"The banns have not been duly published, neither is there any priest here to marry them." "How sayst thou ?" roared Tuck from the choir loft.

"No priest?
Marry, here stands as holy a man as thou art, any day of the week, a clerk in orders, I would have thee know.

As for the question of banns, stumble not over that straw, brother, for I will publish them." So saying, he called the banns; and, says the old ballad, lest three times should not be enough, he published them nine times o'er.

Then straightway he came down from the loft and forthwith performed the marriage service; and so Allan and Ellen were duly wedded.
And now Robin counted out two hundred golden angels to Edward of Deirwold, and he, upon his part, gave his blessing, yet not, I wot, as though he meant it with overmuch good will.

Then the stout yeomen crowded around and grasped Allan's palm, and he, holding Ellen's hand within his own, looked about him all dizzy with his happiness.
Then at last jolly Robin turned to the Bishop of Hereford, who had been looking on at all that passed with a grim look.