Stifled sobs and tears were the only answer to this speech. The dying man proceeded :-"Come nearer to me, Agnes. Methinks the room waxeth dark. It is very cold. I think I am going-I do commend myself, miserable sinner, to the HOLY TRINITY!"

The Abbat, seeing by the ashy hue which crept over the Knight's face, that the soul was departing, made a sign to those present to kneel, and in a clear voice began the Commendation of the spirit in the agony of death; "To GOD I commend thee, beloved brother, and to Him Whose creature thou art, I commit thee! that when thou shalt have paid the penalty of thy sins by thy mortality, to Him, Who formed thee from the dust of the earth, thou mayest return. When thy soul hath departed from the body, the glorious company of Angels meet thee! the mighty senate of Apostles come forth to thee! the triumphant army of Martyrs greet thee! the shining cohort of Confessors surround thee! the jubilant chorus of Virgins receive thee! the Face of CHRIST JESUS shine mercifully upon thee! Be thou free from the horror of the shades, and the terror of the flame, and the agony of the torment! Let Satan and his angels yield before thee, let them fly into darkness and eternal night! Let GOD arise, and let His enemies be scattered; let them also that hate Him flee before Him! Like as the smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: and like as wax melteth at the fire, so let the ungodly

perish before the presence of GOD! CHRIST Jesus, That was crucified for thee, save thee! CHRIST, That suffered His agony for thee, preserve thee now in this agony of death! CHRIST, That rose for thee on the third day, raise thee up to eternal life!"

There was a solemn silence, disturbed by nothing but the heavy gaspings of the dying Knight, and the sweet song of one little bird, that, unconscious of the scene of grief within, was pouring her lovely notes to the warm sunshine on the quaintly carved gurgoyle without. The Abbat, having paused for a moment, proceeded :

"Depart, Christian soul, from this world; in the name of GOD the FATHER, Who created thee; in the name of God the Son, Who suffered for thee; in the name of GOD the HOLY GHOST, Who hath sanctified thee; in the name of Angels and Archangels; in the name of Thrones and Dominations, in the name of Principalities and Powers; in the name of Cherubim and Seraphim; in the name of Patriarchs and Prophets, of Apostles and Evangelists, of Martyrs and Confessors: to-day be thy habitation in peace, and thy dwelling-place in the holy Sion. Through the same CHRIST our LORD. Amen."

Again he paused; and then continued, nearly in the words of the Reformed Anglican Church:

"O GOD of pity, GoD of mercy, GOD, That according to the multitude of Thy loving-kindnesses blottest out the sins of them that are penitent, and

puttest away the remembrance of former crimes by the grace of remission, look down favourably on this Thy servant; and give to him that asketh it with all his heart, forgiveness of his offences. Renew in him, most merciful FATHER, whatever hath been corrupted by the frailty of his body, or violated by the fraud of the devil; and join this member to the unity of the Church. Pity, LORD, his groanings; behold his tears; and him that hath no confidence except in Thy loving-kindness, receive by the grace of reconciliation: through CHRIST our LORD,

“Receive him, O LORD, and rescue him, as Enoch and Elias from death; Noe from the flood; Abraham from Ur of the Chaldeans; Lot from Sodom; Daniel from the lions' den. Amen."

At the conclusion of this supplication, the good old Knight sighed deeply; and the Sub-prior held the pax to his lips. He had just strength to kiss the image of his Crucified SAVIOUR; and in the act, his spirit departed.

"CHRIST, Continued the Abbat, "Who hath called thee to Himself, receive thee!" "And Angels," was the response, "into the bosom of Abraham bear thee!"-"Eternal rest grant unto him, O LORD!" "In Thy light let him see light !"—" To thee, O LORD," again the Abbat continued, "we commend the soul of Thy servant; that being dead to the world, it may live to Thee; that its sins may be blotted out by the remission of Thy pardon, and itself presented faultless in Thy sight."

The sorrowing company arose from their knees and retired. Agnes de Tracy gave one kiss to the cold lips, and tore herself away; and the lifeless body was left to the proper attendants.

In a south chapel of Saltwood church for many ages might be seen, in a low canopied recess, the effigy of a Knight in chain armour: the jupon was girt around him; his legs were crossed and rested on a hound; and his hands were clasped in prayer. And on the rim of the stone, in Lombardic characters, was the legend

Sire: Ranulph : de: Broc : gist : hici :
Dieu: de: salme: eyt: mercy: Amen.

CHAPTER III.

THE Sub-prior Warel was right. Archbishop Becket had compromised himself by his promise to the King at Oxford. When the council met at Clarendon, he expressed his unfeigned sorrow for what he had done; and in swearing to obey the laws, insisted on adding his old clause, Salvo Ordine. Three days he persisted in this resolution; till, wearied out with the importunities of the nobles, won upon by the remembrance he entertained of the ancient friendship and familiarity he had enjoyed with his royal master, weighed down with the pusillanimity of the Bishops, and without a single friend or encourager at hand,-in evil hour he signed the Constitutions of Clarendon; thereby turning the Church into a creature of the state; making CHRIST'S kingdom dependent on an earthly monarch; bringing her down from the lofty position she had enjoyed; and rendering it impossible, in