Page:A C Doyle - The White Company.djvu/29

Rh repeat a Pater and four Aves for the better fortifying of his soul against impending death.'

There was a buzz and murmur among the white-frocked brethren at this grave charge; but the Abbot held up his long quivering hand. 'What then?' said he.

'Item, that between Nones and Vespers on the feast of James the Less the said brother John was observed upon the Broekenhurst road,near the spot which is known as Hatchett's Pond, in converse with a person of the other sex, being a maiden of the name of Mary Sowley, the daughter of the King's verderer. Item, that after sundry japes and jokes the said brother John did lift up the said Mary Sowley and did take, carry, and convey her across a stream, to the infinite relish of the devil and the exceeding detriment of his own soul, which scandalous and wilful falling away was witnessed by three members of our order.'

A dead silence throughout the room, with a rolling of heads and upturning of eyes, bespoke the pious horror of the community. The Abbot drew his grey brows low over his fiercely questioning eyes.

'Who can vouch for this thing?' he asked.

'That can I,' answered the accuser. 'So too can brother Porphyry, who was with me, and brother Mark of the Spicarium, who hath been so much stirred and inwardly troubled by the sight that he now lies in a fever through it.'

'And the woman?' asked the Abbot. 'Did she not break into lamentation and woe that a brother should so demean himself?'

'Nay, she smiled sweetly upon him and thanked him. I can vouch it, and so can brother Porphyry.'

'Canst thou?' cried the Abbot, in a high, tempestuous tone. 'Canst thou so? Hast forgotten that the five-and-thirtieth rule of the order is that in the presence of a woman the face should be ever averted and the eyes cast down? Hast forgot it, I say? If your eyes were upon your sandals, how came ye to see this smile of which ye prate? A week in your cells, false brethren, a week of rye-bread and lentils, with