"And what do you all think of it?" asked the other.

"Oh! I suppose he knows his business."

Nicholas asked a number of questions, and was informed that Chris
proposed to go to Lewes in a month's time. He was already twenty-three,
the Prior had given his conditional consent before, and there was no
need for waiting. Yes, they were Cluniacs; but Ralph believed that they
were far from strict just at present. It need not be the end of Chris so
far as this world was concerned.

"But you must not say that to him," he went on, "he thinks it is heaven
itself between four walls, and we shall have a great scene of farewell.
I think I must go back to town before it takes place: I cannot do that
kind of thing."

Nicholas was not attending, and rode on in silence for a few yards,
sucking in his lower lip.

"We are lucky fellows, you and I," he said at last, "to have a monk to
pray for us."

Ralph glanced at him, for he was perfectly grave, and a rather intent
and awed look was in his eyes.

"I think a deal of that," he went on, "though I cannot talk to a
churchman as I should. I had a terrible time with my Lord of Canterbury
last year, at Otford. He was not a hunter like this one, and I knew not
what else to speak of."