as a signal that the mysterious confection was done, and that every
altar sprang into perfume from those silver vessels set with jewel and
crystal.

When the first masses were over, there was a pause in which the _mixtum_
was taken--bread and wine or beer--standing in the refectory, after a
short prayer that the Giver of all good gifts might bless the food and
drink of His servants, and was closed again by another prayer said
privately for all benefactors. Meanwhile the bell was ringing for the
Lady mass, to remind the monks that the interval was only as it were a
parenthetical concession; and after Terce and the Lady Mass followed the
Chapter, in which faults were confessed and penances inflicted, and the
living instruments of God's work were examined and scoured for use. The
martyrology was read at this time, as well as some morning prayers, to
keep before the monks' minds the remembrance of those great vessels of
God's household called to so high an employment. It was then, too, that
other business of the house was done, and the seal affixed to any
necessary documents. Christopher had an opportunity once of examining
this seal when it had been given him to clean, and he looked with awe on
the figures of his four new patrons, St. Peter, St. Pancras, St. Paul
and Our Lady, set in niches above a cliff with the running water of the
Ouse beneath, and read the petition that ran round the circle--

"_Dulcis agonista tibi convertit domus ista Pancrati memorum precibus
memor esto tuorum._"

When the chapter was over, and the deaths of any brethren of the order
had been announced, and their souls prayed for, there was a pause for
recreation in the cloister and the finishing of further business before
they assembled again in time to go into church for the high mass, at