s came to be enthroned, the barons came
to do him homage; and Renatus, asking God to give him words that he
might say what was in his heart, spoke to them, the Duke standing by;
he said that he well knew that it appeared strange that one so young
as himself should receive the homage of those who were older and wiser
and more strong, adding: "But I believe that I am truly called, under
God, to rule this land for the welfare of all that dwell therein, and
I will rule it with diligence. Nay--for it is not well that a land
should have many masters--I purpose that none shall rule it but
myself, under God." And at that the barons looked upon one another,
but Renatus, leaning a little forward, with his hand upon his
sword-hilt, said: "I think, my Lords, that there be some here that are
saying to themselves, _He hath learnt his lesson well_, and I hope
that it may be seen that it is so--but it is God and not man who hath
put it into my heart to say this; it is from Him that I receive this
throne. Counsel will I ask, and that gladly; but remembering the
account that I must one day make, I will rule this realm for the
welfare of the people thereof, and I will have all men do their parts;
so see that your homage be of the heart and not of the lips, for it is
to God that you make it, and not to me, who am indeed unworthy; but He
that hath set me in this place will strengthen my hands. I have spoken
this," he said, "not willingly; but I would have no one mistake my
purpose in the matter."

Then the barons came silently to do obeisance; and so Renatus came to
his own; but more of him I must not here say, save that he ruled his
realm wisely and well, and ever gave God the glory.

THE SLYPE HOUSE

In the town of Garchester, close to St. Peter's Church, and near the
river, stood a dark old house called the Slype House, from a narrow
passage of that name that ran close to it, down to a bridge over the
stream. The house showed a front of mouldering and discoloured stone
to the street, pierced by small windows, like a monastery; and indeed,
it was formerly inhabited by a college of priests who had served the
Church. It abutted at one angle upon the aisle of the church, and
there was a casement window that looked out from a room in the house,
formerly the infirmary, into the aisle; it had been so built that any
priest that was sick might hear the Mass from his bed, without
descending into the church. Beh