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fingering the fallen petals tenderly； with a little sigh。 She glanced up at
Hilarius through her lashes' net。 〃Maybe I was over hasty；〃 she said
softly； and a sob swelled the round of her wonderful throat … 〃and yet how
couldst thou call me wanton？〃 Her mouth drooped a little … she was very
fair。
〃Art thou still minded to set these poor pale flowers against the roses
in love's garden？ For I love thee；〃 she added； and then suddenly she was
still。
Hilarius looked from the dead flowers to the woman in her over…
mastering beauty； and all at once the passion that lies hid in the heart of
every man leapt to his lips。 He desired this woman as he had never
before desired aught in all the world； and he knew； to his shame； that she
was his for the asking。 The blood thudded and rang in his veins； he
feasted his eyes on the curve of her neck and the radiance of her sun…swept
hair。 He stretched out his hands； but ere he could speak she raised a
white； terrified face； and glanced over her shoulder。
〃Who touched me？〃 she gasped； her voice shrill with fear； 〃who
touched me？〃 And she sprang to her feet。
There was no one： the two shared a common pallor as they stared
into each other's eyes across the dying lilies。 Hilarius shrank back and
covered his face with his hands。 Clear and distinct he heard the Prior's
voice： 〃A light woman … a light woman。〃
Then the Princess said hoarsely； 〃Go； go；〃 and without word or look
Hilarius went。
The Prior rose from his knees comforted。 He had wrestled with the
devil for his son's soul； and knew that he had prevailed。
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THE GATHERING OF BROTHER HILARIUS
CHAPTER III … OPEN EYES AT THE GATE
ANOTHER year wrote its record on forest and field。 The weeks
passed； summer sped to autumn； the ripe corn bowed to the sickle。 The
Convent's lands were rich and heavy； virgin soil reclaimed； and the Prior；
watching the last great wain piled high with wealth of golden treasure； saw
the porter coming to him。
Now the porter was stout； short of breath； and of a hasty spirit； and the
Prior knew something was amiss by reason of his hurried gait and wrathful
countenance。
〃Domine；〃 he gasped； 〃Domine； there is a ragged man at the gate； a
vagabond by his own showing； and he craves speech of thee。 I bade him
go to the guest…house； but he will not budge； and hath waited already an
hour despite my … 〃
The porter stayed； staring； he spoke to the wind； the Prior was already
halfway to the gate。
〃This my son was dead and is alive again；〃 sang his heart。 The porter；
afraid； hasted after him with the keys； and had scarce time to do his office
ere the sunburnt vagabond was clasped in the Prior's arms。 It was a
harvesting indeed。
That night Hilarius went across to the Prior's house to tell the tale of
his journeyings。 He found him seated in a great oak chair by the open
window； the sky was ablaze with stars； and the flame of the oil lamp jarred
like a splash of yellow paint on the moonlight which flooded the room； the
Prior's eyes smiled measureless content； and the murmured 〃Laus Deo〃 of
his lips voiced the gladness of his heart。 Thus； in the shelter of peace and
a great love； Hilarius told his tale； while the forest waved a welcome to
him over the Monastery wall； and the late lilies burned white in the garth
below。
The Prior sat with his chin in his hand； his eyes fixed on the lad's face；
pale against the dark wainscot； and Hilarius told of his journeyings； and all
that befell； even as it hath been recorded in this chronicle； and the Prior's
eyes were wet as he heard of the little maid。
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THE GATHERING OF BROTHER HILARIUS
〃And then； my son？〃 said the Prior。
〃Then； my Father； I companied with the caravan folk as far as the sea…
coast； and； leaving them there； went overseas in the train of my lord
Bishop Robert Walter of Norwich； who was hasting to Rome。 He knew
thee； my Father； and bade his people supply my needs。〃
〃Ay； he knows me；〃 said the Prior briefly。 〃The Lord reward him
according to his works； but show him mercy forasmuch as he had
compassion on my son！〃
〃Then saw I Rome； my Father； that great and beauteous city full of
treasure and many wonders； only the Holy Father I did not see； being let。
Methinks life in that country is as one long pageant； but I marked that
great holiness and an evil life； much riches and much penury； dwelt there
side by side； and men reeked little of death but much of pleasure。 Then
one bade me go to Florence an I would be a limner； therefore I hasted
thither； and gave my last coin for bread as I entered the city。〃
The Prior's brows contracted； the lad had seen some schooling。
〃But thou didst learn to be a limner； my son？〃
〃Ay； my Father； in God's time： at first I must herd goats and sell
melons in the market…place for a lump of bread。 Day by day I strove to
gain enough to buy colours； but could not； for the Lord sent me ever a
neighbour poorer than myself。 Nevertheless I was of good courage；
knowing the Lord's ways are not as ours； and mindful how Brother
Ambrose held that inasmuch as the Heavenly City is laid with fair colours
'twere no sin to deem that a man may limn perfect pictures there； for the
gift is from the Lord。〃
〃My son； 'tis a great lesson thou hast learnt；〃 said the Prior； 〃for the
Word was made Flesh； and as Blessed John hath it； a man cannot love God
unseen； if he love not the brother whom He hath given him。 What next；
dear lad？〃
〃My Father； the Lord Himself sent a messenger to me。 One day a
great limner； the Signor Andrea di Cione； whom men call d'Orcagna；
stayed by me where I stood with my melons in the shadow of the
Shepherd's Tower； and bade me follow him to his house； for he would fain
use me for an angel's head in the great Altar…piece he was e'en then