They waited, spellbound, and he let them wait. He had lost interest afterthe death.

“And afterwards?” insinuated Prior Robert. “What did thesaint do with her restored life?”

“She went on a pilgrimage to Rome,” said Brother Rhysindifferently, “and she attended at a great synod of saints, and wasappointed to be prioress over a community of virgin sisters at Gwytherin, byLlanrwst. And there she lived many years, and did many miracles in herlifetime. If it should be called her lifetime? She was once dead already. Whenshe died a second time, that was where it befell.” He felt nothingconcerning this residue of life, he offered it with a shrug. The girl had hadher chance with Prince Cradoc, and let it slip, obviously her natural bent wasto be prioress of a nest of virgins, and there was nothing more to be toldabout her.

“And she is buried there at Gwytherin?” persisted the prior.“And her miracles continued after death?”

“So I have heard. But it’s a long time,” said the old man,“since I’ve heard her name mentioned. And longer since I was inthose parts.”

Prior Robert stood in the circle of sunlight that filtered between thepillars of the chapter-house, drawn to his full imposing height, and turned aradiant face and commanding eyes upon Abbot Heribert.

“Father, does it not seem to you that our reverent search for a patronof great power and sanctity is being divinely guided? This gentle saint hasvisited us in person, in Brother Jerome’s dream, and beckoned us to bringour afflicted brother to her for healing. Shall we not hope, also, that shewill again show us the next step? If she does indeed receive our prayers andrestore Brother Columbanus to health of body and mind, may we not be encouragedto hope that she will come in person and dwell among us? That we may humbly begthe church’s sanction to take up her blessed relics and house themfittingly here in Shrewsbury? To the great glory and lustre of ourhouse!”