This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
64
PROLOGUE TO THE

were pampered with roast meat, milk, and the finest bread. Bitterly would she take on, if one were ill-used or dead. In short, she was all conscience and tender heart.

To speak of her features: her nose was long but well-shaped; her eyes light, and grey as glass; her mouth delicately small, soft and red, and her forehead fair and broad. For dress she wore a neatly-made cloak, and a carefully-crimped neckerchief; on her arm was a pair of beads of small coral, garnished with green, from which depended a handsome gold brooch, with a great A engraved upon it, and underneath, the motto, 'Amor vincit omnia.' (Love overcomes all things.)

In her train was another Nun, who acted as her chaplain; also three Priests.

The next in succession was a Monk, one well calculated to rule his order. He was a bold rider, and fond of hunting. A manly man, and worthy to have been an abbot. Many a capital horse had he in stall: and as he rode along, one could hear his bridle gingling in the whistling wind like the distant chapel bells.[1]

  1. It was the fashion in those days to hang bells to the