have learned 1t
by looking from my own chamber window
and marking these poor monks Of the pri-
ory, their weary life, their prof1tless round.
l have asked myself If the best which can
be done with virtue is to shut 1t within high
walls as though 1t were some savage crea-
ture. If the good will lock themselves up.
and II the wicked will still wander free
then alas for the world"
Alleyne looked at her in establishment for
her cheek was flushed, her eyes cleaning
and her whole pose full of eloquence and
changed again to her old expression of mer-
riment leavened with mischief
wilt do what ask" said She
What is 1t. lady?"
would never have asked, but would have
vowed upon the instant. IT'S but to bear
me out In what l say to my father"
I'm what?'
Of the Christchurch road that 1 met YOU
l shall be shut up with the tire-w women else
and have a week of spindle and bodkin,
when | would fain be galloping Troubadour
up Wilverly Walk, or loosing little Roland
at the Vinney Ridge herons"
Il Shall not answer him If he ask"
Not answer! But he will have an an
sWer. Nay. but you must not fail me, or 1t
But, lady," cried poor Alleyne. in great
distress, how can I say that it was to the
south OF the road when l know well that 1t
was four miles to the north?"
you will not say t7''
Surely you will not, too when you know
that 1t Is not so?'
"Oh. l weary of your preachingv' she
cried. and swept away with a toss of
down and ashamed as though he had him
self proposed some infamous thing. She
was back again in an instant, however, in
another or her varying moods
Look at that, my friend!" said she "If
you had been shut up in abbey or In cell
this day you could not have taught a way
ward maiden to abide by the truth. Is it
not SO? What avail is the shepherd if he
leave his sheep?"
"A sorry shepherd said Alleyne, hum
bly,. But here is your noble father
And you shall see how worthy a pupil I
am. Father. l am much beholden to this
young clerk, who was of service to me- and
helped me this very morning in Minstead
woods, four miles to the north Of the Christ
church road. where / had no call to be, you
having ordered it otherwise"
All this she reeled off in a loud voice. and
then glanced with sidelong questioning eyes
at Alleyne for his approval
Sir Nigel who had entered the room with
silvery-haired old lady upon his arm,
stared aghast at this sudden outburst of
candor.
''Maude! Maudew said he shaking his
head, lit is more hard for me to gain obedi-
ence from you than from the tenscore
drunken archers who followed me to
Guienne. Yet, hush! little one, for your fair
lady-mother will be here anon, and there is
no need that she should know it. We will
keep you from the provost marshal this
journey. Away to your chamber sweeting
and keep blithe face. for she who con-
fesses is shriven. And now fair mother"
he continued. when his daughter had gone
''sit you here by the fire, for your blood runs
colder than it did. Alleyne Edricson, L
would have a word with you for would
fain that you should take service under me-
And here in good time comes my lady, with
out whose counsel 1t Is not my wont to de-
eide aught of import; but, indeed, 1t was her
own thought that you should come