When Roger de
Fitz-Eustace comes hither, his claim shall be duly certified."
"Alas!" said the wayfaring guests, in a tone of deep sorrow and
apprehension, "he went on a warfare against the infidels."
"He will return," was the reply.
"The Virgin grant him a safe deliverance! but he tarrieth long, and a
rumour hath lately been abroad that he fell at Ascalon."
"'Tis false!" cried the hermit, roused to an unexpected burst of wrath.
His eyes kindled with rage, and he darted a glance at the intruders
which made them cower and shrink from his rebuke. In a moment he grew
calm, relapsing into his usual moody and thoughtful attitude. Taking
courage, they again addressed him.
"Is this thy message to the abbot of Stanlaw? If so, our errand hath but
a sorry recompense."
"And what recompense should fall to the lot of miscreants like ye?" said
the hermit, surveying them with a contemptuous glance. "I hear the sound
of your master's feet behind ye. Tell Robert, the proud Dean of Whalley,
that when he sends ye next on so goodly an errand, to see that ye con
your lesson more carefully, else will ye be known for a couple of errant
knaves as ever went a-mousing into an owl's nest! Hence, begone!" said
the hermit, as he drave them from his threshold; and the counterfeit
monks went back to Whalley in haste, reporting the ill success of their
mission.
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