4o The Ancient Gods Pursuing

and seemly man clad in the manner of the
Romans, and he bowed low to them, and
said: ‘“‘O saintly men, the Lady Pelagia
hath heard of your coming into this land,
and she knows that you have come to teach
men the new faith, for she is a great lady,
mistress of vast demesnes, and many mes-
sengers bring her tidings of all that happens.
She bids me greet you humbly and prevail
on you to come and abide this night in her
house, which is but a little way from here.”

“Ts your lady of Rome?” asked Hilary.

“From Rome she came hither,” said the
messenger, “but aforetime she was of Greece,
and she hath great friendship for all wise and
holy men.”

The wayfarers were surprised to hear of
this lady, but they were rejoiced that, after
such long wandering, there was some one to
welcome them where least they had expected
word of welcome, and they followed the
messenger.

Horn lantern in hand he led them through
the warm June darkness, and on the way
answered many questions as to the folk of
these parts, and their strange worship of sun
and moon and wandering light of heaven ;