I may swear a round oath, should aught happen to provoke it.'
'My friend,' said the sub-prior, 'thou hast little merit in abstaining from oaths or blasphemy, if it be only out of fear of evil spirits.'
'Nay, I am not quite a church vassal yet,' said the jackman, 'and if you link the curb too tight on a young horse, I promise you he will rear. Why, it is much for me to forbear old customs on any account whatever.'
The night being fine, they forded the river at the spot where the sacristan met with his unhappy encounter with the spirit. As soon as they arrived at the gate of the monastery, the porter in waiting eagerly exclaimed, 'Reverend father, the lord abbot is most anxious for your presence.'
'Let these strangers be carried to the great hall,' said the sub-prior, 'and be treated with the best by the cellarer; reminding them, however, of that modesty and decency of conduct which becometh guests in a house like this.'
'But the lord abbot demands you instantly, my venerable brother,' said Father Philip, arriving in great haste. 'I have not seen him more discouraged or desolate of counsel since the field of Pinkie-cleugh was stricken.'
'I come, my good brother, I come,' said Father Eustace. 'I pray thee, good brother, let this youth, Edward Glendinning, be conveyed to the chamber of the novices, and placed under their instructor. God hath touched his heart, and he proposeth laying aside the vanities of the world, to become a brother of our holy order; which, if his good parts be matched with fitting docility and humility, he may one day live to adorn.'
'My very venerable brother,' exclaimed old Father Nicolas, who came hobbling with a third summons to the sub-prior, 'I pray thee to hasten to our worshipful lord abbot. The holy patroness be with us! never saw I abbot of the house of Saint Mary's in such consternation; and yet I remember me well when Father Ingelram had the news of Flodden Field.'
'I come, I come, venerable brother,' said Father Eustace.—And having repeatedly ejaculated 'I come!' he at last went to the abbot in good earnest.
