"I-er-don't think we shall include any episode dealing specially with that period."

"Too serious, perhaps?"

"Our-er-object is to sweep broadly down the stream of time, embodying the great part our city played for hundreds of years in the history of our nation-I may say of the Anglo-Saxon race."

“I shouldn't, if I were you," said Brother Copas, "not even to please Mr. Bamberger. . . . As a matter of fact, I had guessed your object to be something of the sort," he added dryly.

"As you may suppose-and as, indeed, is but proper in Merchester-special stress will be laid throughout on the ecclesiastical side of the story: the influence of Mother Church, permeating and at every turn informing our national life."

"But you said a moment ago that you were leaving out the Reformation."

"We seek rather to illustrate the continuity of her influence."

Brother Copas took snuff.

"You must not think, however," pursued the Chaplain, "that we are giving the thing a sectarian trend. On the contrary, we are taking great care to avoid it. Our appeal is to one and all: to the unifying civic sense and, through that, to the patriotic. Several prominent Nonconformists have already joined the Committee; indeed, Alderman Chope

who, as you know, is a Baptist, but has a remarkably fine presence has more than half consented to impersonate Alfred the Great. If further proof be needed, I may tell you that, in view of the coming Pan-Anglican Conference, the Committee has provisionally resolved to divide the proceeds (if any) between the British and Foreign Bible Society and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel."

"Ah!" murmured Brother Copas, maliciously quoting Falstaff. "It was alway yet the trick of our English nation, if they have a good thing, to make it too common.'

The Chaplain did not hear.

"I earnestly hope," said he, "you will let me propose you for my Committee."

"I would not miss it for worlds," said Brother Copas gravely.

He had disjointed and packed up his rod by this time, and the two were walking back towards St. Hospital.

“You relieve me more than I can say. Your help will be invaluable."

Brother Copas was apparently deaf to this compli

ment.

"You'll excuse me," he said after a moment, "but I gather that the whole scheme must be well under weigh, since you have arrived at allocating the proceeds. Experience tells me that all amateurs

start with wanting to act something; when they see that desire near to realisation, and not before, they cast about for the charity which is to deserve their efforts. . . . May I ask what part you have chosen?" "I had thoughts of Alberic de Blanchminster, in an Episode of the 'Founding of St. Hospital.'

"Alberic de Blanchminster?"

They had reached the outer court of the hospital, and Brother Copas, halting to take snuff, eyed the Chaplain as if taking his measure.

"But the Committee, in compliment to my inches, are pressing me to take William the Conqueror," said Mr. Colt almost bashfully.

"I too should advise it, if we are to adhere to history; though, to be sure, from the sole mention of him in the chronicle, our founder, Alberic, appears to have been a sportsman. 'Nam, quodam die, quia perdiderat accipitum suum cum erat sub divo, detrexit sibi bracas et posteriora nuda ostendit caelo in signum opprobrii et convitii atque derisionis.'-You remember the passage."

He paused mischievously, knowing well enough that the Chaplain would laugh, pretending to have followed the Latin. Sure enough, Mr. Colt laughed heartily.

"About William the Conqueror, though--"

But at this moment Corona came skipping through the archway.

"Uncle Copas!" she hailed, the vault echoing to her childish treble. "You look as though you had mistaken Mr. Colt for a visitor, and were telling him all about the history of the place. Oh! I know that you never go the round with visitors; but seeing it's only me and Timmy-look at him, please! He's been made a Beauchamp Brother, not half an hour ago. If only you'd be guide to us for once, and make him feel his privileges. . . . I dare say Mr. Colt won't mind coming too," she wound up tactfully. "Shall we?" suggested the Chaplain, after asking and receiving permission to inspect the doll.

"Confound it!" muttered Brother Copas to himself. "I cannot even begin to enjoy a fool nowadays but that blessed child happens along to rebuke me." Aloud he said

"If you command, little one. . . . But where do we begin?"

"At the beginning." Corona took charge of him, with a nod at the Chaplain. "We're pilgrims, all four of us, home from the Holy Land; and we start by knocking up Brother Manby and just perishing for a drink."

CHAPTER XVIII

THE PERVIGILIUM

"NOW learn ye to love who loved never-now ye who have loved, love anew!

It is Spring, it is chorussing Spring: 'tis the birthday of earth and for you!

It is Spring; and the Loves and the birds wing together, and woo to accord

Where the bough to the rain has unbraided her locks as a bride to her lord.

For she walks-She our Lady, our Mistress of Wedlock,the woodlands atween,

And the bride-bed she weaves them, with myrtle enlacing, with curtains of green.

Look, list ye the law of Dione, aloft and enthroned in the blue:

Now learn ye to love who loved never-now ye who have loved, love anew!'

H'm, h'm-tolerable only! 'Aloft and established in blue'-is that better?"

"Uncle Copas, whatever are you doing?"

Corona looked up from her page of irregular verbs, and across to her preceptor as he sat muttering and scribbling.