“Lash yourself, master, and let out the choler and good ale, which you need to do,” replied Jeffrey in his gruff voice.  “There be some men who never know when they are well served, and such are apt to come to ill and lonely ends.  What is your pleasure?  I’ll do it if I can, and if not, do it yourself.”

Sir John lifted his hand as though to strike him, then let it fall again.

“I like one who braves me to my teeth,” he said more gently, “and that was ever your nature.  Take it not ill, man; I was angered, and have cause to be.”

“The anger I see, but not the cause, though, as a monk came from the Abbey but now, perhaps I can hazard a guess.”

“Aye, that’s it, that’s it, Jeffrey.  Hark; I ride to yonder crows’-nest, and at once.  Saddle me a horse.”

“Good, master.  I’ll saddle two horses.”

“Two?  I said one.  Fool, can I ride a pair at once, like a mountebank?”

“I know not, but you can ride one and I another.  When the Abbot of Blossholme visits Sir John Foterell of Shefton he comes with hawk on wrist, with chaplains and pages, and ten stout men-at-arms, of whom he keeps more of late than a priest would seem to need about him.  When Sir John Foterell visits the Abbot of Blossholme, at least he should have one serving-man at his back to hold his nag and bear him witness.”

Sir John looked at him shrewdly.

“I called you fool,” he said, “but you are none except in looks.  Do as you will, Jeffrey, but be swift.  Stop.  Where is my daughter?”

“The Lady Cicely sits in her parlour.  I saw her sweet face at the window but now staring out at the snow as though she thought to see a ghost in it.”

“Um,” grunted Sir John, “the ghost she thinks to see rides a grand grey mare, stands over six feet high, has a jolly face, and a pair of arms well made for sword and shield, or to clip a girl in.  Yet that ghost must be laid, Jeffrey.”

“Pity if so, master.  Moreover, you may find it hard.  Ghost-laying is a priest’s job, and when maids’ waists are willing, men’s arms reach far.”

“Be off, sirrah,” roared Sir John, and Jeffrey went.

Ten minutes later they were riding for the Abbey, three miles away, and within half-an-hour Sir John was knocking, not gently, at its gate, while the monks within ran to and fro like startled ants, for the times were rough, and they were not sure who threatened them.  When they knew their visitor at last they set to work to unbar the great doors and let down the drawbridge, that had been hoist up at sunset.

Presently Sir John stood in the Abbot’s chamber, warming himself at the great fire, and behind him stood his serving-man, Jeffrey, carrying his long cloak.  It was a fine room, with a noble roof of carved chestnut wood and stone walls hung with costly tapestry, whereon were worked scenes from the Scriptures.  The floor was hid with rich carpets made of coloured Eastern wools.  The furniture also was rich and foreign-looking, being inlaid with ivory and silver, while on the table stood a golden crucifix, a miracle of art, and upon an easel, so that the light from a hanging silver lamp fell on it, a life-sized picture of the Magdalene by some great Italian painter, turning her beauteous eyes to heaven and beating her fair breast.