rsued Sir Godfrey, "speaks more to the point than I
could. I'll give you no speech." All loudly cheered at this.

"Don't you think," whispered the Rev. Hucbald in the Baron's ear,
"that a little something serious should be said on such an occasion? I
should like our brethren to be reminded----"

"Fudge!" said the Baron. "For thirteen years," he continued, raising
his voice again, "this Dragon has been speaking for himself. You all
know and I know how that has been. And now we are going to speak for
ourselves. And when he is on top of that fire he'll know how that is.
Geoffrey, open the pit and get him out."

Again there was a cheer, but a short one, for the spell of expectancy
was on all. The young man descended into the court, and the air seemed
to turn to a wavering mist as he looked up at the Manor windows
seeking to spy Elaine's face at one of them. Was this to be the end?
Could he kiss her one last good-by if disaster was in store for them
after all? Alas! no glimpse of her was to be seen as he moved along,
hardly aware of his own steps, and the keys jingling lightly as he
moved. Through the crowd he passed, and a whispering ran in his wake
followed by deeper silence than before. He reached the edge of the
people and crossed the open space beyond, passing the leaping blaze of
the fagots, and so drew near the iron door of the pit. The key went
slowly into the lock. All shrank with dismay at the roar which rent
the air. Geoffrey paused with his hand gripping the key, and there
came a sound of solemn singing over the fields.

"The monks!" murmured a few under their breath; and silence fell
again, each listening.

Men's voices it was, and their chanting rose by one sudden step to a
high note that was held for a moment, and then sank again, mellow like
the harmony of horns in a wood. Then over the ridge from
Oyster-le-Main the length of a slow procession began to grow. The gray
gowns hung to the earth straight with scarce any waving as the men
walked. The heavy hoods reached over each face so there was no telling
its features. None in the court-yard spoke at all, as the brooding
figures passed in under the gateway and proceeded to the door of the
bear-pit, singing always. Howlings that seemed born of terror now rose
from the imprisoned monster; and many thought, "evidently the evil
beast cannot endure the sound of holy words."

Elaine in her white dress now gazed from an upper window, seeing her
lover with his en