dazed eyes and drooping head took his way back to the Monastery.
The train of mules had just arrived; all was stir, bustle, and
explanation; and in the thick of it he slipped in unseen,
unquestioned; but he was hardly conscious of this mercy vouchsafed
him, for in his heart reigned desolation and doubt, and in his ears
rang the dancer's parting cry, "Hunger and love--love--love!"



CHAPTER II--THE LOVE OF PRIOR STEPHEN



Brother Bernard, the Precentor, dealt out gold, paint and vellum
with generous hand to his favourite pupil, and wondered at his
downcast look.

"Methinks this gold is dull, Brother," said Hilarius one day,
fretfully, to his old master.

And again -

"'Tis very poor vermilion."

The Brother looked at him enquiry.

"Nay, nay, boy; 'tis thine eyes at fault; naught ails the colours."

Later, the Precentor came to look at the delicate border Hilarius
was setting to the page of the Nativity of Our Lady.