The bell was just ringing for the Chapter Mass, the mass of
obligation to all the brotherhood, and the only one sung--during
the day--in contradistinction to the low, or silent, masses--which
equalled the number of the brethren in full orders, of whom there
were not more than five or six.

The earl, his squire, and the two boys were there. The prior was
celebrant. The manner of Hubert showed his distraction and
indifference: it was like a daily lesson in school to him, and he
gave it neither more nor less attention. But to Martin the
mysterious soothing music of the mass, like strains from another
world, so unlike earthly tunes, came like a new sense, an
inspiration from an unknown realm, and brought the unbidden tears
to his young eyes.

It must not be supposed that he was totally ignorant of the
elements of religion; even the wild inhabitants of the forest crave
some form of approach to God, and from time to time a wandering
priest, an outlaw himself of English birth, ministered to the
"merrie men" at a rustic altar, generally in the open air or in a
well-known cavern. The mass in its simplest form, divested of its
gorgeous ceremonial but preserving the general outline, was the
service he rendered; and sometimes he added a little instruction in
the vernacular.

What good could such a service be to men living in the constant
breach of the eighth commandment? the Normans would ask. To which
the outlaws replied, we are at open war with you, at least as
honourable a war as you waged at Senlac.