called.

The graver and sadder ones of the party, father, mother, and the
two young sisters, rode farther back, the father issuing
directions to the seneschal, who accompanied them thus far, and
the mother watching over the two fair young girls, whose hearts
were heavy in the probability that they would never meet again,
for how should a Scottish Benedictine nun and the wife of a
French seigneur ever come together? nor would there be any
possibility of correspondence to bridge over the gulf.

The nunnery was strong, but not with the strength of secular
buildings, for, except when a tempting heiress had taken refuge
there, convents were respected even by the rudest men.

Numerous unkempt and barely-clothed figures were coming away
from the gates, a pilgrim or two with brown gown, broad hat, and
scallop shell, the morning's dole being just over; but a few,
some on crutches, some with heads or limbs bound up, were
waiting for their turn of the sister-infirmarer's care. The
pennon of the Drummond had already been recognised, and the
gate-ward readily admitted the party, since the house of
Glenuskie were well known as pious benefactors to the Church.

They were just in time for a mass which a pilgrim priest was
about to say, and they were all admitted to the small nave of
the little chapel, beyond which a screen shut off the choir of
nuns. After this the ladies were received into the refectory to
break their fast, the men folk being served in an outside
building for the purpose. It was not sumptuous fare, chiefly