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"They are anxious to know if they may bring their horses. Brother, is there room in your stables for my daughters' horses?"

"Yes, we have room—let them bring what they like. And you shall bring your books . . . My joy, I've promised him the east room for his own that he may study there as he pleases."

"Mr. Alard is a great scholar," said Mr. Parsons with a little formal bow—"the clergy of England are known for their learning."

"Aye, stupor mundi is the saying, and I understand there's envy of our learned clerks in countries where the clergy are less learned"—his bright blue eyes, curiously innocent and child-like in a face so marked by experience, raked Parsons' countenance to see the effect of this random shot; but he only bowed again. "But I was never at an English University," continued Gervase—"I spent my youth in Paris, exiled for King Charles, and my studies were under French masters."

"You were perhaps a student of Paris University?"

"Aye, for a time—and in the country."

"The truth is," said Charles, "that in those days we were devilish short of money. My brother's studies were often interrupted. But he was always a great student—would go without his dinner for a book, and sooner spend an evening in reading than in dancing. That's why my father made him Vicar of Leasan—he thought it would give him still further opportunities; and now he's coming to us here it will be better still. I've told you, brother, that you'll be a happier man when you can sit among your books without interruption from your parishioners."