We will deal with this hot-head later," he added, pointing to the
prisoner.

So they slowly went out, leaving Geoffrey alone with his thoughts.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: ELAINE]

CHAPTER VI

Miss Elaine loses her Heart & finds Something of the greatest
Importance.

[Illustration]

Down stairs the Grace was said, and the company was soon seated and
ready for their mid-day meal.

"Our fare," said Father Anselm pleasantly to Sir Godfrey, who sat on
his right, "is plain, but substantial."

"Oh--ah, very likely," replied the Baron, as he received a wooden
basin of black-bean broth.

"Our drink is----"

The Baron lifted his eye hopefully.

"----remarkably pure water," Father Anselm continued. "Clement!" he
called to the monk whose turn it was that day to hand the dishes,
"Clement, a goblet of our well-water for Sir Godfrey Disseisin. One of
the large goblets, Clement. We are indeed favoured, Baron, in having
such a pure spring in the midst of our home."

"Oh--ah!" observed the Baron again, and politely nerved himself for a
swallow. But his thoughts were far away in his own cellar over at
Wantley, contemplating the casks whose precious gallons the Dragon had
consumed. Could it be the strength of his imagination, or else why was
it that through the chilling, unwelcome liquid he was now drinking he
seemed to detect a lurking flavour of the very wine those casks had
contained, his favourite Malvoisie?

Father Anselm noticed the same taste in his own cup, and did not set
it down to imagination, but afterwards sentenced Brother Clement to
bread and water during three days, for carelessness in not washing the
Monastery table-service more thoroughly.

"This simple food keeps you in beautiful health, Father," said
Mistletoe, ogling the swarthy face of the Abbot with an affection that
he duly noted.

"My daughter," he replied, gravely, "bodily infirmity is the reward of
the glutton. I am well, thank you."

Meanwhile, Elaine did not eat much. Her thoughts were busy, and
hurrying over recent events. Perhaps you think she lost her heart in
the last Chapter, and cannot lose it in this one unless it is given
back to her. But I do not agree with you; and I am certain that, if
you suggested such a notion to her, she would become quite angry, and
tell you not to talk such foolish nonsense. People are so absurd about
hearts, and all that sort