The Monastery

Chapter 19

It is necessary to dwell for some brief space on the appearance and

demeanour of young Glendinning, ere we proceed to describe his interview

with the Abbot of St. Mary's, at this momentous crisis of his life.

Halbert was now about nineteen years old, tall and active rather than

strong, yet of that hardy conformation of limb and sinew, which

promises great strength when the growth shall be complete, and the

system confirmed. He was perfectly well made, and, like most men who

have that advantage, possessed a grace and natural ease of manner and

carriage, which prevented his height from being the distinguished part

of his external appearance. It was not until you had compared his

stature with that of those amongst or near to whom he stood, that you

became sensible that the young Glendinning was upwards of six feet

high. In the combination of unusual height with perfect symmetry,

ease, and grace of carriage, the young heir of Glendearg,

notwithstanding his rustic birth and education, had greatly the

advantage even of Sir Piercie Shafton himself, whose stature was

lower, and his limbs, though there was no particular point to object

to, were on the whole less exactly proportioned. On the other hand,

Sir Piercie's very handsome countenance afforded him as decided an

advantage over the Scotsman, as regularity of features and brilliance

of complexion could give over traits which were rather strongly marked

than beautiful, and upon whose complexion the "skyey influences," to

which he was constantly exposed, had blended the red and white into

the purely nut-brown hue, which coloured alike cheeks, neck, and

forehead, and blushed only in a darker glow upon the former.--

Halbert's eyes supplied a marked and distinguished part of his

physiognomy. They were large and of a hazel colour, and sparkled in

moments of animation with such uncommon brilliancy, that it seemed as

if they actually emitted light. Nature had closely curled the locks of

dark-brown hair, which relieved and set off the features, such as we

have described them, displaying a bold and animated disposition, much

more than might have been expected from his situation, or from his

previous manners, which hitherto had seemed bashful, homely, and

awkward.

Halbert's dress was certainly not of that description which sets off

to the best advantage a presence of itself prepossessing. His jerkin

and hose were of coarse rustic cloth, and his cap of the same. A belt

round his waist served at once to sustain the broad-sword which we

have already mentioned, and to hold five or six arrows and bird-bolts,

which were stuck into it on the right side, along with a large knife

hilted with buck-horn, or, as it was then called, a dudgeon-dagger. To

complete his dress, we must notice his loose buskins of deer's hide,

formed so as to draw up on the leg as high as the knee, or at pleasure

to be thrust down lower than the calves. These were generally used at

the period by such as either had their principal occupation, or their

chief pleasure, in silvan sports, as they served to protect the legs

against the rough and tangled thickets into which the pursuit of game

frequently led them.--And these trifling particulars complete his

external appearance.

It is not easy to do justice to the manner in which young

Glendinning's soul spoke through his eyes when ushered so suddenly

into the company of those whom his earliest education had taught him

to treat with awe and reverence. The degree of embarrassment, which

his demeanor evinced, had nothing in it either meanly servile, or

utterly disconcerted. It was no more than became a generous and

ingenuous youth of a bold spirit, but totally inexperienced, who

should for the first time be called upon to think and act for himself

in such society and under such disadvantageous circumstances. There

was not in his carriage a grain either of forwardness or of timidity,

which a friend could have wished away.

He kneeled and kissed the Abbot's hand, then rose, and retiring two

paces, bowed respectfully to the circle around, smiling gently as he

received an encouraging nod from the Sub-Prior, to whom alone he was

personally known, and blushing as he encountered the anxious look of

Mary Avenel, who beheld with painful interest the sort of ordeal to

which her foster-brother was about to be subjected. Recovering from

the transient flurry of spirits into which the encounter of her glance

had thrown him, he stood composedly awaiting till the Abbot should

express his pleasure.

The ingenuous expression of countenance, noble form, and graceful

attitude of the young man, failed not to prepossess in his favor the

churchmen in whose presence he stood. The Abbot looked round, and

exchanged a gracious and approving glance with his counsellor Father

Eustace, although probably the appointment of a ranger, or bow-bearer,

was one in which he might have been disposed to proceed without the

Sub-Prior's advice, were it but to show his own free agency. But the

good mien of the young man now in nomination was such, that he rather

hastened to exchange congratulation on meeting with so proper a

subject of promotion, than to indulge any other feeling. Father

Eustace enjoyed the pleasure which a well-constituted mind derives

from seeing a benefit light on a deserving object; for as he had not

seen Halbert since circumstances had made so material a change in his

manner and feelings, he scarce doubted that the proffered

appointment would, notwithstanding his mother's uncertainty, suit the

disposition of a youth who had appeared devoted to woodland sports,

and a foe alike to sedentary or settled occupation of any kind. The

Refectioner and Kitchener were so well pleased with Halbert's

prepossessing appearance, that they seemed to think that the salary,

emoluments, and perquisites, the dole, the grazing, the gown, and the

galligaskins, could scarce be better bestowed than on the active and

graceful figure before them.

Sir Piercie Shafton, whether from being more deeply engaged in his own

cogitations, or that the subject was unworthy of his notice, did not

seem to partake of the general feeling of approbation excited by the

young man's presence. He sate with his eyes half shut, and his arms

folded, appearing to be wrapped in contemplations of a nature deeper

than those arising out of the scene before him. But, notwithstanding

his seeming abstraction and absence of mind, there was a flutter of

vanity in Sir Piercie's very handsome countenance, an occasional

change of posture from one striking attitude (or what he conceived to

be such) to another, and an occasional stolen glance at the female

part of the company, to spy how far he succeeded in riveting their

attention, which gave a marked advantage, in comparison, to the less

regular and more harsh features of Halbert Glendinning, with their

composed, manly, and deliberate expression of mental fortitude.

Of the females belonging to the family of Glendearg, the Miller's

daughter alone had her mind sufficiently at leisure to admire, from

time to time, the graceful attitudes of Sir Piercie Shafton; for both

Mary Avenel and Dame Glendinning were waiting in anxiety and

apprehension the answer which Halbert was to return to the Abbot's

proposal, and fearfully anticipating the consequences of his probable

refusal. The conduct of his brother Edward, for a lad constitutionally

shy, respectful, and even timid, was at once affectionate and noble.

This younger son of Dame Elspeth had stood unnoticed in a corner,

after the Abbot, at the request of the Sub-Prior, had honoured him

with some passing notice, and asked him a few common-place questions

about his progress in Donatus, and in the _Promptuarium

Parvulorum_, without waiting for the answers. From his corner he

now glided round to his brother's side, and keeping a little behind

him, slid his right hand into the huntsman's left, and by a gentle

pressure, which Halbert instantly and ardently returned, expressed at

once his interest in his situation, and his resolution to share his

fate.

The group was thus arranged, when, after the pause of two or three

minutes, which he employed in slowly sipping his cup of wine, in order

that he might enter on his proposal with due and deliberate dignity,

the Abbot at length expressed himself thus:--

"My son--we your lawful Superior, and the Abbot, under God's favour,

of the community of Saint Mary's, have heard of your manifold good

gifts--a-hem--especially touching wood-craft--and the huntsman-like

fashion in which you strike your game, truly and as a yeoman should,

not abusing Heaven's good benefits by spoiling the flesh, as is too

often seen in careless rangers--a-hem." He made here a pause, but

observing that Glendinning only replied to his compliment by a bow, he

proceeded,--"My son, we commend your modesty; nevertheless, we will

that thou shouldst speak freely to us touching that which we have

premeditated for thine advancement, meaning to confer on thee the

office of bow-bearer and ranger, as well over the chases and forests

wherein our house hath privilege by the gifts of pious kings and

nobles, whose souls now enjoy the fruits of their bounties to the

Church as to those which belong to us in exclusive right of property

and perpetuity. Thy knee, my son--that we may, with our own hand, and

without loss of time, induct thee into office."

"Kneel down," said the Kitchener on the one side; and "Kneel down,"

said the Refectioner on the other.

But Halbert Glendinning remained standing.

"Were it to show gratitude and good-will for your reverend lordship's

noble offer, I could not," he said, "kneel low enough, or remain long

enough kneeling. But I may not kneel to take investure of your noble

gift, my Lord Abbot, being a man determined to seek my fortune

otherwise."

"How is that, sir?" said the Abbot, knitting his brows; "do I hear you

speak aright? and do you, a born vassal of the Halidome, at the moment

when I am destining to you such a noble expression of my good-will,

propose exchanging my service for that of any other?"

"My lord," said Halbert Glendinning, "it grieves me to think you hold

me capable of undervaluing your gracious offer, or of exchanging your

service for another. But your noble proffer doth but hasten the

execution of a determination which I have long since formed."

"Ay, my son," said the Abbot, "is it indeed so?--right early have you

learned to form resolutions without consulting those on whom you

naturally depend. But what may it be, this sagacious resolution, if I

may so far pray you?"

"To yield up to my brother and mother," answered Halbert, "mine

interest in the fief of Glendearg, lately possessed by my father,

Simon Glendinning: and having prayed your lordship to be the same kind

and generous master to them, that your predecessors, the venerable

Abbots of Saint Mary's, have been to my fathers in times past; for

myself, I am determined to seek my fortune where I may best find it."

Dame Glendinning here ventured, emboldened by maternal anxiety, to

break silence with an exclamation of "O my son!" Edward clinging to

his brother's side, half spoke, half whispered, a similar ejaculation,

of "Brother! brother!"

The Sub-Prior took up the matter in a tone of grave reprehension,

which, as he conceived, the interest he had always taken in the family

at Glendearg required at his hand.

"Wilful young man," he said, "what folly can urge thee to push back

the hand that is stretched out to aid thee? What visionary aim hast

thou before thee, that can compensate for the decent and sufficient

independence which thou art now rejecting with scorn?"

"Four marks by the year, duly and truly," said the Kitchener.

"Cow's-grass, doublet, and galligaskins," responded the Refectioner.

"Peace, my brethren," said the Sub-Prior; "and may it please your

lordship, venerable father, upon my petition, to allow this headstrong

youth a day for consideration, and it shall be my part so to

indoctrinate him, as to convince him what is due on this occasion to

your lordship, and to his family, and to himself."

"Your kindness, reverend father," said the youth, "craves my dearest

thanks--it is the continuance of a long train of benevolence towards

me, for which I give you my gratitude, for I have nothing else to

offer. It is my mishap, not your fault, that your intentions have been

frustrated. But my present resolution is fixed and unalterable. I

cannot accept the generous offer of the Lord Abbot; my fate calls me

elsewhere, to scenes where I shall end it or mend it."

"By our Lady," said the Abbot, "I think the youth be mad indeed--or

that you, Sir Piercie, judged of him most truly, when you prophesied

that he would prove unfit for the promotion we designed him--it may be

you knew something of this wayward humour before?"

"By the mass, not I," answered Sir Piercie Shafton, with his usual

indifference. "I but judged of him by his birth and breeding; for seldom

doth a good hawk come out of a kite's egg."

"Thou art thyself a kite, and kestrel to boot," replied Halbert

Glendinning, without a moment's hesitation.

"This in our presence, and to a man of worship?" said the Abbot, the

blood rushing to his face.

"Yes, my lord," answered the youth; "even in your presence I return to

this gay man's face, the causeless dishonour--which he has flung on my

name. My brave father, who fell in the cause of his country, demands

that justice at the hands of his son!"

"Unmannered boy!" said the Abbot.

"Nay, my good lord," said the knight, "praying pardon for the coarse

interruption, let me entreat you not to be wroth with this

rustical--Credit me, the north wind shall as soon puff one of your

rocks from its basis, as aught which I hold so slight and

inconsiderate as the churlish speech of an untaught churl, shall move

the spleen of Piercie Shafton."

"Proud as you are, Sir Knight," said Halbert, "in your imagined

superiority, be not too confident that you cannot be moved."

"Faith, by nothing that thou canst urge," said Sir Piercie.

"Knowest thou, then, this token?" said young Glendinning, offering to

him the silver bodkin he had received from the White Lady.

Never was such an instant change, from the most contemptuous serenity,

to the most furious state of passion, as that which Sir Piercie

Shafton exhibited. It was the difference between a cannon lying quiet

in its embrasure, and the same gun when touched by the linstock. He

started up, every limb quivering with rage, and his features so

inflamed and agitated by passion, that he more resembled a demoniac,

than a man under the regulation of reason. He clenched both his fists,

and thrusting them forward, offered them furiously at the face of

Glendinning, who was even himself startled at the frantic state of

excitation which his action had occasioned. The next moment he

withdrew them, struck his open palm against his own forehead, and

rushed out of the room in a state of indescribable agitation. The

whole matter had been so sudden, that no person present had time to

interfere.

When Sir Piercie Shafton had left the apartment, there was a moment's

pause of astonishment; and then a general demand that Halbert

Glendinning should instantly explain by what means he had produced

such a violent change in the deportment of the English cavalier.

"I did nought to him," answered Halbert Glendinning, "but what you

all saw--am I to answer for his fantastic freaks of humour?"

"Boy," said the Abbot, in his most authoritative manner, "these

subterfuges shall not avail thee. This is not a man to be driven from

his temperament without some sufficient cause. That cause was given by

thee, and must have been known to thee. I command thee, as thou wilt

save thyself from worse measure, to explain to me by what means thou

hast moved our friend thus--We choose not that our vassals shall drive

our guests mad in our very presence, and we remain ignorant of the

means whereby that purpose is effected."

"So may it please your reverence, I did but show him this token," said

Halbert Glendinning, delivering it at the same time to the Abbot, who

looked at it with much attention, and then, shaking his head, gravely

delivered it to the Sub-Prior, without speaking a word.

Father Eustace looked at the mysterious token with some attention; and

then addressing Halbert in a stern and severe voice, said, "Young man,

if thou wouldst not have us suspect thee of some strange

double-dealing in this matter, let us instantly know whence thou hadst

this token, and how it possesses an influence on Sir Piercie

Shafton?"--It would have been extremely difficult for Halbert, thus

hard pressed, to have either evaded or answered so puzzling a

question. To have avowed the truth might, in those times, have

occasioned his being burnt at a stake, although, in ours, his

confession would have only gained for him the credit of a liar beyond

all rational credibility. He was fortunately relieved by the return of

Sir Piercie Shafton himself, whose ear caught, as he entered, the

sound of the Sub-Prior's question.

Without waiting until Halbert Glendinning replied, he came forward,

whispering to him as he passed, "Be secret--thou shalt have the

satisfaction thou hast dared to seek for."

When he returned to his place, there were still marks of discomposure

on his brow; but, becoming apparently collected and calm, he looked

around him, and apologized for the indecorum of which he had been

guilty, which he ascribed to sudden and severe indisposition. All were

silent, and looked on each other with some surprise.

The Lord Abbot gave orders for all to retire from the apartment, save

himself, Sir Piercie Shafton, and the Sub-Prior. "And have an eye," he

added, "on that bold youth, that he escape not; for if he hath

practised by charm, or otherwise, on the health of our worshipful

guest, I swear by the alb and mitre which I wear, that his punishment

shall be most exemplary."

"My lord and venerable father," said Halbert, bowing respectfully,

"fear not but that I will abide my doom. I think you will best learn

from the worshipful knight himself, what is the cause of his

distemperature, and how slight my share in it has been."

"Be assured," said the knight, without looking up, however, while he

spoke, "I will satisfy the Lord Abbot."

With these words the company retired, and with them young Glendinning.

When the Abbot, the Sub-Prior, and the English knight were left alone,

Father Eustace, contrary to his custom, could not help speaking the

first. "Expound unto us, noble sir," he said, "by what mysterious

means the production of this simple toy could so far move your spirit,

and overcome your patience, after you had shown yourself proof to all

the provocation offered by this self-sufficient and singular youth?"

The knight took the silver bodkin from the good father's hand, looked

at it with great composure, and, having examined it all over, returned

it to the Sub-Prior, saying at the same time, "In truth, venerable

father, I cannot but marvel, that the wisdom implied alike in your

silver hairs, and in your eminent rank, should, like a babbling hound,

(excuse the similitude,) open thus loudly on a false scent. I were,

indeed, more slight to be moved than the leaves of the aspen-tree,

which wag at the least breath of heaven, could I be touched by such a

trifle as this, which in no way concerns me more than if the same

quantity of silver were stricken into so many groats. Truth is, that

from my youth upward, I have been subjected to such a malady as you

saw me visited with even now--a cruel and searching pain, which goeth

through nerve and bone, even as a good brand in the hands of a brave

soldier sheers through limb and sinew--but it passes away speedily, as

you yourselves may judge."

"Still," said the Sub-Prior, "this will not account for the youth

offering to you this piece of silver, as a token by which you were to

understand something, and, as we must needs conjecture, something

disagreeable."

"Your reverence is to conjecture what you will," said Sir Piercie;

"but I cannot pretend to lay your judgment on the right scent when I

see it at fault. I hope I am not liable to be called upon to account

for the foolish actions of a malapert boy?"

"Assuredly," said the Sub-Prior, "we shall prosecute no inquiry which

is disagreeable to our guest. Nevertheless," said he, looking to his

Superior, "this chance may, in some sort, alter the plan your lordship

had formed for your worshipful guest's residence for a brief term in

this tower, as a place alike of secrecy and of security; both of

which, in the terms which we now stand on with England, are

circumstances to be desired."

"In truth," said the Abbot, "and the doubt is well thought on, were it

as well removed; for I scarce know in the Halidome so fitting a place

of refuge, yet see I not how to recommend it to our worshipful guest,

considering the unrestrained petulance of this headstrong youth."

"Tush! reverend sirs--what would you make of me?" said Sir Piercie

Shafton. "I protest, by mine honour, I would abide in this house were

I to choose. What! I take no exceptions at the youth for showing a

flash of spirit, though the spark may light on mine own head. I honour

the lad for it. I protest I will abide here, and he shall aid me in

striking down a deer. I must needs be friends with him, and he be such

a shot: and we will speedily send down to my lord Abbot a buck of the

first head, killed so artificially as shall satisfy even the reverend

Kitchener."

This was said with such apparent ease and good-humour, that the Abbot

made no farther observation on what had passed, but proceeded to

acquaint his guest with the details of furniture, hangings,

provisions, and so forth, which he proposed to send up to the Tower of

Glendearg for his accommodation. This discourse, seasoned with a cup

or two of wine, served to prolong the time until the reverend Abbot

ordered his cavalcade to prepare for their return to the Monastery.

"As we have," he said, "in the course of this our toilsome journey,

lost our meridian, [Footnote: The hour of repose at noon, which, in

the middle ages, was employed in slumber, and which the monastic rules

of nocturnal vigils rendered necessary.] indulgence shall be given to

those of our attendants who shall, from very weariness, be unable to

attend the duty at prime, [Footnote: _Prime_ was the midnight

service of the monks.] and this by way of misericord or

_indulgentia._" [Footnote: _Misericord,_ according to the

learned work of Fosbrooke on British Monachism, meant not only an

indulgence, or exoneration from particular duties, but also a

particular apartment in a convent, where the monks assembled to enjoy

such indulgences or allowances as were granted beyond the rule.]

Having benevolently intimated a boon to his faithful followers, which

he probably judged would be far from unacceptable, the good Abbot,

seeing all ready for his journey, bestowed his blessing on the

assembled household--gave his hand to be kissed by Dame

Glendinning--himself kissed the cheek of Mary Avenel, and even of the

Miller's maiden, when they approached to render him the same

homage--commanded Halbert to rule his temper, and to be aiding and

obedient in all things to the English Knight--admonished Edward to be

_discipulus impiger atque strenuus_--then took a courteous

farewell of Sir Piercie Shafton, advising him to lie close, for fear

of the English borderers, who might be employed to kidnap him; and

having discharged these various offices of courtesy, moved forth to

the courtyard, followed by the whole establishment. Here, with a heavy

sigh, approaching to a groan, the venerable father heaved himself upon

his palfrey, whose dark purple housings swept the ground; and, greatly

comforted that the discretion of the animal's pace would be no longer

disturbed by the gambadoes of Sir Piercie and his prancing war-horse,

he set forth at a sober and steady trot upon his return to the

Monastery.

When the Sub-Prior had mounted to accompany his principal, his eye

sought out Halbert, who, partly hidden by a projection of the outward

wall of the court, stood apart from, and gazing upon the departing

cavalcade, and the group which assembled around them. Unsatisfied with

the explanation he had received concerning the mysterious transaction

of the silver bodkin, yet interesting himself in the youth, of whose

character he had formed a favourable idea, the worthy monk resolved to

take an early opportunity of investigating that matter. In the

meanwhile, he looked upon Halbert with a serious and warning aspect,

and held up his finger to him as he signed farewell. He then joined

the rest of the churchmen, and followed his Superior down the valley.