"But gaiety was quickly restored by the old lay-sister, Mary Antony,
who, armed with the Reverend Mother's permission, insisted on mounting.
"Willing hands, miscalculating the exceeding lightness of her aged
body, lifted her higher than need be, above the back of the palfrey.
Whereupon Mary Antony, parting her feet, came down straddling!
"Firm as a limpet, she sat thus upon Icon. No efforts of the nuns
could induce her to shift her position. Commanding Brother Philip,
seeing 'the Lord Bishop' was now safely mounted, to lead on and not
keep him standing, old Antony rode off in triumph, blessing the nuns
right and left, as she passed.
"Never were heard such shrieks of merriment! Even Mother Sub-Prioress
sank upon a seat to laugh with less fatigue. Sister Seraphine's
fretful complaints were forgotten.
"Twice round the field went old Antony, with fingers uplifted. Icon
stepped carefully, arching his neck and walking as if he well knew that
he bore on his back, ninety odd years of brave gaiety.
"Well, that made of the Play Day a success. But--the best of all was
yet to come."
The Bishop took up the faggot-fork, and again tended the fire. He
seemed to find it difficult to tell that which must next be told.
The Knight was breathing quickly. He sat immovable; yet the rubies on
his breast glittered continuously, like so many eager, fiery eyes.
The Bishop went on, speaking rapidly, the faggot-fork still in his
hand, his face turned to the fire.
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