Right so Ralph deemed that he felt some one pull his sleeve,
but in such a throng that was nought of a wonder; howbeit, he turned
and looked to his left, whence came the tug, and saw kneeling beside
him a tall man-at-arms, who bore a sallet on his head in such
wise that it covered all his face save the point of his chin.
Then Ralph bethought him of the man of the leafless tree,
and he looked to see what armoury the man bore on his coat;
but he had nothing save a loose frock of white linen over
his hauberk. Nevertheless, he heard a voice in his ear,
which said, "The second time!" whereon he deemed that it was
verily that same man: yet had he nought to do to lay hold
on him, and he might not speak with him, for even therewith
came the Abbot in garments all of gold, going a-foot under
a canopy of baudekyn, with the precious mitre on his head,
and the crozier borne before him, as if he had been a patriarch:
for he was an exceeding mighty lord.

Ralph looked hard on him as he passed by, blessing the folk with
upraised hand; and he saw that he was a tall spare man, clean-shaven,
and thin-faced; but no old man, belike scarce of fifty winters.
Ralph caught his eye, and he smiled on the goodly young man so kindly,
that for a moment Ralph deemed that he would dwell in St. Mary's
House for a little while; for, thought he, if my father, or Nicholas,
hear of me therein, they must even let me alone to abide here.

Therewith the Abbot went forth to his place, and sat him
down under a goodly cloth of estate, and folk stood up again;
but when Ralph looked for the man in the sallet he could see
nought of him. Now when the Abbot was set down, men made
a clear ring round about the bale, and there came into the said