Rising, she found the key of the Reverend Mother’s cell, passed out, closing the door behind her; locked it, and slipped the key into her wallet.

The passage was empty.  All the nuns were spending in prayer and meditation the time until the Refectory bell should ring.

Mary Antony appeared in the kitchen, only a few minutes later than usual.

“Prepare you the evening meal,” she said to her subordinates. “I care not what the holy Ladies feed upon this even, nor how badly it be served.  Reverend Mother again elects to spend the night in prayer and fasting.  So Mother Sub-Prioress will spit out a curse upon the viands; or Sister Mary Rebecca will miaul over them like an old cat that sees a tom in every shadow, though all toms have long since fled at her approach.  Serve at the usual hour; and let Abigail ring the Refectory bell.  I am otherwise employed.  And remember.  Reverend Mother is on no account to be disturbed.”

The porteress, at the gate, jumped well-nigh out of her skin when, turning, she found Mary Antony at her elbow.

“Beshrew me, Sister Antony!” she exclaimed.  “Wherefore”——­

“Whist!” said Mary Antony.  “Speak not so loud.  Now listen, Mary Mark.  Saw you the great Lord Bishop yesterday, a-walking with Mary Antony?  Ha, ha!  Yea, verily!  ‘Worthy Mother,’ his lordship called me.  ‘Worthy Mother,’ with his hand upon his heart.  And into the gardens he walked with Mary Antony.  Wherefore, you ask?  Wherefore should the great Lord Bishop walk in the Convent garden with an old lay-sister, who ceased to be a comely wench more than half a century ago?  Because, Sister Mark, if you needs must know, the Lord Bishop is full of anxious fears for the Reverend Mother, and knoweth that Mary Antony, old though she be, is able to tend and watch over her.  The Lord Bishop and the Worthy Mother both fear that the Reverend Mother fasts too often, and spends too many hours in vigil.  The Reverend Father has therefore deputed the Worthy Mother to watch in this matter, and to let him know at once if the Reverend Mother imperils her health again, by too lengthy a fast or vigil.  And, lo! this very day, the Reverend Mother purposes not coming to the evening meal, and intends spending the whole night in prayer and vigil, before our Lady’s shrine.  Therefore the Worthy Mother—­I, myself—­must start at once to fetch the great Lord Bishop; and you, Sister Mary Mark, must open the gate and let me be gone.”

The porteress gazed, round-eyed and amazed.

“Nay, Sister Mary Antony, that can I not, without an order from the Reverend Mother herself.  And even then, you could not walk so far as to the Lord Bishop’s Palace.  I doubt if you would even reach the Fore-gate.”

“That I should, and shall!” cried Mary Antony.  “And, if my old legs fail me, many a gallant will dismount and offer me his horse.  Thus in fine style shall I ride into Worcester city.  Didst thou not see me bestride the Lord Bishop’s white palfrey on Play Day?”