The monastery; The abbot.

142 WA'VERLEY NOVELS.
Shafton. " I protest, by mine honour, I would abide in this houps were I
to choose. What! I take no exceptions at the youth for showing a flash of
spirit, though the spark may light on mine own head. I honour the lad for
it. I protest I will abide here, and he shall aid me in striking down a
deer. I must needs be friends with him, and he be such a shot: and we
will speedily send down to my lord Abbot a buck of the first head, killed
so artificially as shall satisfy even the reverend Kitchener."
This was said with such apparent ease and good-humour, tht the Abbot
made no farther observation on what had passed, but proceeded to acquaint
his guest with the details of furniture, hangings, provisions, and so forth;
which he proposed to send up to the Tower of Glendearg for his accommodation. This discourse, seasoned with a cup or two of wine, served to prolong the time until the reverend Abbot ordered his cavalcade to prepare
for their return to the Monastery.
"As we have," he said, "in the course of this our toilsome journey, lost
our meridian,* indulgence shall be given to those of our attendants who
shall, from very weariness, be unable to attend the duty at prime,t and this
by way of misericord or indulgentia."I
Having benevolently intimated a boon to his faithful followers, which he
probably judged would be far from unacceptable, the good Abbot, seeing all
ready for his journey, bestowed his blessing on the assembled household
gave his hand to be kissed by Dame Glendinning - himself kissed the cheek
of Mary Avenel, and even of the Miller's maiden, when they approached to
render him the same homage- commanded Ialbert to rule his temper, and
to be aiding and obedient in all things to the English Knight - admonished
Edward to be discipulus impiger atque stremtus —then took a courteous
farewell of Sir Piercie Shafton, advising him to lie close, for fear of the
English borderers, who might be employed to kidnap him; and having discharged these various offices of courtesy, moved forth to the court-yard,
followed by the whole establishment. Here, with a heavy sigh, approaching
to a groan, the venerable father heaved himself upon his palfrey, whose
dark purple housings swept the ground; and, greatly comforted that the
discretion of the animal's pace would be no longer disturbed by the gambadoes of Sir Piercie and his prancing war-horse, he set forth at a sober
and steady trot upon his return to the Monastery.
When the Sub-Prior had mounted to accompany his principal, his eye
sought out Halbert, who, partly hidden by a projection of the outward wall
of the court, stood apart from, and gazing upon the departing cavalcade,
and the group which assembled around them. Unsatisfied with the explanation he had received concerning the mysterious transaction of the silver
bodkin, yet interesting himself in the youth, of whose character he had
formed a favourable idea, the worthy monk resolved to take an early opportunity of investigating that matter. In the meanwhile, he looked upon
Halbert with a serious and warning aspect, and held up his finger to him
as he signed farewell. He then joined the rest of the churchmen, and followed his Superior down the valley.
* The hour of repose at noon, which, in the middle ages, was employed in slumber, and which the monastic
rules of nocturnal, vigils rendered necessary.
t Prime was the midnight service of the monks.
Misericord, accordinc to the learned work of Foshrooke on British Monachism, meant not only an indulgence. or exoneration from particular duties, but also a particular apartment in a convent, where the monka
Issembled to enjoy such indulgences or allowances as were granted beyond the rule.