A touching sight was it to see those reverend men prostrate before their ancient superior,--he condemned to die, and they deprived of their monastic home,--and the officer had not the heart to interfere.
Deeply affected, Paslew advanced to the prior, and raising him, affectionately embraced him.

After this, he addressed some words of comfort to the others, who arose as he enjoined them, and at a signal from the officer, the procession set out for the church, singing the "_Placebo_." The abbot and his fellow captives brought up the rear, with a guard on either side of them.

All Souls' bell tolled dolefully the while.
Meanwhile an officer entered the great hall, where the Earl of Derby was feasting with his retainers, and informed him that the hour appointed for the ceremonial was close at hand.

The earl arose and went to the church attended by Braddyll and Assheton.

He entered by the western porch, and, proceeding to the choir, seated himself in the magnificently-carved stall formerly used by Paslew, and placed where it stood, a hundred years before, by John Eccles, ninth abbot.
Midnight struck.