into the closet, after it were hurled the thunder machine
and the lightning torch, and after them clattered the cups and the
silver rundlet. Barely had Hubert turned the key, when knocking at the
far-off gate was heard.

"Go down quickly, Hubert," said the Grand Marshal, "and lead them all
here."

Presently the procession of laity, gravely escorted by Hubert, began
to file into the now barren-looking room, while the monks stood with
hands folded, and sang loudly what sounded to the uninstructed ears of
each listener like a Latin hymn.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER V

In which the Hero makes his first
Appearance & is at Once locked up.

[Illustration: FATHER ANSELM SIR GODFREY]

With the respect that was due to holy men, Sir Godfrey removed his
helmet, and stood waiting in a decent attitude of attention to the
hymn, although he did not understand a single word of it. The long
deliberate Latin words rolled out very grand to his ear, and, to tell
you the truth, it is just as well his scholarship was faulty, for this
is the English of those same words:

"It is my intention
To die in a tavern,
With wine in the neighbourhood,
Close by my thirsty mouth;
That angels in chorus
May sing, when they reach me,--
'Let Bacchus be merciful
Unto this wine-bibber.'"

But so devoutly did the monks dwell upon the syllables, so earnestly
were the arms of each one folded against his breast, that you would
never have suspected any unclerical sentiments were being expressed.
The proximity of so many petticoats and kirtles caused considerable
restlessness to Hubert; but he felt the burning eye of the Grand
Marshal fixed upon him, and sang away with all his might.

Sir Godfrey began to grow impatient.

"Hem!" he said, moving his foot slightly.

This proceeding, however, was without result. The pious chant
continued to resound, and the monks paid not the least attention to
their visitors, but stood up together in a double line, vociferating
Latin with as much zest as ever.

"Mort d'aieul!" growled Sir Godfrey, shifting his other foot, and not
so gingerly this second time.

By chance the singing stopped upon the same instant, so that the
Baron's remark and the noise his foot had made sounded all over the
room. This disconcerted him; for he felt his standing with the Church
to be weak, and he rolled his ey