“Oh!  I suppose he knows his business.”

Nicholas asked a number of questions, and was informed that Chris proposed to go to Lewes in a month’s time.  He was already twenty-three, the Prior had given his conditional consent before, and there was no need for waiting.  Yes, they were Cluniacs; but Ralph believed that they were far from strict just at present.  It need not be the end of Chris so far as this world was concerned.

“But you must not say that to him,” he went on, “he thinks it is heaven itself between four walls, and we shall have a great scene of farewell.  I think I must go back to town before it takes place:  I cannot do that kind of thing.”

Nicholas was not attending, and rode on in silence for a few yards, sucking in his lower lip.

“We are lucky fellows, you and I,” he said at last, “to have a monk to pray for us.”

Ralph glanced at him, for he was perfectly grave, and a rather intent and awed look was in his eyes.

“I think a deal of that,” he went on, “though I cannot talk to a churchman as I should.  I had a terrible time with my Lord of Canterbury last year, at Otford.  He was not a hunter like this one, and I knew not what else to speak of.”

Ralph’s eyes narrowed with amusement.

“What did you say to him?” he asked.

“I forget,” said Nicholas, “and I hope my lord did.  Mary told me I behaved like a fool.  But this one is better.  I hear.  He is at Ashford now with his hounds.”

They talked a little more about Chris, and Ralph soon saw on which side Nicholas ranged himself.  It was an unfeigned pleasure to this hunting squire to have a monk for a brother-in-law; there was no knowing how short purgatory might not be for them all under the circumstances.

It was evident, too, when they came up with the others a couple of miles further on, that Nicholas’s attitude towards the young man had undergone a change.  He looked at him with a deep respect, refrained from criticising his bloodless hands, and was soon riding on in front beside him, talking eagerly and deferentially, while Ralph followed with Mary and his father.

“You have heard?” he said to her presently.

“Father has just told me,” she said.  “We are very much pleased—­dear Chris!”

“And then there is Meg,” put in her father.

“Oh!  Meg; yes, I knew she would.  She is made for a nun.”

Sir James edged his horse in presently close to Ralph, as Mary went in front through a narrow opening in the wood.

“Be good to him,” he said.  “He thinks so much of you.”

Ralph glanced up and smiled into the tender keen eyes that were looking into his own.

“Why, of course, sir,” he said.

* * * * *

It was an immense pleasure to Chris to notice the difference in Nicholas’s behaviour towards him.  There was none of that loud and cheerful rallying that stood for humour, no criticisms of his riding or his costume.  The squire asked him a hundred questions, almost nervously, about the Holy Maid and himself, and what had passed between them.