grass. He took with him his own clerk, Brother Emmanuel, and two lay grooms whohad served here longest; and he rode his own white mule. He put on a cheerfulcountenance as he took leave, but for all that he cut a sad little figure asthe four riders dwindled along the road. No horseman now, if he ever had beenmuch of one, he used a high, cradling saddle, and sagged in it like a smallsack not properly filled. Many of the brothers crowded to the gates to watchhim as long as he remained in view, and their faces were apprehensive andaggrieved. Some of the boy pupils came out to join them, looking even moredismayed, for the abbot had allowed Brother Paul to conduct his schoolingundisturbed, which meant very tolerantly, but with Prior Robert in charge therewas no department of this house likely to go its way ungoaded, and disciplinemight be expected to tighten abruptly.

There was, Cadfael could not but admit, room for a little hard practicalitywithin these walls, if the truth were told. Heribert of late had grown deeplydiscouraged with the world of men, and withdrawn more and more into hisprayers. The siege and fall of Shrewsbury, with all the bloodshed and revengeinvolved, had been enough to sadden any man, though that was no excuse forabandoning the effort to defend right and oppose wrong. But there comes a timewhen the old grow very tired, and the load of leadership unjustly heavy tobear. And perhaps—perhaps!—Heribert would not be quite so sad as even he nowsupposed, if the load should be lifted from him.

Mass and chapter passed that day with unexceptionable decorumand calm, High Mass was celebrated devoutly, the duties of the day proceeded intheir smooth and regular course. Robert was too sensible of his own image torub his hands visibly, or lick his lips before witnesses. All that he did wouldbe done according to just and pious law, with the authority of sainthood.Nevertheless, what he considered his due would be appropriated, to the lastprivilege.