enter her tiny
abode; but she might never go out to them, no matter what necessity
required it. Derette was bright, and sensible, and strong: but she was
tired that night. And there was no better repose to be had than sitting
on a hard form, and leaning her head against the chimney-corner.

"Shut the window, Leuesa," she said, "and come in. I am very weary, and
I must sleep a little, if I can, before compline."

"No marvel, Lady," replied Leuesa, doing as she was requested. "I am
sure you have had a tiring day. But your profession was lovely! I
never saw a prettier scene in my life."

"Ay, marriages and funerals are both sights for the world. Which was it
most like, thinkest thou?"

"O Lady! a marriage, of course. Has it not made you the bride of Jesu
Christ?"

Leuesa fancied she heard a faint sigh from the chimney-corner; but
Derette gave no answer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. The alner, or alms-bag, was the largest sort of purse used in
the Middle Ages.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

VIA DOLOROSA.

"We bless Thee for the quiet rest Thy servant taketh now,
We bless Thee for his blessedness, and for his crowned brow;
For every weary step he trod in faithful following Thee,
And for the good fight foughten well, and closed right valiantly."

The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin was filled to overflowing, but it
was not the church we know as such now. That more ancient edifice had
been built in the days of Alfred, and its nave was closely packed with
the clergy of Oxford and the neighbourhood, save a circle of curule
chairs reserved for the members of the Council. Into the midst of the
excited crowd of clergy--among whom were sprinkled as many laymen,
chiefly of the upper class, as could find room to squeeze in--filed an
imposing procession of dignitaries--priests, archdeacons, bishops--all
robed in full canonicals; the Bishop of the diocese being preceded by
his crucifer. There was as yet no bishopric of Oxford, and the diocese
was that of Lincoln. It was a point of the most rigid ecclesiastical
etiquette that no prelate should have his official cross borne before
him in the diocese of another: and the standing quarrel between the two
archbishops on that point was acute and long lasting. The clerical
procession was closed by the Dean of Saint Mary's--John de Oxineford--a
warm opponent of Becket, the exiled and absent Primate. After the
cler