Prior Stephen attained his fourscore years, ruling the Convent wisely and well to the very end: ay, and never ailed aught, his call coming as it might be straight from the mouth of the Lord.
On the Feast of Blessed Stephen he went into the chapter and said as always: “_The souls of the deceased brethren and believers rest in peace_!” to which the Convent replied, “_Amen_.” Then with his hands raised to bless he cried, “_Benedicite_,” and again with loud and joyful voice “_Domine_,” and again, “_Domine_!” as of one who answers to his name—and so passed to his place in the Kingdom of Christ.
The Convent elected Hilarius to be Prior in his stead, which election the Abbat of Cluny confirmed with good grace.
Time passed, and the fame of the Monastery grew because of the exceeding beauty of the Church, for Hilarius, with those whom he taught, set fair pictures on the walls, and blazoned the roof with the blue of heaven and gold of the wakeful stars. In the span over the High Altar he set Blessed Benedict himself with the face of Prior Stephen, and round him the angel virtues; even as one Giotto, a shepherd lad, had limned them in the Church of the Little Brothers.
Now Prior Hilarius desired greatly to set a picture of Our Lady above the Altar in her Chapel. Long did he pray with ever-increasing fervour and much fasting that this boon might be vouchsafed him for her glory and the Convent’s greater good. And one day—’twas her Nativity—he set his hand to the work, for it seemed to him that she would have it so; and he was greatly humbled that such heavenly kindness should attend so vile a sinner. Day by day he set apart some hours for this service; and he limned a face so fair and radiant, with woman’s love and light of heaven, that it was whispered in the cloister walks that the Prior had surely been blessed by a vision, else had he never pictured the Maid-Mother in so wondrous a fashion: and of a truth a man might well give credence to such a story, for the joy that shone in the Prior’s eyes and might not be hid.
Many other tales did the Brethren tell of Hilarius, but softly, for he would hear no word of his own deeds or the favours vouchsafed him.
When he walked in the garth the pigeons circled round him crooning their peace-note; and it was told that the kine in the meadows ceased browsing when he passed, and needs must company with him a little way.