"No doubt," returned the Abbot; "but I care little for such gay scenes
or for the intrigues of the Court. A country priest has no training
for such traps. However, I trust we shall soon meet again; and,
meanwhile, Kirkstall's gates are always open to you. _Pax vobiscum_."

"Hypocritical liar," muttered De Lacy, when the two troops had passed.
"I would think twice ere I trusted myself in your power if I chanced to
be an obstacle to your schemes. Giles, what think you of yon Abbot?"

"He is much of his kind and I like not the breed," replied Dauvrey.
"Methinks he resembles rather his brethren of Italy than those I have
seen in this land of mist and fog. He has been meddling with us, I
warrant."

The Knight laughed.

"He has shown a most Christian solicitude for us, at all events," he
said.

When De Lacy drew rein before the barbican of Pontefract, there was no
need to wind horn to gain entrance, for the drawbridge was down and
Lord Darby, with a score of attendants, was just departing.

"Now what in Satan's name brought him back?" Aymer muttered--though he
knew the answer well enough. Then he raised his hand in salute. "I
give you greeting, my lord," he said.

And Darby was even less pleased, for he was going and De Lacy was
coming; but he, too, masked his face, and gave the welcome back in kind.