The Monastery

in conclave.

the vineyard

tares be severed

, agreed. — Yet

esome crop and te

good ad

eform

nt vestures of ceremony, and resumed his ordinary habit, which was a black gown, worn over a white cassock, with a narro

ed, had sometimes shown symptoms of timidity, not very consistent with the high claims which he preferred as an eminent member of the church, or with the punctual deference which he exacted from his religious brethren, and all who were placed under his command. But he was hospitable, charitable, and by

and refuted — practices to be inquired into — heretics to be detected and punished — the fallen off to be reclaimed — the wavering to be confirmed — scandal to be removed from the clergy, and the vigour of discipline to be re-established. Post upon post arrived at the Monast

itted Primate of Saint Andrews had foreseen the deficiencies of the Abbot of St. Mary’s, and endeavoured to provide for them by getting admitted into his Monastery as Sub-Prior a brother Cistercian, a man of parts and knowledge, dev

intention was fully answered. Father Eustace became the constant theme and often the bugbear of the worthy Abbot, who hardly dared to turn himself in his bed without, considering what Father Eustace would think of it. In every case of difficulty, Father Eustace was summoned, and his opinion asked; and no sooner was the embarrassment removed, than the Abbot’s next thought was how to get

ectic nature, deemed by the Abbot’s friends to be more serious than by himself, it was supposed might be shortly vacant. But the confidence which, like o

ke by which he had dispatched Brother Philip to Glendearg; but when the vespers came without his reappearance he became a little uneasy, the more as other matters weighed upon his mind. The feud with the warder or keeper of the bridge threatened to be attended with bad consequences, as the man’s quarrel was taken up by the martial baron under whom he served; and pressing

ss of charcoal. At his elbow, on an oaken stand, stood the remains of a roasted capon, on which his reverence had made his evening meal, flanked by a goodly stoup of Bordeaux of excellent

fted with my own hands. And for what have I changed all this, but to be overwhelmed with business which concerns me not, to be called My Lord Abbot, and to be tutored by Father Eustace? I would these towers were the Abbey of Aberbrothwick, and Father Eustace the Abbot — or I would he were in the fire on any terms, so I were rid of him! The Primate says our Holy Father, the Pope hath an adviser — I am sure he could not live a week with such a one as mine. Then there is no learning what Father Eustace thinks till

, that the holy father is enteri

rencher, the holy father may be a little hungry — yet, no — remove them, for there is n

seemly — he removed the carcass of the half-sacked capon, and placed two gob

e person to whom he addressed himself. His body was emaciated not only with the fasts which he observed w

which workin

e puny bod

rmed the tene

ssion. The good-natured rosy face and laughing eye of the Abbot, which even his present anxiety could not greatly ruffle, was a wonderful contrast to the thi

stool, and inviting to a cup of wine. The courtesy was declined wit

er,” said the Abbot, colouring

late hours. Out off from human society, the juice of the grape bec

but, either struck with the truth of the observation, or ashamed to act in direct oppositi

in this list, who have withdrawn themselves from the justice which their opinions deserve. It is deemed probable that th

turn the world upside down — and doubtless your reverend wisdom will with due diligence second the

im! He says, send forth — scour the country — guard the passes — Truly these men do not travel as those who would give their lives for nothing — the last who went south passed

to rise for the defence of the Holy Kirk — it is the tenure on which they hold their lands — if they

our officials — but here again is our controversy with the warden of the bridge and the Baron of Meigallot — Saint Mary! vexations do so multiply upon the House, and up

designed to accomplish his vows at this House, to the Abbot Allford, and the monks of the House of Saint Mary in Kennaquhair, from that time and for ever. The deed is dated on Saint Bridget’s Even, in the year of Redemption, 1137, and bears the sign and seal of

prejudice of their own souls and the diminution of the revenues of Saint Mary. The Sacristan advised us to put on a boat; but the warden, whom thou knowest to be a godless man, has sworn the devil tear him, but that if they put on a boat on the laird’s s

n which the Lord Abbot of Saint Mary’s

tace,” said the Abbot, “not youngest in years, or I

es and councils alike prohibit it — the honour of the living, and the weal of departed souls, alike forbid it — it may not be. To force, if he dare use it, we must surrender; but never by our consent should we see the goods of the church plundered, with as little scruple as he would drive off a herd

rrupted by the entrance of Bennet rather hastily. “The mule on which the Sacristan had set out in the morning h

Abbot, “our dear brother

lled — cause the brethren to get torches — alarm the villag

rd at the dictates of the youngest monk in the convent. But ere the orders of Eustace, which nobody dreamed of disputing, were carried into