So after that my toes were left severely alone among the lay brethren.
Then came the high procession, at which the monks and all stood up.

In front there were the incense-bearers and acolytes, then officers whose names, not being convent-bred nor yet greatly given to church-craft, I did not know.

Then after them came two men who walked together, at the sight of whom the' jaws of all the monks dropped, and they stood so infinitely astonished that no power was left in them.

For, instead of one, two mitred abbots entered in full canonical attire--golden mitre and green, golden-headed staff, red embroidered robes lined with green.

These two paced solemnly in abreast, and sat down upon twin thrones.
"The Abbot of St.Omer!" whispered one of the lay brothers, naming one of the most famous abbeys in Europe, and the word flew round like lightning.
Whether he had been instructed or not what to say I do not know.