,,by ,,what ,,authority8 ,by ,robert ,hugh ,benson ,author of ,the ,light ,invisible1 ,the ,king's ,achievement1 ,a ,book of the ,love of ,jesus1 etc4 ,,beniziger ,,bros4 ,,printers ,,to ,,the ,,holy ,,apostolic ,,see1 ,,new ,,york1 ,,cincinnati1 ,,chicago4 ,i wish to acknowledge a great debt of gratitude to the ,reverend ,dom ,bede ,camm41 ,o4,s4,b41 who kindly read this book in proof1 and made many valuable corrections and suggestions4 ,,robert ,,hugh ,,benson ,tremans ,horsted ,keynes ,october #bg1 #aijd ,,penatibvs ,,focisqve ,,caris ,,necnon ,,tribvs ,,carioribvs ,,apvd ,,qvas ,,scripsi ,,in ,,qvarvm ,,avres ,,legi ,a ,,qvibvs ,,admonitvs ,,emendavi ,,hvnc ,,librvm ,d4 ,,contents ,,part ,i ,,chap4 ,i4 ,the ,situation ,,ii4 ,the ,hall and the ,house ,,iii4 ,london ,town ,,iv4 ,mary ,corbet ,v4 ,a ,rider ,from ,london ,,vi4 ,mr4 ,stewart ,,vii4 ,the ,door in the ,garden ,wall ,,viii4 ,the ,taking of ,mr4 ,stewart ,,ix4 ,village ,justice ,x4 ,a ,confessor ,,xi4 ,master ,calvin ,,xii4 ,a ,winding ,up ,,part ,,ii ,i4 ,anthony in ,london ,,ii4 ,some ,new ,lessons ,,iii4 ,hubert's ,return ,,iv4 ,a ,counter ,march ,v4 ,the ,coming of the ,jesuits ,,vi4 ,some ,contrasts ,,vii4 ,a ,message ,from the ,city ,,viii4 ,the ,massing-,house ,,ix4 ,from ,fulham to ,greenwich ,x4 ,the ,appeal to ,csar ,,xi4 ,a ,station of the ,cross ,,xii4 ,a ,strife of ,tongues ,,xiii4 ,the ,spiritual ,exercises ,,xiv4 ,easter ,day ,,part ,,iii ,i4 ,the ,coming of ,spain ,,ii4 ,men of ,war and ,peace ,,iii4 ,home-,coming ,,iv4 ,stanfield ,place ,v4 ,joseph ,lackington ,,vi4 ,a ,departure ,,vii4 ,northern ,religion ,,viii4 ,in ,stanstead ,woods ,,ix4 ,the ,alarm ,x4 ,the ,passage ,to the ,garden-house ,,xi4 ,the ,garden-house ,,xii4 ,the ,night ,ride ,,xiii4 ,in ,prison ,,xiv4 ,an ,open ,door ,,xv4 ,the ,rolling of the ,stone ,,by ,,what ,,authority8 ,,part ,i ,,chapter ,i ,,the ,,situation ,to the casual ,londoner who lounged1 intolerant and impatient1 at the blacksmith's door while a horse was shod1 or a cracked spoke mended1 ,great ,keynes seemed but a poor backwater of a place1 compared with the rush of the ,brighton road eight miles to the east from which he had turned off1 or the whirling cauldron of ,london ,city1 twenty miles to the north1 towards which he was travelling4 ,the triangular green1 with its stocks and horse-pond1 overlooked by the grey benignant church-tower1 seemed a tame exchange for seething ,cheapside and the crowded ways about the ,temple or ,whitehall2 and it was strange to think that the solemn-faced rustics who stared respectfully at the gorgeous stranger were of the same human race as the quick-eyed1 voluble townsmen who chattered and laughed and grimaced over the news that came up daily from the ,continent or the ,north1 and was tossed to and fro1 embroidered and discredited alternately1 all day long4 ,and yet the great waves and movements that1 rising in the hearts of kings and politicians1 or in the sudden strokes of ,divine ,providence1 swept over ,europe and ,england1 eventually always rippled up into this placid country village2 and the lives of ,master ,musgrave1 who had retired upon his earnings1 and of old ,martin1 who cobbled the ploughmen's shoes1 were definitely affected and changed by the plans of far-away ,scottish gentlemen1 and the hopes and fears of the inhabitants of ,south ,europe4 ,through all the earlier part of ,elizabeth's reign1 the menace of the ,spanish ,empire brooded low on the southern horizon1 and a responsive mutter of storm sounded now and again from the north1 where ,mary ,stuart reigned over men's hearts1 if not their homes2 and lovers of secular ,england shook their heads and were silent as they thought of their tiny country1 so rent with internal strife1 and ringed with danger4 ,for ,great ,keynes1 however1 as for most ,english villages and towns at this time1 secular affairs were so deeply and intricately interwoven with ecclesiastical matters that none dared decide on the one question without considering its relation to the other2 and ecclesiastical affairs1 too1 touched them more personally than any other1 since every religious change scored a record of itself presently within the church that was as familiar to them as their own cottages4 ,on none had the religious changes fallen with more severity than on the ,maxwell family that lived in the ,hall1 at the upper and southern end of the green4 ,old ,sir ,nicholas1 though his convictions had survived the tempest of unrest and trouble that had swept over ,england1 and he had remained a convinced and a stubborn ,catholic1 yet his spiritual system was sore and inflamed within him4 ,to his simple and obstinate soul it was an irritating puzzle as to how any man could pass from the old to a new faith1 and he had been known to lay his whip across the back of a servant who had professed a desire to try the new religion4 ,his wife1 a stately lady1 a few years younger than himself1 did what she could to keep her lord quiet1 and to save him from incurring by his indiscretion any further penalties beyond the enforced journeys before the ,commission1 and the fines inflicted on all who refused to attend their parish church4 ,so the old man devoted himself to his estates and the further improvement of the house and gardens1 and to the inculcation of sound religious principles into the minds of his two sons who were living at home with their parents2 and strove to hold his tongue1 and his hand1 in public4 ,the elder of these two1 ,mr4 ,james as he was commonly called1 was rather a mysterious personage to the village1 and to such neighbours as they had4 ,he was often in town1 and when at home1 although extremely pleasant and courteous1 never talked about himself and seemed to be only very moderately interested in the estate and the country-life generally4 ,this1 coupled with the fact that he would presumably succeed his father1 gave rise to a good deal of gossip1 and even some suspicion4 ,his younger brother ,hubert was very different2 passionately attached to sport and to outdoor occupations1 a fearless rider1 and in every way a kindly1 frank lad of about eighteen years old4 ,the fifth member of the family1 ,lady ,maxwell's sister1 ,mistress ,margaret ,torridon1 was a quiet-faced old lady1 seldom seen abroad1 and round whom1 as round her eldest nephew1 hung a certain air of mystery4 ,the difficulties of this ,catholic family were considerable4 ,sir ,nicholas' religious sympathies were1 of course1 wholly with the spiritual side of ,spain1 and all that that involved1 while his intense love of ,england gave him a horror of the ,southern ,empire that the sturdiest patriot might have envied4 ,and so with his attitude towards ,mary ,stuart and her ,french background4 ,while his whole soul rose in loathing against the crime of ,darnley's murder1 to which many of her enemies proclaimed her accessory1 it was kindled at the thought that in her or her child lately crowned as ,james ,,vi4 of ,scotland1 lay the hope of a future ,catholic succession2 and this religious sympathy was impassioned by the memory of an interview a few years ago1 when he had kissed that gracious white hand1 and looked into those alluring eyes1 and1 kneeling1 stammered out in broken ,french his loyalty and his hopes4 ,whether it was by her devilish craft as her enemies said1 or her serene and limpid innocence as her friends said1 or by a maddening compound of the two1 as later students have said--at least she had made the heart and confidence of old ,sir ,nicholas her own4 ,but there were troubles more practical than these mental struggles2 it was a misery1 beyond describing1 to this old man and his wife to see the church1 where once they had worshipped and received the sacraments1 given over to what was1 in their opinion1 a novel heresy1 and the charge of a schismatic minister4 ,there1 in the ,maxwell chapel within1 lay the bones of their ,catholic ancestors2 and there they had knelt to adore and receive their ,saviour2 and now for them all was gone1 and the light was gone out in the temple of the ,lord4 ,in the days of the previous ,rector matters were not so desperate2 it had been their custom to receive from his hands at the altar-rail of the ,church hosts previously consecrated at the ,rectory2 for the incumbent had been an old ,marian priest who had not scrupled so to relieve his ,catholic sheep of the burden of recusancy1 while he fed his ,protestant charges with bread and wine from the ,communion table4 ,but now all that was past1 and the entire family was compelled year by year to slip off into ,hampshire shortly before ,easter for their annual duties1 and the parish church that their forefathers had built1 endowed and decorated1 knew them no more4 ,but the present ,rector1 the ,reverend ,george ,dent1 was far from a bigot2 and the ,papists were more fortunate than perhaps1 in their bitterness1 they recognised2 for the minister was one of the rising ,anglican school1 then strange and unfamiliar1 but which has now established itself as the main representative section of the ,church of ,england4 ,he welcomed the effect but not the rise of the ,reformation1 and rejoiced that the incrustations of error had been removed from the lantern of the faith4 ,but he no less sincerely deplored the fanaticism of the ,puritan and ,genevan faction4 ,he exulted to see ,england with a church truly her own at last1 adapted to her character1 and freed from the avarice and tyranny of a foreign despot who had assumed prerogatives to which he had no right4 ,but he reverenced the ,episcopate1 he wore the prescribed dress1 he used the thick singing-cakes for the ,communion1 and he longed for the time when nation and ,church should again be one2 when the nation should worship through a ,church of her own shaping1 and the ,church share the glory and influence of her lusty partner and patron4 ,but ,mrs4 ,dent had little sympathy with her husband's views2 she had assimilated the fiery doctrines of the ,genevan refugees1 and to her mind her husband was balancing himself to the loss of all dignity and consistency in an untenable position between the ,popish priesthood on the one side and the ,gospel ministry on the other4 ,it was an unbearable thought to her that through her husband's weak disposition and principles his chief parishioners should continue to live within a stone's throw of the ,rectory in an assured position of honour1 and in personal friendliness to a minister whose ecclesiastical status and claims they disregarded4 ,the ,rector's position then was difficult and trying1 no less in his own house than elsewhere4 ,the third main family in the village was that of the ,norrises1 who lived in the ,dower ,house1 that stood in its own grounds and gardens a few hundred yards to the north-west of the village green4 ,the house had originally been part of the ,hall estate2 but it had been sold some fifty years before4 ,the present owner1 ,mr4 ,henry ,norris1 a widower1 lived there with his two children1 ,isabel and ,anthony1 and did his best to bring them up in his own religious principles4 ,he was a devout and cultivated ,puritan1 who had been affected by the ,new ,learning in his youth1 and had conformed joyfully to the religious changes that took place in ,edward's reign4 ,he had suffered both anxiety and hardships in ,mary's reign1 when he had travelled abroad in the ,protestant countries1 and made the acquaintance of many of the foreign reformers--,beza1 ,calvin1 and even the great ,melancthon himself4 ,it was at this time1 too1 that he had lost his wife4 ,it had been a great joy to him to hear of the accession of ,elizabeth1 and the re-establishment of a religion that was sincerely his own2 and he had returned immediately to ,england with his two little children1 and settled down once more at the ,dower ,house4 ,here his whole time that he could spare from his children was divided between prayer and the writing of a book on the ,eucharist2 and as his children grew up he more and more retired into himself and silence and communing with ,god1 and devoted himself to his book4 ,it was beginning to be a great happiness to him to find that his daughter ,isabel1 now about seventeen years old1 was growing up into active sympathy with his principles1 and that the passion of her soul1 as of his1 was a tender deep-lying faith towards ,god1 which could exist independently of outward symbols and ceremonies4 ,but unlike others of his school he was happy too to notice and encourage friendly relations between ,lady ,maxwell and his daughter1 since he recognised the sincere and loving spirit of the old lady beneath her superstitions1 and knew very well that her friendship would do for the girl what his own love could not4 ,the other passion of ,isabel's life at present lay in her brother ,anthony1 who was about three years younger than herself1 and who was just now more interested in his falcons and pony than in all the religious systems and human relationships in the world1 except perhaps in his friendship for ,hubert1 who besides being three or four years older than himself1 cared for the same things4 ,and so relations between the ,hall and the ,dower ,house were all that they should be1 and the path that ran through the gardens of the one and the yew hedge and orchard of the other was almost as well trodden as if all still formed one estate4 ,as for the village itself1 it was exceedingly difficult to gauge accurately the theological atmosphere4 ,the ,rector despaired of doing so4 ,it was true that at ,easter the entire population1 except the ,maxwells and their dependents1 received communion in the parish church1 or at least professed their willingness and intention to do so unless prevented by some accident of the preceding week2 but it was impossible to be blind to the fact that many of the old beliefs lingered on1 and that there was little enthusiasm for the new system4 ,rumours broke out now and again that the ,catholics were rising in the north2 that ,elizabeth contemplated a ,spanish or ,french marriage with a return to the old religion2 that ,mary ,stuart would yet come to the throne2 and with each such report there came occasionally a burst of joy in unsuspected quarters4 ,old ,martin1 for example1 had been overheard1 so a zealous neighbour reported1 blessing ,our ,lady aloud for her mercies when a passing traveller had insisted that a religious league was in progress of formation between ,france and ,spain1 and that it was only a question of months as to when mass should be said again in every village church2 but then on the following ,sunday the cobbler's voice had been louder than all in the metrical psalm1 and on the ,monday he had paid a morning visit to the ,rectory to satisfy himself on the doctrine of ,justification1 and had gone again1 praising ,god and not ,our ,lady1 for the godly advice received4 ,but again1 three years back1 just before ,mr4 ,dent had come to the place1 there had been a solemn burning on the village-green of all such muniments of superstition as had not been previously hidden by the priest and ,sir ,nicholas2 and in the rejoicings that accompanied this return to pure religion practically the whole agricultural population had joined4 ,some ,justices had ridden over from ,east ,grinsted to direct this rustic reformation1 and had reported favourably to the new ,rector on his arrival of the zeal of his flock4 ,the great ,rood1 they told him1 with ,,ss4 ,mary and ,john1 four great massy angels1 the statue of ,st4 ,christopher1 the ,vernacle1 a brocade set of mass vestments and a purple cope1 had perished in the flames1 and there had been no lack of hands to carry faggots2 and now the ,rector found it difficult to reconcile the zeal of his parishioners 7which indeed he privately regretted7 with the sudden and unexpected lapses into superstition1 such as was ,mr4 ,martin's gratitude to ,our ,lady1 and others of which he had had experience4 ,as regards the secular politics of the outside world1 ,great ,keynes took but little interest4 ,it was far more a matter of concern whether mass or morning prayer was performed on ,sunday1 than whether a ,german bridegroom could be found for ,elizabeth1 or whether she would marry the ,duke of ,anjou2 and more important than either were the infinitesimal details of domestic life4 ,whether ,mary was guilty or not1 whether her supporters were rising1 whether the shadow of ,spain chilled the hearts of men in ,london whose affair it was to look after such things2 yet the cows must be milked1 and the children washed1 and the falcons fed2 and it was these things that formed the foreground of life1 whether the sky were stormy or sunlit4 ,and so1 as the autumn of '#fi crept over the woods in flame and russet1 and the sound of the sickle was in folks' ears1 the life at ,great ,keynes was far more tranquil than we should fancy who look back on those stirring days4 ,the village1 lying as it did out of the direct route between any larger towns1 was not so much affected by the gallop of the couriers1 or the slow creeping rumours from the ,continent1 as villages that lay on lines of frequent communication4 ,so the simple life went on1 and ,isabel went about her business in ,mrs4 ,carroll's still-room1 and ,anthony rode out with the harriers1 and ,sir ,nicholas told his beads in his room--all with nearly as much serenity as if ,scotland were fairyland and ,spain a dream4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,the ,,hall ,,and ,,the ,,house ,anthony ,norris1 who was now about fourteen1 went up to ,king's ,college1 ,cambridge1 in ,october4 ,he was closeted long with his father the night before he left1 and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation2 and in the morning1 after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from ,isabel1 he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered1 and up the curving drive that led round into the village green4 ,he was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy1 and left a real ache behind him in the ,dower ,house4 ,isabel indeed ran up to his room1 after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate1 leaving her father in the hall2 and after shutting and latching the door1 threw herself on his bed1 and sobbed her heart out4 ,they had never been long separated before4 ,for the last three years he had gone over to the ,rectory morning by morning to be instructed by ,mr4 ,dent2 but now1 although he would never make a great scholar1 his father thought it well to send him up to ,cambridge for two or three years1 that he might learn to find his own level in the world4 ,anthony himself was eager to go4 ,if the truth must be told1 he fretted a little against the restraints of even such a moderate ,puritan household as that of his father's4 ,it was a considerable weariness to ,anthony to kneel in the hall on a fresh morning while his father read1 even though with fervour and sincerity1 long extracts from ,christian ,prayers and ,holy ,meditations1 collected by the ,reverend ,henry ,bull1 when the real world1 as ,anthony knew it1 laughed and rippled and twinkled outside in the humming summer air of the lawn and orchard2 or to have to listen to godly discourses1 however edifying to elder persons1 just at the time when the ghost-moth was beginning to glimmer in the dusk1 and the heavy trout to suck down his supper in the glooming pool in the meadow below the house4 ,his very sports1 too1 which his father definitely encouraged1 were obviously displeasing to the grave divines who haunted the house so often from ,saturday to ,monday1 and spoke of high doctrinal matters at meal-times1 when1 so ,anthony thought1 lighter subjects should prevail4 ,they were not interested in his horse1 and ,anthony never felt quite the same again towards one good minister who in a moment of severity called ,eliza1 the glorious peregrine that sat on the boy's wrist and shook her bells1 a vanity4 ,and so ,anthony trotted off happy enough on his way to ,cambridge1 of which he had heard much from ,mr4 ,dent2 and where1 although there too were divines and theology1 there were boys as well who acted plays1 hunted with the hounds1 and did not call high-bred hawks vanities4 ,isabel was very different4 ,while ,anthony was cheerful and active like his mother who had died in giving him life1 she1 on the other hand1 was quiet and deep like her father4 ,she was growing up1 if not into actual beauty1 at least into grace and dignity3 but there were some who thought her beautiful4 ,she was pale with dark hair1 and the great grey eyes of her father2 and she loved and lived in ,anthony from the very difference between them4 ,she frankly could not understand the attraction of sport1 and the things that pleased her brother2 she was afraid of the hawks1 and liked to stroke a horse and kiss his soft nose better than to ride him4 ,but1 after all1 ,anthony liked to watch the towering bird1 and to hear and indeed increase the thunder of the hoofs across the meadows behind the stomping hawk2 and so she did her best to like them too2 and she was often torn two ways by her sympathy for the partridge on the one hand1 as it sped low and swift across the standing corn with that dread shadow following1 and her desire1 on the other hand1 that ,anthony should not be disappointed4 ,but in the deeper things of the spirit1 too1 there was a wide difference between them4 ,as ,anthony fidgeted and sighed through his chair-back morning and evening1 ,isabel's soul soared up to ,god on the wings of those sounding phrases4 ,she had inherited all her father's tender piety1 and lived1 like him1 on the most intimate terms with the spiritual world4 ,and though1 of course1 by training she was ,puritan1 by character she was ,puritan too4 ,as a girl of fourteen she had gone with ,anthony to see the cleansing of the village temple4 ,they had stood together at the west end of the church a little timid at the sight of that noisy crowd in the quiet house of prayer2 but she had felt no disapproval at that fierce vindication of truth4 ,her father had taught her of course that the purest worship was that which was only spiritual2 and while since childhood she had seen ,sunday by ,sunday the ,great ,rood overhead1 she had never paid it any but artistic attention4 ,the men had the ropes round it now1 and it was swaying violently to and fro2 and then1 even as the children watched1 a tie had given1 and the great cross with its pathetic wide-armed figure had toppled forward towards the nave1 and then crashed down on the pavement4 ,a fanatic ran out and furiously kicked the thorn-crowned head twice1 splintering the hair and the features1 and cried out on it as an idol2 and yet ,isabel1 with all her tenderness1 felt nothing more than a vague regret that a piece of carving so ancient and so delicate should be broken4 ,but when the work was over1 and the crowd and ,anthony with them had stamped out1 directed by the justices1 dragging the figures and the old vestments with them to the green1 she had seen something which touched her heart much more4 ,she passed up alone under the screen1 which they had spared1 to see what had been done in the chancel2 and as she went she heard a sobbing from the corner near the priest's door2 and there1 crouched forward on his face1 crying and moaning quietly1 was the old priest who had been rector of the church for nearly twenty years4 ,he had somehow held on in ,edward's time in spite of difficulties2 had thanked ,god and the ,court of ,heaven with a full heart for the accession of ,mary2 had prayed and deprecated the divine wrath at the return of the ,protestant religion with ,elizabeth2 but yet had somehow managed to keep the old faith alight for eight years more1 sometimes evading1 sometimes resisting1 and sometimes conforming to the march of events1 in hopes of better days4 ,but now the blow had fallen1 and the old man1 too ill-instructed to hear the accents of new truth in the shouting of that noisy crowd and the crash of his images1 was on his knees before the altar where he had daily offered the holy sacrifice through all those troublous years1 faithful to what he believed to be ,god's truth1 now bewailing and moaning the horrors of that day1 and1 it is to be feared1 unchristianly calling down the vengeance of ,god upon his faithless flock4 ,this shocked and touched ,isabel far more than the destruction of the images2 and she went forward timidly and said something2 but the old man turned on her a face of such misery and anger that she had run straight out of the church1 and joined ,anthony as he danced on the green4 ,on the following ,sunday the old priest was not there1 and a fervent young minister from ,london had taken his place1 and preached a stirring sermon on the life and times of ,josiah2 and ,isabel had thanked ,god on her knees after the sermon for that ,he had once more vindicated ,his awful ,name and cleansed ,his ,house for a pure worship4 ,but the very centre of ,isabel's religion was the love of the ,saviour4 ,the ,puritans of those early days were very far from holding a negative or colourless faith4 ,not only was their belief delicately dogmatic to excess2 but it all centred round the ,person of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,and ,isabel had drunk in this faith from her father's lips1 and from devotional books which he gave her1 as far back as she could remember anything4 ,her love for the ,saviour was even romantic and passionate4 ,it seemed to her that ,he was as much a part of her life1 and of her actual experience1 as ,anthony or her father4 ,certain places in the lanes about1 and certain spots in the garden1 were sacred and fragrant to her because her ,lord had met her there4 ,it was indeed a trouble to her sometimes that she loved ,anthony so much2 and to her mind it was a less worthy kind of love altogether2 it was kindled and quickened by such little external details1 by the sight of his boyish hand brown with the sun1 and scarred by small sporting accidents1 such as the stroke of his bird's beak or talons1 or by the very outline of the pillow where his curly head had rested only an hour or two ago4 ,whereas her love for ,christ was a deep and solemn passion that seemed to well not out of ,his comeliness or even ,his marred ,face or pierced ,hands1 but out of ,his wide encompassing love that sustained and clasped her at every moment of her conscious attention to ,him1 and that woke her soul to ecstasy at moments of high communion4 ,these two loves1 then1 one so earthly1 one so heavenly1 but both so sweet1 every now and then seemed to her to be in slight conflict in her heart4 ,and lately a third seemed to be rising up out of the plane of sober and quiet affections such as she felt for her father1 and still further complicating the apparently encountering claims of love to ,god and man4 ,isabel grew quieter in a few minutes and lay still1 following ,anthony with her imagination along the lane that led to the ,london road1 and then presently she heard her father calling1 and went to the door to listen4 ,isabel1 he said1 come down4 ,hubert is in the hall4 ,she called out that she would be down in a moment2 and then going across to her own room she washed her face and came downstairs4 ,there was a tall1 pleasant-faced lad of about her own age standing near the open door that led into the garden2 and he came forward nervously as she entered4 ,i came back last night1 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said1 and heard that ,anthony was going this morning3 but ,i am afraid ,i am too late4 ,she told him that ,anthony had just gone4 ,yes1 he said1 ,i came to say good-bye2 but ,i came by the orchard1 and so we missed one another4 ,isabel asked a word or two about his visit to the ,north1 and they talked for a few minutes about a rumour that ,hubert had heard of a rising on behalf of ,mary3 but ,hubert was shy and constrained1 and ,isabel was still a little tremulous4 ,at last he said he must be going1 and then suddenly remembered a message from his mother4 ,ah6 he said1 ,i was forgetting4 ,my mother wants you to come up this evening1 if you have time4 ,father is away1 and my aunt is unwell and is upstairs4 ,isabel promised she would come4 ,father is at ,chichester1 went on ,hubert1 before the ,commission1 but we do not expect him back till to-morrow4 ,a shadow passed across ,isabel's face4 ,i am sorry1 she said4 ,the fact was that ,sir ,nicholas had again been summoned for recusancy4 ,it was an expensive matter to refuse to attend church1 and ,sir ,nicholas probably paid not less than #bjj or #cjj a year for the privilege of worshipping as his conscience bade4 ,in the evening ,isabel asked her father's leave to be absent after supper1 and then drawing on her hood1 walked across in the dusk to the ,hall4 ,hubert was waiting for her at the boundary door between the two properties4 ,father has come back1 he said1 but my mother wants you still4 ,they went on together1 passed round the cloister wing to the south of the house3 the bell turret over the inner hall and the crowded roofs stood up against the stars1 as they came up the curving flight of shallow steps from the garden to the tall doorway that led into the hall4 ,it was a pleasant1 wide1 high room1 panelled with fresh oak1 and hung with a little old tapestry here and there1 and a few portraits4 ,a staircase rose out of it to the upper story4 ,it had a fret-ceiling1 with flower-de-luce and rose pendants1 and on the walls between the tapestries hung a few antlers and pieces of armour1 morions and breast-plates1 with a pair of pikes or halberds here and there4 ,a fire had been lighted in the great hearth as the evenings were chilly2 and ,sir ,nicholas was standing before it1 still in his riding-dress1 pouring out resentment and fury to his wife1 who sat in a tall chair at her embroidery4 ,she turned silently and held out a hand to ,isabel1 who came and stood beside her1 while ,hubert went and sat down near his father4 ,sir ,nicholas scarcely seemed to notice their entrance1 beyond glancing up for a moment under his fierce white eyebrows2 but went on growling out his wrath4 ,he was a fine rosy man1 with grey moustache and pointed beard1 and a thick head of hair1 and he held in his hand his flat riding cap1 and his whip with which from time to time he cut at his boot4 ,it was monstrous1 ,i told the fellow1 that a man should be haled from his home like this to pay a price for his conscience4 ,the religion of my father and his father and all our fathers was good enough for me2 and why in ,god's name should the ,catholic have to pay who had never changed his faith1 while every heretic went free8 ,and then to that some stripling of a clerk told me that a religion that was good enough for the ,queen's ,grace should be good enough for her loyal subjects too2 but my ,lord silenced him quickly4 ,and then ,i went at them again2 and all my ,lord would do was to nod his head and smile at me as if ,i were a child2 and then he told me that it was a special ,commission all for my sake1 and ,sir ,arthur's1 who was there too1 my dear4444 ,well1 well1 the end was that ,i had to pay for their cursed religion4 ,sweetheart1 sweetheart1 said ,lady ,maxwell1 glancing at ,isabel4 ,well1 ,i paid1 went on ,sir ,nicholas1 but ,i showed them1 thank ,god1 what ,i was3 for as we came out1 ,sir ,arthur and ,i together1 what should we see but another party coming in1 pursuivant and all2 and in the mid of them that priest who was with us last ,july4--,well1 well1 we'll leave his name alone--him that said he was a priest before them all in ,september2 and ,i went down on my knees1 thank ,god1 and ,sir ,arthur went down on his1 and we asked his blessing before them all1 and he gave it us3 and oh6 my ,lord was red and white with passion4 ,that was not wise1 sweetheart1 said ,lady ,maxwell tranquilly1 the priest will have suffered for it afterwards4 ,well1 well1 grumbled ,sir ,nicholas1 a man cannot always think1 but we showed them that ,catholics were not ashamed of their religion--yes1 and we got the blessing too4 ,well1 but here is supper waiting1 said my lady1 and ,isabel1 too1 whom you have not spoken to yet4 ,sir ,nicholas paid no attention4 ,ah6 but that was not all1 he went on1 savagely striking his boot again1 at the end of all who should ,i see but that--that--damned rogue--whom ,god reward6--and he turned and spat into the fire--,topcliffe4 ,there he was1 bowing to my ,lord and the ,commissioners4 ,when ,i think of that man1 he said1 when ,i think of that man-- and ,sir ,nicholas' kindly old passionate face grew pale and lowering with fury1 and his eyebrows bent themselves forward1 and his lower lip pushed itself out1 and his hand closed tremblingly on his whip4 ,his wife laid down her embroidery and came to him4 ,there1 sweetheart1 she said1 taking his cap and whip4 ,now sit down and have supper1 and leave that man to ,god4 ,sir ,nicholas grew quiet again2 and after a saying a word or two of apology to ,isabel1 left the room to wash before he sat down to supper4 ,mistress ,isabel does not know who ,topcliffe is1 said ,hubert4 ,hush1 my son1 said his mother1 your father does not like his name to be spoken4 ,presently ,sir ,nicholas returned1 and sat down to supper4 ,gradually his good nature returned1 and he told them what he had seen in ,chichester1 and the talk he had heard4 ,how it was reported to his lordship the ,bishop that the old religion was still the religion of the people's hearts--how1 for example1 at ,lindfield they had all the images and the altar furniture hidden underground1 and at ,battle1 too2 and that the mass could be set up again at a few hours' notice3 and that the chalices had not been melted down into communion cups according to the orders issued1 and so on4 ,and that at ,west ,grinsted1 moreover1 the ,blessed ,sacrament was there still--praise ,god--yes1 and was going to remain there4 ,he spoke freely before ,isabel1 and yet he remembered his courtesy too1 and did not abuse the new-fangled religion1 as he thought it1 in her presence2 or seek in any way to trouble her mind4 ,if ever in an excess of anger he was carried away in his talk1 his wife would always check him gently2 and he would always respond and apologise to ,isabel if he had transgressed good manners4 ,in fact1 he was just a fiery old man who could not change his religion even at the bidding of his monarch1 and could not understand how what was right twenty years ago was wrong now4 ,isabel herself listened with patience and tenderness1 and awe too2 because she loved and honoured this old man in spite of the darkness in which he still walked4 ,he also told them in lower tones of a rumour that was persistent at ,chichester that the ,duke of ,norfolk had been imprisoned by the ,queen's orders1 and was to be charged with treason2 and that he was at present at ,burnham1 in ,mr4 ,wentworth's house1 under the guard of ,sir ,henry ,neville4 ,if this was true1 as indeed it turned out to be later1 it was another blow to the ,catholic cause in ,england2 but ,sir ,nicholas was of a sanguine mind1 and pooh-poohed the whole affair even while he related it4 ,and so the evening passed in talk4 ,when ,sir ,nicholas had finished supper1 they all went upstairs to my lady's withdrawing-room on the first floor4 ,this was always a strange and beautiful room to ,isabel4 ,it was panelled like the room below1 but was more delicately furnished1 and a tall harp stood near the window to which my lady sang sometimes in a sweet tremulous old voice1 while ,sir ,nicholas nodded at the fire4 ,isabel1 too1 had had some lessons here from the old lady2 but even this mild vanity troubled her puritan conscience a little sometimes4 ,then the room1 too1 had curious and attractive things in it4 ,a high niche in the oak over the fireplace held a slender image of ,mary and her ,holy ,child1 and from the ,child's fingers hung a pair of beads4 ,isabel had a strange sense sometimes as if this holy couple had taken refuge in that niche when they were driven from the church2 but it seemed to her in her steadier moods that this was a superstitious fancy1 and had the nature of sin4 ,this evening the old lady went to her harp1 while ,isabel sat down near her in the wide window seat and looked out over the dark lawn1 where the white dial glimmered like a phantom1 and thought of ,anthony again4 ,sir ,nicholas went and stretched himself before the fire1 and closed his eyes1 for he was old1 and tired with his long ride2 and ,hubert sat down in a dark corner near him whence he could watch ,isabel4 ,after a few rippling chords my lady began to sing a song by ,sir ,thomas ,wyatt1 whom she and ,sir ,nicholas had known in their youth2 and which she had caused to be set to music by some foreign chapel master4 ,it was a sorrowful little song1 with the title1 ,he seeketh comfort in patience1 and possibly she chose it on purpose for this evening4 ,patience6 for ,i have wrong1 ,and dare not shew wherein2 ,patience shall be my song2 ,since truth can nothing win4 ,patience then for this fit2 ,hereafter comes not yet4 ,while she sang1 she thought no doubt of the foolish brave courtier who lacked patience in spite of his singing1 and lost his head for it2 her voice shook once or twice3 and old ,sir ,nicholas shook his drowsy head when she had finished1 and said ,god rest him1 and then fell fast asleep4 ,then he presently awoke as the others talked in whispers1 and joined in too3 and they talked of ,anthony1 and what he would find at ,cambridge2 and of ,alderman ,marrett1 and his house off ,cheapside1 where ,anthony would lie that night2 and of such small and tranquil topics1 and left fiercer questions alone4 ,and so the evening came to an end2 and ,isabel said good-night1 and went downstairs with ,hubert1 and out into the garden again4 ,i am sorry that ,sir ,nicholas has been so troubled1 she said to ,hubert1 as they turned the corner of the house together4 ,why cannot we leave one another alone1 and each worship ,god as we think fit8 ,hubert smiled in the darkness to himself4 ,i am afraid ,queen ,mary did not think it could be done1 either1 he said4 ,but then1 ,mistress ,isabel1 he went on1 ,i am glad that you feel that religion should not divide people4 ,surely not1 she said1 so long as they love ,god4 ,then you think-- began ,hubert1 and then stopped4 ,isabel turned to him4 ,yes8 she asked4 ,nothing1 said ,hubert4 ,they had reached the door in the boundary wall by now1 and ,isabel would not let him come further with her and bade him good-night4 ,but ,hubert still stood1 with his hand on the door1 and watched the white figure fade into the dusk1 and listened to the faint rustle of her skirt over the dry leaves2 and then1 when he heard at last the door of the ,dower ,house open and close1 he sighed to himself and went home4 ,isabel heard her father call from his room as she passed through the hall2 and went in to him as he sat at his table in his furred gown1 with his books about him1 to bid him good-night and receive his blessing4 ,he lifted his hand for a moment to finish the sentence he was writing1 and she stood watching the quill move and pause and move again over the paper1 in the candlelight1 until he laid the pen down1 and rose and stood with his back to the fire1 smiling down at her4 ,he was a tall1 slender man1 surprisingly upright for his age1 with a delicate1 bearded1 scholar's face2 the little plain ruff round his neck helped to emphasise the fine sensitiveness of his features2 and the hands which he stretched out to his daughter were thin and veined4 ,well1 my daughter1 he said1 looking down at her with his kindly grey eyes so like her own1 and holding her hands4 ,have you had a good evening1 sir8 she asked4 ,he nodded briskly4 ,and you1 child8 he asked4 ,yes1 sir1 she said1 smiling up at him4 ,and was ,sir ,nicholas there8 ,she told him what had passed1 and how ,sir ,nicholas had been fined again for his recusancy2 and how ,lady ,maxwell had sung one of ,sir ,thomas ,wyatt's songs4 ,and was no one else there8 he asked4 ,yes1 father1 ,hubert4 ,ah6 ,and did ,hubert come home with you8 ,only as far as the gate1 father4 ,i would not let him come further4 ,her father said nothing1 but still looked steadily down into her eyes for a moment1 and then turned and looked away from her into the fire4 ,you must take care1 he said gently4 ,remember he is a ,papist1 born and bred2 and that he has a heart to be broken too4 ,she felt herself steadily flushing2 and as he turned again towards her1 dropped her eyes4 ,you will be prudent and tender1 ,i know1 he added4 ,i trust you wholly1 ,isabel4 ,then he kissed her on the forehead and laid his hand on her head1 and looked up1 as the ,puritan manner was4 ,may the ,god of grace bless you1 my daughter2 and make you faithful to the end4 ,and then he looked into her eyes again1 smiled and nodded2 and she went out1 leaving him standing there4 ,mr4 ,norris had begun to fear that the boy loved ,isabel1 but as yet he did not know whether ,isabel understood it or even was aware of it4 ,the marriage difficulties of ,catholics and ,protestants were scarcely yet existing2 and certainly there was no formulated rule of dealing with them4 ,changes of religion were so frequent in those days that difficulties1 when they did arise1 easily adjusted themselves4 ,it was considered1 for example1 by politicians quite possible at one time that the ,duke of ,anjou should conform to the ,church of ,england for the sake of marrying the ,queen3 or that he should attend public services with her1 and at the same time have mass and the sacraments in his own private chapel4 ,or again1 it was open to question whether ,england as a whole would not return to the old religion1 and ,catholicism be the only tolerated faith4 ,but to really religious minds such solutions would not do4 ,it would have been an intolerable thought to this sincere ,puritan1 with all his tolerance1 that his daughter should marry a ,catholic2 such an arrangement would mean either that she was indifferent to vital religion1 or that she was married to a man whose creed she was bound to abhor and anathematise3 and however willing ,mr4 ,norris might be to meet ,papists on terms of social friendliness1 and however much he might respect their personal characters1 yet the thought that the life of any one dear to him should be irretrievably bound up with all that the ,catholic creed involved1 was simply an impossible one4 ,besides all this he had no great opinion of ,hubert4 ,he thought he detected in him a carelessness and want of principle that would make him hesitate to trust his daughter to him1 even if the insuperable barrier of religion were surmounted4 ,mr4 ,norris liked a man to be consistent and zealous for his creed1 even if that creed were dark and superstitious--and this zeal seemed to him lamentably lacking in ,hubert4 ,more than once he had heard the boy speak of his father with an air of easy indulgence1 that his own opinion interpreted as contempt4 ,i believe my father thinks1 he had once said1 that every penny he pays in fines goes to swell the accidental glory of ,god4 ,and ,hubert had been considerably startled and distressed when the elder man had told him to hold his tongue unless he could speak respectfully of one to whom he owed nothing but love and honour4 ,this had happened1 however1 more than a year ago2 and ,hubert had forgotten it1 no doubt1 even if ,mr4 ,norris had not4 ,and as for ,isabel4 ,it is exceedingly difficult to say quite what place ,hubert occupied in her mind4 ,she certainly did not know herself much more than that she liked the boy to be near her2 to hear his footsteps coming along the path from the ,hall4 ,this morning when her father had called up to her that ,hubert was come1 it was not so hard to dry her tears for ,anthony's departure4 ,the clouds had parted a little when she came and found this tall lad smiling shyly at her in the hall4 ,as she had sat in the window seat1 too1 during ,lady ,maxwell's singing1 she was far from unconscious that ,hubert's face was looking at her from the dark corner4 ,and as they walked back together her simplicity was not quite so transparent as the boy himself thought4 ,again when her father had begun to speak of him just now1 although she was able to meet his eyes steadily and smilingly1 yet it was just an effort4 ,she had not mentioned ,hubert herself1 until her father had named him2 and in fact it is probably safe to say that during ,hubert's visit to the north1 which had lasted three or four months1 he had made greater progress towards his goal1 and had begun to loom larger than ever in the heart of this serene grey-eyed girl1 whom he longed for so irresistibly4 ,and now1 as ,isabel sat on her bed before kneeling to say her prayers1 ,hubert was in her mind even more than ,anthony4 ,she tried to wonder what her father meant1 and yet only too well she knew that she knew4 ,she had forgotten to look into ,anthony's room where she had cried so bitterly this morning1 and now she sat wide-eyed1 and self-questioning as to whether her heavenly love were as lucid and single as it had been2 and when at last she went down on her knees she entreated the ,king of ,love to bless not only her father1 and her brother ,anthony who lay under the ,alderman's roof in far-away ,london2 but ,sir ,nicholas and ,lady ,maxwell1 and ,mistress ,margaret ,hallam1 and--and--,hubert--and ,james ,maxwell1 his brother2 and to bring them out of the darkness of ,papistry into the glorious liberty of the children of the ,gospel4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,london ,,town ,isabel's visit to ,london1 which had been arranged to take place the ,christmas after ,anthony's departure to ,cambridge1 was full of bewildering experiences to her4 ,mr4 ,norris from time to time had references to look up in ,london1 and divines to consult as to difficult points in his book on the ,eucharist2 and this was a favourable opportunity to see ,mr4 ,dering1 the ,st4 ,paul's lecturer2 so the two took the opportunity1 and with a couple of servants drove up to the ,city one day early in ,december to the house of ,alderman ,marrett1 the wool merchant1 and a friend of ,mr4 ,norris' father2 and for several days both before and after ,anthony's arrival from ,cambridge went every afternoon to see the sights4 ,the maze of narrow streets of high black and white houses with their iron-work signs1 leaning forward as if to whisper to one another1 leaving strips of sky overhead2 the strange play of lights and shades after nightfall2 the fantastic groups2 the incessant roar and rumble of the crowded alleys--all the commonplace life of ,london was like an enchanted picture to her1 opening a glimpse into an existence of which she had known nothing4 ,to live1 too1 in the whirl of news that poured in day after day borne by splashed riders and panting horses2--this was very different to the slow round of country life1 with rumours and tales floating in1 mellowed by doubt and lapse of time1 like pensive echoes from another world4 ,for example1 morning by morning1 as she came downstairs to dinner1 there was the ruddy-faced ,alderman with his fresh budget of news of the north2--,lords ,northumberland and ,westmoreland with a ,catholic force of several thousands1 among which were two cousins of ,mrs4 ,marrett herself--and the old lady nodded her head dolorously in corroboration--had marched southwards under the ,banner of the ,five ,wounds1 and tramped through ,durham ,city welcomed by hundreds of the citizens2 the ,cathedral had been entered1 old ,richard ,norton with the banner leading2 the new ,communion table had been cast out of doors1 the ,english ,bible and ,prayer-book torn to shreds1 the old altar reverently carried in from the rubbish heap1 the tapers rekindled1 and amid hysterical enthusiasm ,mass had been said once more in the old sanctuary4 ,then they had moved south2 ,lord ,sussex was powerless in ,york2 the ,queen1 terrified and irresolute1 alternately storming and crying2 ,spain was about to send ships to ,hartlepool to help the rebels2 ,mary ,stuart would certainly be rescued from her prison at ,tutbury4 ,then ,mary had been moved to ,coventry2 then came a last flare of frightening tales3 ,york had fallen2 ,mary had escaped2 ,elizabeth was preparing to flee4 ,and then one morning the ,alderman's face was brighter3 it was all a lie1 he said4 ,the revolt had crumbled away2 my ,lord ,sussex was impregnably fortified in ,york with guns from ,hull2 ,lord ,pembroke was gathering forces at ,windsor2 ,lords ,clinton1 ,hereford and ,warwick were converging towards ,york to relieve the siege4 ,and as if to show ,isabel it was not a mere romance1 she could see the actual train-bands go by up ,cheapside with the gleam of steel caps and pike-heads1 and the mighty tramp of disciplined feet1 and the welcoming roar of the swarming crowds4 ,then as men's hearts grew lighter the tale of chastisement began to be told1 and was not finished till long after ,isabel was home again4 ,green after green of the windy northern villages was made hideous by the hanging bodies of the natives1 and children hid their faces and ran by lest they should see what her ,grace had done to their father4 ,in spite of the ,holy ,sacrifice1 and the piteous banner1 and the call to fight for the faith1 the ,catholics had hung back and hesitated1 and the catastrophe was complete4 ,the religion of ,london1 too1 was a revelation to this country girl4 ,she went one ,sunday to ,st4 ,paul's ,cathedral1 pausing with her father before they went in to see the new restorations and the truncated steeple struck by lightning eight years before1 which in spite of the ,queen's angry urging the citizens had never been able to replace4 ,there was a good congregation at the early morning prayer2 and the organs and the singing were to ,isabel as the harps and choirs of heaven4 ,the canticles were sung to ,shephard's setting by the men and children of ,st4 ,paul's all in surplices3 and the dignitaries wore besides their grey fur almuces1 which had not yet been abolished4 ,the grace and dignity of the whole service1 though to older people who remembered the unreformed worship a bare and miserable affair1 and to ,mr4 ,norris1 with his sincere simplicity and spirituality1 a somewhat elaborate and sensuous mode of honouring ,god1 yet to ,isabel was a first glimpse of what the mystery of worship meant4 ,the dim towering arches1 through which the dusty richly-stained sunbeams poured1 the far-away murmurous melodies that floated down from the glimmering choir1 the high thin pealing organ1 all combined to give her a sense of the unfathomable depths of the ,divine ,majesty--an element that was lacking in the clear-cut personal ,puritan creed1 in spite of the tender associations that made it fragrant for her1 and the love of the ,saviour that enlightened and warmed it4 ,the sight of the crowds outside1 too1 in the frosty sunlight1 gathered round the grey stone pulpit on the north-east of the ,cathedral1 and streaming down every alley and lane1 the packed galleries1 the gesticulating black figure of the preacher--this impressed on her an idea of the power of corporate religion1 that hours at her own prayer-desk1 or solitary twilight walks under the ,hall pines1 or the uneventful divisions of the ,rector's village sermons1 had failed to give4 ,it was this ,sunday in ,london that awakened her quiet soul from the lonely companionship of ,god1 to the knowledge of that vast spiritual world of men of which she was but one tiny cell4 ,her father observed her quietly and interestedly as they went home together1 but said nothing beyond an indifferent word or two4 ,he was beginning to realise the serious reality of her spiritual life1 and to dread anything that would even approximate to coming between her soul and her ,saviour4 ,the father and daughter understood one another1 and were content to be silent together4 ,her talks with ,mrs4 ,marrett1 too1 left their traces on her mind4 ,the ,alderman's wife1 for the first time in her life1 found her views and reminiscences listened to as if they were oracles1 and she needed little encouragement to pour them out in profusion4 ,she was especially generous with her tales of portents and warnings2 and the girl was more than once considerably alarmed by what she heard while the ladies were alone in the dim firelit parlour on the winter afternoons before the candles were brought in4 ,when you were a little child1 my dear1 began the old lady one day1 there was a great burning made everywhere of all the popish images and vestments2 all but the copes and the altar-cloths that they made into dresses for the ministers' new wives1 and bed-quilts to cover them2 and there were books and banners and sepulchres and even relics4 ,i went out to see the burning at ,paul's1 and though ,i knew it was proper that the old papistry should go1 yet ,i was uneasy at the way it was done4 ,well1 went on the old lady1 glancing about her1 ,i was sitting in this very room only a few days after1 and the air began to grow dark and heavy1 and all became still4 ,there had been two or three cocks crowing and answering one another down by the river1 and others at a distance2 and they all ceased3 and there had been birds chirping in the roof1 and they ceased4 ,and it grew so dark that ,i laid down my needle and went to the window1 and there at the end of the street over the houses there was coming a great cloud1 with wings like a hawk1 ,i thought2 but some said afterwards that1 when they saw it1 it had fingers like a man's hand1 and others said it was like a great tower1 with battlements4 ,however that may be1 it grew nearer and larger1 and it was blue and dark like that curtain there2 and there was no wind to stir it1 for the windows had ceased rattling1 and the dust was quiet in the streets2 and still it came on quickly1 growing as it came2 and then there came a far-away sound1 like a heavy waggon1 or1 some said1 like a deep voice complaining4 ,and ,i turned away from the window afraid2 and there was the cat1 that had been on a chair1 down in the corner1 with her back up1 staring at the cloud3 and then she began to run round the room like a mad thing1 and presently whisked out of the door when ,i opened it4 ,and ,i went to find ,mr4 ,marrett1 and he had not come in1 and all the yard was quiet4 ,i could only hear a horse stamp once or twice in the stable4 ,and then as ,i saw calling out for some one to come1 the storm broke1 and the sky was all one dark cloud from side to side4 ,for three hours it went on1 rolling and clapping1 and the lightning came in through the window that ,i had darkened and through the clothes over my head2 for ,i had gone to my bed and rolled myself round under the clothes4 ,and so it went on--and1 my dear-- and ,mrs4 ,marrett put her head close to ,isabel's--,i prayed to our ,lady and the saints1 which ,i had not done since ,i was married2 and asked them to pray ,god to keep me safe4 ,and then at the end came a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning more fearful than all that had gone before2 and at that very moment1 so ,mr4 ,marrett told me when he came in1 two of the doors in ,st4 ,denys' ,church in ,fanshawe ,street were broken in pieces by something that crushed them in1 and the stone steeple of ,allhallow ,church in ,bread ,street was broken off short1 and a part of it killed a dog that was beneath1 and overthrew a man that played with the dog4 ,isabel could hardly restrain a shiver and a glance round the dark old room1 so awful were ,mrs4 ,marrett's face and gestures and loud whispering tone1 as she told this4 ,ah6 but1 my dear1 she went on1 there was worse happened to poor ,king ,hal1 ,god rest him--him who began to reform the ,church1 as they say1 and destroyed the monasteries4 ,all the money that he left for masses for his soul was carried off with the rest at the change of religion2 and that was bad enough1 but this is worse4 ,this is a tale1 my dear1 that ,i have heard my father tell many a time2 and ,i was a young woman myself when it happened4 ,the ,king's ,grace was threatened by a friar1 ,i think of ,greenwich1 that if he laid hands on the monasteries he should be as ,ahab whose blood was licked by dogs in the very place which he took from a man4 ,well1 the friar was hanged for his pains1 and the ,king lived4 ,and then at last he died1 and was put in a great coffin1 and carried through ,london2 and they put the coffin in an open space in ,sion ,abbey1 which the ,king had taken4 ,and in the night there came one to view the coffin1 and to see that all was well4 ,and he came round the corner1 and there stood the great coffin--7for his ,grace was a great stout man1 my dear7--on trestles in the moonlight1 and beneath it a great black dog that lapped something3 and the dog turned as the man came1 and some say1 but not my father1 that the dog's eyes were red as coals1 and that his mouth and nostrils smoked1 and that he cast no shadow2 but 7however that may be7 the dog turned and looked and then ran2 and the man followed him into a yard1 but when he reached there1 there was no dog4 ,and the man went back to the coffin afraid2 and he found the coffin was burst open1 and--and-- ,mrs4 ,marrett stopped abruptly4 ,isabel was white and trembling4 ,there1 there1 my dear4 ,i am a foolish old woman2 and ,i'll tell you no more4 ,isabel was really terrified1 and entreated ,mrs4 ,marrett to tell her something pleasant to make her forget these horrors2 and so she told her old tales of her youth1 and the sights of the city1 and the great doings in ,mary's reign2 and so the time passed pleasantly till the gentlemen came home4 ,at other times she told her of ,elizabeth and the great nobles1 and ,isabel's heart beat high at it1 and at the promise that before she left she herself should see the ,queen1 even if she had to go to ,greenwich or ,nonsuch for it4 ,god bless her1 said ,mrs4 ,marrett loyally1 she's a woman like ourselves for all her majesty4 ,and she likes the show and the music too1 like us all4 ,i declare when ,i see them all a-going down the water to ,greenwich1 or to the ,tower for a bear-baiting1 with the horns blowing and the guns firing and the banners and the barges and the music1 ,i declare sometimes ,i think that heaven itself can be no better1 ,god forgive me6 ,ah6 but ,i wish her ,grace 'd take a husband2 there are many that want her2 and then we could laugh at them all4 ,there's so many against her ,grace now who'd be for her if she had a son of her own4 ,there's ,duke ,charles whose picture hangs in her bedroom1 they say2 and ,lord ,robert ,dudley--there's a handsome spark1 my dear1 in his gay coat and his feathers and his ruff1 and his hand on his hip1 and his horse and all4 ,i wish she'd take him and have done with it4 ,and then we'd hear no more of the nasty ,spaniards4 ,there's ,don de ,silva1 for all the world like a monkey with his brown face and mincing ways and his grand clothes4 ,i declare when ,captain ,hawkins came home1 just four years ago last ,michaelmas1 and came up to ,london with his men1 all laughing and rolling along with the people cheering them1 ,i could have kissed the man--to think how he had made the brown men dance and curse and show their white teeth6 and to think that the ,don had to ask him to dinner1 and grin and chatter as if nought had happened4 ,and ,mrs4 ,marrett's good-humoured face broke into mirth at the thought of the ,ambassador's impotence and duplicity4 ,anthony's arrival in ,london a few days before ,christmas removed the one obstacle to ,isabel's satisfaction--that he was not there to share it with her4 ,the two went about together most of the day under their father's care1 when he was not busy at his book1 and saw all that was to be seen4 ,one afternoon as they were just leaving the courtyard of the ,tower1 which they had been visiting with a special order1 a slight reddish-haired man1 who came suddenly out of a doorway of the ,white ,tower1 stopped a moment irresolutely1 and then came towards them1 bare-headed and bowing4 ,he had sloping shoulders and a serious-looking mouth1 with a reddish beard and moustache1 and had an air of strangely mingled submissiveness and capability4 ,his voice too1 as he spoke1 was at once deferential and decided4 ,i ask your pardon1 ,mr4 ,norris1 he said4 ,perhaps you do not remember me4 ,i have seen you before1 said the other1 puzzled for a moment4 ,yes1 sir1 said the man1 down at ,great ,keynes2 ,i was in service at the ,hall1 sir4 ,yes1 yes1 said ,mr4 ,norris1 ,i remember you perfectly4 ,lackington1 is it not8 ,the man bowed again4 ,i left about eight years ago1 sir2 and by the blessing of ,god1 have gained a little post under the ,government4 ,but ,i wished to tell you1 sir1 that ,i have been happily led to change my religion4 ,i was a ,papist1 sir1 you know4 ,mr4 ,norris congratulated him4 ,i thank you1 sir1 said ,lackington4 ,the two children were looking at him2 and he turned to them and bowed again4 ,mistress ,isabel and ,master ,anthony1 sir1 is it not8 ,i remember you1 said ,isabel a little shyly1 at least1 ,i think so4 ,lackington bowed again as if gratified2 and turned to their father4 ,if you are leaving1 ,mr4 ,norris1 would you allow me to walk with you a few steps8 ,i have much ,i would like to ask you of my old master and mistress4 ,the four passed out together2 the two children in front2 and as they went ,lackington asked most eagerly after the household at the ,hall1 and especially after ,mr4 ,james1 for whom he seemed to have a special affection4 ,it is rumoured1 said ,mr4 ,norris1 that he is going abroad4 ,indeed1 sir1 said the servant1 with a look of great interest1 ,i had heard it too1 sir2 but did not know whether to believe it4 ,lackington also gave many messages of affection to others of the household1 to ,piers the bailiff1 and a couple of the foresters3 and finished by entreating ,mr4 ,norris to use him as he would1 telling him how anxious he was to be of service to his friends1 and asking to be entrusted with any little errands or commissions in ,london that the country gentleman might wish performed4 ,i shall count it1 sir1 a privilege1 said the servant1 and you shall find me prompt and discreet4 ,one curious incident took place just as ,lackington was taking his leave at the turning down into ,wharf ,street2 a man hurrying eastwards almost ran against them1 and seemed on the point of apologising1 but his face changed suddenly1 and he spat furiously on the ground1 mumbling something1 and hurried on4 ,lackington seemed to see nothing4 ,why did he do that8 interrupted ,mr4 ,norris1 astonished4 ,i ask your pardon1 sir8 said ,lackington interrogatively4 ,that fellow6 did you not see him spit at me8 ,i did not observe it1 sir1 said the servant2 and presently took his leave4 ,why did that man spit at you1 father8 asked ,isabel1 when they had come indoors4 ,i cannot think1 my dear2 ,i have never seen him in my life4 ,i think ,lackington knew1 said ,anthony1 with a shrewd air4 ,lackington6 ,why1 ,lackington did not even see him4 ,that was just it1 said ,anthony4 ,anthony's talk about ,cambridge during these first evenings in ,london was fascinating to ,isabel1 if not to their father1 too4 ,it concerned of course himself and his immediate friends1 and dealt with such subjects as cock-fighting a good deal2 but he spoke also of the public disputations and the theological champions who crowed and pecked1 not unlike cocks themselves1 while the theatre rang with applause and hooting4 ,the sport was one of the most popular at the universities at this time4 ,but above all his tales of the ,queen's visit a few years before attracted the girl1 for was she not to see the ,queen with her own eyes8 ,oh6 father1 said the lad1 ,i would ,i had been there five years ago when she came4 ,master ,taylor told me of it4 ,they acted the ,aulularia1 you know1 in ,king's ,chapel on the ,sunday evening4 ,master ,taylor took a part1 ,i forget what2 and he told me how she laughed and clapped4 ,and then there was a great disputation before her1 one day1 in ,st4 ,mary's ,church1 and the doctors argued1 ,i forget what about1 but ,master ,taylor says that of course the ,genevans had the best of it2 and the ,queen spoke1 too1 in ,latin1 though she did not wish to1 but my lord of ,ely persuaded her to it2 so you see she could not have learned it by heart1 as some said4 ,and she said she would give some great gift to the ,university2 but ,master ,taylor says they are still waiting for it2 but it must come soon1 you see1 because it is the ,queen's ,grace who has promised it2 but ,master ,taylor says he hopes she has forgotten it1 but he laughs when ,i ask him what he means1 and says it again4 ,who is this ,master ,taylor8 asked his father4 ,oh6 he is a ,fellow of ,king's1 said ,anthony1 and he told me about the ,provost too4 ,the ,provost is half a ,papist1 they say3 he is very old now1 and he has buried all the vessels and the vestments of the ,chapel1 they say1 somewhere where no one knows2 and he hopes the old religion will come back again some day2 and then he will dig them up4 ,but that is ,papistry1 and no one wants that at ,cambridge4 ,and others say that he is a ,papist altogether1 and has a priest in his house sometimes4 ,but ,i do not think he can be a ,papist1 because he was there when the ,queen was there1 bowing and smiling1 says ,master ,taylor2 and looking on the ,queen so earnestly1 as if he worshipped her1 says ,master ,taylor1 all the time the ,chancellor was talking to her before they went into the chapel for the ,te ,deum4 ,but they wished they had kept some of the things1 like the ,provost1 says ,master ,taylor1 because they were much put to it when her ,grace came down for stuffs to cover the communion-tables and for surplices1 for ,cecil said she would be displeased if all was bare and poor4 ,is it true1 father1 asked ,anthony1 breaking off1 that the ,queen likes popish things1 and has a crucifix and tapers on the table in her chapel8 ,ah6 my son1 said ,mr4 ,norris1 smiling1 you must ask one who knows4 ,and what else happened8 ,well1 said ,anthony1 the best is to come4 ,they had plays1 you know1 the ,dido1 and one called ,ezechias1 before the ,queen4 ,oh6 and she sent for one of the boys1 they say1 and--and kissed him1 they say2 but ,i think that cannot be true4 ,well1 my son1 go on6 ,oh6 and some of them thought they would have one more play before she went2 but she had to go a long journey and left ,cambridge before they could do it1 and they went after her to--to ,audley ,end1 ,i think1 where she was to sleep1 and a room was made ready1 and when all was prepared1 though her ,grace was tired1 she came in to see the play4 ,master ,taylor was not there2 he said he would rather not act in that one2 but he had the story from one who acted1 but no one knew1 he said1 who wrote the play4 ,well1 when the ,queen's ,grace was seated1 the actors came on1 dressed1 father1 dressed--and ,anthony's eyes began to shine with amusement--as the ,catholic ,bishops in the ,tower4 ,there was ,bonner in his popish vestments--some they had from ,st4 ,benet's--with a staff and his tall mitre1 and a lamb in his arms2 and he stared at it and gnashed his teeth at it as he tramped in2 and then came the others1 all like bishops1 all in mass-vestments or cloth cut to look like them2 and then at the end came a dog that belonged to one of them1 well-trained1 with the ,popish ,host in his mouth1 made large and white1 so that all could see what it was4 ,well1 they thought the ,queen would laugh as she was a ,protestant1 but no one laughed2 some one said something in the room1 and a lady cried out2 and then the ,queen stood up and scolded the actors1 and trounced them well with her tongue1 she did1 and said she was displeased2 and then out she went with all her ladies and gentlemen after her1 except one or two servants who put out the lights at once without waiting1 and broke ,bonner's staff1 and took away the ,host1 and kicked the dog1 and told them to be off1 for the ,queen's ,grace was angered with them2 and so they had to get back to ,cambridge in the dark as well as they might4 ,oh6 the poor boys6 said ,mrs4 ,marrett1 and they did it all to please her ,grace1 too4 ,yes1 said the ,alderman1 but the ,queen thought it enough1 ,i dare say1 to put the ,bishops in prison1 without allowing boys to make a mock of them and their faith before her4 ,yes1 said ,anthony1 ,i thought that was it4 ,when the ,alderman came in a day or two later with the news that ,elizabeth was to come up from ,nonsuch the next day1 and to pass down ,cheapside on her way to ,greenwich1 the excitement of ,isabel and ,anthony was indescribable4 ,cheapside was joyous to see1 as the two1 with their father behind them talking to a minister whose acquaintance he had made1 sat at a first-floor window soon after mid-day1 waiting to see the ,queen go by4 ,many of the people had hung carpets or tapestries1 some of taffetas and cloth-of-gold1 out of their balconies and windows1 and the very signs themselves1--fantastic ironwork1 with here and there a grotesque beast rampant1 or a bright painting1 or an escutcheon2--with the gay1 good-tempered crowds beneath and the strip of frosty blue sky1 crossed by streamers from side to side1 shining above the towering eaves and gables of the houses1 all combined to make a scene so astonishing that it seemed scarcely real to these country children4 ,it was yet some time before she was expected2 but there came a sudden stir from the upper end of ,cheapside1 and then a burst of cheering and laughter and hoots4 ,anthony leaned out to see what was coming1 but could make out nothing beyond the head of a horse1 and a man driving it from the seat of a cart1 coming slowly down the centre of the road4 ,the laughter and noise grew louder as the crowds swayed this way and that to make room4 ,presently it was seen that behind the cart a little space was kept1 and ,anthony made out the grey head of a man at the tail of the cart1 and the face of another a little way behind2 then at last1 as the cart jolted past1 the two children saw a man stripped to the waist1 his hands tied before him to the cart1 his back one red wound2 while a hangman walked behind whirling his thonged whip about his head and bringing it down now and again on the old man's back4 ,at each lash the prisoner shrank away1 and turned his piteous face1 drawn with pain1 from side to side1 while the crowd yelled and laughed4 ,what's it for1 what's it for8 inquired ,anthony1 eager and interested4 ,a boy leaning from the next window answered him4 ,he said ,jesus ,christ was not in heaven4 ,at that moment a humorist near the cart began to cry out3 ,way for the ,king's ,grace6 ,way for the ,king's ,grace6 and the crowd took the idea instantly3 a few men walking with the cart formed lines like gentlemen ushers1 uncovering their heads and all crying out the same words2 and one eager player tried to walk backwards until he was tripped up4 ,and so the dismal pageant of this red-robed king of anguish went by2 and the hoots and shouts of his heralds died away4 ,anthony turned to ,isabel1 exultant and interested4 ,why1 ,isabel1 he said1 you look all white4 ,what is it8 ,you know he's a blasphemer4 ,i know1 ,i know1 said ,isabel4 ,then suddenly1 far away1 came the sound of trumpets1 and gusts of distant cheering1 like the sound of the wind in thick foliage4 ,anthony leaned out again1 and an excited murmur broke out once more1 as all faces turned westwards4 ,a moment more1 and ,anthony caught a flash of colour from the corner near ,st4 ,paul's ,churchyard2 then the shrill trumpets sounded nearer1 and the cheering broke out at the end1 and ran down the street like a wave of noise4 ,from every window faces leaned out2 even on the roofs and between the high chimney pots were swaying figures4 ,masses of colour now began to emerge1 with the glitter of steel1 round the bend of the street1 where the winter sunshine fell2 and the crowds began to surge back1 and against the houses4 ,at first ,anthony could make out little but two moving rippling lines of light1 coming parallel1 pressing the people back2 and it was not until they had come opposite the window that he could make out the steel caps and pikeheads of men in half-armour1 who1 marching two and two with a space between them1 led the procession and kept the crowds back4 ,there they went1 with immovable disciplined faces1 grounding their pike-butts sharply now and again1 caring nothing for the yelp of pain that sometimes followed4 ,immediately behind them came the aldermen in scarlet1 on black horses that tossed their jingling heads as they walked4 ,anthony watched the solemn faces of the old gentlemen with a good deal of awe1 and presently made out his friend1 ,mr4 ,marrett1 who rode near the end1 but who was too much engrossed in the management of his horse to notice the two children who cried out to him and waved4 ,the serjeants-of-arms followed1 and then two lines again of gentlemen-pensioners walking1 bare-headed1 carrying wands1 in short cloaks and elaborate ruffs4 ,but the lad saw little of them1 for the splendour of the lords and knights that followed eclipsed them altogether4 ,the knights came first1 in steel armour with raised vizors1 the horses too in armour1 moving sedately with a splendid clash of steel1 and twinkling fiercely in the sunshine2 and then1 after them 7and ,anthony drew his breath swiftly7 came a blaze of colour and jewels as the great lords in their cloaks and feathered caps1 metal-clasped and gemmed1 came on their splendid long-maned horses2 the crowd yelled and cheered1 and great names were tossed to and fro1 as the owners passed on1 each talking to his fellow as if unconscious of the tumult and even of the presence of these shouting thousands4 ,the cry of the trumpets rang out again high and shattering1 as the trumpeters and heralds in rich coat-armour came next2 and ,anthony looked a moment1 fascinated by the lions and lilies1 and the brightness of the eloquent horns1 before he turned his head to see the ,lord ,mayor himself1 mounted on a great stately white horse1 that needed no management1 while his rider bore on a cushion the sceptre4 ,ah6 she was coming near now4 ,the two saw nothing of the next rider who carried aloft the glittering ,sword of ,state1 for their eyes were fixed on the six plumed heads of the horses1 with grooms and footmen in cassock-coats and venetian hose1 and the great gilt open carriage behind that swayed and jolted over the cobbles4 ,she was here2 she was here2 and the loyal crowds yelled and surged to and fro1 and cloths and handkerchiefs flapped and waved1 and caps tossed up and down1 as at last the great creaking carriage came under the window4 ,this is what they saw in it4 ,a figure of extraordinary dignity1 sitting upright and stiff like a pagan idol1 dressed in a magnificent and fantastic purple robe1 with a great double ruff1 like a huge collar1 behind her head2 a long taper waist1 voluminous skirts spread all over the cushions1 embroidered with curious figures and creatures4 ,over her shoulders1 but opened in front so as to show the ropes of pearls and the blaze of jewels on the stomacher1 was a purple velvet mantle lined with ermine1 with pearls sewn into it here and there4 ,set far back on her head1 over a pile of reddish-yellow hair drawn tightly back from the forehead1 was a hat with curled brims1 elaborately embroidered1 with the jewelled outline of a little crown in front1 and a high feather topping all4 ,and her face--a long oval1 pale and transparent in complexion1 with a sharp chin1 and a high forehead2 high arched eyebrows1 auburn1 but a little darker than her hair2 her mouth was small1 rising at the corners1 with thin curved lips tightly shut2 and her eyes1 which were clear in colour1 looked incessantly about her with great liveliness and good-humour4 ,there was something overpowering to these two children who looked1 too awed to cheer1 in this formidable figure in the barbaric dress1 the gorgeous climax of a gorgeous pageant4 ,apart from the physical splendour1 this solitary glittering creature represented so much--it was the incarnate genius of the laughing1 brutal1 wanton ,english nation1 that sat here in the gilded carriage and smiled and glanced with tight lips and clear eyes4 ,she was like some emblematic giant1 moving in a processional car1 as fantastic as itself1 dominant and serene above the heads of the maddened crowds1 on to some mysterious destiny4 ,a sovereign1 however personally inglorious1 has such a dignity in some measure2 and ,elizabeth added to this an exceptional majesty of her own4 ,henry would not have been ashamed for this daughter of his4 ,what wonder then that these crowds were delirious with love and loyalty and an exultant fear1 as this overwhelming personality went by3--this pale-faced tranquil virgin ,queen1 passionate1 wanton1 outspoken and absolutely fearless2 with a sufficient reserve of will to be fickle without weakness2 and sufficient grasp of her aims to be indifferent to her policy2 untouched by vital religion2 financially shrewd2 inordinately vain4 ,and when this strange dominant creature1 royal by character as by birth1 as strong as her father and as wanton as her mother1 sat in ermine and velvet and pearls in a royal carriage1 with shrewd-faced wits1 and bright-eyed lovers1 and solemn statesmen1 and great nobles1 vacuous and gallant1 glittering and jingling before her2 and troops of tall ladies in ruff and crimson mantle riding on white horses behind2 and when the fanfares went shattering down the street1 vibrating through the continuous roar of the crowd and the shrill cries of children and the mellow thunder of church-bells rocking overhead1 and the endless tramp of a thousand feet below2 and when the whole was framed in this fantastic twisted street1 blazing with tapestries and arched with gables and banners1 all bathed in glory by the clear frosty sunshine--it is little wonder that for a few minutes at least this country boy felt that here at last was the incarnation of his dreams2 and that his heart should exult1 with an enthusiasm he could not interpret1 for the cause of a people who could produce such a queen1 and of a queen who could rule such a people2 and that his imagination should be fired with a sudden sense that these were causes for which the sacrifice of a life would be counted cheap1 if they might thereby be furthered4 ,yet1 in this very moment1 by one of those mysterious suggestions that rise from the depth of a soul1 the image sprang into his mind1 and poised itself there for an instant1 of the grey-haired man who had passed half an hour ago1 sobbing and shrinking at the cart's tail4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,mary ,,corbet ,the spring that followed the visit to ,london passed uneventfully at ,great ,keynes to all outward appearances2 and yet for ,isabel they were significant months4 ,in spite of herself and of the word of warning from her father1 her relations with ,hubert continued to draw closer4 ,for one thing1 he had been the first to awaken in her the consciousness that she was lovable in herself1 and the mirror that first tells that to a soul always has something of the glow of the discovery resting upon it4 ,then again his deference and his chivalrous air had a strange charm4 ,when ,isabel rode out alone with ,anthony1 she often had to catch the swinging gate as he rode through after opening it1 and do such little things for herself2 but when ,hubert was with them there was nothing of that kind4 ,and1 once more1 he appealed to her pity2 and this was the most subtle element of all4 ,there was no doubt that ,hubert's relations with his fiery old father became strained sometimes1 and it was extraordinarily sweet to ,isabel to be made a confidant4 ,and yet ,hubert never went beyond a certain point2 his wooing was very skilful3 and he seemed to be conscious of her uneasiness almost before she was conscious of it herself1 and to relapse in a moment into frank and brotherly relations again4 ,he came in one night after supper1 flushed and bright-eyed1 and found her alone in the hall3 and broke out immediately1 striding up and down as she sat and watched him4 ,i cannot bear it2 there is ,mr4 ,bailey who has been with us all ,lent2 he is always interfering in my affairs4 ,and he has no charity4 ,i know ,i am a ,catholic and that2 but when he and my father talk against the ,protestants1 ,mistress ,isabel1 ,i cannot bear it4 ,they were abusing the ,queen to-night--at least1 he added1 for he had no intention to exaggerate1 they were saying she was a true daughter of her father2 and sneers of that kind4 ,and ,i am an ,englishman1 and her subject2 and ,i said so2 and ,mr4 ,bailey snapped out1 ',and you are also a ,catholic1 my son1' and then--and then ,i lost my temper1 and said that the ,catholic religion seemed no better than any other for the good it did people2 and that the ,rector and ,mr4 ,norris seemed to me as good men as any one2 and of course ,i meant him and he knew it2 and then he told me1 before the servants1 that ,i was speaking against the faith2 and then ,i said ,i would sooner speak against the faith than against good ,christians2 and then he flamed up scarlet1 and ,i saw ,i had touched him2 and then my father got scarlet too1 and my mother looked at me1 and my father told me to leave the table for an insolent puppy2 and ,i knocked over my chair and stamped out--and oh6 ,mistress ,isabel1 ,i came straight here4 ,and he flung down astride of a chair with his arms on the back1 and dropped his head on to them4 ,it would have been difficult for ,hubert1 even if he had been very clever indeed1 to have made any speech which would have touched ,isabel more than this4 ,there was the subtle suggestion that he had defended the ,protestants for her sake2 and there was the open defence of her father1 and defiance of the priests whom she feared and distrusted2 there was a warm generosity and frankness running through it all2 and lastly1 there was the sweet flattering implication that he had come to her to be understood and quieted and comforted4 ,then1 when she tried to show her disapproval of his quick temper1 and had succeeded in showing a poorly disguised sympathy instead1 he had flung away again1 saying that she had brought him to his senses as usual1 and that he would ask the priest's pardon for his insolence at once2 and ,isabel was left standing and looking at the fire1 fearing that she was being wooed1 and yet not certain1 though she loved it4 ,and then1 too1 there was the secret hope that it might be through her that he might escape from his superstitions1 and--and then--and she closed her eyes and bit her lip for joy and terror4 ,she did not know that a few weeks later ,hubert had an interview with his father1 of which she was the occasion4 ,lady ,maxwell had gone to her husband after a good deal of thought and anxiety1 and told him what she feared2 asking him to say a word to ,hubert4 ,sir ,nicholas had been startled and furious4 ,it was all the lad's conceit1 he said2 he had no real heart at all2 he only flattered his vanity in making love2 he had no love for his parents or his faith1 and so on4 ,she took his old hand in her own and held it while she spoke4 ,sweetheart1 she said1 how old were you when you used to come riding to ,overfield8 ,i forget4 ,and there came peace into his angry1 puzzled old eyes1 and a gleam of humour4 ,mistress1 he said1 you have not forgotten4 ,for he had been just eighteen1 too4 ,and he took her face in his hands delicately1 and kissed her on the lips4 ,well1 well1 he said1 it is hard on the boy2 but it must not go on4 ,send him to me4 ,oh6 ,i will be easy with him4 ,but the interview was not as simple as he hoped2 for ,hubert was irritable and shamefaced2 and spoke lightly of the ,religion again4 ,after all1 he burst out1 there are plenty of good men who have left the faith4 ,it brings nothing but misery4 ,sir ,nicholas' hands began to shake1 and his fingers to clench themselves2 but he remembered the lad was in love4 ,my son1 he said1 you do not know what you say4 ,i know well enough1 said ,hubert1 with his foot tapping sharply4 ,i say that the ,catholic religion is a religion of misery and death everywhere4 ,look at the ,low ,countries1 sir4 ,i cannot speak of that1 said his father2 and his son sneered visibly2 you and ,i are but laymen2 but this ,i know1 and have a right to say1 that to threaten me like that is the act of a--is not worthy of my son4 ,my dear boy1 he said1 coming nearer1 you are angry2 and1 ,god forgive me6 so am ,i2 but ,i promised your mother1 and again he broke off1 and we cannot go on with this now4 ,come again this evening4 ,hubert stood turned away1 with his head against the high oak mantelpiece2 and there was silence4 ,father1 he said at last1 turning round1 ,i ask your pardon4 ,sir ,nicholas stepped nearer1 his eyes suddenly bright with tears1 and his mouth twitching1 and held out his hand1 which ,hubert took4 ,and ,i was a coward to speak like that--but1 but--,i will try1 went on the boy4 ,and ,i promise to say nothing to her yet1 at any rate4 ,will that do8 ,and ,i will go away for a while4 ,the father threw his arms round him4 ,as the summer drew on and began to fill the gardens and meadows with wealth1 the little ,italian garden to the south-west of the ,hall was where my lady spent most of the day4 ,here she would cause chairs to be brought out for ,mistress ,margaret and herself1 and a small selection of devotional books1 an orange leather volume powdered all over with pierced hearts1 filled with extracts in a clear brown ink1 another book called ,le ,chappellet de ,jsus1 while from her girdle beside her pocket-mirror there always hung an olive-coloured ,hours of the ,blessed ,virgin1 fastened by a long strip of leather prolonged from the binding4 ,here the two old sisters would sit1 in the shadow of the yew hedge1 taking it by turns to read and embroider1 or talking a little now and then in quiet voices1 with long silences broken only by the hum of insects in the hot air1 or the quick flight of a bird in the tall trees behind the hedge4 ,here too ,isabel often came1 also bringing her embroidery2 and sat and talked and watched the wrinkled tranquil faces of the two old ladies1 and envied their peace4 ,hubert had gone1 as he had promised his father1 on a long visit1 and was not expected home until at least the autumn4 ,james will be here to-morrow1 said ,lady ,maxwell1 suddenly1 one hot afternoon4 ,isabel looked up in surprise2 he had not been at home for so long2 but the thought of his coming was very pleasant to her4 ,and ,mary ,corbet1 too1 went on the old lady1 will be here to-morrow or the day after4 ,isabel asked who this was4 ,she is one of the ,queen's ladies1 my dear2 and a great talker4 ,she is very amusing sometimes1 said ,mistress ,margaret's clear little voice4 ,and ,mr4 ,james will be here to-morrow8 said ,isabel4 ,yes1 my child4 ,they always suit one another2 and we have known ,mary for years4 ,and is ,miss ,corbet a ,catholic8 ,yes1 my dear2 her ,grace seems to like them about her4 ,when ,isabel went up again to the ,hall in the evening1 a couple of days later1 she found ,mr4 ,james sitting with his mother and aunt in the same part of the garden4 ,mr4 ,james1 who rose as she came through the yew archway1 and stood waiting to greet her1 was a tall1 pleasant1 brown-faced man4 ,isabel noticed as she came up his strong friendly face1 that had something of ,hubert's look in it1 and felt an immediate sense of relief from her timidity at meeting this man1 whose name1 it was said1 was beginning to be known among the poets1 and about whom the still more formidable fact was being repeated1 that he was a rising man at ,court and had attracted the ,queen's favour4 ,as they sat down again together1 she noticed1 too1 his strong delicate hand in its snowy ruff1 for he was always perfectly dressed1 as it lay on his knee2 and again thought of ,hubert's browner and squarer hand4 ,we were talking1 ,mistress ,isabel1 about the play1 and the new theatres4 ,i was at the ,blackfriars' only last week4 ,ah6 and ,i met ,buxton there1 he went on1 turning to his mother4 ,dear ,henry1 said ,lady ,maxwell4 ,he told me when ,i last saw him that he could never go to ,london again2 his religion was too expensive1 he said4 ,mr4 ,james' white teeth glimmered in a smile4 ,he told me he was going to prison next time1 instead of paying the fine4 ,it would be cheaper1 he thought4 ,i hear her ,grace loves the play1 said ,mistress ,margaret4 ,indeed she does4 ,i saw her at ,whitehall the other day1 when the children of the ,chapel ,royal were acting2 she clapped and called out with delight4 ,but ,mistress ,corbet can tell you more than ,i can--,ah6 here she is4 ,isabel looked up1 and saw a wonderful figure coming briskly along the terrace and down the steps that led from the house4 ,miss ,corbet was dressed with what she herself would have said was a milkmaid's plainness2 but ,isabel looked in astonishment at the elaborate ruff and wings of muslin and lace1 the shining peacock gown1 the high-piled coils of black hair1 and the twinkling buckled feet4 ,she had a lively bright face1 a little pale1 with a high forehead1 and black arched brows and dancing eyes1 and a little scarlet mouth that twitched humorously now and then after speaking4 ,she rustled up1 flicking her handkerchief1 and exclaiming against the heat4 ,isabel was presented to her2 she sat down on a settle ,mr4 ,james drew forward for her1 with the handkerchief still whisking at the flies4 ,i am ashamed to come out like this1 she began4 ,mistress ,plesse would break her heart at my lace4 ,you country ladies have far more sense4 ,i am the slave of my habits4 ,what were you talking of1 that you look so gravely at me8 ,mr4 ,james told her4 ,oh1 her ,grace6 said ,miss ,corbet4 ,indeed1 ,i think sometimes she is never off the stage herself4 ,ah6 and what art and passion she shows too6 ,we are all loyal subjects here1 said ,mr4 ,james2 tell us what you mean4 ,i mean what ,i say1 she said4 ,never was there one who loved play-acting more and to occupy the centre of the stage1 too4 ,and the throne too1 if there be one1 she added4 ,miss ,corbet talked always at her audience2 she hardly ever looked directly at any one1 but up or down1 or even shut her eyes and tilted her face forward while she talked2 and all the while she kept an incessant movement of her lips or handkerchief1 or tapped her foot1 or shifted her position a little4 ,isabel thought she had never seen any one so restless4 ,then she went on to tell them of the ,queen4 ,she was so startlingly frank that ,lady ,maxwell again and again looked up as if to interrupt2 but she always came off the thin ice in time4 ,it was abominable gossip2 but she talked with such a genial air of loyal good humour1 that it was very difficult to find fault4 ,miss ,corbet was plainly accustomed to act as ,court ,circular1 or even as lecturer and show-woman on the most popular subject in ,england4 ,but her ,grace surpassed herself in acting the tyrant last ,january2 you would have sworn her really angry4 ,this was how it fell out4 ,i was in the anteroom one day1 waiting for her ,grace1 when ,i thought ,i heard her call4 ,so ,i tapped2 ,i got no clear answer1 but ,i heard her voice within1 so ,i entered4 ,and there was her ,majesty1 sitting a little apart in a chair by herself1 with the ,secretary--poor rat--white-faced at the table1 writing what she bade him1 and looking at her1 quick and side-ways1 like a child at a lifted rod2 and there was her ,grace3 she had kicked her stool over1 and one shoe had fallen2 and she was striking the arm of her chair as she spoke1 and her rings rapped as loud as a drunken watchman4 ,and her face was all white1 and her eyes glaring--and ,mary began to glare and raise her voice too--and she was crying out1 ',by ,god's ,son1 sir1 ,i will have them hanged4 ,tell the----' 7but ,i dare not say what she called my ,lord ,sussex1 but few would have recognised him from what she said7--'tell him that ,i will have my will done4 ,these--' 7and she called the rebels a name ,i dare not tell you7--'these men have risen against me these two months2 and yet they are not hanged4 ,hang them in their own villages1 that their children may see what treason brings4' ,all this while ,i was standing at the open door1 thinking she had called me2 but she was as if she saw nought but the gallows and hell-fire beyond2 and ,i spoke softly to her1 asking what she wished2 and she sprang up and ran at me1 and struck me--yes2 again and again across the face with her open hand1 rings and all--and ,i ran out in tears4 ,yes1 went on ,miss ,corbet in a moment1 dropping her voice1 and pensively looking up at nothing1 yes2 you would have said she was really angry1 so quick and natural were her movements and so loud her voice4 ,mr4 ,james' face wrinkled up silently in amusement2 and ,lady ,maxwell seemed on the point of speaking2 but ,miss ,corbet began again3 ,and to see her ,grace act the lover4 ,it was a miracle4 ,you would have said that our ,artemis repented of her coldness2 if you had not known it was but play-acting2 or let us say perhaps a rehearsal--if you had seen what ,i once saw at ,nonsuch4 ,it was on a summer evening2 and we were all on the bowling green1 and her ,grace was within doors1 not to be disturbed4 ,my ,lord ,leicester was to come1 but we thought had not arrived4 ,then ,i had occasion to go to my room to get a little book ,i had promised to show to ,caroline2 and1 thinking no harm1 ,i ran through into the court1 and there stood a horse1 his legs apart1 all steaming and blowing4 ,some courier1 said ,i to myself1 and never thought to look at the trappings2 and so ,i ran upstairs to go to the gallery1 across which lay my chamber2 and ,i came up1 and just began to push open the door1 when ,i heard her ,grace's voice beyond1 and1 by the mercy of ,god1 ,i stopped2 and dared not close the door again nor go downstairs for fear ,i should be heard4 ,and there were two walking within the gallery1 her ,grace and my lord1 and my lord was all disordered with hard riding1 and nearly as spent as his poor beast below4 ,and her ,grace had her arm round his neck1 for ,i saw them through the chink2 and she fondled and pinched his ear1 and said over and over again1 ',robin1 my sweet ,robin1' and then crooned and moaned at him2 and he1 whenever he could fetch a breath--and oh6 ,i promise you he did blow--murmured back1 calling her his queen1 which indeed she was1 and his sweetheart and his moon and his star--which she was not3 but 'twas all in the play4 ,well1 again by the favour of ,god1 they did not see how the door was open and ,i couched behind it1 for the sun was shining level through the west window in their eyes2 but why they did not hear me as ,i ran upstairs and opened the door1 ,he only knows--unless my lord was too sorely out of breath and her ,grace too intent upon her play-acting4 ,well1 ,i promise you1 the acting was so good--he so spent and she so tender--that ,i nearly cried out ,brava as ,i saw them2 but that ,i remembered in time 'twas meant to be a private rehearsal4 ,but ,i have seen her ,grace act near as passionate a part before the whole company sometimes4 ,the two old ladies seemed not greatly pleased with all this talk2 and as for ,isabel she sat silent and overwhelmed4 ,mary ,corbet glanced quickly at their faces when she had done1 and turned a little in her seat4 ,ah6 look at that peacock1 she cried out1 as a stately bird stepped delicately out of the shrubbery on to the low wall a little way off1 and stood balancing himself4 ,he is loyal too1 and has come to hear news of his ,queen4 ,he has come to see his cousin from town1 said ,mr4 ,james1 looking at ,miss ,corbet's glowing dress1 and to learn of the ,london fashions4 ,mary got up and curtseyed to the astonished bird1 who looked at her with his head lowered1 as he took a high step or two1 and then paused again1 with his burnished breast swaying a little from side to side4 ,he invites you to a dance1 went on ,mr4 ,james gravely1 a pavane4 ,miss ,corbet sat down again4 ,i dare not dance a pavane1 she said1 with a real peacock4 ,surely1 said ,mr4 ,james1 with a courtier's air1 you are too pitiful for him1 and too pitiless for us4 ,i dare not1 she said again1 for he never ceases to practise4 ,in hopes1 said ,mr4 ,james1 that one day you will dance it with him4 ,and then the two went off into the splendid fantastic nonsense that the wits loved to talk2 that grotesque1 exaggerated phrasing made fashionable by ,lyly4 ,it was like a kind of impromptu sword-exercise in an assault of arms1 where the rhythm and the flash and the graceful turns are of more importance than the actual thrusts received4 ,the two old ladies embroidered on in silence1 but their eyes twinkled1 and little wrinkles flickered about the corners of their lips4 ,but poor ,isabel sat bewildered4 ,it was so elaborate1 so empty2 she had almost said1 so wicked to take the solemn gift of speech and make it dance this wild fandango2 and as absurdity climbed and capered in a shower of sparks and gleams on the shoulders of absurdity1 and was itself surmounted2 and the names of heathen gods and nymphs and demi-gods and loose-living classical women whisked across the stage1 and were tossed higher and higher1 until the whole mad erection blazed up and went out in a shower of stars and gems of allusions and phrases1 like a flight of rockets1 bright and bewildering at the moment1 but leaving a barren darkness and dazzled eyes behind--the poor little ,puritan country child almost cried with perplexity and annoyance4 ,if the two talkers had looked at one another and burst into laughter at the end1 she would have understood it to be a joke1 though1 to her mind1 but a poor one4 ,but when they had ended1 and ,mary ,corbet had risen and then swept down to the ground in a great silent curtsey1 and ,mr4 ,james1 the grave1 sensible gentleman1 had solemnly bowed with his hand on his heart1 and his heels together like a ,monsieur1 and then she had rustled off in her peacock dress to the house1 with her muslin wings bulging behind her2 and no one had laughed or reproved or explained2 it was almost too much1 and she looked across to ,lady ,maxwell with an appeal in her eyes4 ,mr4 ,james saw it and his face relaxed4 ,you must not take us too seriously1 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said in his kindly way4 ,it is all part of the game4 ,the game8 she said piteously4 ,yes1 said ,mistress ,margaret1 intent on her embroidery1 the game of playing at kings and queens and courtiers and ruffs and high-stepping4 ,mr4 ,james' face again broke into his silent laugh4 ,you are acid1 dear aunt1 he said4 ,but---- began ,isabel again4 ,but it is wrong1 you think1 he interrupted1 to talk such nonsense4 ,well1 ,mistress ,isabel1 ,i am not sure you are not right4 ,and the dancing light in his eyes went out4 ,no1 no1 no1 she cried1 distressed4 ,i did not mean that4 ,only ,i did not understand4 ,i know1 ,i know2 and please ,god you never will4 ,and he looked at her with such a tender gravity that her eyes fell4 ,isabel is right1 went on ,mistress ,margaret1 in her singularly sweet old voice2 and you know it1 my nephew4 ,it is very well as a pastime1 but some folks make it their business2 and that is nothing less than fooling with the gifts of the good ,god4 ,well1 aunt ,margaret1 said ,james softly1 ,i shall not have much more of it4 ,you need not fear for me4 ,lady ,maxwell looked quickly at her son for a moment1 and down again4 ,he made an almost imperceptible movement with his head1 ,mistress ,margaret looked across at him with her tender eyes beaming love and sorrow2 and there fell a little eloquent silence2 while ,isabel glanced shyly from one to the other1 and wondered what it was all about4 ,miss ,mary ,corbet stayed a few weeks1 as the custom was when travelling meant so much2 but ,isabel was scarcely nearer understanding her4 ,she accepted her1 as simple clean souls so often have to accept riddles in this world1 as a mystery that no doubt had a significance1 though she could not recognise it4 ,so she did not exactly dislike or distrust her1 but regarded her silently out of her own candid soul1 as one would say a small fearless bird in a nest must regard the man who thrusts his strange hot face into her green pleasant world1 and tries to make endearing sounds4 ,for ,isabel was very fascinating to ,mary ,corbet4 ,she had scarcely ever before been thrown so close to any one so serenely pure4 ,she would come down to the ,dower ,house again and again at all hours of the day1 rustling along in her silk1 and seize upon ,isabel in the little upstairs parlour1 or her bedroom1 and question her minutely about her ways and ideas2 and she would look at her silently for a minute or two together2 and then suddenly laugh and kiss her--,isabel's transparency was almost as great a riddle to her as her own obscurity to ,isabel4 ,and sometimes she would throw herself on ,isabel's bed1 and lie there with her arms behind her head1 to the deplorable ruin of her ruff2 with her buckled feet twitching and tapping2 and go on and on talking like a running stream in the sun that runs for the sheer glitter and tinkle of it1 and accomplishes nothing4 ,but she was more respectful to ,isabel's simplicity than at first1 and avoided dangerous edges and treacherous ground in a manner that surprised herself1 telling her of the pageants at ,court and fair exterior of it all1 and little about the poisonous conversations and jests and the corrupt souls that engaged in them4 ,she was immensely interested in ,isabel's religion4 ,tell me1 child1 she said one day1 ,i cannot understand such a religion4 ,it is not like the ,protestant religion at ,court at all4 ,all that the ,protestants do there is to hear sermons--it is all so dismal and noisy4 ,but here1 with you1 you have a proper soul4 ,it seems to me that you are like a little herb-garden1 very prim and plain1 but living and wholesome and pleasant to walk in at sunset4 ,and these ,protestants that ,i know are more like a paved court at noon--all hot and hard and glaring4 ,they give me the headache4 ,tell me all about it4 ,of course ,isabel could not1 though she tried again and again4 ,her definitions were as barren as any others4 ,i see1 said ,mary ,corbet one day1 sitting up straight and looking at ,isabel4 ,it is not your religion but you2 your religion is as dull as all the rest4 ,but your soul is sweet1 my dear1 and the wilderness blossoms where you set your feet4 ,there is nothing to blush about4 ,it's no credit to you1 but to ,god4 ,isabel hated this sort of thing4 ,it seemed to her as if her soul was being dragged out of a cool thicket from the green shadow and the flowers1 and set1 stripped1 in the high road4 ,another time ,miss ,corbet spoke yet more plainly4 ,you are a ,catholic at heart1 my dear2 or you would be if you knew what the ,religion was4 ,but your father1 good man1 has never understood it himself2 and so you don't know it either4 ,what you think about us1 my dear1 is as much like the truth as--as--,i am like a saint1 or you like a sinner4 ,i'll be bound now that you think us all idolaters6 ,isabel had to confess that she did think something of the sort4 ,there1 now1 what did ,i say8 ,why haven't either of those two old nuns at the ,hall taught you any better8 ,they--they don't talk to me about religion4 ,ah6 ,i see2 or the ,puritan father would withdraw his lamb from the wolves4 ,but if they are wolves1 my dear1 you must confess that they have the decency to wear sheep's clothing1 and that the disguise is excellent4 ,and so it gradually came about that ,isabel began to learn an immense deal about what the ,catholics really believed--far more than she had ever learnt in all her life before from the ladies at the ,hall1 who were unwilling to teach her1 and her father1 who was unable4 ,about half-way through ,miss ,corbet's visit1 ,anthony came home4 ,at first he pronounced against her inexorably1 dismissing her as nonsense1 and as a fine lady--terms to him interchangeable4 ,then his condemnation began to falter1 then ceased2 then acquittal1 and at last commendation succeeded4 ,for ,miss ,corbet asked his advice about the dogs1 and how to get that wonderful gloss on their coats that his had2 and she asked his help1 too1 once or twice and praised his skill1 and once asked to feel his muscle4 ,and then she was so gallant in ways that appealed to him4 ,she was not in the least afraid of ,eliza4 ,she kissed that ferocious head in spite of the glare of that steady yellow eye2 and yet all with an air of trusting to ,anthony's protection4 ,she tore her silk stocking across the instep in a bramble and scratched her foot1 without even drawing attention to it1 as she followed him along one of his short cuts through the copse2 and it was only by chance that he saw it4 ,and then this gallant girl1 so simple and ignorant as she seemed out of doors1 was like a splendid queen indoors1 and was able to hold her own1 or rather to soar above all these elders who were so apt to look over ,anthony's head on grave occasions2 and they all had to listen while she talked4 ,in fact1 the first time he saw her at the ,hall in all her splendour1 he could hardly realise it was the same girl1 till she laughed up at him1 and nodded1 and said how much she had enjoyed the afternoon's stroll1 and how much she would have to tell when she got back to ,court4 ,in short1 so incessant were her poses and so skilful her manner and tone1 and so foolish this poor boy1 that in a very few days1 after he had pronounced her to be nonsense1 ,anthony was at her feet1 hopelessly fascinated by the combination of the glitter and friendliness of this fine ,court lady4 ,to do her justice1 she would have behaved exactly the same to a statue1 or even to nothing at all1 as a peacock dances and postures and vibrates his plumes to a kitten2 and had no more deliberate intention of giving pain to anybody than a nightshade has of poisoning a silly sheep4 ,the sublime conceit of a boy of fifteen made him of course think that she had detected in him a nobility that others overlooked1 and so ,anthony began a gorgeous course of day-dreaming1 in which he moved as a kind of king1 worshipped and reverenced by this splendid creature1 who after a disillusionment from the empty vanities of a ,court life and a ,queen's favour1 found at last the lord of her heart in a simple manly young countryman4 ,these dreams1 however1 he had the grace and modesty to keep wholly to himself4 ,mary came down one day and found the two in the garden together4 ,come1 my child1 she said1 and you too1 ,master ,anthony1 if you can spare time to escort us2 and take me to the church4 ,i want to see it4 ,the church6 said ,isabel1 that is locked3 we must go to the ,rectory4 ,locked6 exclaimed ,mary1 and is that part of the blessed ,reformation8 ,well1 come1 at any rate4 ,they all went across to the village and down the green towards the ,rectory1 whose garden adjoined the churchyard on the south side of the church4 ,anthony walked with something of an air in front of the two ladies4 ,isabel told her as they went about the ,rector and his views4 ,mary nodded and smiled and seemed to understand4 ,we will tap at the window1 said ,anthony1 it is the quickest way4 ,they came up towards the study window that looked on to the drive2 when ,anthony1 who was in front1 suddenly recoiled and then laughed4 ,they are at it again1 he said4 ,the next moment ,mary was looking through the window too4 ,the ,rector was sitting in his chair opposite1 a small dark1 clean-shaven man1 but his face was set with a look of distressed determination1 and his lower lip was sucked in2 his eyes were fixed firmly on a tall1 slender woman whose back was turned to the window and who seemed to be declaiming1 with outstretched hand4 ,the ,rector suddenly saw the faces at the window4 ,we seem to be interrupting1 said ,mary coolly1 as she turned away4 ,,chapter ,v ,a ,,rider ,,from ,,london ,we will walk on1 ,master ,anthony1 said ,mistress ,corbet4 ,will you bring the keys when the ,rector and his lady have done8 ,she spoke with a vehement bitterness that made ,isabel look at her in amazement1 as the two walked on by the private path to the churchyard gate4 ,mary's face was set in a kind of fury1 and she went forward with her chin thrust disdainfully out1 biting her lip4 ,isabel said nothing4 ,as they reached the gate they heard steps behind them2 and turning saw the minister and ,anthony hastening together4 ,mr4 ,dent was in his cassock and gown and square cap1 and carried the keys4 ,his little scholarly face1 with a sharp curved nose like a beak1 and dark eyes set rather too close together1 was not unlike a bird's2 and a way he had of sudden sharp movements of his head increased the likeness4 ,mary looked at him with scarcely veiled contempt4 ,he glanced at her sharply and uneasily4 ,mistress ,mary ,corbet8 he said1 interrogatively4 ,mary bowed to him4 ,may we see the church1 sir2 your church1 ,i should say perhaps2 that is1 if we are not disturbing you4 ,mr4 ,dent made a polite inclination1 and opened the gate for them to go through4 ,then ,mary changed her tactics2 and a genial1 good-humoured look came over her face2 but ,isabel1 who glanced at her now and again as they went round to the porch at the west-end1 still felt uneasy4 ,as the ,rector was unlocking the porch door1 ,mary surveyed him with a pleased smile4 ,why1 you look quite like a priest1 she said4 ,do your bishops1 or whatever you call them1 allow that dress8 ,i thought you had done away with it all4 ,mr4 ,dent looked at her1 but seeing nothing but geniality and interest in her face1 explained elaborately in the porch that he was a ,catholic priest1 practically2 though the word minister was more commonly used2 and that it was the old ,church still1 only cleansed from superstitions4 ,mary shook her head at him cheerfully1 smiling like a happy1 puzzled child4 ,it is all too difficult for me1 she said4 ,it cannot be the same ,church1 or why should we poor ,catholics be so much abused and persecuted8 ,besides1 what of the ,pope8 ,mr4 ,dent explained that the ,pope was one of the superstitions in question4 ,ah6 ,i see you are too sharp for me1 said ,mary1 beaming at him4 ,then they entered the church2 and ,mary began immediately on a running comment4 ,how sad that little niche looks1 she said4 ,i suppose ,our ,lady is in pieces somewhere on a dunghill4 ,surely1 father--,i beg your pardon1 ,mr4 ,dent--it cannot be the same religion if you have knocked ,our ,lady to pieces4 ,but then ,i suppose you would say that she was a superstition1 too4 ,and where is the old altar8 ,is that broken1 too8 ,and is that a superstition1 too8 ,what a number there must have been6 ,and the holy water1 too1 ,i see4 ,but that looks a very nice table up there you have instead4 ,ah6 ,and ,i see you read the new prayers from a new desk outside the screen1 and not from the priest's stall4 ,was that a superstition too8 ,and the mass vestments8 ,has your wife had any of them made up to be useful8 ,the stoles are no good1 ,i fear2 but you could make charming stomachers out of the chasubles4 ,they were walking slowly up the centre aisle now4 ,mr4 ,dent had to explain that the vestments had been burnt on the green4 ,ah6 yes2 ,i see1 she said1 and do you wear a surplice1 or do you not like them8 ,i see the chancel roof is all broken--were there angels there once8 ,i suppose so4 ,but how strange to break them all6 ,unless they are superstitions1 too8 ,i thought ,protestants believed in them2 but ,i see ,i was wrong4 ,what do you believe in1 ,mr4 ,dent8 she asked1 turning large1 bright1 perplexed eyes upon him for a moment3 but she gave him no time to answer4 ,ah6 she cried suddenly1 and her voice rang with pain1 there is the altar-stone4 ,and she went down on her knees at the chancel entrance1 bending down1 it seemed1 in an agony of devout sorrow and shame2 and kissed with a gentle1 lingering reverence the great slab with its five crosses1 set in the ground at the destruction of the altar to show there was no sanctity attached to it4 ,she knelt there a moment or two1 her lips moving1 and her black eyes cast up at the great east window1 cracked and flawed with stones and poles4 ,the ,puritan boy and girl looked at her with astonishment2 they had not seen this side of her before4 ,when she rose from her knees1 her eyes seemed bright with tears1 and her voice was tender4 ,forgive me1 ,mr4 ,dent1 she said1 with a kind of pathetic dignity1 putting out a slender be-ringed hand to him1 but--but you know--for ,i think perhaps you have some sympathy for us poor ,catholics--you know what all this means to me4 ,she went up into the chancel and looked about her in silence4 ,this was the piscina1 ,mistress ,corbet1 said the ,rector4 ,she nodded her head regretfully1 as at some relic of a dead friend2 but said nothing4 ,they came out again presently1 and turned through the old iron gates into what had been the ,maxwell chapel4 ,the centre was occupied by an altar-tomb with ,sir ,nicholas' parents lying in black stone upon it4 ,old ,sir ,james held his right gauntlet in his left hand1 and with his right hand held the right hand of his wife1 which was crossed over to meet it2 and the two steady faces gazed upon the disfigured roof4 ,the altar1 where a weekly requiem had been said for them1 was gone1 and the footpace and piscina alone showed where it had stood4 ,this was a chantry1 of course8 said ,mistress ,corbet4 ,the ,rector confessed that it had been so4 ,ah6 she said mournfully1 the altar is cast out and the priest gone2 but--but--forgive me1 sir1 the money is here still8 ,but then1 she added1 ,i suppose the money is not a superstition4 ,when they reached the west entrance again she turned and looked up the aisle again4 ,and the ,rood6 she said4 ,even ,christ crucified is gone4 ,then1 in ,god's name what is left8 ,and her eyes turned fiercely for a moment on the ,rector4 ,at least courtesy and ,christian kindness is left1 madam1 he said sternly4 ,she dropped her eyes and went out2 and ,isabel and ,anthony followed1 startled and ashamed4 ,but ,mary had recovered herself as she came on to the head of the stone stairs1 beside which the stump of the churchyard cross stood2 standing there was the same tall1 slender woman whose back they had seen through the window1 and who now stood eyeing ,mary with half-dropped lids4 ,her face was very white1 with hard lines from nose to mouth1 and thin1 tightly compressed lips4 ,mary swept her with one look1 and then passed on and down the steps1 followed by ,isabel and ,anthony1 as the ,rector came out1 locking the church door again behind him4 ,as they went up the green1 a shrill thin voice began to scold from over the churchyard wall1 and they heard the lower1 determined voice of the minister answering4 ,they are at it again1 said ,anthony1 once more4 ,and what do you mean by that1 ,master ,anthony8 said ,mistress ,corbet1 who seemed herself again now4 ,she is just a scold1 said the lad1 the village-folk hate her4 ,you seem not to love her1 said ,mary1 smiling4 ,oh6 ,mistress ,corbet1 do you know what she said-- and then he broke off1 crimson-faced4 ,she is no friend to ,catholics1 ,i suppose1 said ,mary1 seeming to notice nothing4 ,she is always making mischief1 he went on eagerly4 ,the ,rector would be well enough but for her4 ,he is a good fellow1 really4 ,there1 there1 said ,mary1 and you think me a scold1 too1 ,i daresay4 ,well1 you know ,i cannot bear to see these old churches--well1 perhaps ,i was-- and then she broke off again1 and was silent4 ,the brother and sister presently turned back to the ,dower ,house2 and ,mary went on1 and through the ,hall straight into the ,italian garden where ,mistress ,margaret was sitting alone at her embroidery4 ,my sister has been called away by the housekeeper1 she explained1 but she will be back presently4 ,mary sat down and took up the little tawny book that lay by ,lady ,maxwell's chair1 and began to turn it over idly while she talked4 ,the old lady by her seemed to invite confidences4 ,i have been to see the church1 said ,mary4 ,the ,rector showed it to me4 ,what a beautiful place it must have been4 ,ah6 said ,mistress ,margaret ,i only came to live here a few years ago2 so ,i have never known or loved it like my sister or her husband4 ,they can hardly bear to enter it now4 ,you know that ,sir ,nicholas' father and grandfather are buried in the ,maxwell chapel2 and it was his father who gave the furniture of the sanctuary1 and the images of ,our ,lady and ,saint ,christopher that they burned on the green4 ,it is terrible1 said ,mary1 a little absently1 as she turned the pages of the book4 ,mistress ,margaret looked up4 ,ah6 you have one of my books there1 she said4 ,it is a little collection ,i made4 ,miss ,corbet turned to the beginning1 but only found a seal with an inscription4 ,but this belonged to a nunnery1 she said4 ,yes1 said ,mistress ,margaret1 tranquilly1 and ,i am a nun4 ,mary looked at her in astonishment4 ,but1 but1 she began4 ,yes1 ,mistress ,corbet2 we were dispersed in '#ch2 some entered the other nunneries2 and some went to ,france2 but1 at last1 under circumstances that ,i need not trouble you with1 ,i came here under spiritual direction1 and have observed my obligations ever since4 ,and have you always said your offices8 ,mary asked astonished4 ,yes1 my dear2 by the mercy of ,god ,i have never failed yet4 ,i tell you this of course because you are one of us1 and because you have a faithful heart4 ,mistress ,margaret lifted her great eyes and looked at ,mary tenderly and penetratingly4 ,and this is one of your books8 she asked4 ,yes1 my dear4 ,i was allowed at least to take it away with me4 ,my sister here is very fond of it4 ,mary opened it again1 and began to turn the pages4 ,is it all in your handwriting1 ,mistress ,torridon8 ,yes1 my child2 ,i continued writing in it ever since ,i first entered religion in #aecd2 so you see the handwriting changes a little1 and she smiled to herself4 ,oh1 but this is charming1 cried ,mary1 intent on the book4 ,read it1 my dear1 aloud4 ,mary read3 ,let me not rest1 ,o ,lord1 nor have quiet1 ,but fill my soul with spiritual travail1 ,to sing and say1 ,o mercy1 ,jesu sweet2 ,thou my protection art in the battail4 ,set thou aside all other apparail2 ,let me in thee feel all my affiance4 ,treasure of treasures1 thou dost most avail4 ,grant ere ,i die shrift1 pardon1 repentance4 ,her voice trembled a little and ceased4 ,that is from some verses of ,dan ,john ,lydgate1 ,i think1 said ,mistress ,margaret4 ,here is another1 said ,mary in a moment or two4 ,jesu1 at thy will1 ,i pray that ,i may be1 ,all my heart fulfil with perfect love to thee3 ,that ,i have done ill1 ,jesu forgive thou me3 ,and suffer me never to spill1 ,jesu for thy pity4 ,the nuns of ,hampole gave me that1 said ,mistress ,margaret4 ,it is by ,richard ,rolle1 the hermit4 ,tell me a little1 said ,mary ,corbet1 suddenly laying down the book1 about the nunnery4 ,oh1 my dear1 that is too much to ask2 but how happy we were4 ,all was so still2 it used to seem sometimes as if earth were just a dream2 and that we walked in ,paradise4 ,sometimes in the ,greater ,silence1 when we had spoken no word nor heard one except in ,god's praise1 it used to seem that if we could but be silent a little longer1 and a little more deeply1 in our hearts as well1 we should hear them talking in heaven1 and the harps2 and the ,saviour's soft footsteps4 ,but it was not always like that4 ,you mean1 said ,mary softly1 that1 that-- and she stopped4 ,oh1 it was hard sometimes2 but not often4 ,god is so good4 ,but ,he used to allow such trouble and darkness and noise to be in our hearts sometimes--at least in mine4 ,but then of course ,i was always very wicked4 ,but sitting in the nymph-hay sometimes on a day like this1 as we were allowed to do2 with just tall thin trees like poplars and cypresses round us3 and the stream running through the long grass2 and the birds1 and the soft sky and the little breeze2 and then peace in our hearts2 and the love of the ,saviour round us--it seemed1 it seemed as if ,god had nothing more to give2 or1 ,i should say1 as if our hearts had no more space4 ,mary was strangely subdued and quiet4 ,her little restless movements were still for once2 and her quick1 vivacious face was tranquil and a little awed4 ,oh1 ,mistress ,margaret1 ,i love to hear you talk like that4 ,tell me more4 ,well1 my dear1 we thought too much about ourselves1 ,i think2 and too little about ,god and ,his poor children who were not so happy as we were2 so then the troubles began2 and they got nearer and nearer2 and at last the ,visitor came4 ,he--he was my brother1 my dear1 which made it harder2 but he made a good end4 ,i will tell you his story another time4 ,he took away our great crucifix and our jewelled cope that old ,mr4 ,wickham used to wear on the ,great ,festivals2 and left us4 ,he turned me out1 too2 and another who asked to go1 but ,i went back for a while4 ,and then1 my dear1 although we offered everything2 our cows and our orchard and our hens1 and all we had1 you know how it ended2 and one morning in ,may old ,mr4 ,wickham said mass for us quite early1 before the sun was risen1 for the last time2 and1--and he cried1 my dear1 at the elevation2 and--and we were all crying too ,i think1 and we all received communion together for the last time--and1--and1 then we all went away1 leaving just old ,dame ,agnes to keep the house until the ,commissioner came4 ,and oh1 my dear1 ,i don't think the house ever looked so dear as it did that morning1 just as the sun rose over the roofs1 and we were passing out through the meadow door where we had sat so often1 to where the horses were waiting to take us away4 ,miss ,corbet's own eyes were full of tears as the old lady finished3 and she put out her white slender hand1 which ,mistress ,torridon took and stroked for a moment4 ,well1 she said1 ,i haven't talked like this for a long while2 but ,i knew you would understand4 ,my dear1 ,i have watched you while you have been here this time4 ,mary ,corbet smiled a little uneasily4 ,and you have found me out8 she answered smiling4 ,no1 no2 but ,i think our ,saviour has found you out--or at least ,he is drawing very near4 ,a slight discomfort made itself felt in ,mary's heart4 ,this nun then was like all the rest1 always trying to turn the whole world into monks and nuns by hints and pretended intuitions into the unseen4 ,and you think ,i should be a nun too8 she asked1 with just a shade of coolness in her tone4 ,i should suppose not1 said ,mistress ,margaret1 tranquilly4 ,you do not seem to have a vocation for that1 but ,i should think that our ,lord means you to serve ,him where you are4 ,who knows what you may not accomplish8 ,this was a little disconcerting to ,mary ,corbet2 it was not at all what she had expected4 ,she did not know what to say2 and took up the leather book again and began to turn over the pages4 ,mistress ,margaret went on serenely with her embroidery1 which she had neglected during the last sentence or two2 and there was silence4 ,tell me a little more about the nunnery1 said ,mary in a minute or two1 leaning back in her chair1 with the book on her knees4 ,well1 my dear1 ,i scarcely know what to say4 ,it is all far off now like a childhood4 ,we talked very little2 not at all until recreation2 except by signs1 and we used to spend a good deal of our time in embroidery4 ,that is where ,i learnt this1 and she held out her work to ,mary for a moment4 ,it was an exquisite piece of needlework1 representing a stag running open-mouthed through thickets of green twining branches that wrapped themselves about his horns and feet4 ,mary had never seen anything quite like it before4 ,what does it mean8 she asked1 looking at it curiously4 ,quemadmodum cervus1--began ,mistress ,margaret2 as the hart brayeth after the waterbrooks1--and she took the embroidery and began to go on with it4--,it is the soul1 you see1 desiring and fleeing to ,god1 while the things of the world hold her back4 ,well1 you see1 it is difficult to talk about it2 for it is the inner life that is the real history of a convent2 the outer things are all plain and simple like all else4 ,well1 said ,mary1 is it really true that you were happy8 ,the old lady stopped working a moment and looked up at her4 ,my dear1 there is no happiness in the world like it1 she said simply4 ,i dream sometimes that we are all back there together1 and ,i wake crying for joy4 ,the other night ,i dreamed that we were all in the chapel again1 and that it was a spring morning1 with the dawn beginning to show the painted windows1 and that all the tapers were burning2 and that mass was beginning4 ,not one stall was empty2 not even old ,dame ,gertrude1 who died when ,i was a novice1 was lacking1 and ,mr4 ,wickham made us a sermon after the creed1 and showed us the crucifix back in its place again2 and told us that we were all good children1 and that ,our ,lord had only sent us away to see if we would be patient2 and that ,he was now pleased with us1 and had let us come home again2 and that we should never have to go away again2 not even when we died2 and then ,i understood that we were in heaven1 and that it was all over2 and ,i burst out into tears in my stall for happiness2 and then ,i awoke and found myself in bed2 but my cheeks were really wet4--,well1 well1 perhaps1 by the mercy of ,god it may all come true some day4 ,she spoke so simply that ,mary ,corbet was amazed2 she had always fancied that the ,religious ,life was a bitter struggle1 worth1 indeed1 living for those who could bear it1 for the sake of the eternal reward2 but it had scarcely even occurred to her that it was so full of joy in itself2 and she looked up under her brows at the old lady1 whose needle had stopped for a moment4 ,a moment after and ,lady ,maxwell appeared coming down the steps into the garden2 and at her side ,anthony1 who was dressed ready for riding4 ,old ,mistress ,margaret had1 as she said1 been watching ,mary ,corbet those last few weeks2 and had determined to speak to her plainly4 ,her instinct had told her that beneath this flippancy and glitter there was something that would respond2 and she was anxious to leave nothing undone by which ,mary might be awakened to the inner world that was in such danger of extinction in her soul4 ,it cost the old lady a great effort to break through her ordinary reserve1 but she judged that ,mary could only be reached on her human side1 and that there were not many of her friends whose human sympathy would draw her in the right direction4 ,it is strange1 sometimes1 to find that some silent old lady has a power for sounding human character1 which far shrewder persons lack2 and this quiet old nun1 so ignorant1 one would have said1 of the world and of the motives from which ordinary people act1 had managed somehow to touch springs in this girl's heart that had never been reached before4 ,and now as ,miss ,corbet and ,lady ,maxwell talked1 and ,anthony lolled embarrassed beside them1 attempting now and then to join in the conversation1 ,mistress ,margaret1 as she sat a little apart and worked away at the panting stag dreamed away1 smiling quietly to herself1 of all the old scenes that her own conversation had called up into clearer consciousness2 of the pleasant little meadow of the ,sussex priory1 with the old apple-trees and the straight box-lined path called the nun's walk from time immemorial2 all lighted with the pleasant afternoon glow1 as it streamed from the west1 throwing the slender poplar shadows across the grass2 and of the quiet chatter of the brook as it over-flowed from the fish ponds at the end of the field and ran through the meadows beyond the hedge4 ,the cooing of the pigeons as they sunned themselves round the dial in the centre of this ,italian garden and on the roof of the hall helped on her reminiscences1 for there had been a dovecote at the priory4 ,where were all her sisters now1 those who had sat with her in the same sombre habits in the garth1 with the same sunshine in their hearts8 ,some she knew1 and thanked ,god for it1 were safe in glory2 others were old like her1 but still safe in ,holy ,religion in ,france where as yet there was peace and sanctuary for the servants of the ,most ,high2 one or two--and for these she lifted up her heart in petition as she sat--one or two had gone back to the world1 relinquished everything1 and died to grace4 ,then the old faces one by one passed before her2 old ,dame ,agnes with her mumbling lips and her rosy cheeks like wrinkled apples1 looking so fresh and wholesome in the white linen about her face2 and then the others one by one--that white-faced1 large-eyed sister who had shown such passionate devotion at first that they all thought that ,god was going to raise up a saint amongst them--ah6 ,god help her--she had sunk back at the dissolution1 from those heights of sanctity towards whose summits she had set her face1 down into the muddy torrent of the world that went roaring down to the abyss--and who was responsible8 ,there was ,dame ,avice1 the ,sacristan1 with her businesslike movements going about the garden1 gathering flowers for the altar1 with her queer pursed lips as she arranged them in her hands with her head a little on one side2 how annoying she used to be sometimes2 but how good and tender at heart--,god rest her soul6 ,and there was ,mr4 ,wickham1 the old priest who had been their chaplain for so many years1 and who lived in the village parsonage1 waited upon by ,tom ,downe1 that served at the altar too--he who had got the horses ready when the nuns had to go at last on that far-off ,may morning1 and had stood there1 holding the bridles and trying to hide his wet face behind the horses2 where was ,tom now8 ,and ,mr4 ,wickham too--he had gone to ,france with some of the nuns2 but he had never settled down there--he couldn't bear the ,french ways--and besides he had left his heart behind him buried in the little ,sussex priory among the meadows4 ,and so the old lady sat1 musing2 while the light and shadow of reminiscence moved across her face2 and her lips quivered or her eyes wrinkled up with humour1 at the thought of all those old folks with their faces and their movements and their ways of doing and speaking4 ,ah6 well1 please ,god1 some day her dream would really come true2 and they shall all be gathered again from ,france and ,england with their broken hearts mended and their tears wiped away1 and ,mr4 ,wickham himself shall minister to them and make them sermons1 and ,tom ,downe too shall be there to minister to him--all in one of the many mansions of which the ,saviour spoke4 ,and so she heard nothing of the talk of the others2 though her sister looked at her tenderly once or twice2 and ,mary ,corbet chattered and twitched her buckles in the sun1 and ,anthony sat embarrassed in the midst of ,paradise2 and she knew nothing of where she was nor of what was happening round her1 until ,mary ,corbet said that it was time for the horses to be round1 and that she must go and get ready and not keep ,mr4 ,james and ,mr4 ,anthony waiting4 ,then1 as she and ,anthony went towards the house1 the old lady looked up from the braying stag and found herself alone with her sister4 ,mistress ,margaret waited until the other two disappeared up the steps1 and then spoke4 ,i have told her all1 sister1 she said1 she can be trusted4 ,lady ,maxwell nodded gently4 ,she has a good heart1 went on the other1 and our ,lord no doubt will find some work for her to do at ,court4 ,there was silence again2 broken by the gentle little sound of the silk being drawn through the stuff4 ,you know best1 ,margaret1 said ,lady ,maxwell4 ,even as she spoke there was the sound of a door thrown violently open and old ,sir ,nicholas appeared on the top of the steps1 hatless and plainly in a state of great agitation2 beside him stood a courier1 covered with the dust of the white roads1 and his face crimson with hard riding4 ,sir ,nicholas stood there as if dazed1 and ,lady ,maxwell sprang up quickly to go to him4 ,but a moment after there appeared behind him a little group1 his son ,james1 ,miss ,corbet and a servant or two2 while ,anthony hung back2 and ,mr4 ,james came up quickly1 and took his father by the arm2 and together the little company came down the steps into the still and sunny garden4 ,what is it8 cried ,lady ,maxwell1 trying to keep her voice under control2 while ,mistress ,margaret laid her work quietly down1 and stood up too4 ,tell my lady1 said ,sir ,nicholas to the courier1 who stood a little apart4 ,if you please1 my lady1 he said1 as if repeating a lesson1 a ,bull of the ,holy ,father has been found nailed to the door of the ,bishop of ,london's palace1 deposing ,elizabeth and releasing all her subjects from their allegiance4 ,lady ,maxwell went to her husband and took him by the arm gently4 ,what does it mean1 sweetheart8 she asked4 ,it means that ,catholics must choose between their sovereign and their ,god4 ,god have mercy1 said a servant behind4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,mr4 ,,stewart ,sir ,nicholas' exclamatory sentence was no exaggeration4 ,that terrible choice of which he spoke1 with his old eyes shining with the desire to make it1 did not indeed come so immediately as he anticipated2 but it came none the less4 ,from every point of view the ,bull was unfortunate1 though it may have been a necessity2 for it marked the declaration of war between ,england and the ,catholic ,church4 ,a gentle appeal had been tried before2 ,elizabeth1 who1 it must be remembered had been crowned during mass with ,catholic ceremonial1 and had received the ,blessed ,sacrament1 had been entreated by the ,pope as his dear daughter in ,christ to return to the ,fold2 and now there seemed to him no possibility left but this ultimatum4 ,it is indeed difficult to see what else1 from his point of view1 he could have done4 ,to continue to pretend that ,elizabeth was his dear daughter would have discredited his fatherly authority in the eyes of the whole ,christian world4 ,he had patiently made an advance towards his wayward child2 and she had repudiated and scorned him4 ,nothing was left but to recognise and treat her as an enemy of the ,faith1 an usurper of spiritual prerogatives1 and an apostate spoiler of churches2 to do this might certainly bring trouble upon others of his less distinguished but more obedient children1 who were in her power2 but to pretend that the suffering thus brought down upon ,catholics was unnecessary1 and that the ,pope alone was responsible for their persecution1 is to be blind to the fact that ,elizabeth had already openly defied and repudiated his authority1 and had begun to do her utmost to coax and compel his children to be disobedient to their father4 ,the shock of the ,bull to ,elizabeth was considerable2 she had not expected this extreme measure2 and it was commonly reported too that ,france and ,spain were likely now to unite on a religious basis against ,england2 and that at least one of these ,powers had sanctioned the issue of the ,bull4 ,this of course helped greatly to complicate further the already complicated political position4 ,steps were taken immediately to strengthen ,england's position against ,scotland with whom it was now1 more than ever1 to be feared that ,france would co-operate2 and the ,channel ,fleet was reinforced under ,lord ,clinton1 and placed with respect to ,france in what was almost a state of war1 while it was already in an informal state of war with ,spain4 ,there was fierce confusion in the ,privy ,council4 ,elizabeth1 who at once began to vacillate under the combined threats of ,la ,mothe1 the ,french ambassador1 and the arguments of the friend of ,catholics1 ,lord ,arundel1 was counter-threatened with ruin by ,lord ,keeper ,bacon unless she would throw in her lot finally with the ,protestants and continue her hostility and resistance to the ,catholic ,scotch party4 ,but in spite of ,bacon ,elizabeth's heart failed her1 and if it had not been for the rashness of ,mary ,stuart's friends1 ,lord ,southampton and the ,bishop of ,ross1 the ,queen might have been induced to substitute conciliation for severity towards ,mary and the ,catholic party generally4 ,southampton was arrested1 and again there followed the further encouragement of the ,protestant camp by the rising fortunes of the ,huguenots and the temporary reverses to ,french ,catholicism2 so the pendulum swung this way and that4 ,elizabeth's policy changed almost from day to day4 ,she was tormented with temporal fears of a continental crusade against her1 and by the spiritual terrors of the ,pope's ,bull2 and her unfathomable fickleness was the despair of her servants4 ,meanwhile in the religious world a furious paper war broke out2 and volleys from both sides followed the solemn roar and crash of ,regnans in ,excelsis4 ,but while the war of words went on1 and the theological assaults and charges were given and received1 repulsed or avoided1 something practical must1 it was felt1 be done immediately2 and search was made high and low for other copies of the ,bull4 ,the lawyers in the previous year had fallen under suspicion of religious unsoundness2 judges could not be trusted to convict ,catholics accused of their religion2 and counsel was unwilling to prosecute them2 therefore the first inquisition was made in the ,inns of ,court2 and almost immediately a copy of the ,bull was found in the room of a student in ,lincoln's ,inn1 who upon the rack in the ,tower confessed that he had received it from one ,john ,felton1 a ,catholic gentleman who lived upon his property in ,southwark4 ,upon ,felton's arrest 7for he had not attempted to escape7 he confessed immediately1 without pressure1 that he had affixed the ,bull to the ,bishop of ,london's gate2 but although he was racked repeatedly he would not incriminate a single person besides himself2 but at his trial would only assert with a joyous confidence that he was not alone2 and that twenty-five peers1 six hundred gentlemen1 and thirty thousand commoners were ready to die in the ,holy ,father's quarrel4 ,he behaved with astonishing gallantry throughout1 and after his condemnation had been pronounced upon the fourth of ,august at the ,guildhall1 on the charge of high-treason1 he sent a diamond ring from his own finger1 of the value of #djj1 to the ,queen to show that he bore her no personal ill-will4 ,he had been always a steadfast ,catholic2 his wife had been maid of honour to ,mary and a friend of ,elizabeth's4 ,on ,august the eighth he suffered the abominable punishment prescribed2 he was drawn on a hurdle to the gate of the ,bishop's palace in ,s4 ,paul's ,churchyard1 where he had affixed the ,bull1 hanged upon a new gallows1 cut down before he was unconscious1 disembowelled and quartered4 ,his name has since been placed on the roll of the ,blessed by the ,apostolic ,see in whose quarrel he so cheerfully laid down his life4 ,news of these and such events continued of course to be eagerly sought after by the ,papists all over the kingdom2 and the ,maxwells down at ,great ,keynes kept in as close touch with the heart of affairs as almost any private persons in the kingdom out of town4 ,sir ,nicholas was one of those fiery natures to whom opposition or pressure is as oil to flame4 ,he began at once to organise his forces and prepare for the struggle that was bound to come4 ,he established first a kind of private post to ,london and to other ,catholic houses round2 for purposes however of defence rather than offence1 so that if any steps were threatened1 he and his friends might be aware of the danger in time4 ,there was great sorrow at the news of ,john ,felton's death2 and mass was said for his soul almost immediately in the little oratory at ,maxwell ,court by one of the concealed priests who went chiefly between ,hampshire and ,sussex ministering to the ,catholics of those districts4 ,mistress ,margaret spent longer than ever at her prayers2 ,lady ,maxwell had all she could do to keep her husband from some furious act of fanatical retaliation for ,john ,felton's death--some useless provocation of the authorities2 the children at the ,dower ,house began to come to the ,hall less often1 not because they were less welcomed1 but because there was a constraint in the air4 ,all seemed preoccupied2 conversations ceased abruptly on their entrance1 and fits of abstraction would fall from time to time upon their kindly hosts4 ,in the meanwhile1 too1 the preparations for ,james ,maxwell's departure1 which had already begun to show themselves1 were now pushed forward rapidly2 and one morning in the late summer1 when ,isabel came up to the ,hall1 she found that ,lady ,maxwell was confined to her room and could not be seen that day2 she caught a glimpse of ,sir ,nicholas' face as he quickly crossed the entrance hall1 that made her draw back from daring to intrude on such grief2 and on inquiry found that ,mr4 ,james had ridden away that morning1 and that the servants did not know when to expect him back1 nor what was his destination4 ,in other ways also at this time did ,sir ,nicholas actively help on his party4 ,great ,keynes was in a convenient position and circumstances for agents who came across from the ,continent4 ,it was sufficiently near ,london1 yet not so near to the highroad or to ,london itself as to make disturbance probable2 and its very quietness under the spiritual care of a moderate minister like ,mr4 ,dent1 and its serenity1 owing to the secret sympathy of many of the villagers and neighbours1 as well as from the personal friendship between ,sir ,nicholas and the master of the ,dower ,house--an undoubted ,protestant--all these circumstances combined to make ,maxwell ,hall a favourite halting-place for priests and agents from the ,continent4 ,strangers on horseback or in carriages1 and sometimes even on foot1 would arrive there after nightfall1 and leave in a day or two for ,london4 ,its nearness to ,london enabled them to enter the city at any hour they thought best after ten or eleven in the forenoon4 ,they came on very various businesses2 some priests even stayed there and made the ,hall a centre for their spiritual ministrations for miles round2 others came with despatches from abroad1 some of which were even addressed to great personages at ,court and at the ,embassies where much was being done by the ,ambassadors at this time to aid their comrades in the ,faith1 and to other leading ,catholics2 and others again came with pamphlets printed abroad for distribution in ,england1 some of them indeed seditious1 but many of them purely controversial and hortatory1 and with other devotional articles and books such as it was difficult to obtain in ,england1 and might not be exposed for public sale in booksellers' shops3 ,agnus ,deis1 beads1 hallowed incense and crosses were being sent in large numbers from abroad1 and were eagerly sought after by the ,papists in all directions4 ,it was remarkable that while threatening clouds appeared to be gathering on all sides over the ,catholic cause1 yet the deepening peril was accompanied by a great outburst of religious zeal4 ,it was reported to the ,archbishop that massing was greatly on the increase in ,kent2 and was attributed1 singularly enough1 to the ,northern ,rebellion1 which had ended in disaster for the ,papists2 but the very fact that such a movement could take place at all probably heartened many secret sympathisers1 who had hitherto considered themselves almost alone in a heretic population4 ,sir ,nicholas came in one day to dinner in a state of great fury4 ,one of his couriers had just arrived with news from ,london2 and the old man came in fuming and resentful4 ,what hypocrisy6 he cried out to ,lady ,maxwell and ,mistress ,margaret1 who were seated at table4 ,not content with persecuting ,catholics1 they will not even allow us to say we are persecuted for the faith4 ,here is the ,lord ,keeper declaring in the ,star ,chamber that no man is to be persecuted for his private faith1 but only for his public acts1 and that the ,queen's ,grace desires nothing so little as to meddle with any man's conscience4 ,then ,i suppose they would say that hearing mass was a public act and therefore unlawful2 but then how if a man's private faith bids him to hear mass8 ,is not that meddling with his private conscience to forbid him to go to mass8 ,what folly is this8 ,and yet my ,lord ,keeper and her ,grace are no fools6 ,then are they worse than fools8 ,lady ,maxwell tried to quiet the old man1 for the servants were not out of the room2 and it was terribly rash to speak like that before them2 but he would not be still nor sit down1 but raged up and down before the hearth1 growling and breaking out now and again4 ,what especially he could not get off his mind was that this was the ,old ,religion that was prescribed4 ,that ,england for generations had held the ,faith1 and that then the ,faith and all that it involved had been declared unlawful1 was to him iniquity unfathomable4 ,he could well understand some new upstart sect being persecuted1 but not the old ,religion4 ,he kept on returning to this4 ,have they so far forgotten the ,old ,faith as to think it can be held in a man's private conscience without appearing in his life1 like their miserable damnable new fangled ,justification by faith without works8 ,or that a man can believe in the blessed sacrament of the altar and yet not desire to receive it2 or in penance and yet not be absolved2 or in ,peter and yet not say so1 nor be reconciled4 ,you may believe1 say they1 of their clemency1 what you like2 be justified by that2 that is enough6 ,bah6 ,however mere declaiming against the ,government was barren work1 and ,sir ,nicholas soon saw that2 and instead1 threw himself with more vigour than ever into entertaining and forwarding the foreign emissaries4 ,mary ,corbet had returned to ,london by the middle of ,july2 and ,hubert was not yet returned2 so ,sir ,nicholas and the two ladies had the ,hall to themselves4 ,now it must be confessed that the old man had neither the nature nor the training for the rle of a conspirator1 even of the mildest description4 ,he was so exceedingly impulsive1 unsuspicious and passionate that it would have been the height of folly to entrust him with any weighty secret1 if it was possible to dispense with him2 but the ,catholics over the water needed stationary agents so grievously2 and ,sir ,nicholas' name commanded such respect1 and his house such conveniences1 that they overlooked the risk involved in making him their confidant1 again and again2 besides it need not be said that his honour and fidelity was beyond reproach2 and those qualities after all balance favourably against a good deal of shrewdness and discretion4 ,he1 of course1 was serenely unable to distinguish between sedition and religion2 and entertained political meddlers and ordinary priests with an equal enthusiasm4 ,it was pathetic to ,lady ,maxwell to see her simple old husband shuffling away his papers1 and puzzling over cyphers and perpetually leaving the key of them lying about1 and betraying again and again when he least intended it1 by his mysterious becks and nods and glances and oracular sayings1 that some scheme was afoot4 ,she could have helped him considerably if he had allowed her2 but he had an idea that the capacities of ladies in general went no further than their harps1 their embroidery and their devotions2 and besides1 he was chivalrously unwilling that his wife should be in any way privy to business that involved such risks as this4 ,one sunny morning in ,august he came into her room early just as she was finishing her prayers1 and announced the arrival of an emissary from abroad4 ,sweetheart1 he said1 will you prepare the east chamber for a young man whom we will call ,mr4 ,stewart1 if you please1 who will arrive to-night4 ,he hopes to be with us until after dusk to-morrow when he will leave2 and ,i shall be obliged if you will---- ,no1 no1 my dear4 ,i will order the horses myself4 ,the old man then bustled off to the stableyard and ordered a saddle-horse to be taken at once to ,cuckfield1 accompanied by a groom on another horse4 ,these were to arrive at the inn and await orders from a stranger whom you will call ,mr4 ,stewart1 if you please4 ,mr4 ,stewart was to change horses there1 and ride on to ,maxwell ,hall1 and ,sir ,nicholas further ordered the same two horses and the same groom to be ready the following evening at about nine o'clock1 and to be at ,mr4 ,stewart's orders again as before4 ,this behaviour of ,sir ,nicholas' was of course most culpably indiscreet4 ,a child could not but have suspected something1 and the grooms1 who were of course ,catholics1 winked merrily at one another when the conspirator's back was turned1 and he had hastened in a transport of zeal and preoccupation back again to the house to interrupt his wife in her preparations for the guest4 ,that evening ,mr4 ,stewart arrived according to arrangements4 ,he was a slim red-haired man1 not above thirty years of age1 the kind of man his enemies would call foxy1 with a very courteous and deliberate manner1 and he spoke with a slight ,scotch accent4 ,he had the air of doing everything on purpose4 ,he let his riding-whip fall as he greeted ,lady ,maxwell in the entrance hall2 but picked it up with such a dignified grace that you would have sworn he had let it fall for some wise reason of his own4 ,he had a couple of saddle-bags with him1 which he did not let out of his sight for a moment2 even keeping his eye upon them as he met the ladies and saluted them4 ,they were carried up to the east chamber directly1 their owner following2 where supper had been prepared4 ,there was no real reason1 since he arrived with such publicity1 why he should not have supped downstairs1 but ,sir ,nicholas had been peremptory4 ,it was by his directions also that the arrival had been accomplished in the manner it had4 ,after he had supped1 ,sir ,nicholas receiving the dishes from the servants' hands at the door of the room with the same air of secrecy and despatch1 his host suggested that he should come to ,lady ,maxwell's drawing-room1 as the ladies were anxious to see him4 ,mr4 ,stewart asked leave to bring a little valise with him that had travelled in one of the bags1 and then followed his host who preceded him with a shaded light along the gallery4 ,when he entered he bowed again profoundly1 with a slightly ,french air1 to the ladies and to the image over the fire2 and then seated himself1 and asked leave to open his valise4 ,he did so with their permission1 and displayed to them the numerous devotional articles and books that it contained4 ,the ladies and ,sir ,nicholas were delighted1 and set aside at once some new books of devotion1 and then they fell to talk4 ,the ,netherlands1 from which ,mr4 ,stewart had arrived two days before1 on the east coast1 were full at this time of ,catholic refugees1 under the ,duke of ,alva's protection4 ,here they had been living1 some of them even from ,elizabeth's accession1 and ,sir ,nicholas and his ladies had many inquiries to make about their acquaintances1 many of which ,mr4 ,stewart was able to satisfy1 for1 from his conversation he was plainly one in the confidence of ,catholics both at home and abroad4 ,and so the evening passed away quietly4 ,it was thought better by ,sir ,nicholas that ,mr4 ,stewart should not be present at the evening devotions that he always conducted for the household in the dining-hall1 unless indeed a priest were present to take his place2 so ,mr4 ,stewart was again conducted with the same secrecy to the ,east ,chamber2 and ,sir ,nicholas promised at his request to look in on him again after prayers4 ,when prayers were over1 ,sir ,nicholas went up to his guest's room1 and found him awaiting him in a state of evident excitement1 very unlike the quiet vivacity and good humour he had shown when with the ladies4 ,sir ,nicholas1 he said1 standing up1 as his host came in1 ,i have not told you all my news4 ,and when they were both seated he proceeded3 ,you spoke a few minutes ago1 ,sir ,nicholas1 of ,dr4 ,storey2 he has been caught4 ,the old man exclaimed with dismay4 ,mr4 ,stewart went on3 ,when ,i left ,antwerp1 ,sir ,nicholas1 ,dr4 ,storey was in the town4 ,i saw him myself in the street by the ,cathedral only a few hours before ,i embarked4 ,he is very old1 you know1 and lame1 worn out with good works1 and he was hobbling down the street on the arm of a young man4 ,when ,i arrived at ,yarmouth ,i went out into the streets about a little business ,i had with a bookseller1 before taking horse4 ,i heard a great commotion down near the docks1 at the entrance of ,bridge ,street2 and hastened down there2 and there ,i saw pursuivants and seamen and officers all gathered about a carriage1 and keeping back the crowd that was pressing and crying out to know who the man was2 and presently the carriage drove by me1 scattering the crowd1 and ,i could see within2 and there sat old ,dr4 ,storey1 very white and ill-looking1 but steady and cheerful1 whom ,i had seen the very day before in ,antwerp4 ,now this is very grievous for ,dr4 ,storey2 and ,i pray ,god to deliver him2 but surely the ,duke and the ,king of ,spain must move now4 ,they cannot leave him in ,cecil's hands2 and then1 ,sir ,nicholas1 we must all be ready1 for who knows what may happen4 ,sir ,nicholas was greatly moved4 ,there was one of the perplexities which so much harassed all the ,papists at this time4 ,it seemed certain that ,mr4 ,stewart's prediction must be fulfilled4 ,dr4 ,storey was a naturalised subject of ,king ,philip and in the employment of ,alva1 and he had been carried off forcibly by the ,english ,government4 ,it afterwards came out how it had been done4 ,he had been lured away from ,antwerp and enticed on board a trader at ,bergen-op-,zoom1 by ,cecil's agents with the help of a traitor named ,parker1 on pretext of finding heretical books there arriving from ,england2 and as soon as he had set foot on deck he was hurried below and carried straight off to ,yarmouth4 ,here then was ,sir ,nicholas' perplexity4 ,to welcome ,spain when she intervened and to work actively for her1 was treason against his country2 to act against ,spain was to delay the re-establishment of the ,religion--something that appeared to him very like treason against his faith4 ,was the dreadful choice between his sovereign and his ,god1 he wondered as he paced up and down and questioned ,mr4 ,stewart1 even now imminent8 ,the whole affair1 too1 was so formidable and so mysterious that the hearts of these ,catholics and of others in ,england when they heard the tale began to fail them4 ,had the ,government then so long an arm and so keen an eye8 ,and if it was able to hale a man from the shadow of the ,cathedral at ,antwerp and the protection of the ,duke of ,alva into the hands of pursuivants at ,yarmouth within the space of a few hours1 who then was safe8 ,and so the two sat late that night in the ,east ,chamber2 and laid schemes and discussed movements and probabilities and the like1 until the dawn began to glimmer through the cracks of the shutters and the birds to chirp in the eaves2 and ,sir ,nicholas at last carried to bed with him an anxious and a heavy heart4 ,mr4 ,stewart1 however1 did not seem so greatly disturbed2 possibly because on the one side he had not others dearer to him than his own life involved in these complex issues3 and partly because he at any rate has not the weight of suspense and indecision that so drew his host two ways at once1 for ,mr4 ,stewart was whole-heartedly committed already1 and knew well how he would act should the choice present itself between ,elizabeth and ,philip4 ,the following morning ,sir ,nicholas still would not allow his guest to come downstairs1 and insisted that all his meals should be served in the ,east ,chamber1 while he himself1 as before1 received the food at the door and set it before ,mr4 ,stewart4 ,mr4 ,stewart was greatly impressed and touched by the kindness of the old man1 although not by his capacity for conspiracy4 ,he had intended indeed to tell his host far more than he had done of the movements of political and religious events1 for he could not but believe1 before his arrival1 that a ,catholic so prominent and influential as ,sir ,nicholas was becoming by reputation among the refugees abroad1 was a proper person to be entrusted even with the highest secrets2 but after a very little conversation with him the night before1 he had seen how ingenuous the old man was1 with his laughable attempts at secrecy and his lamentable lack of discretion2 and so he had contented himself with general information and gossip1 and had really told ,sir ,nicholas very little indeed of any importance4 ,after dinner ,sir ,nicholas again conducted his guest to the drawing-room1 where the ladies were ready to receive him4 ,he had obtained ,mr4 ,stewart's permission the night before to tell his wife and sister-in-law the news about ,dr4 ,storey2 and the four sat for several hours together discussing the situation4 ,mr4 ,stewart was able to tell them too1 in greater detail1 the story of ,lord ,sussex's punitive raid into ,scotland in the preceding ,april4 ,they had heard of course the main outline of the story with the kind of embroideries attached that were usual in those days of inaccurate reporting2 but their guest was a ,scotchman himself and had had the stories first-hand in some cases from those rendered homeless by the raid1 who had fled to the ,netherlands where he had met them4 ,briefly the raid was undertaken on the pretended plea of an invitation from the ,king's men or adherents of the infant ,james2 but in reality to chastise ,scotland and reduce it to servility4 ,sussex and ,lord ,hunsdon in the east1 ,lord ,scrope on the west1 had harried1 burnt1 and destroyed in the whole countryside about the ,borders4 ,especially had ,tiviotdale suffered4 ,altogether it was calculated that ,sussex had burned three hundred villages and blown up fifty castles1 and forty more strong houses1 some of these latter1 however1 being little more than border peels4 ,mr4 ,stewart's accounts were the more moving in that he spoke in a quiet delicate tone1 and used little picturesque phrases in his speech4 ,twelve years ago1 said ,mr4 ,stewart1 ,i was at ,branxholme myself4 ,it was a pleasant house1 well furnished and appointed2 fortified1 too1 as all need to be in that country1 with sheaves of pikes in all the lower rooms1 and ,sir ,walter ,scott gave me a warm welcome1 for ,i was there on a business that pleased him4 ,he showed me the gardens and orchards1 all green and sweet1 like these of yours1 ,lady ,maxwell4 ,and it seemed to me a home where a man might be content to spend all his days4 ,well1 my ,lord ,sussex has been a visitor there now2 and what he has left of the house would not shelter a cow1 nor what is left of the pleasant gardens sustain her4 ,at least1 so one of the ,scots told me whom ,i met in the ,netherlands in ,june4 ,he talked1 too1 of the extraordinary scenes of romance and chivalry in which ,mary ,queen of ,scots moved during her captivity under ,lord ,scrope's care at ,bolton ,castle in the previous year4 ,he had met in his travels in ,france one of her undistinguished adherents who had managed to get a position in the castle during her detention there4 ,the country was alive with her worshippers1 said ,mr4 ,stewart4 ,they swarmed like bees round a hive4 ,in the night voices would be heard crying out to her ,grace out of the darkness round the castle2 and when the guards rode out they would find no man but maybe hear just a laugh or two4 ,her men would lie out at night and watch her window 7for she would never go to rest till late71 and pray towards it as if it were a light before the blessed sacrament4 ,when she rode out a-hunting1 with her guards of course about her1 and my ,lord ,scrope or ,sir ,francis ,knollys never far away1 a beggar maybe would be sitting out on the road and ask an alms2 and cry out ',god save your ,grace'2 but he would be a beggar who was accustomed to wear silk next his skin except when he went a-begging4 ,many young gentlemen there were1 yes and old ones too1 who would thank ,god for a blow or a curse from some foul ,english trooper for his meat1 if only he might have a look from the ,queen's eyes for his grace before meat4 ,oh6 they would plot too1 and scheme and lie awake half the night spinning their webs1 not to catch her ,grace indeed1 but to get her away from that old ,spider ,scrope2 and many's the word and the scrap of paper that would go in to her ,grace1 right under the very noses of my ,lord ,scrope and ,sir ,francis themselves1 as they sat at their chess in the ,queen's chamber4 ,it's a long game of chess that the two ,queens are playing2 but thank our ,lady and the ,saints it's not mate yet--not mate yet2 and the ,white ,queen will win1 please ,god1 before the board's over-turned4 ,and he told them1 too1 of the failure of the ,northern ,rebellion1 and the wretchedness of the fugitives4 ,they rode over the moors to ,liddisdale1 he said1 ladies and all1 in bitter weather1 wind and snow1 day after day1 with stories of ,clinton's troopers all about them1 and scarcely time for bite or sup or sleep4 ,my lady ,northumberland was so overcome with weariness and sickness that she could ride no more at last1 and had to be left at ,john-of-the-,side's house1 where she had a little chamber where the snow came in at one corner1 and the rats ran over my lady's face as she lay4 ,my ,lords ,northumberland and ,westmoreland were in worse case1 and spent their ,christmas with no roof over them but what they could find out in the braes and woods about ,harlaw1 and no clothes but the foul rags that some beggar had thrown away1 and no food but a bird or a rabbit that they could pick up here and there1 or what their friends could get to them now and again privately4 ,and then my ,lord ,northumberland's little daughters whom he was forced to leave behind at ,topcliff--a sweet ,christmas they had6 ,their money and food was soon spent2 they could have scarcely a fire in that bitter hard season2 and ,god who feeds the ravens alone knows how they were sustained2 and for entertainment to make the time pass merrily1 all they had was to see the hanging of their own servants in scores about the house1 who had served them and their father well2 and all their music at night was the howling of the wind in those heavily laden ,christmas-trees1 and the noise of the chains in which the men were hanged4 ,mr4 ,stewart's narratives were engrossing to the two ladies and ,sir ,nicholas4 ,they had never come so close to the struggles of the ,catholics in the north before2 and although the ,northern ,rebellion had ended so disastrously1 yet it was encouraging1 although heartbreaking too1 to hear that delicate women and children were ready gladly to suffer such miseries if the religious cause that was so dear to them could be thereby helped4 ,sir ,nicholas1 as has been said1 was in two minds as to the lawfulness of rising against a temporal sovereign in defence of religious liberties4 ,his whole ,english nature revolted against it1 and yet so many spiritual persons seemed to favour it4 ,his simple conscience was perplexed4 ,but none the less he could listen with the most intense interest and sympathy to these tales of these co-religionists of his own1 who were so clearly convinced of their right to rebel in defence of their faith4 ,and so with such stories the ,august afternoon passed away4 ,it was a thundery day1 which it would have been pleasanter to spend in the garden1 but that1 ,sir ,nicholas said1 under the circumstances was not to be thought of2 so they threw the windows wide to catch the least breath of air2 and the smell of the flower-garden came sweetly up and flooded the low cool room2 and so they sat engrossed until the evening4 ,supper was ordered for ,mr4 ,stewart at half-past seven o'clock2 and this meal ,sir ,nicholas had consented should be laid downstairs in his own private room opening out of the hall1 and that he and his ladies should sit down to table at the same time4 ,mr4 ,stewart went to his room an hour before to dress for riding1 and to superintend the packing of his saddle-bags2 and at half-past seven he was conducted downstairs by ,sir ,nicholas who insisted on carrying the saddle-bags with his own hands1 and they found the two ladies waiting for them in the panelled study that had one window giving upon the terrace that ran along the south of the house above the garden4 ,when supper had been brought in by ,sir ,nicholas' own body-servant1 ,mr4 ,boyd1 they sat down to supper after a grace from ,sir ,nicholas4 ,the horses were ordered for nine o'clock4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,the ,,door ,,in ,,the ,,garden-,,wall ,on the morning of the day after ,mr4 ,stewart's secret arrival at ,maxwell ,hall1 the ,rector was walking up and down the lawn that adjoined the churchyard4 ,he had never yet wholly recovered from the sneers of ,mistress ,corbet2 the wounds had healed but had not ceased to smart4 ,how blind these ,papists were1 he thought6 how prejudiced for the old trifling details of worship6 how ignorant of the vital principles still retained6 ,the old realities of ,god and the faith and the ,church were with them still1 in this village1 he reminded himself2 it was only the incrustations of error that had been removed4 ,of course the transition was difficult and hearts were sore2 but the ,eternal ,god can be patient4 ,but then1 if the discontent of the ,papists smouldered on one side1 the fanatical and irresponsible zeal of the ,puritans flared on the other4 ,how difficult1 he thought1 to steer the safe middle course6 ,how much cool faith and clearsightedness it needed6 ,he reminded himself of ,archbishop ,parker who now held the rudder1 and comforted himself with the thought of his wise moderation in dealing with excesses1 his patient pertinacity among the whirling gusts of passion1 that enabled him to wait upon events to push his schemes1 and his tender knowledge of human nature4 ,but in spite of these reassuring facts ,mr4 ,dent was anxious4 ,what could even the ,archbishop do when his suffragans were such poor creatures2 and when ,leicester1 the strongest man at ,court1 was a violent ,puritan partisan8 ,the ,rector would have been content to bear the troubles of his own flock and household if he had been confident of the larger cause2 but the vagaries of the ,puritans threatened all with ruin4 ,that morning only he had received a long account from a ,fellow of his own college of ,corpus ,christi1 ,cambridge1 and a man of the same views as himself1 of the violent controversy raging there at that time4 ,the ,professor1 wrote his friend1 referring to ,thomas ,cartwright1 is plastering us all with his ,genevan ways4 ,we are all ,papists1 it seems6 ,he would have neither bishop nor priest nor archbishop nor dean nor archdeacon1 nor dignitaries at all1 but just the plain ,godly ,minister1 as he names it4 ,or if he has the bishop and the deacon they are to be the ,episcopos and the ,diaconos of the ,scripture1 and not the ,papish counterfeits6 ,then it seems that the minister is to be made not by ,god but by man--that the people are to make him1 not the bishop 7as if the sheep should make the shepherd74 ,then it appears we are ,papists too for kneeling at the ,communion2 this he names a 'feeble superstition4' ,then he would have all men reside in their benefices or vacate them2 and all that do not so1 it appears1 are no better than thieves or robbers4 ,and so he rages on1 breathing out this smoky stuff1 and all the young men do run after him1 as if he were the very ,pillar of ,fire to lead them to ,canaan4 ,one day he says there shall be no bishop--and my ,lord of ,ely rides through ,petty ,cury with scarce a man found to doff cap and say 'my lord' save foolish ',papists' like myself6 ,another day he will have no distinction of apparel2 and the young sparks straight dress like ministers1 and the ministers like young sparks4 ,on another he likes not ,saint ,peter his day1 and none will go to church4 ,he would have us all to be little ,master ,calvins1 if he could have his way with us4 ,but the ,master of ,trinity has sent a complaint to the ,council with charges against him1 and has preached against him too4 ,but no word hath yet come from the ,council2 and we fear nought will be done2 to the sore injury of ,christ ,his holy ,church and the ,protestant ,religion2 and the triumphing of their pestilent heresies4 ,so the caustic divine wrote1 and the ,rector of ,great ,keynes was heavy-hearted as he walked up and down and read4 ,everywhere it was the same story2 the extreme precisians openly flouted the religion of the ,church of ,england2 submitted to episcopal ordination as a legal necessity and then mocked at it2 refused to wear the prescribed dress1 and repudiated all other distinctions too in meats and days as ,judaic remnants2 denounced all forms of worship except those directly sanctioned by ,scripture2 in short1 they remained in the ,church of ,england and drew her pay while they scouted her orders and derided her claims4 ,further1 they cried out as persecuted martyrs whenever it was proposed to insist that they should observe their obligations4 ,but worse than all1 for such conscientious clergymen as ,mr4 ,dent1 was the fact that bishops preferred such men to livings1 and at the same time were energetic against the ,papist party4 ,it was not that there was not an abundance of disciplinary machinery ready at the bishop's disposal or that the ,queen was opposed to coercion--rather she was always urging them to insist upon conformity2 but it seemed rather to such sober men as the ,rector that the principle of authority had been lost with the rejection of the ,papacy1 and that anarchy rather than liberty had prevailed in the ,national ,church4 ,in darker moments it seemed to him and his friends as if any wild fancy was tolerated1 so long as it did not approximate too closely to the ,old ,religion2 and they grew sick at heart4 ,it was all the more difficult for the ,rector1 as he had so little sympathy in the place2 his wife did all she could to destroy friendly relations between the ,hall and the ,rectory1 and openly derided her husband's prelatical leanings2 the ,maxwells themselves disregarded his priestly claims1 and the villagers thought of him as an official paid to promulgate the new ,state religion4 ,the only house where he found sympathy and help was the ,dower ,house2 and as he paced up and down his garden now1 his little perplexed determined face grew brighter as he made up his mind to see ,mr4 ,norris again in the afternoon4 ,during his meditations he heard1 and saw indistinctly1 through the shrubbery that fenced the lawn from the drive1 a mounted man ride up to the ,rectory door4 ,he supposed it was some message1 and held himself in readiness to be called into the house1 but after a minute or two he heard the man ride off again down the drive into the village4 ,at dinner he mentioned it to his wife1 who answered rather shortly that it was a message for her2 and he let the matter drop for fear of giving offence2 he was terrified at the thought of provoking more quarrels than were absolutely necessary4 ,soon after dinner he put on his cap and gown1 and to his wife's inquiries told her where he was going1 and that after he had seen ,mr4 ,norris he would step on down to ,comber's1 where was a sick body or two1 and that she might expect him back not earlier than five o'clock4 ,she nodded without speaking1 and he went out4 ,she watched him down the drive from the dining-room window and then went back to her business with an odd expression4 ,mr4 ,norris1 whom he found already seated at his books again after dinner1 took him out when he had heard his errand1 and the two began to walk up and down together on the raised walk that ran along under a line of pines a little way from the house4 ,the ,rector had seldom found his friend more sympathetic and tender2 he knew very well that their intellectual and doctrinal standpoints were different1 but he had not come for anything less than spiritual help1 and that he found4 ,he told him all his heart1 and then waited1 while the other1 with his thin hands clasped behind his back1 and his great grey eyes cast up at the heavy pines and the tender sky beyond1 began to comfort the minister4 ,you are troubled1 my friend1 he said1 and ,i do not wonder at it1 by the turbulence of these times4 ,on all sides are fightings and fears4 ,of course ,i cannot1 as you know1 regard these matters you have spoken of--episcopacy1 ceremonies at the ,communion and the like--in the grave light in which you see them2 but ,i take it1 if ,i understand you rightly1 that it is the confusion and lack of any authority or respect for antiquity that is troubling you more4 ,you feel yourself in a sad plight between these raging waves2 tossed to and fro1 battered upon by both sides1 forsaken and despised and disregarded4 ,now1 indeed1 although ,i do not stand quite where you do1 yet ,i see how great the stress must be2 but1 if ,i may say so to a minister1 it is just what you regard as your shame that ,i regard as your glory4 ,it is the mark of the cross that is on your life4 ,when our ,saviour went to his passion1 he went in the same plight as that in which you go2 both ,jew and ,gentile were against him on this side and that2 his claims were disallowed1 his royalty denied2 he was despised and rejected of men4 ,he did not go to his passion as to a splendid triumph1 bearing his pain like some solemn and mysterious dignity at which the world wondered and was silent2 but he went battered and spat upon1 with the sweat and the blood and the spittle running down his face1 contemned by the contemptible1 hated by the hateful1 rejected by the outcast1 barked upon by the curs2 and it was that that made his passion so bitter4 ,to go to death1 however painful1 with honour and applause1 or at least with the silence of respect1 were easy2 it is not hard to die upon a throne2 but to live on a dunghill with ,job1 that is bitterness4 ,now again ,i must protest that ,i have no right to speak like this to a minister1 but since you have come to me ,i must needs say what ,i think2 and it is this that some wise man once said1 ',fear honour1 for shame is not far off4 ,covet shame1 for honour is surely to follow4' ,if that be true of the philosopher1 how much more true is it of the ,christian minister whose profession it is to follow the ,saviour and to be made like unto him4 ,he said much more of the same kind2 and his soft balmy faith soothed the minister's wounds1 and braced his will4 ,the ,rector could not help half envying his friend1 living1 as it seemed1 in this still retreat1 apart from wrangles and controversy1 with the peaceful music and sweet fragrance of the pines1 and the ,love of ,god about him4 ,when he had finished he asked the ,rector to step indoors with him2 and there in his own room took down and read to him a few extracts from the ,german mystics that he thought bore upon his case4 ,finally1 to put him at his ease again1 for it seemed an odd reversal that he should be coming for comfort to his parishioners1 ,mr4 ,norris told him about his two children1 and in his turn asked his advice4 ,about ,anthony1 he said1 ,i am not at all anxious4 ,i know that the boy fancies himself in love2 and goes sighing about when he is at home2 but he sleeps and eats heartily1 for ,i have observed him2 and ,i think ,mistress ,corbet has a good heart and means no harm to him4 ,but about my daughter ,i am less satisfied1 for ,i have been watching her closely4 ,she is quiet and good1 and1 above all1 she loves the ,saviour2 but how do ,i know that her heart is not bleeding within8 ,she has been taught to hold herself in1 and not to show her feelings2 and that1 ,i think1 is as much a drawback sometimes as wearing the heart upon the sleeve4 ,mr4 ,dent suggested sending her away for a visit for a month or two4 ,his host mused a moment and then said that he himself had thought of that2 and now that his minister said so too1 probably1 under ,god1 that was what was needed4 ,the fact that ,hubert was expected home soon was an additional reason2 and he had friends in ,northampton1 he said1 to whom he could send her4 ,they hold strongly by the ,genevan theology there1 he said smiling1 but ,i think that will do her no harm as a balance to the ,popery at ,maxwell ,hall4 ,they talked a few minutes more1 and when the minister rose to take his leave1 ,mr4 ,norris slipped down on his knees as if it was the natural thing to do and as if the minister were expecting it2 and asked his guest to engage in prayer4 ,it was the first time he had ever done so2 probably because this talk had brought them nearer together spiritually than ever before4 ,the minister was taken aback1 and repeated a collect or two from the ,prayer-book2 then they said the ,lord's ,prayer together1 and then ,mr4 ,norris without any affectation engaged in a short extempore prayer1 asking for light in these dark times and peace in the storm2 and begging the blessing of ,god upon the village and upon their shepherd to whom ,thou hast given to drink of the ,cup of thy ,passion1 and upon his own children1 and lastly upon himself1 the chief of sinners and the least of thy servants that is not worthy to be called thy friend4 ,it touched ,mr4 ,dent exceedingly1 and he was yet more touched and reconciled to the incident when his host said simply1 remaining on his knees1 with eyes closed and his clear cut tranquil face upturned3 ,i ask your blessing1 sir4 ,the ,rector's voice trembled a little as he gave it4 ,and then with real gratitude and a good deal of sincere emotion he shook his friend's hand1 and rustled out from the cool house into the sunlit garden1 greeting ,isabel who was walking up and down outside a little pensively1 and took the field-path that led towards the hamlet where his sick folk were expecting him4 ,as he walked back about five o'clock towards the village he noticed there was thunder in the air1 and was aware of a physical oppression1 but in his heart it was morning and the birds singing4 ,the talk earlier in the afternoon had shown him how1 in the midst of the bitterness of the ,cup1 to find the fragrance where the ,saviour's lips had rested and that was joy to him4 ,and again1 his true pastor's heart had been gladdened by the way his ministrations had been received that afternoon4 ,a sour old man who had always scowled at him for an upstart1 in his foolish old desire to be loyal to the priest who had held the benefice before him1 had melted at last and asked his pardon and ,god's for having treated him so ill2 and he had prepared the old man for death with great contentment to them both1 and had left him at peace with ,god and man4 ,on looking back on it all afterwards he was convinced that ,god had thus strengthened him for the trouble that was awaiting him at home4 ,he had hardly come into his study when his wife entered with a strange look1 breathing quick and short2 she closed the door1 and stood near it1 looking at him apprehensively4 ,george1 she said1 rather sharply and nervously1 you must not be vexed with me1 but---- ,well8 he said heavily1 and the warmth died out of his heart4 ,he knew something terrible impended4 ,i have done it for the best1 she said1 and obstinacy and a kind of impatient tenderness strove in her eyes as she looked at him4 ,you must show yourself a man2 it is not fitting that loose ladies of the ,court should mock-- ,he got up2 and his eyes were determined too4 ,tell me what you have done1 woman1 he cried4 ,she put out her hand as if to hold him still1 and her voice rang hard and thin4 ,i will say my say1 she said4 ,it is not for that that ,i have done it4 ,but you are a ,gospel-minister1 and must be faithful4 ,the ,justice is here4 ,i sent for him4 ,the ,justice8 he said blankly2 but his heart was beating heavily in his throat4 ,mr4 ,frankland from ,east ,grinsted1 with a couple of pursuivants and a company of servants4 ,there is a popish agent at the ,hall1 and they are come to take him4 ,the ,rector swallowed with difficulty once or twice1 and then tried to speak1 but she went on4 ,and ,i have promised that you shall take them in by the side door4 ,i will not6 he cried4 ,she held up her hand again for silence1 and glanced round at the door4 ,i have given him the key1 she said4 ,this was the private key1 possessed by the incumbent for generations past1 and ,sir ,nicholas had not withdrawn it from the ,protestant ,rector4 ,there is no choice1 she said4 ,oh6 ,george1 be a man6 ,then she turned and slipped out4 ,he stood perfectly still for a moment2 his pulses were racing2 he could not think4 ,he sat down and buried his face in his hands2 and gradually his brain cleared and quieted4 ,then he realised what it meant1 and his soul rose in blind furious resentment4 ,this was the last straw2 it was the woman's devilish jealousy4 ,but what could he do8 ,the ,justice was here4 ,could he warn his friends8 ,he clenched his fingers into his hair as the situation came out clear and hard before his brain4 ,dear ,god1 what could he do8 ,there were footsteps in the flagged hall1 and he raised his head as the door opened and a portly gentleman in riding-dress came in1 followed by ,mrs4 ,dent4 ,the ,rector rose confusedly1 but could not speak1 and his eyes wandered round to his wife again and again as she took a chair in the shadow and sat down4 ,but the magistrate noticed nothing4 ,aha6 he said1 beaming1 ,you have a wife1 sir1 that is a jewel4 ,solomon never spoke a truer word2 an ornament to her husband1 he said1 ,i think2 but you as a minister should know better than ,i1 a mere layman2 and his face creased with mirth4 ,what did the red-faced fool mean8 thought the ,rector4 ,if only he would not talk so loud6 ,he must think1 he must think4 ,what could he do8 ,she was very brisk1 sir1 the magistrate went on1 sitting down1 and the ,rector followed his example1 sitting too with his back to the window and his hand to his head4 ,then ,mr4 ,frankland went on with his talk2 and the man sat there1 still glancing from time to time mechanically towards his wife1 who was there in the shadow with steady white face and hands in her lap1 watching the two men4 ,the magistrate's voice seemed to the bewildered man to roll on like a wheel over stones2 interminable1 grinding1 stupefying4 ,what was he saying8 ,what was that about his wife8 ,she had sent to him the day before1 had she1 and told him of the popish agent's coming8--,ah6 ,a dangerous man was he1 a spreader of seditious pamphlets8 ,at least they supposed he was the man4--,yes1 yes1 he understood2 these fly-by-nights were threateners of the whole commonwealth2 they must be hunted out like vermin--just so2 and he as a minister of the ,gospel should be the first to assist4--,just so1 he agreed with all his heart1 as a minister of the ,gospel4 7,yes1 but1 dear ,lord1 what was he to do8 ,this fat man with the face of a butcher must not be allowed to--7 ,ah6 what was that8 ,he had missed that4 ,would ,mr4 ,frankland be so good as to say it again8 ,yes1 yes1 he understood now2 the men were posted already4 ,no one suspected anything2 they had come by the bridle path4--,every door8 ,did he understand that every door of the ,hall was watched8 ,ah6 that was prudent2 there was no chance then of any one sending a warning in8 ,oh1 no1 no1 he did not dream for a moment that there was any concealed ,catholic who would be likely to do such a thing4 ,but he only wondered4--,yes1 yes1 the magistrate was right2 one could not be too careful4 ,because--ah6--,what was that about ,sir ,nicholas8 ,yes1 yes1 indeed he was a good landlord1 and very popular in the village4--,ah6 just so2 it had better be done quietly1 at the side door4 ,yes1 that was the one which the key fitted4 ,but1 but1 he thought perhaps1 he had better not come in1 because ,sir ,nicholas was his friend1 and there was no use in making bad blood4--,oh6 not to the house2 very well1 then1 he would come as far as the yew hedge at--at what time did the magistrate say8 ,at half-past eight2 yes1 that would be best as ,mr4 ,frankland said1 because ,sir ,nicholas had ordered the horses for nine o'clock2 so they would come upon them just at the right time4--,how many men1 did ,mr4 ,frankland say8 ,eight8 ,oh yes1 eight and himself1 and--he did not quite follow the plan4 ,ah6 through the yew hedge on to the terrace and through the south door into the hall2 then if they bolted--they8 ,surely he had understood the magistrate to say there was only one8 ,oh6 he had not understood that4 ,sir ,nicholas too8 ,but why1 why8 ,good ,god1 as a harbourer of priests8--,no1 but this fellow was an agent1 surely4 ,well1 if the magistrate said so1 of course he was right2 but he would have thought himself that ,sir ,nicholas might have been left--ah6 ,well1 he would say no more4 ,he quite saw the magistrate's point now4--,no1 no1 he was no favourer2 ,god forbid6 his wife would speak for him as to that2 ,marion would bear witness4--,well1 well1 he thanked the magistrate for his compliments1 and would he proceed with the plan8 ,by the south door1 he was saying1 yes1 into the hall4--,yes1 the ,east room was ,sir ,nicholas' study2 or of course they might be supping upstairs4 ,but it made no difference2 no1 the magistrate was right about that4 ,so long as they held the main staircase1 and had all the other doors watched1 they were safe to have him4--,no1 no1 the cloister wing would not be used2 they might leave that out of their calculations4 ,besides1 did not the magistrate say that ,marion had seen the lights in the ,east wing last night8 ,yes1 well1 that settled it4--,and the signal8 ,oh1 he had not caught that2 the church bell1 was it to be8 ,but what for8 ,why did they need a signal8 ,ah6 he understood1 for the advance at half-past eight4--,just so1 he would send ,thomas up to ring it4 ,would ,marion kindly see to that8--,yes1 indeed1 his wife was a woman to be proud of2 such a faithful ,protestant2 no patience with these seditious rogues at all4 ,well1 was that all8 ,was there anything else8--,yes1 how dark it was getting2 it must be close on eight o'clock4 ,thomas had gone1 had he8 ,that was all right4--,and had the men everything they wanted8--,well1 yes2 although the village did go to bed early it would perhaps be better to have no lights2 because there was no need to rouse suspicion4--,oh6 very well2 perhaps it would be better for ,mr4 ,frankland to go and sit with the men and keep them quiet4 ,and his wife would go1 too1 just to make sure they had all they wanted4--,very well1 yes2 he would wait here in the dark until he was called4 ,not more than a quarter of an hour8 ,thank you1 yes4-- ,then the door had closed2 and the man1 left alone1 flung himself down in his chair1 and buried his face again in his arms4 ,ah6 what was to be done8 ,nothing1 nothing1 nothing4 ,and there they were at the ,hall1 his neighbours and friends4 ,the kind old ,catholic and his ladies6 ,how would he ever dare to meet their eyes again8 ,but what could be done8 ,nothing6 ,how far away the afternoon seems2 that quiet sunny walk beneath the pines4 ,his friend is at his books1 no doubt1 with the silver candles1 and the open pages1 and his own neat manuscript growing under his white scholarly fingers4 ,and ,isabel2 at her needlework before the fire4--,how peaceful and harmless and sweet it all is6 ,and down there1 not fifty yards away1 is the village2 every light out by now2 and the children and parents1 too1 asleep4--,ah6 what will the news be when they wake to-morrow8--,and that strange talk this afternoon1 of the ,saviour and ,his ,cup of pain1 and the squalor and indignity of the ,passion6 ,ah6 yes1 he could suffer with ,jesus on the ,cross1 so gladly1 on that ,tree of ,life--but not with ,judas on the ,tree of ,death6 ,and the minister dropped his face lower1 over the edge of his desk2 and the hot tears of misery and self-reproach and impotence began to run4 ,there was no help1 no help anywhere4 ,all were against him--even his wife herself2 and his ,lord4 ,then with a moan he lifted his hot face into the dusk4 ,jesus1 he cried in his soul1 ,thou knowest all things2 ,thou knowest that ,i love ,thee4 ,there came a tapping on the door2 and the door opened an inch4 ,it is time1 whispered his wife's voice4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,the ,,taking ,,of ,,mr4 ,,stewart ,they were still sitting over the supper-table at the ,hall4 ,the sun had set about the time they had begun1 and the twilight had deepened into dark2 but they had not cared to close the shutters as they were to move so soon4 ,the four candles shone out through the windows1 and there still hung a pale glimmer outside owing to the refraction of light from the white stones of the terrace4 ,beyond on the left there sloped away a high black wall of impenetrable darkness where the yew hedge stood2 over that was the starless sky4 ,sir ,nicholas' study was bright with candlelight1 and the lace and jewels of ,lady ,maxwell 7for her sister wore none7 added a vague pleasant sense of beauty to ,mr4 ,stewart's mind2 for he was one who often fared coarsely and slept hard4 ,he sighed a little to himself as he looked out over this shining supper-table past the genial smiling face of ,sir ,nicholas to the dark outside2 and thought how in less than an hour he would have left the comfort of this house for the grey road and its hardships again4 ,it was extraordinarily sweet to him 7for he was a man of taste and a natural inclination to luxury7 to stay a day or two now and again at a house like this and mix again with his own equals1 instead of with the rough company of the village inn1 or the curious foreign conspirators with their absence of educated perception and their doubtful cleanliness4 ,he was a man of domestic instincts and good birth and breeding1 and would have been perfectly at his ease as the master of some household such as this2 with a chapel and a library and a pleasant garden and estate2 spending his days in great leisure and good deeds4 ,and instead of all this1 scarcely by his own choice but by what he would have called his vocation1 he was partly an exile living from hand to mouth in lodgings and inns1 and when he was in his own fatherland1 a hunted fugitive lurking about in unattractive disguises4 ,he sighed again once or twice4 ,there was silence a moment or two4 ,there sounded one note from the church tower a couple of hundred yards away4 ,lady ,maxwell heard it1 and looked suddenly up2 she scarcely knew why1 and caught her sister's eyes glancing at her4 ,there was a shade of uneasiness in them4 ,it is thundery to-night1 said ,sir ,nicholas4 ,mr4 ,stewart did not speak4 ,lady ,maxwell looked up quickly at him as he sat on her right facing the window2 and saw an expression of slight disturbance cross his face4 ,he was staring out on to the quickly darkening terrace1 past ,sir ,nicholas1 who with pursed lips and a little frown was stripping off his grapes from the stalk4 ,the look of uneasiness deepened1 and the young man half rose from his chair1 and sat down again4 ,what is it1 ,mr4 ,stewart8 said ,lady ,maxwell1 and her voice had a ring of terror in it4 ,sir ,nicholas looked up quickly4 ,eh1 eh8--he began4 ,the young man rose up and recoiled a step1 still staring out4 ,i beg your pardon1 he said1 but ,i have just seen several men pass the window4 ,there was a rush of footsteps and a jangle of voices outside in the hall2 and as the four rose up from table1 looking at one another1 there was a rattle at the handle outside1 the door flew open1 and a ruddy strongly-built man stood there1 with a slightly apprehensive air1 and holding a loaded cane a little ostentatiously in his hand2 the faces of several men looked over his shoulder4 ,sir ,nicholas' ruddy face had paled1 his mouth was half open with dismay1 and he stared almost unintelligently at the magistrate4 ,mr4 ,stewart's hand closed on the handle of a knife that lay beside his plate4 ,in the ,queen's name1 said ,mr4 ,frankland1 and looked from the knife to the young man's white determined face1 and down again4 ,a little sobbing broke from ,lady ,maxwell4 ,it is useless1 sir1 said the magistrate2 ,sir ,nicholas1 persuade your guest not to make a useless resistance2 we are ten to one2 the house has been watched for hours4 ,sir ,nicholas took a step forward1 his mouth closed and opened again4 ,lady ,maxwell took a swift rustling step from behind the table1 and threw her arm round the old man's neck4 ,still none of them spoke4 ,come in1 said the magistrate1 turning a little4 ,the men outside filed in1 to the number of half a dozen1 and two or three more were left in the hall4 ,all were armed4 ,mistress ,margaret who had stood up with the rest1 sat down again1 and rested her head on her hand2 apparently completely at her ease4 ,i must beg pardon1 ,lady ,maxwell1 he went on1 but my duty leaves me no choice4 ,he turned to the young man1 who1 on seeing the officers had laid the knife down again1 and now stood1 with one hand on the table1 rather pale1 but apparently completely self-controlled1 looking a little disdainfully at the magistrate4 ,then ,sir ,nicholas made a great effort2 but his face twitched as he spoke1 and the hand that he lifted to his wife's arm shook with nervousness1 and his voice was cracked and unnatural4 ,sit down1 my dear1 sit down4--,what is all this8--,i do not understand4--,mr4 ,frankland1 sir1 what do you want of me8--,and who are all these gentlemen8--,won't you sit down1 ,mr4 ,frankland and take a glass of wine4 ,let me make ,mr4 ,stewart known to you4 ,and he lifted a shaking hand as if to introduce them4 ,the magistrate smiled a little on one side of his mouth4 ,it is no use1 ,sir ,nicholas1 he said1 this gentleman1 ,i fear1 is well known to some of us already4--,no1 no1 sir1 he cried sharply1 the window is guarded4 ,mr4 ,stewart1 who had looked swiftly and sideways across at the window1 faced the magistrate again4 ,i do not know what you mean1 sir1 he said4 ,it was a lad who passed the window4 ,there was a movement outside in the hall2 and the magistrate stepped to the door4 ,who is there8 he cried out sharply4 ,there was a scuffle1 and a cry of a boy's voice2 and a man appeared1 holding ,anthony by the arm4 ,mistress ,margaret turned round in her seat2 and said in a perfectly natural voice1 ,why1 ,anthony1 my lad6 ,there was a murmur from one or two of the men4 ,silence1 called out the magistrate4 ,we will finish the other affair first1 and he made a motion to hold ,anthony for a moment4--,now then1 do any of you men know this gentleman8 ,a pursuivant stepped out4 ,mr4 ,frankland1 sir2 ,i know him under two names--,mr4 ,chapman and ,mr4 ,wode4 ,he is a popish agent4 ,i saw him in the company of ,dr4 ,storey in ,antwerp1 four months ago4 ,mr4 ,stewart blew out his lips sharply and contemptuously4 ,pooh1 he said2 and then turned to the man and bowed ironically4 ,i congratulate you1 my man1 he said1 in a tone of bitter triumph4 ,in ,april ,i was in ,france4 ,kindly remember this man's words1 ,mr4 ,frankland2 they will tell in my favour4 ,for ,i presume you mean to take me4 ,i will remember them1 said the magistrate4 ,mr4 ,stewart bowed to him2 he had completely regained his composure4 ,then he turned to ,sir ,nicholas and ,lady ,maxwell1 who had been watching in a bewildered silence4 ,i am exceedingly sorry1 he said1 for having brought this annoyance on you1 ,lady ,maxwell2 but these men are so sharp that they see nothing but guilt everywhere4 ,i do not know yet what my crime is4 ,but that can wait4 ,sir ,nicholas1 we should have parted anyhow in half an hour4 ,we shall only say good-bye here1 instead of at the door4 ,the magistrate smiled again as before2 and half put up his hand to hide it4 ,i beg your pardon1 ,mr4 ,chapman2 but you need not part from ,sir ,nicholas yet4 ,i fear1 ,sir ,nicholas1 that ,i shall have to trouble you to come with us4 ,lady ,maxwell drew a quick hissing breath2 her sister got up swiftly and went to her1 as she sat down in ,sir ,nicholas' chair1 still holding the old man's hand4 ,sir ,nicholas turned to his guest2 and his voice broke again and again as he spoke4 ,mr4 ,stewart1 he said1 ,i am sorry that any guest of mine should be subject to these insults4 ,however1 ,i am glad that ,i shall have the pleasure of your company after all4 ,i suppose we ride to ,east ,grinsted1 he added harshly to the magistrate1 who bowed to him4--,then may ,i have my servant1 sir8 ,presently1 said ,mr4 ,frankland1 and then turned to ,anthony1 who had been staring wild-eyed at the scene1 ,now who is this8 ,a man answered from the rank4 ,that is ,master ,anthony ,norris1 sir4 ,ah6 and who is ,master ,anthony ,norris8 ,a ,papist1 too8 ,no1 sir1 said the man again1 a good ,protestant2 and the son of ,mr4 ,norris at the ,dower ,house4 ,ah6 said the magistrate again1 judicially4 ,and what might you be wanting here1 ,master ,anthony ,norris8 ,anthony explained that he often came up in the evening1 and that he wanted nothing4 ,the magistrate eyed him a moment or two4 ,well1 ,i have nothing against you1 young gentleman4 ,but ,i cannot let you go1 till ,i am safely set out4 ,you might rouse the village4 ,take him out till we start1 he added to the man who guarded him4 ,come this way1 sir1 said the officer2 and ,anthony presently found himself sitting on the long oak bench that ran across the western end of the hall1 at the foot of the stairs1 and just opposite the door of ,sir ,nicholas' room where he had just witnessed that curious startling scene4 ,the man who had charge of him stood a little distance off1 and did not trouble him further1 and ,anthony watched in silence4 ,the hall was still dark1 except for one candle that had been lighted by the magistrate's party1 and it looked sombre and suggestive of tragedy4 ,floor walls and ceiling were all dark oak1 and the corners were full of shadows4 ,a streak of light came out of the slightly opened door opposite1 and a murmur of voices4 ,the rest of the house was quiet2 it had all been arranged and carried out without disturbance4 ,anthony had a very fair idea of what was going forward2 he knew of course that the ,catholics were always under suspicion1 and now understood plainly enough from the conversation he had heard that the reddish-haired young man1 standing so alert and cheerful by the table in there1 had somehow precipitated matters4 ,anthony himself had come up on some trifling errand1 and had run straight into this affair2 and now he sat and wondered resentfully1 with his eyes and ears wide open4 ,there were men at all the inner doors now2 they had slipped in from the outer entrances as soon as word had reached them that the prisoners were secured1 and only a couple were left outside to prevent the alarm being raised in the village4 ,these inner sentinels stood motionless at the foot of the stairs that rose up into the unlighted lobby overhead1 at the door that led to the inner hall and the servants' quarters1 and at those that led to the cloister wing and the garden respectively4 ,the murmur of voices went on in the room opposite2 and presently a man slipped out and passed through the sentinels to the door leading to the kitchens and pantry2 he carried a pike in his hand1 and was armed with a steel cap and breast-piece4 ,in a minute he had returned followed by ,mr4 ,boyd1 ,sir ,nicholas' body-servant2 the two passed into the study--and a moment later the dark inner hall was full of moving figures and rustlings and whisperings1 as the alarmed servants poured up from downstairs4 ,then the study door opened again1 and ,anthony caught a glimpse of the lighted room2 the two ladies with ,sir ,nicholas and his guest were seated at table2 there was the figure of an armed man behind ,mr4 ,stewart's chair1 and another behind ,lady ,maxwell's2 then the door closed again as ,mr4 ,boyd with the magistrate and a constable carrying a candle came out4 ,this way1 sir1 said the servant2 and the three crossed the hall1 and passing close by ,anthony1 went up the broad oak staircase that led to the upper rooms4 ,then the minutes passed away2 from upstairs came the noise of doors opening and shutting1 and footsteps passing overhead2 from the inner hall the sound of low talking1 and a few sobs now and again from a frightened maid2 from ,sir ,nicholas' room all was quiet except once when ,mr4 ,stewart's laugh1 high and natural1 rang out4 ,anthony thought of that strong brisk face he had seen in the candlelight2 and wondered how he could laugh1 with death so imminent--and worse than death2 and a warmth of admiration and respect glowed at the lad's heart4 ,the man by ,anthony sighed and shifted his feet4 ,what is it for8 whispered the lad at last4 ,i mustn't speak to you1 sir1 said the man4 ,at last the footsteps overhead came to the top of the stairs4 ,the magistrate's voice called out sharply and impatiently3 ,come along1 come along2 and the three1 all carrying bags and valises came downstairs again and crossed the hall4 ,again the door opened as they went in1 leaving the luggage on the floor2 and ,anthony caught another glimpse of the four still seated round the table2 but ,sir ,nicholas' head was bowed upon his hands4 ,then again the door closed2 and there was silence4 ,once more it was flung open1 and ,anthony saw the interior of the room plainly4 ,the four were standing up1 ,mr4 ,stewart was bowing to ,lady ,maxwell2 the magistrate stood close beside him2 then a couple of men stepped up to the young man's side as he turned away1 and the three came out into the hall and stood waiting by the little heap of luggage4 ,mr4 ,frankland came next1 with the man-servant close beside him1 and the rest of the men behind2 and the last closed the door and stood by it4 ,there was a dead silence2 ,anthony sprang to his feet in uncontrollable excitement4 ,what was happening8 ,again the door opened1 and the men made room as ,mistress ,margaret came out1 and the door shut4 ,she came swiftly across1 with her little air of dignity and confidence1 towards ,anthony1 who was standing forward4 ,why1 ,master ,anthony1 she said1 dear lad2 ,i did not know they had kept you1 and she took his hand4 ,what is it1 what is it8 he whispered sharply4 ,hush1 she said2 and the two stood together in silence4 ,the moments passed2 ,anthony could hear the quick thumping beat of his own heart1 and the breathing of ,mistress ,margaret2 but the hall was perfectly quiet1 where the magistrate with the prisoner and his men stood in an irregular dark group with the candle behind them2 and no sound came from the room beyond4 ,then the handle turned1 and a crack of light showed2 but no further sound2 then the door opened wide1 a flood of light poured out and ,sir ,nicholas tottered into the hall4 ,margaret1 ,margaret1 he cried4 ,where are you8 ,go to her4 ,there was a strange moaning sound from the brightly lighted room4 ,the old lady dropped ,anthony's hand and moved swiftly and unfalteringly across1 and once more the door closed behind her4 ,there was a sharp word of command from the magistrate1 and the sentries from every door left their posts1 and joined the group which1 with ,sir ,nicholas and his guest and ,mr4 ,boyd in the centre1 now passed out through the garden door4 ,the magistrate paused as he saw ,anthony standing there alone4 ,i can trust you1 young gentleman1 he said1 not to give the alarm till we are gone8 ,anthony nodded1 and the magistrate passed briskly out on to the terrace1 shutting the door behind him2 there was a rush of footsteps and a murmur of voices and the hall was filled with the watching servants4 ,as the chorus of exclamations and inquiries broke out1 ,anthony ran straight through the crowd to the garden door1 and on to the terrace4 ,they had gone to the left1 he supposed1 but he hesitated a moment to listen2 then he heard the stamp of horses' feet and the jingle of saddlery1 and saw the glare of torches through the yew hedge2 and he turned quickly and ran along the terrace1 past the flood of light that poured out from the supper room1 and down the path that led to the side-door opposite the ,rectory4 ,it was very dark1 and he stumbled once or twice2 then he came to the two or three stairs that led down to the door in the wall1 and turned off among the bushes1 creeping on hands and feet till he reached the wall1 low on this side1 but deep on the other2 and looked over4 ,the pursuivants with their men had formed a circle round the two prisoners1 who were already mounted and who sat looking about them as the luggage was being strapped to their saddles before and behind2 the bridles were lifted forward over the horses' heads1 and a couple of the guard held each rein4 ,the groom who had brought round the two horses for ,mr4 ,stewart and himself stood white-faced and staring1 with his back to the ,rectory wall4 ,the magistrate was just mounting at a little distance his own horse1 which was held by the ,rectory boy4 ,mr4 ,boyd1 it seemed1 was to walk with the men4 ,two or three torches were burning by now1 and every detail was distinct to ,anthony1 as he crouched among the dry leaves and peered down on to the group just beneath4 ,sir ,nicholas' face was turned away from him2 but his head was sunk on his breast1 and he did not stir or lift it as his horse stamped at the strapping on of the valise ,mr4 ,boyd had packed for him4 ,mr4 ,stewart sat erect and motionless1 and his face as ,anthony saw it was confident and fearless4 ,then suddenly the door in the ,rectory wall opposite was flung open1 and a figure in flying black skirts1 but hatless1 rushed out and through the guard straight up to the old man's knee4 ,there was a shout from the men and a movement to pull him off1 but the magistrate who was on his horse and just outside the circle spoke sharply1 and the men fell back4 ,oh1 ,sir ,nicholas1 ,sir ,nicholas1 sobbed the minister1 his face half buried in the saddle4 ,anthony saw his shoulders shaking1 and his hands clutching at the old man's knee4 ,forgive me1 forgive me4 ,there was no answer from ,sir ,nicholas2 he still sat unmoved1 his chin on his breast1 as the ,rector sobbed and moaned at his stirrup4 ,there1 there1 said the magistrate decidedly1 over the heads of the guard1 that is enough1 ,mr4 ,dent2 and he made a motion with his hand4 ,a couple of men took the minister by the shoulders and drew him1 still crying out to ,sir ,nicholas1 outside the group2 and he stood there dazed and groping with his hands4 ,there was a word of command2 and the guard moved off at a sharp walk1 with the horses in the centre1 and as they turned1 the lad saw in the torchlight the old man's face drawn and wrinkled with sorrow1 and great tears running down it4 ,the ,rector leaned against his own wall1 with his hands over his face2 and ,anthony looked at him with growing suspicion and terror as the flare of the torches on the trees faded1 and the noise of the troop died away round the corner4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,village ,,justice ,the village had never known such an awakening as on the morning that followed ,sir ,nicholas' arrest4 ,before seven o'clock every house knew it1 and children ran half-dressed to the outlying hamlets to tell the story4 ,very little work was done that day1 for the estate was disorganised2 and the men had little heart for work2 and there were groups all day on the green1 which formed and re-formed and drifted here and there and discussed and sifted the evidence4 ,it was soon known that the ,rectory household had had a foremost hand in the affair4 ,the groom1 who had been present at the actual departure of the prisoners had told the story of the black figure that ran out of the door1 and of what was cried at the old man's knee2 and how he had not moved nor spoken in answer2 and ,thomas1 the ,rectory boy1 was stopped as he went across the green in the evening and threatened and encouraged until he told of the stroke on the church-bell1 and the ,rectory key1 and the little company that had sat all the afternoon in the kitchen over their ale4 ,he told too how a couple of hours ago he had been sent across with a note to ,lady ,maxwell1 and that it had been returned immediately unopened4 ,so as night fell1 indignation had begun to smoulder fiercely against the minister1 who had not been seen all day2 and after dark had fallen the name ,judas was cried in at the ,rectory door half a dozen times1 and a stone or two from the direction of the churchyard had crashed on the tiles of the house4 ,mr4 ,norris had been up all day at the ,hall1 but he was the only visitor admitted4 ,all day long the gate-house was kept closed1 and the same message was given to the few horsemen and carriages that came to inquire after the truth of the report from the ,catholic houses round1 to the effect that it was true that ,sir ,nicholas and a friend had been taken off to ,london by the ,justice from ,east ,grinsted2 and that ,lady ,maxwell begged the prayers of her friends for her husband's safe return4 ,anthony had ridden off early with a servant1 at his father's wish1 to follow ,sir ,nicholas and learn any news of him that was possible1 to do him any service he was able1 and to return or send a message the next day down to ,great ,keynes2 and early in the afternoon he returned with the information that ,sir ,nicholas was at the ,marshalsea1 that he was well and happy1 that he sent his wife his dear love1 and that she should have a letter from him before nightfall4 ,he rode straight to the ,hall with the news1 full of chastened delight at his official importance1 just pausing to tell a group that was gathered on the green that all was well so far1 and was shown up to ,lady ,maxwell's own parlour1 where he found her1 very quiet and self-controlled1 and extremely grateful for his kindness in riding up to ,london and back on her account4 ,anthony explained too that he had been able to get ,sir ,nicholas one or two comforts that the prison did not provide1 a pillow and an extra coverlet and some fruit2 and he left her full of gratitude4 ,his father had been up to see the ladies two or three times1 and in spite of the difference in religion had prayed with them1 and talked a little2 and ,lady ,maxwell had asked that ,isabel might come up to supper and spend the evening4 ,mr4 ,norris promised to send her up1 and then added3 ,i am a little anxious1 ,lady ,maxwell1 lest the people may show their anger against the ,rector or his wife1 about what has happened4 ,lady ,maxwell looked startled4 ,they have been speaking of it all day long1 he said1 they know everything2 and it seems the ,rector is not so much to blame as his wife4 ,it was she who sent for the magistrate and gave him the key and arranged it all2 he was only brought into it too late to interfere or refuse4 ,have you seen him8 asked the old lady4 ,i have been both days1 he said1 but he will not see me2 he is in his study1 locked in4 ,i may have treated him hardly1 she said1 ,i would not open his note2 but at least he consented to help them against his friend4 ,and her old eyes filled with tears4 ,i fear that is so1 said the other sadly4 ,but speak to the people1 she said1 ,i think they love my husband1 and would do nothing to grieve us2 tell them that nothing would pain either of us more than that any should suffer for this4 ,tell them they must do nothing1 but be patient and pray4 ,there was a group still on the green near the pond as ,isabel came up to supper that evening about six o'clock4 ,her father1 who had given ,lady ,maxwell's message to the people an hour or two before1 had asked her to go that way and send down a message to him immediately if there seemed to be any disturbance or threatening of it2 but the men were very quiet4 ,mr4 ,musgrave was there1 she saw1 sitting with his pipe1 on the stocks1 and ,piers1 the young ,irish bailiff1 was standing near2 they all were silent as the girl came up1 and saluted her respectfully as usual2 and she saw no signs of any dangerous element4 ,there were one or two older women with the men1 and others were standing at their open doors on all sides as she went up4 ,the ,rectory gate was locked1 and no one was to be seen within4 ,supper was laid in ,sir ,nicholas' room1 as it generally was1 and as it had been two nights ago2 and it was very strange to ,isabel to know that it was here that the arrest had taken place2 the floor1 too1 she noticed as she came in1 all about the threshold was scratched and dented by rough boots4 ,lady ,maxwell was very silent and distracted during supper2 she made efforts to talk again and again1 and her sister did her best to interest her and keep her talking2 but she always relapsed after a minute or two into silence again1 with long glances round the room1 at the ,vernacle over the fireplace1 the prie-dieu with the shield of the ,five ,wounds above it1 and all the things that spoke so keenly of her husband4 ,what a strange room it was1 too1 thought ,isabel1 with its odd mingling of the two worlds1 with the tapestry of the hawking scene and the stiff herons and ladies on horseback on one side1 and the little shelf of devotional books on the other2 and yet how characteristic of its owner who fingered his cross-bow or the reins of his horse all day1 and his beads in the evening2 and how strange that an old man like ,sir ,nicholas1 who knew the world1 and had as much sense apparently as any one else1 should be willing to sacrifice home and property and even life itself1 for these so plainly empty superstitious things that could not please a ,god that was ,spirit and ,truth6 ,so ,isabel thought to herself1 with no bitterness or contempt1 but just a simple wonder and amazement1 as she looked at the painted tokens and trinkets4 ,it was still daylight when they went upstairs to ,lady ,maxwell's room about seven1 but the clear southern sky over the yew hedges and the tall elms where the rooks were circling1 was beginning to be flushed with deep amber and rose4 ,isabel sat down in the window seat with the sweet air pouring in and looked out on to the garden with its tiled paths and its cool green squares of lawn1 and the glowing beds at the sides4 ,over to her right the cloister court ran out1 with its two rows of windows1 bedrooms above with galleries beyond1 as she knew1 and parlours and cloisters below2 the pleasant tinkle of the fountain in the court came faintly to her ears across the caw of the rooks about the elms and the low sounds from the stables and the kitchen behind the house4 ,otherwise the evening was very still2 the two old ladies were sitting near the fireplace2 ,lady ,maxwell had taken up her embroidery1 and was looking at it listlessly1 and ,mistress ,margaret had one of her devotional books and was turning the pages1 pausing here and there as she did so4 ,presently she began to read1 without a word of introduction1 one of the musings of the old monk ,john ,audeley in his sickness1 and as the tender lines stepped on1 that restless jewelled hand grew still4 ,as ,i lay sick in my languor ,in an abbey here by west2 ,this book ,i made with great dolour1 ,when ,i might not sleep nor rest4 ,oft with my prayers my soul ,i blest1 ,and said aloud to ,heaven's ,king1 ',i know1 ,o ,lord1 it is the best ,meekly to take thy visiting4 ,else well ,i wot that ,i were lorn 7,high above all lords be he blest67 ,all that thou dost is for the best2 ,by fault of ,thee was no man lost1 ,that is here of woman born4' ,and then she read some of ,rolle's verses to ,jesus1 the friend of all sick and sorrowful souls1 and a meditation of his on the ,passion1 and the tranquil thoughts and tender fragrant sorrows soothed the torn throbbing soul2 and ,isabel saw the old wrinkled hand rise to her forehead1 and the embroidery1 with the needle still in it slipped to the ground2 as the holy ,name like ointment poured forth gradually brought its endless miracle and made all sweet and healthful again4 ,outside the daylight was fading2 the luminous vault overhead was deepening to a glowing blue as the sunset contracted on the western horizon to a few vivid streaks of glory2 the room was growing darker every moment2 and ,mistress ,margaret's voice began to stumble over words4 ,the great gilt harp in the corner only gleamed here and there now in single lines of clear gold where the dying daylight fell on the strings4 ,the room was full of shadows and the image of the ,holy ,mother and ,child had darkened into obscurity in their niche4 ,the world was silent now too2 the rooks were gone home and the stir of the household below had ceased2 and in a moment more ,mistress ,margaret's voice had ceased too1 as she laid the book down4 ,then1 as if the world outside had waited for silence before speaking1 there came a murmur of sound from the further side of the house4 ,isabel started up2 surely there was anger in that low roar from the village2 was it this that her father had feared8 ,had she been remiss8 ,lady ,maxwell too sprang up and faced the window with wide large eyes4 ,the letter6 she said2 and took a quick step towards the door2 but ,mistress ,margaret was with her instantly1 with her arm about her4 ,sit down1 ,mary1 she said1 they will bring it at once2 and her sister obeyed2 and she sat waiting and looking towards the door1 clasping and unclasping her hands as they lay on her lap2 and ,mistress ,margaret stood by her1 waiting and watching too4 ,isabel still stood by the window listening4 ,had she been mistaken then8 ,the roar had sunk into silence for a moment2 and there came back the quick beat of a horse's hoofs outside on the short drive between the gatehouse and the ,hall4 ,they were right1 then2 and even as she thought it1 and as the wife that waited for news of her husband drew a quick breath and half rose in her seat at the sound of that shod messenger that bore them1 again the roar swelled up louder than ever2 and ,isabel sprang down from the low step of the window-seat into the dusky room where the two sisters waited4 ,what is that8 ,what is that8 she whispered sharply4 ,there was a sound of opening doors1 and of feet that ran in the house below2 and ,lady ,maxwell rose up and put out her hand1 as a man-servant dashed in with a letter4 ,my lady1 he said panting1 and giving it to her1 they are attacking the ,rectory4 ,lady ,maxwell1 who was half-way to the window now1 for light to read her husband's letter1 paused at that4 ,the ,rectory8 she said4 ,why--,margaret---- then she stopped1 and ,isabel close beside her1 saw her turn resolutely from the great sealed letter in her hand to the door1 and back again4 ,jervis told us1 my lady2 none saw him as he rode through--they were breaking down the gate4 ,then ,lady ,maxwell1 with a quick movement1 lifted the letter to her lips and kissed it1 and thrust it down somewhere out of sight in the folds of her dress4 ,come1 ,margaret1 she said4 ,isabel followed them down the stairs and out through the hall-door2 and there1 as they came out on to the steps that savage snarling roar swelled up from the green4 ,there was laughter and hooting mixed with that growl of anger2 but even the laughter was fierce4 ,the gatehouse stood up black against the glare of torches1 and the towers threw great swinging shadows on the ground and the steps of the ,hall4 ,isabel followed the two grey glimmering figures1 and was astonished at the speed with which she had to go4 ,the hoofs of the courier's horse rang on the cobbles of the stable-yard as they came down towards the gatehouse1 and the two wings of the door were wide-open through which he had passed just now2 but the porter was gone4 ,ah6 there was the crowd2 but not at the ,rectory4 ,on the right the ,rectory gate lay wide open1 and a flood of light poured out from the house-door at the end of the drive4 ,before them lay the dark turf1 swarming with black figures towards the lower end2 and a ceaseless roar came from them4 ,there were half a dozen torches down there1 tossing to and fro2 ,isabel saw that the crowd was still moving down towards the stocks and the pond4 ,now the two ladies in front of her were just coming up with the skirts of the crowd2 and there was an exclamation or two of astonishment as the women and children saw who it was that was coming4 ,then there came the furious scream of a man1 and the crowd parted1 as three men came reeling out together1 two of them trying with all their power to restrain a fighting1 kicking1 plunging man in long black skirts1 who tore and beat with his hands4 ,the three ladies stopped for a moment1 close together2 and simultaneously the struggling man broke free and dashed back into the crowd1 screaming with anger and misery4 ,marion1 ,marion--,i am coming--,o ,god6 ,and ,isabel saw with a shock of horror that sent her crouching and clinging close to ,mistress ,margaret1 that it was the ,rector4 ,but the two men were after him and caught him by the shoulders as he disappeared2 and as they turned they faced ,lady ,maxwell4 ,my lady1 my lady1 stammered one1 we mean him no harm4 ,we---- ,but his voice stopped1 as there came a sudden silence1 rent by a high terrible shriek and a splash2 followed in a moment by a yell of laughter and shouting2 and ,lady ,maxwell threw herself into the crowd in front4 ,there were a few moments of jostling in the dark1 with the reek and press of the crowd about her2 and ,isabel found herself on the brink of the black pond1 with ,lady ,maxwell on one side1 and ,piers on the other keeping the crowd back1 and a dripping figure moaning and sobbing in the trampled mud at ,lady ,maxwell's feet4 ,there was silence enough now1 and the ring of faces opposite stared astonished and open-mouthed at the tall old lady with her grey veiled head upraised1 as she stood there in the torchlight and rated them in her fearless indignant voice4 ,i am ashamed1 ashamed6 cried ,lady ,maxwell4 ,i thought you were men4 ,i thought you loved my husband2 and--and me4 ,her voice broke1 and then once more she cried again4 ,i am ashamed1 ashamed of my village4 ,and then she stooped to that heaving figure that had crawled up1 and laid hold tenderly of the arms that were writhed about her feet4 ,come home1 my dear1 ,isabel heard her whisper4 ,it was a strange procession homeward up the trampled turf4 ,the crowd had broken into groups1 and the people were awed and silent as they watched the four women go back together4 ,isabel walked a little behind with her father and ,anthony1 who had at last been able to come forward through the press and join them2 and a couple of the torchbearers escorted them4 ,in front went the three1 on one side ,lady ,maxwell1 her lace and silk splashed and spattered with mud1 and her white hands black with it1 and on the other the old nun1 each with an arm thrown round the woman in the centre who staggered and sobbed and leaned against them as she went1 with her long hair and her draggled clothes streaming with liquid mud every step she took4 ,once they stopped1 at a group of three men4 ,the ,rector was sitting up1 in his torn dusty cassock1 and ,isabel saw that one of his buckled shoes was gone1 as he sat on the grass with his feet before him1 but quiet now1 with his hands before him1 and a dazed stupid look in his little black eyes that blinked at the light of the torch that was held over him2 he said nothing as he looked at his wife between the two ladies1 but his lips moved1 and his eyes wandered for a moment to ,lady ,maxwell's face1 and then back to his wife4 ,take him home presently1 she said to the men who were with him--and then passed on again4 ,as they got through the gatehouse1 ,isabel stepped forward to ,mistress ,margaret's side4 ,shall ,i come8 she whispered2 and the nun shook her head2 so she with her father and brother stood there to watch1 with the crowd silent and ashamed behind4 ,the two torchbearers went on and stood by the steps as the three ladies ascended1 leaving black footmarks as they went4 ,the door was open and faces of servants peeped out1 and hands were thrust out to take the burden from their mistress1 but she shook her head1 and the three came in together1 and the door closed4 ,as the ,norrises went back silently1 the ,rector passed them1 with a little group accompanying him too2 he1 too1 could hardly walk alone1 so exhausted was he with his furious struggles to rescue his wife4 ,take your sister home1 said ,mr4 ,norris to ,anthony2 and they saw him slip off and pass his arm through the ,rector's1 and bend down his handsome kindly face to the minister's staring eyes and moving lips as he too led him homewards4 ,even ,anthony was hushed and impressed1 and hardly spoke a word until he and ,isabel turned off down the little dark lane to the ,dower ,house4 ,we could do nothing1 he said1 father and ,i--until ,lady ,maxwell came4 ,no1 said ,isabel softly1 she only could have done it4 ,,chapter ,x ,a ,,confessor ,sir ,nicholas and the party were lodged at ,east ,grinsted the night of their arrest1 in the magistrate's house4 ,although he was allowed privacy in his room1 after he had given his word of honour not to attempt an escape1 yet he was allowed no conversation with ,mr4 ,stewart or his own servant except in the presence of the magistrate or one of the pursuivants2 and ,mr4 ,stewart1 since he was personally unknown to the magistrate1 and since the charge against him was graver1 was not on any account allowed to be alone for a moment1 even in the room in which he slept4 ,the following day they all rode on to ,london1 and the two prisoners were lodged in the ,marshalsea4 ,this had been for a long while the place where ,bishop ,bonner was confined2 and where ,catholic prisoners were often sent immediately after their arrest2 and ,sir ,nicholas at any rate found to his joy that he had several old friends among the prisoners4 ,he was confined in a separate room2 but by the kindness of his gaoler whom he bribed profusely as the custom was1 through his servant1 he had many opportunities of meeting the others2 and even of approaching the sacraments and hearing mass now and then4 ,he began a letter to his wife on the day of his arrival and finished it the next day which was ,saturday1 and it was taken down immediately by the courier who had heard the news and had called at the prison4 ,in fact1 he was allowed a good deal of liberty2 although he was watched and his conversation listened to1 a good deal more than he was aware4 ,mr4 ,stewart1 however1 as he still called himself1 was in a much harder case4 ,the saddle-bags had been opened on his arrival1 and incriminating documents found4 ,besides the popish trinkets they were found to contain a number of seditious pamphlets1 printed abroad for distribution in ,england2 for at this time the ,college at ,douai1 under its founder ,dr4 ,william ,allen1 late ,principal of ,st4 ,mary's ,hall1 ,oxford1 was active in the production of literature2 these were chiefly commentaries on the ,bull2 as well as exhortations to the ,catholics to stand firm and to persevere in recusancy1 and to the schismatic ,catholics1 as they were called1 to give over attending the services in the parish churches4 ,there were letters also from ,dr4 ,storey himself1 whom the authorities already had in person under lock and key at the ,tower4 ,these were quite sufficient to make ,mr4 ,stewart a prize2 and he also was very shortly afterwards removed to the ,tower4 ,sir ,nicholas wrote a letter at least once a week to his wife2 but writing was something of a labour to him2 it was exceedingly doubtful to his mind whether his letters were not opened and read before being handed to the courier1 and as his seal was taken from him his wife could not tell either4 ,however they seemed to arrive regularly2 plainly therefore the authorities were either satisfied with their contents or else did not think them worth opening or suppressing4 ,he was quite peremptory that his wife should not come up to ,london2 it would only increase his distress1 he said2 and he liked to think of her at ,maxwell ,hall2 there were other reasons too that he was prudent enough not to commit to paper1 and which she was prudent enough to guess at1 the principal of which was1 of course1 that she ought to be there for the entertaining and helping of other agents or priests who might be in need of shelter4 ,the old man got into good spirits again very soon4 ,it pleased him to think that ,god had honoured him by imprisonment2 and he said as much once or twice in his letters to his wife4 ,he was also pleased with a sense of the part he was playing in the rle of a conspirator2 and he underlined and put signs and exclamation marks all over his letters of which he thought his wife would understand the significance1 but no one else2 whereas in reality the old lady was sorely puzzled by them1 and the authorities who opened the letters generally read them of course like a printed book4 ,one morning about ten days after his arrival the ,governor of the prison looked in with the gaoler1 and announced to ,sir ,nicholas1 after greeting him1 that he was to appear before the ,council that very day4 ,this1 of course1 was what ,sir ,nicholas desired1 and he thanked the ,governor cordially for his good news4 ,they will probably keep you at the ,tower1 ,sir ,nicholas1 said the ,governor1 and we shall lose you4 ,however1 sir1 ,i hope you will be more comfortable there than we have been able to make you4 ,the knight thanked the ,governor again1 and said good-day to him with great warmth2 for they had been on the best of terms with one another during his short detention at the ,marshalsea4 ,the following day ,sir ,nicholas wrote a long letter to his wife describing his examination4 ,we are in royal lodgings here at last1 sweetheart2 ,mr4 ,boyd brought my luggage over yesterday2 and ,i am settled for the present in a room of my own in the ,white ,tower2 with a prospect over the ,court4 ,i was had before my lords yesterday in the ,council-room2 we drove hither from the ,marshalsea4 ,there was a bay window in the room4 ,i promise you they got little enough from me4 ,there was my namesake1 ,sir ,nicholas ,bacon1 my lords ,leicester and ,pembroke1 and ,mr4 ,secretary ,cecil2 ,sir ,james ,crofts1 the ,controller of the ,household1 and one or two more2 but these were the principal4 ,i was set before the table on a chair alone with none to guard me2 but with men at the doors ,i knew very well4 ,my lords were very courteous to me2 though they laughed more than was seemly at such grave times4 ,they questioned me much as to my religion4 ,was ,i a papist8 ,if they meant by that a ,catholic1 that ,i was1 and thanked ,god for it every day--7those nicknames like me not74 ,was ,i then a recusant8 ,if by that they meant1 ,did ,i go to their ,genevan ,hotch-,potch8 ,that ,i did not nor never would4 ,i thought to have said a word here about ,st4 ,cyprian his work ,de ,unitate ,ecclesiae1 as ,f----r ,x4 told me1 but they would not let me speak4 ,did ,i know ,mr4 ,chapman8 ,if by that they meant ,mr4 ,stewart1 that ,i did1 and for a courteous ,god-fearing gentleman too4 ,was he a ,papist1 or a ,catholic if ,i would have it so8 ,that ,i would not tell them2 let them find that out with their pursuivants and that crew4 ,did ,i think ,protestants to be fearers of ,god8 ,that ,i did not2 they feared nought but the ,queen's ,majesty1 so it seemed to me4 ,then they all laughed at once--,i know not why4 ,then they grew grave2 and ,mr4 ,secretary began to ask me questions1 sharp and hard2 but ,i would not be put upon1 and answered him again as he asked4 ,did ,i know ought of ,dr4 ,storey8 ,nothing1 said ,i1 save that he is a good ,catholic1 and that they had taken him4 ,he is a seditious rogue1 said my ,lord ,pembroke4 ,that he is not1 said ,i4 ,then they asked me what ,i thought of the ,pope and his ,bull1 and whether he can depose princes4 ,i said ,i thought him to be the ,vicar of ,christ2 and as to his power to depose princes1 that ,i supposed he could do1 if he said so4 ,then two or three cried out on me that ,i had not answered honestly2 and at that ,i got wrath2 and then they laughed again1 at least ,i saw ,sir ,james ,crofts at it4 ,and ,mr4 ,secretary1 looking very hard at me asked whether if ,philip sent an armament against ,elizabeth to depose her1 ,i would fight for him or her grace4 ,for neither1 said ,i3 ,i am too old4 ,for which then would you pray8 said they4 ,for the ,queen's ,grace1 said ,i1 for that she was my sovereign4 ,this seemed to content them2 and they talked a little among themselves4 ,they had asked me other questions too as to my way of living2 whether ,i went to mass4 ,they asked me too a little more about ,mr4 ,stewart4 ,did ,i know him to be a seditious rascal8 ,that ,i did not1 said ,i4 ,then how1 asked they1 did you come to receive him and his pamphlets8 ,of his pamphlets1 said ,i1 ,i know nothing2 ,i saw nothing in his bags save beads and a few holy books and such things4 7,you see1 sweetheart1 ,i did him no injury by saying so1 because ,i knew that they had his bags themselves47 ,and ,i said ,i had received him because he was recommended to me by some good friends of mine abroad1 and ,i told them their names too2 for they are safe in ,flanders now4 ,and when they had done their questions they talked again for a while2 and ,i was sent out to the antechamber to refresh myself2 and ,mr4 ,secretary sent a man with me to see that ,i had all ,i needed2 and we talked together a little1 and he said the ,council were in good humour at the taking of ,dr4 ,storey2 and he had never seen them so merry4 ,then ,i was had back again presently2 and ,mr4 ,secretary said ,i was to stay in the ,tower2 and that ,mr4 ,boyd was gone already to bring my things4 ,and so after that ,i went by water to the ,tower1 and here ,i am1 sweetheart1 well and cheerful1 praise ,god4444 ,my dearest1 ,i send you my heart's best love4 ,god have you in his holy keeping4 ,the ,council treated the old knight very tenderly4 ,they were shrewd enough to see his character very plainly2 and that he was a simple man who knew nothing of sedition1 but only had harboured agents thinking them to be as guileless as himself4 ,as a matter of fact1 ,mr4 ,stewart was an agent of ,dr4 ,storey's2 and was therefore implicated in a number of very grave charges4 ,this of course was a very serious matter2 but both in the examination of the ,council1 and in papers in ,mr4 ,stewart's bags1 nothing could be found to implicate ,sir ,nicholas in any political intrigue at all4 ,the authorities were unwilling too to put such a man to the torture4 ,there was always a possibility of public resentment against the torture of a man for his religion alone2 and they were desirous not to arouse this1 since they had many prisoners who would be more productive subjects of the rack than a plainly simple and loyal old man whose only crime was his religion4 ,they determined1 however1 to make an attempt to get a little more out of ,sir ,nicholas by a device which would excite no resentment if it ever transpired1 and one which was more suited to the old man's nature and years4 ,sir ,nicholas thus described it to his wife4 ,last night1 my dearest1 ,i had a great honour and consolation4 ,i was awakened suddenly towards two o'clock in the morning by the door of my room opening and a man coming in4 ,it was somewhat dark1 and ,i could not see the man plainly1 but ,i could see that he limped and walked with a stick1 and he breathed hard as he entered4 ,i sat up and demanded of him who he was and what he wanted2 and telling me to be still1 he said that he was ,dr4 ,storey4 ,you may be sure1 sweetheart1 that ,i sprang up at that2 but he would not let me rise2 and himself sat down beside me4 ,he said that by the kindness of a gaoler he had been allowed to come2 and that he must not stay with me long2 that he had heard of me from his good friend ,mr4 ,stewart4 ,i asked him how he did1 for ,i heard that he had been racked2 and he said yes1 it was true2 but that by the mercy of ,god and the prayers of the saints he had held his peace and they knew nothing from him4 ,then he asked me a great number of questions about the men ,i had entertained1 and where they were now2 and he knew many of their names4 ,some of them were friends of his own1 he said2 especially the priests4 ,we talked a good while1 till the morning light began2 and then he said he must be gone or the head gaoler would know of his visit1 and so he went4 ,i wish ,i could have seen his face1 sweetheart1 for ,i think him a great servant of ,god2 but it was still too dark when he went1 and we dared not have a light for fear it should be seen4 ,this was as a matter of fact a ruse of the authorities4 ,it was not ,dr4 ,storey at all who was admitted to ,sir ,nicholas' prison1 but ,parker1 who had betrayed him at ,antwerp4 ,it was so successful1 for ,sir ,nicholas told him all that he knew 7which was really nothing at all7 that it was repeated a few months later with richer results2 when the conspirator ,baily1 hysterical and almost beside himself with the pain of the rack1 under similar circumstances gave up a cypher which was necessary to the ,council in dealing with the correspondence of ,mary ,stuart4 ,however1 ,sir ,nicholas never knew the deception1 and to the end of his days was proud that he had actually met the famous ,dr4 ,storey1 when they were both imprisoned in the ,tower together1 and told his friends of it with reverent pride when the doctor was hanged a year later4 ,hubert1 who had been sent for to take charge of the estate1 had come to ,london soon after his father's arrival at the ,tower2 and was allowed an interview with him in the presence of the ,lieutenant4 ,hubert was greatly affected2 though he could not look upon the imprisonment with the same solemn exultation as that which his father had2 but it made a real impression upon him to find that he took so patiently this separation from home and family for the sake of religion4 ,hubert received instructions from ,sir ,nicholas as to the management of the estate1 for it was becoming plain that his father would have to remain in the ,tower for the present2 not any longer on a really grave charge1 but chiefly because he was an obstinate recusant and would promise nothing4 ,the law and its administration at this time were very far apart2 the authorities were not very anxious to search out and punish those who were merely recusants or refused to take the oath of supremacy2 and so ,hubert and ,mr4 ,boyd and other ,catholics were able to come and go under the very nose of justice without any real risk to themselves2 but it was another matter to let a sturdy recusant go from prison who stoutly refused to give any sort of promise or understanding as to future behaviour4 ,sir ,nicholas was had down more than once to further examination before the ,lords ,commissioners in the ,lieutenant's house2 but it was a very tame and even an amusing affair for all save ,sir ,nicholas4 ,it was so easy to provoke him2 he was so simple and passionate that they could get almost anything they wanted out of him by a little adroit baiting2 and more than once his examination formed a welcome and humorous entr'acte between two real tragedies4 ,sir ,nicholas1 of course1 never suspected for a moment that he was affording any amusement to any one4 ,he thought their weary laughter to be sardonic and ironical1 and he looked upon himself as a very desperate fellow indeed2 and wrote glowing accounts of it all to his wife1 full of apostrophic praises to ,god and the saints1 in a hand that shook with excitement and awe at the thought of the important scenes in which he played so prominent a part4 ,but there was no atmosphere of humour about ,mr4 ,stewart4 ,he had disappeared from ,sir ,nicholas' sight on their arrival at the ,marshalsea1 and they had not set eyes on one another since2 nor could all the knight's persuasion and offer of bribes make his gaoler consent to take any message or scrap of paper between them4 ,he would not even answer more than the simplest inquiries about him1--that he was alive and in the ,tower1 and so forth2 and ,sir ,nicholas prayed often and earnestly for that deliberate and vivacious young man who had so charmed and interested them all down at ,great ,keynes1 and who had been so mysteriously engulfed by the sombre majesty of the law4 ,i fear1 he wrote to ,lady ,maxwell1 ,i fear that our friend must be sick or dying4 ,but ,i can hear no news of him2 when ,i am allowed sometimes to walk in the court or on the leads he is never there4 ,my attendant ,mr4 ,jakes looks glum and says nothing when ,i ask him how my friend does4 ,my dearest1 do not forget him in your prayers nor your old loving husband either4 ,one evening late in ,october ,mr4 ,jakes did not come as usual to bring ,sir ,nicholas his supper at five o'clock2 the time passed and still he did not come4 ,this was very unusual4 ,presently ,mrs4 ,jakes appeared instead1 carrying the food which she set down at the door while she turned the key behind her4 ,sir ,nicholas rallied her on having turned gaoler2 but she turned on him a face with red eyes and lined with weeping4 ,o ,sir ,nicholas1 she said1 for these two were good friends1 what a wicked place this is6 ,god forgive me for saying so2 but they've had that young man down there since two o'clock2 and ,jakes is with them to help2 and he told me to come up to you1 ,sir ,nicholas1 with your supper1 if they weren't done by five2 and if the young gentleman hadn't said what they wanted4 ,sir ,nicholas felt sick4 ,who is it8 he asked4 ,why1 who but ,mr4 ,stewart8 she said2 and then fell weeping again1 and went out forgetting to lock the door behind her in her grief4 ,sir ,nicholas sat still a moment1 sick and shaken2 he knew what it meant2 but it had never come so close to him before4 ,he got up presently and went to the door to listen for he knew not what4 ,but there was no sound but the moan of the wind up the draughty staircase1 and the sound of a prisoner singing somewhere above him a snatch of a song4 ,he looked out presently1 but there was nothing but the dark well of the staircase disappearing round to the left1 and the glimmer of an oil lamp somewhere from the depths below him1 with wavering shadows as the light was blown about by the gusts that came up from outside4 ,there was nothing to be done of course2 he closed the door1 went back and prayed with all his might for the young man who was somewhere in this huge building1 in his agony4 ,mr4 ,jakes came up himself within half an hour to see if all was well2 but said nothing of his dreadful employment or of ,mr4 ,stewart2 and ,sir ,nicholas did not like to ask for fear of getting ,mrs4 ,jakes into trouble4 ,the gaoler took away the supper things1 wished him good-night1 went out and locked the door1 apparently without noticing it had been left undone before4 ,possibly his mind was too much occupied with what he had been seeing and doing4 ,and the faithful account of all this went down in due time to ,great ,keynes4 ,the arrival of the courier at the ,hall on ,wednesday and ,saturday was a great affair both to the household and to the village4 ,sir ,nicholas sent his letter generally by the ,saturday courier1 and the other brought a kind of bulletin from ,mr4 ,boyd1 with sometimes a message or two from his master4 ,these letters were taken by the ladies first to the study1 as if to an oratory1 and ,lady ,maxwell would read them slowly over to her sister4 ,and in the evening1 when ,isabel generally came up for an hour or two1 the girl would be asked to read them slowly all over again to the two ladies who sat over their embroidery on either side of her1 and who interrupted for the sheer joy of prolonging it4 ,and they would discuss together the exact significance of all his marks of emphasis and irony2 and the girl would have all she could do sometimes not to feel a disloyal amusement at the transparency of the devices and the simplicity of the loving hearts that marvelled at the writer's depth and ingenuity4 ,but she was none the less deeply impressed by his courageous cheerfulness1 and by the power of a religion that in spite of its obvious weaknesses and improbabilities yet inspired an old man like ,sir ,nicholas with so much fortitude4 ,at first1 too1 a kind of bulletin was always issued on the ,sunday and ,thursday mornings1 and nailed upon the outside of the gatehouse1 so that any who pleased could come there and get first-hand information2 and an interpreter stood there sometimes1 one of the educated younger sons of ,mr4 ,piers1 and read out to the groups from ,lady ,maxwell's sprawling old handwriting1 news of the master4 ,sir ,nicholas has been had before the ,council1 he read out one day in a high complacent voice to the awed listeners1 and has been sent to the ,tower of ,london4 ,this caused consternation in the village1 as it was supposed by the country-folk1 not without excuse1 that the ,tower was the antechamber of death2 but confidence was restored by the further announcement a few lines down that he was well and cheerful4 ,great interest1 too1 was aroused by more domestic matters4 ,sir ,nicholas1 it was proclaimed1 is in a little separate chamber of his own4 ,mr4 ,jakes1 his gaoler1 seems an honest fellow4 ,sir ,nicholas hath a little mattress from a friend that ,mr4 ,boyd fetched for him4 ,he has dinner at eleven and supper at five4 ,sir ,nicholas hopes that all are well in the village4 ,but other changes had followed the old knight's arrest4 ,the furious indignation in the village against the part that the ,rectory had played in the matter1 made it impossible for the ,dents to remain there4 ,that the minister's wife should have been publicly ducked1 and that not by a few blackguards but by the solid fathers and sons with the applause of the wives and daughters1 made her husband's position intolerable1 and further evidence was forthcoming in the behaviour of the people towards the ,rector himself2 some boys had guffawed during his sermon on the following ,sunday1 when he had ventured on a word or two of penitence as to his share in the matter1 and he was shouted after on his way home4 ,mrs4 ,dent seemed strangely changed and broken during her stay at the ,hall4 ,she had received a terrible shock1 and it was not safe to move her back to her own house4 ,for the first two or three nights1 she would start from sleep again and again screaming for help and mercy and nothing would quiet her till she was wide awake and saw in the fire-light the curtained windows and the bolted door1 and the kindly face of an old servant or ,mistress ,margaret with her beads in her hand4 ,isabel1 who came up to see her two or three times1 was both startled and affected by the change in her2 and by the extraordinary mood of humility which seemed to have taken possession of the hard self-righteous ,puritan4 ,i begged pardon1 she whispered to the girl one evening1 sitting up in bed and staring at her with wide1 hard eyes1 ,i begged pardon of ,lady ,maxwell1 though ,i am not fit to speak to her4 ,do you think she can ever forgive me8 ,do you think she can8 ,it was ,i1 you know1 who wrought all the mischief1 as ,i have wrought all the mischief in the village all these years4 ,she said she did1 and she kissed me1 and said that our ,saviour had forgiven her much more4 ,but--but do you think she has forgiven me8 ,and then again1 another night1 a day or two before they left the place1 she spoke to ,isabel again4 ,look after the poor bodies1 she said1 teach them a little charity2 ,i have taught them nought but bitterness and malice1 so they have but given me my own back again4 ,i have reaped what ,i have sown4 ,so the ,dents slipped off early one morning before the folk were up2 and by the following ,sunday1 young ,mr4 ,bodder1 of whom the ,bishop entertained a high opinion1 occupied the little desk outside the chancel arch2 and ,great ,keynes once more had to thank ,god and the diocesan that it possessed a proper minister of its own1 and not a mere unordained reader1 which was all that many parishes could obtain4 ,towards the end of ,september further hints began to arrive1 very much underlined1 in the knight's letters1 of ,mr4 ,stewart and his sufferings4 ,you remember our friend1 ,isabel read out one ,saturday evening1 not ,mr4 ,stewart4 7,this puzzled the old ladies sorely till ,isabel explained their lord's artfulness47 ,my dearest1 ,i fear the worst for him4 ,i do not mean apostacy1 thank ,god4 ,but ,i fear that these wolves have torn him sadly1 in their dens4 ,then followed the story of ,mrs4 ,jakes1 with all its horror1 all the greater from the obscurity of the details4 ,isabel put the paper down trembling1 as she sat on the rug before the fire in the parlour upstairs1 and thought of the bright-eyed1 red-haired man with his steady mouth and low laugh whom ,anthony had described to her4 ,lady ,maxwell posted upon the gatehouse3 ,sir ,nicholas fears that a friend is in sore trouble2 he hopes he may not yield4 ,then1 after a few days more1 a brief notice with a black-line drawn round it1 that ran1 in ,mr4 ,bodder's despite3 ,our friend has passed away4 ,pray for his soul4 ,sir ,nicholas had written in great agitation to this effect4 ,my sweetheart1 ,i have heavy news to-day4 ,there was a great company of folks below my window to-day1 in the ,inner ,ward1 where the road runs up below the ,bloody ,tower4 ,it was about nine of the clock4 ,and there was a horse there whose head ,i could see2 and presently from the ,beauchamp ,tower came1 as ,i thought1 an old man between two warders2 and then ,i could not very well see2 the men were in my way2 but soon the horse went off1 and the men after him2 and ,i could hear the groaning of the crowd that were waiting for them outside4 ,and when ,mr4 ,jakes brought me my dinner at eleven of the clock1 he told me it was our friend--7think of it1 my dearest--him whom ,i thought an old man67--that had been taken off to ,tyburn4 ,and now ,i need say no more1 but bid you pray for his soul4 ,isabel could hardly finish reading it2 for she heard a quick sobbing breath behind her1 and felt a wrinkled old hand caressing her hair and cheek as her voice faltered4 ,meanwhile ,hubert was in town4 ,sir ,nicholas had at first intended him to go down at once and take charge of the estate2 but ,piers was very competent1 and so his father consented that he should remain in ,london until the beginning of ,october2 and this too better suited ,mr4 ,norris' plans who wished to send ,isabel off about the same time to ,northampton4 ,when ,hubert at last did arrive1 he soon showed himself extremely capable and apt for the work4 ,he was out on the estate from morning till night on his cob1 and there was not a man under him from ,piers downwards who had anything but praise for his insight and industry4 ,there was in ,hubert1 too1 as there so often is in country-boys who love and understand the life of the woods and fields1 a balancing quality of a deep vein of sentiment2 and this was now consecrated to ,isabel ,norris4 ,he had pleasant dreams as he rode home in the autumn evening1 under the sweet keen sky where the harvest moon rose large and yellow over the hills to his left and shed a strange mystical light that blended in a kind of chord with the dying daylight4 ,it was at times like that1 when the air was fragrant with the scent of dying leaves1 with perhaps a touch of frost in it1 and the cottages one by one opened red glowing eyes in the dusk1 that the boy began to dream of a home of his own and pleasant domestic joys2 of burning logs on the hearth and lighted candles1 and a dear slender figure moving about the room4 ,he used to rehearse to himself little meetings and partings2 look at the roofs of the ,dower ,house against the primrose sky as he rode up the fields homewards2 identify her window1 dark now as she was away2 and long for ,christmas when she would be back again4 ,the only shadow over these delightful pictures was the uncertainty as to the future4 ,where after all would the home be8 ,for he was a younger son4 ,he thought about ,james very often4 ,when he came back would he live at home8 ,would it all be ,james' at his father's death1 these woods and fields and farms and stately house8 ,would it ever come to him8 ,and1 meanwhile where should he and ,isabel live1 when the religious difficulty had been surmounted1 as he had no doubt that it would be sooner or later8 ,when he thought of his father now1 it was with a continually increasing respect4 ,he had been inclined to despise him sometimes before1 as one of a simple and uneventful life2 but now the red shadow of the ,law conferred dignity4 ,to have been imprisoned in the ,tower was a patent of nobility1 adding distinction and gravity to the commonplace4 ,something of the glory even rested on ,hubert himself as he rode and hawked with other ,catholic boys1 whose fathers maybe were equally zealous for the ,faith1 but less distinguished by suffering for it4 ,before ,anthony went back to ,cambridge1 he and ,hubert went out nearly every day together with or without their hawks4 ,anthony was about three years the younger1 and ,hubert's additional responsibility for the estate made the younger boy more in awe of him than the difference in their ages warranted4 ,besides1 ,hubert knew quite as much about sport1 and had more opportunities for indulging his taste for it4 ,there was no heronry at hand2 besides1 it was not the breeding time which is the proper season for this particular sport2 so they did not trouble to ride out to one2 but the partridges and hares and rabbits that abounded in the ,maxwell estate gave them plenty of quarreys4 ,they preferred to go out generally without the falconer1 a ,dutchman1 who had been taken into the service of ,sir ,nicholas thirty years before when things had been more prosperous2 it was less embarrassing so2 but they would have a lad to carry the cadge1 and a pony following them to carry the game4 ,they added to the excitement of the sport by making it a competition between their birds2 and flying them one after another1 or sometimes at the same quarry1 as in coursing2 but this often led to the birds' crabbing4 ,anthony's peregrine ,eliza was almost unapproachable2 and the lad was the more proud of her as he had made her himself1 as an eyess or young falcon captured as a nestling4 ,but1 on the other hand1 ,hubert's goshawk ,margaret1 a fiery little creature1 named inappropriately enough after his tranquil aunt1 as a rule did better than ,anthony's ,isabel1 and brought the scores level again4 ,there was one superb day that survived long in ,anthony's memory and conversation2 when he had done exceptionally well1 when ,eliza had surpassed herself1 and even ,isabel had acquitted herself with credit4 ,it was one of those glorious days of wind and sun that occasionally fall in early ,october1 with a pale turquoise sky overhead1 and air that seems to sparkle and intoxicate like wine4 ,they went out together after dinner about noon2 their ponies and spaniels danced with the joy of life2 ,lady ,maxwell cried to them from the north terrace to be careful1 and pointed out to ,mr4 ,norris who had dined with them what a graceful seat ,hubert had2 and then added politely1 but as an obvious afterthought1 that ,anthony seemed to manage his pony with great address4 ,the boys turned off through the village1 and soon got on to high ground to the west of the village and all among the stubble and mustard1 with tracts of rich sunlit country1 of meadows and russet woodland below them on every side4 ,then the sport began4 ,it seemed as if ,eliza could not make a mistake4 ,there rose a solitary partridge forty yards away with a whirl of wings2 7the coveys were being well broken up by now7 ,anthony unhooded his bird and cast off1 with the falconer's cry ,hoo-ha1 ha1 ha1 ha1 and up soared ,eliza with the tinkle of bells1 on great strokes of those mighty wings1 up1 up1 behind the partridge that fled low down the wind for his life4 ,the two ponies were put to the gallop as the peregrine began to stoop2 and then down like a plummet she fell with closed wings1 raked the quarry with her talons as she passed2 recovered herself1 and as ,anthony came up holding out the tabur-stycke1 returned to him and was hooded and leashed again2 and sat there on his gloved wrist with wet claws1 just shivering slightly from her nerves1 like the aristocrat she was2 while her master stroked her ashy back and the boy picked up the quarry1 admiring the deep rent before he threw it into the pannier4 ,then ,hubert had the next turn2 but his falcon missed his first stoop1 and did not strike the quarry till the second attempt1 thus scoring one to ,anthony's account4 ,then the peregrines were put back on the cadge as the boys got near to a wide meadow in a hollow where the rabbits used to feed2 and the goshawks ,margaret and ,isabel were taken1 each in turn sitting unhooded on her master's wrist1 while they all watched the long thin grass for the quick movement that marked the passage of a rabbit2--and then in a moment the bird was cast off4 ,the goshawk would rise just high enough to see the quarry in the grass1 then fly straight with arched wings and pounces stretched out as she came over the quarry2 then striking him between the shoulders would close with him2 and her master would come up and take her off1 throw the rabbit to the game-carrier2 and the other would have the next attempt4 ,and so they went on for three or four hours1 encouraging their birds1 whooping the death of the quarry1 watching with all the sportsman's keenness the soaring and stooping of the peregrines1 the raking off of the goshawks2 listening to the thrilling tinkle of the bells1 and taking back their birds to sit triumphant and complacent on their master's wrists1 when the quarry had been fairly struck1 and furious and sullen when it had eluded them two or three times till their breath left them in the dizzy rushes1 and they canceliered or even returned disheartened and would fly no more till they had forgotten--till at last the shadows grew long1 and the game more wary1 and the hawks and ponies tired2 and the boys put up the birds on the cadge1 and leashed them to it securely2 and jogged slowly homewards together up the valley road that led to the village1 talking in technical terms of how the merlin's feather must be imped to-morrow2 and of the relative merits of the varvels or little silver rings at the end of the jesses through which the leash ran1 and the ,dutch swivel that ,squire ,blackett always used4 ,as they got nearer home and the red roofs of the ,dower ,house began to glow in the ruddy sunlight above the meadows1 ,hubert began to shift the conversation round to ,isabel1 and inquire when she was coming home4 ,anthony was rather bored at this turn of the talk2 but thought she would be back by ,christmas at the latest2 and said that she was at ,northampton--and had ,hubert ever seen such courage as ,eliza's8 ,but ,hubert would not be put off2 but led the talk back again to the girl2 and at last told ,anthony under promise of secrecy that he was fond of ,isabel1 and wished to make her his wife2--and oh6 did ,anthony think she cared really for him4 ,anthony stared and wondered and had no opinion at all on the subject2 but presently fell in love with the idea that ,hubert should be his brother-in-law and go hawking with him every day2 and he added a private romance of his own in which he and ,mary ,corbet should be at the ,dower ,house1 with ,hubert and ,isabel at the ,hall2 while the elders1 his own father1 ,sir ,nicholas1 ,mr4 ,james1 ,lady ,maxwell1 and ,mistress ,torridon had all taken up submissive and complacent attitudes in the middle distance4 ,he was so pensive that evening that his father asked him at supper whether he had not had a good day2 which diverted his thoughts from ,mistress ,corbet1 and led him away from sentiment on a stream of his own talk with long backwaters of description of this and that stoop1 and of exactly the points in which he thought the ,maxwells' falconer had failed in the training of ,hubert's ,jane4 ,hubert found a long letter waiting from his father which ,lady ,maxwell gave him to read1 with messages to himself in it about the estate1 which brought him down again from the treading of rosy cloud-castles with a phantom ,isabel whither his hawks and the shouting wind and the happy day had wafted him1 down to questions of barns and farm-servants and the sober realities of harvest4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,master ,,calvin ,isabel reached ,northampton a day or two before ,hubert came back to ,great ,keynes4 ,she travelled down with two combined parties going to ,leicester and ,nottingham1 sleeping at ,leighton ,buzzard on the way2 and on the evening of the second day reached the house of her father's friend ,dr4 ,carrington1 that stood in the ,market ,square4 ,her father's intention in sending her to this particular town and household was to show her how ,puritanism1 when carried to its extreme1 was as orderly and disciplined a system1 and was able to control the lives of its adherents1 as well as the ,catholicism whose influence on her character he found himself beginning to fear4 ,but he wished also that she should be repelled to some extent by the merciless rigidity she would find at ,northampton1 and thus1 after an oscillation or two come to rest in the quiet eclecticism of that middle position which he occupied himself4 ,the town indeed was at this time a miniature ,geneva4 ,there was something in the temper of its inhabitants that made it especially susceptible to the wave of ,puritanism that was sweeping over ,england4 ,lollardy had flourished among them so far back as the reign of ,richard ,,ii2 when the mayor1 as folks told one another with pride1 had plucked a mass-priest by the vestment on the way to the altar in ,all ,saints' ,church1 and had made him give over his mummery till the preacher had finished his sermon4 ,dr4 ,carrington1 too1 a clean-shaven1 blue-eyed1 grey-haired man1 churchwarden of ,saint ,sepulchre's1 was a representative of the straitest views1 and desperately in earnest4 ,for him the world ranged itself into the redeemed and the damned2 these two companies were the pivots of life for him2 and every subject of mind or desire was significant only so far as it bore relations to be immutable decrees of ,god4 ,but his fierce and merciless theological insistence was disguised by a real human tenderness and a marked courtesy of manner2 and ,isabel found him a kindly and thoughtful host4 ,yet the mechanical strictness of the household1 and the overpowering sense of the weightiness of life that it conveyed1 was a revelation to ,isabel4 ,dr4 ,carrington at family prayers was a tremendous figure1 as he kneeled upright at the head of the table in the sombre dining-room2 and it seemed to ,isabel in her place that the pitiless all-seeing ,presence that kept such terrifying silence as the ,doctor cried on ,jehovah1 was almost a different ,god to that whom she knew in the morning parlour at home1 to whom her father prayed with more familiarity but no less romance1 and who answered in the sunshine that lay on the carpet1 and the shadows of boughs that moved across it1 and the chirp of the birds under the eaves4 ,and all day long she thought she noticed the same difference2 at ,great ,keynes life was made up of many parts1 the love of family1 the country doings1 the worship of ,god1 the garden1 and the company of the ,hall ladies2 and the ,presence of ,god interpenetrated all like light or fragrance2 but here life was lived under the glare of ,his eye1 and absorption in any detail apart from the consciousness of that encompassing ,presence had the nature of sin4 ,on the ,saturday after her arrival1 as she was walking by the ,nen with ,kate ,carrington1 one of the two girls1 she asked her about the crowd of ministers she had seen in the streets that morning4 ,they have been to the ,prophesyings1 said ,kate4 ,my father says that there is no exercise that sanctifies a godly young minister so quickly4 ,kate went on to describe them further4 ,the ministers assembled each ,saturday at nine o'clock1 and one of their number gave a short ,bible-reading or lecture4 ,then all present were invited to join in the discussion2 the less instructed would ask questions1 the more experienced would answer1 and debate would run high4 ,such a method ,kate explained1 who herself was a zealous and well instructed ,calvinist1 was the surest and swiftest road to truth1 for every one held the open ,scriptures in his hand1 and interpreted and checked the speakers by the aid of that infallible guide4 ,but if a man's judgment lead him wrong8 asked ,isabel1 who professedly admitted authority to have some place in matters of faith4 ,all must hold the ,apostles' ,creed first of all1 said ,kate1 and must set his name to a paper declaring the ,pope to be antichrist1 with other truths upon it4 ,isabel was puzzled2 for it seemed now as if ,private ,judgment were not supreme among its professors2 but she did not care to question further4 ,it began to dawn upon her presently1 however1 why the ,queen was so fierce against ,prophesyings2 for she saw that they exercised that spirit of exclusiveness1 the property of ,papist and ,puritan alike2 which1 since it was the antithesis of the tolerant comprehensiveness of the ,church of ,england1 was also the enemy of the theological peace that ,elizabeth was seeking to impose upon the country2 and that it was for that reason that ,papist and ,puritan1 sundered so far in theology1 were united in suffering for conscience' sake4 ,on the ,sunday morning ,isabel went with ,mrs4 ,carrington and the two girls to the round ,templars' ,church of ,saint ,sepulchre1 for the ,morning ,prayer at eight o'clock1 and then on to ,st4 ,peter's for the sermon4 ,it was the latter function that was important in ,puritan eyes2 for the word preached was considered to have an almost sacramental force in the application of truth and grace to the soul2 and crowds of people1 with downcast eyes and in sombre dress1 were pouring down the narrow streets from all the churches round1 while the great bell beat out its summons from the ,norman tower4 ,the church was filled from end to end as they came in1 meeting ,dr4 ,carrington at the door1 and they all passed up together to the pew reserved for the churchwarden1 close beneath the pulpit4 ,as ,isabel looked round her1 it came upon her very forcibly what she had begun to notice even at ,great ,keynes1 that the religion preached there did not fit the church in which it was set forth2 and that1 though great efforts had been made to conform the building to the worship4 ,there had been no half measures at ,northampton1 for the ,puritans had a loathing of what they called a mingle-mangle4 ,altars1 footpaces1 and piscin had been swept away and all marks of them removed1 as well as the rood-loft and every image in the building2 the stained windows had been replaced by plain glass painted white2 the walls had been whitewashed from roof to floor1 and every suspicion of colour erased except where texts of ,scripture ran rigidly across the open wall spaces3 ,we are not under the ,law1 but under ,grace1 ,isabel read opposite her1 beneath the clerestory windows4 ,and1 above all1 the point to which all lines and eyes converged1 was occupied no longer by the ,table but by the tribunal of the ,lord4 ,yet underneath the disguise the old religion triumphed still4 ,beneath the great plain orderly scheme1 without depth of shadows1 dominated by the towering place of ,proclamation where the crimson-faced herald waited to begin1 the round arches and the elaborate mouldings1 and the cool depths beyond the pillars1 all declared that in the ,god for whom that temple was built1 there was mystery as well as revelation1 ,love as well as ,justice1 condescension as well as ,majesty1 beauty as well as awfulness1 invitations as well as eternal decrees4 ,isabel looked up presently1 as the people still streamed in1 and watched the minister in his rustling ,genevan gown1 leaning with his elbows on the ,bible that rested open on the great tasselled velvet cushion before him4 ,everything about him was on the grand scale2 his great hands were clasped and protruded over the edge of the ,book2 and his heavy dark face looked menacingly round on the crowded church2 he had the air of a melancholy giant about to engage in some tragic pleasure4 ,but ,isabel's instinctive dislike began to pass into positive terror so soon as he began to preach4 ,when the last comers had found a place1 and the talking had stopped1 he presently gave out his text1 in a slow thunderous voice1 that silenced the last whispers3 ,what shall we then say to these things8 ,if ,god be on our side1 who can be against us8 ,there were a few slow sentences1 in a deep resonant voice1 uttering each syllable deliberately like the explosion of a far-off gun1 and in a minute or two he was in the thick of ,calvin's smoky gospel4 ,doctrine1 voice1 and man were alike terrible and overpowering4 ,there lay the great scheme in a few minutes1 seen by ,isabel as though through the door of hell1 illumined by the glare of the eternal embers4 ,the huge merciless ,will of ,god stood there before her1 disclosed in all its awfulness1 armed with thunders1 moving on mighty wheels4 ,the foreknowledge of ,god closed the question henceforth1 and1 if proof were needed1 made predestination plain4 ,there was man's destiny1 irrevocably fixed1 iron-bound1 changeless and immovable as the laws of ,god's own being4 ,yet over the rigid and awful ,face of ,god1 flickered a faint light1 named mercy2 and this mercy vindicated its existence by demanding that some souls should escape the final and endless doom that was the due reward of every soul conceived and born in enmity against ,god and under the frown of ,his ,justice4 ,then1 heralded too by wrath1 the figure of ,jesus began to glimmer through the thunderclouds2 and ,isabel lifted her eyes1 to look in hope4 ,but ,he was not as she had known him in ,his graciousness1 and as ,he had revealed ,himself to her in tender communion1 and among the flowers and under the clear skies of ,sussex4 ,here1 in this echoing world of wrath ,he stood1 pale and rigid1 with lightning in ,his eyes1 and the grim and crimson ,cross behind him2 and as powerless as ,his own ,father ,himself to save one poor timid despairing hoping soul against whom the ,eternal ,decree had gone forth4 ,jesus was stern and forbidding here1 with the red glare of wrath on ,his ,face too1 instead of the rosy crown of ,love upon ,his forehead2 ,his mouth was closed with compressed lips which surely would only open to condemn2 not that mouth1 quivering and human1 that had smiled and trembled and bent down from the ,cross to kiss poor souls that could not hope1 nor help themselves1 that had smiled upon ,isabel ever since she had known ,him4 ,it was appalling to this gentle maiden soul that had bloomed and rejoiced so long in the shadow of ,his healing1 to be torn out of her retreat and set thus under the consuming noonday of the ,justice of this ,sun of white-hot ,righteousness4 ,for1 as she listened1 it was all so miserably convincing2 her own little essays of intellect and flights of hopeful imagination were caught up and whirled away in the strong rush of this man's argument2 her timid expectancy that ,god was really ,love1 as she understood the word in the vision of her ,saviour's ,person1--this was dashed aside as a childish fancy2 the vision of the ,father of the ,everlasting ,arms receded into the realm of dreams2 and instead there lowered overhead in this furious tempest of wrath a monstrous ,god with a stony ,face and a stonier ,heart1 who was eternally either her torment or salvation2 and ,isabel thought1 and trembled at the blasphemy1 that if ,god were such as this1 the one would be no less agony than the other4 ,was this man bearing false witness1 not only against his neighbour1 but far more awfully1 against his ,god8 ,but it was too convincing2 it was built up on an iron hammered framework of a great man's intellect and made white hot with another great man's burning eloquence4 ,but it seemed to ,isabel now and again as if a thunder-voiced virile devil were proclaiming the ,gospel of ,everlasting shame4 ,there he bent over the pulpit with flaming face and great compelling gestures that swayed the congregation1 eliciting the emotions he desired1 as the conductor's baton draws out the music 7for the man was a great orator71 and he stormed and roared and seemed to marshal the very powers of the world to come1 compelling them by his nod1 and interpreting them by his voice2 and below him sat this poor child1 tossed along on his eloquence1 like a straw on a flood2 and yet hating and resenting it and struggling to detach herself and disbelieve every word he spoke4 ,as the last sands were running out in his hour-glass1 he came to harbour from this raging sea2 and in a few deep resonant sentences1 like those with which he began1 he pictured the peace of the ransomed soul1 that knows itself safe in the arms of ,god2 that rejoices1 even in this world1 in the ,light of ,his ,face and the ecstasy of ,his embrace2 that dwells by waters of comfort and lies down in the green pastures of the ,heavenly ,love2 while1 round this little island of salvation in an ocean of terror1 the thunders of wrath sound only as the noise of surge on a far-off reef4 ,the effect on ,isabel was very great4 ,it was far more startling than her visit to ,london2 there her quiet religion had received high sanction in the mystery of ,s4 ,paul's4 ,but here it was the plainest ,calvinism preached with immense power4 ,the preacher's last words of peace were no peace to her4 ,if it was necessary to pass those bellowing breakers of wrath to reach the ,happy ,country1 then she had never reached it yet2 she had lived so far in an illusion2 her life had been spent in a fool's paradise1 where the light and warmth and flowers were but artificial after all2 and she knew that she had not the heart to set out again4 ,though she recognised dimly the compelling power of this religion1 and that it was one which1 if sincerely embraced1 would make the smallest details of life momentous with eternal weight1 yet she knew that her soul could never respond to it1 and whether saved or damned that it could only cower in miserable despair under a ,deity that was so sovereign as this4 ,so her heart was low and her eyes sad as she followed ,mrs4 ,carrington out of church4 ,was this then really the ,revelation of the ,love of ,god in the ,person of ,jesus ,christ8 ,had all that she knew as the ,gospel melted down into this fiery lump8 ,the rest of the day did not alter the impression made on her mind4 ,there was little talk1 or evidence of any human fellowship1 in the ,carrington household on the ,lord's ,day2 there was a word or two of grave commendation on the sermon during dinner2 and in the afternoon there was the ,evening ,prayer to be attended in ,st4 ,sepulchre's followed by an exposition1 and a public catechising on ,calvin's questions and answers4 ,here the same awful doctrines reappeared1 condensed with an icy reality1 even more paralysing than the burning presentation of them in the morning's sermon4 ,she was spared questions herself1 as she was a stranger2 and sat to hear girls of her own age and older men and women who looked as soft-hearted as herself1 utter definitions of the method of salvation and the being and character of ,god that compelled the assent of her intellect1 while they jarred with her spiritual experience as fiercely as brazen trumpets out of tune4 ,in the evening there followed further religious exercises in the dark dining-room1 at the close of which ,dr4 ,carrington read one of ,mr4 ,calvin's ,genevan discourses1 from his tall chair at the head of the table4 ,she looked at him at first1 and wondered in her heart whether that man1 with his clear gentle voice1 and his pleasant old face crowned with iron-grey hair seen in the mellow candlelight1 really believed in the terrible gospel of the morning2 for she heard nothing of the academic discourse that he was reading now1 and presently her eyes wandered away out of the windows to the pale night sky4 ,there still glimmered a faint streak of light in the west across the ,market ,square2 it seemed to her as a kind of mirror of her soul at this moment2 the tender daylight had faded1 though she could still discern the token of its presence far away1 and as from behind the bars of a cage2 but the night of ,god's wrath was fast blotting out the last touch of radiance from her despairing soul4 ,dr4 ,carrington looked at her with courteous anxiety1 but with approval too1 as he held her hand for a moment as she said good-night to him4 ,there were shadows of weariness and depression under her eyes1 and the corners of her mouth drooped a little2 and the doctor's heart stirred with hope that the ,word of ,god had reached at last this lamb of ,his who had been fed too long on milk1 and sheltered from the sun2 but who was now coming out1 driven it might be1 and unhappy1 but still on its way to the plain and wholesome pastures of the ,word that lay in the glow of the unveiled glory of ,god4 ,isabel in her dark room upstairs was miserable2 she stood long at her window her face pressed against the glass1 and looked at the sky1 from which the last streak of light had now died1 and longed with all her might for her own oak room at home1 with her prie-dieu and the familiar things about her2 and the pines rustling outside in the sweet night-wind4 ,it seemed to her as if an irresistible hand had plucked her out from those loved things and places1 and that a penetrating eye were examining every corner of her soul4 ,in one sense she believed herself nearer to ,god than ever before1 but it was heartbreaking to find ,him like this4 ,she went to sleep with the same sense of a burdening ,presence resting on her spirit4 ,the next morning ,dr4 ,carrington saw her privately and explained to her a notice that she had not understood when it had been given out in church the day before4 ,it was to the effect that the quarterly communion would be administered on the following ,sunday1 having been transferred that year from the ,sunday after ,michaelmas ,day1 and that she must hold herself in readiness on the ,wednesday afternoon to undergo the examination that was enforced in every household in ,northampton1 at the hands of the ,minister and ,churchwardens4 ,but you need not fear it1 ,mistress ,norris1 he said kindly1 seeing her alarm4 ,my daughter ,kate will tell you all that is needful4 ,kate too told her it would be little more than formal in her case4 ,the minister will not ask you much1 she said1 for you are a stranger1 and my father will vouch for you4 ,he will ask you of irresistible grace1 and of the ,sacrament4 ,and she gave her a couple of books from which she might summarise the answers2 especially directing her attention to ,calvin's ,catechism1 telling her that that was the book with which all the servants and apprentices were obliged to be familiar4 ,when ,wednesday afternoon came1 one by one the members of the household went before the inquisition that held its court in the dining-room2 and last of all ,isabel's turn came4 ,the three gentlemen who sat in the middle of the long side of the table1 with their backs to the light1 half rose and bowed to her as she entered2 and requested her to sit opposite to them4 ,to her relief it was the ,minister of ,st4 ,sepulchre's who was to examine her--he who had read the service and discoursed on the ,catechism1 not the morning preacher4 ,he was a man who seemed a little ill at ease himself2 he had none of the superb confidence of the preacher2 but appeared to be one to whose natural character this stern rle was not altogether congenial4 ,he asked a few very simple questions2 as to when she had last taken the ,sacrament2 how she would interpret the words1 ,this is my ,body2 and looked almost grateful when she answered quietly and without heat4 ,he asked her too three or four of the simpler questions which ,kate had indicated to her2 all of which she answered satisfactorily2 and then desired to know whether she was in charity with all men2 and whether she looked to ,jesus ,christ alone as her one ,saviour4 ,finally he turned to ,dr4 ,carrington1 and wished to know whether ,mistress ,norris would come to the sacrament at five or nine o'clock1 and ,dr4 ,carrington answered that she would no doubt wish to come with his own wife and daughters at nine o'clock2 which was the hour for the folks who were better to do4 ,and so the inquisition ended much to ,isabel's relief4 ,but this was a very extraordinary experience to her2 it gave her a first glimpse into the rigid discipline that the extreme ,puritans wished to see enforced everywhere2 and with it a sense of corporate responsibility that she had not appreciated before2 the congregation meant something to her now2 she was no longer alone with her ,lord individually1 but understood that she was part of a body with various functions1 and that the care of her soul was not merely a personal matter for herself1 but involved her minister and the officers of the ,church as well4 ,it astonished her to think that this process was carried out on every individual who lived in the town in preparation for the sacrament on the following ,sunday4 ,isabel1 and indeed the whole household1 spent the ,friday and ,saturday in rigid and severe preparation4 ,no flesh food was eaten on either of the days2 and all the members of the family were supposed to spend several hours in their own rooms in prayer and meditation4 ,she did not find this difficult1 as she was well practised in solitude and prayer1 and she scarcely left her room all ,saturday except for meals4 ,o ,lord1 ,isabel repeated each morning and evening at her bedside during this week1 the blind dulness of our corrupt nature will not suffer us sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits1 yet1 nevertheless1 at the commandment of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord1 we present ourselves to this ,his table1 which ,he hath left to be used in remembrance of ,his death until ,his coming again1 to declare and witness before the world1 that by ,him alone we have received liberty and life2 that by ,him alone dost thou acknowledge us to be thy children and heirs2 that by ,him alone we have entrance to the throne of thy grace2 that by ,him alone we are possessed in our spiritual kingdom1 to eat and drink at ,his table1 with whom we have our conversation presently in heaven1 and by whom our bodies shall be raised up again from the dust1 and shall be placed with ,him in that endless joy1 which ,thou1 ,o ,father of mercy1 hast prepared for thine elect1 before the foundation of the world was laid4 ,and so she prepared herself for that tryst with her ,beloved in a foreign land where all was strange and unfamiliar about her3 yet ,he was hourly drawing nearer1 and she cried to ,him day by day in these words so redolent to her with associations of past communions1 and of moments of great spiritual elevation4 ,the very use of the prayer this week was like a breeze of flowers to one in a wilderness4 ,on the ,saturday night she ceremoniously washed her feet as her father had taught her2 and lay down happier than she had been for days past1 for to-morrow would bring the ,lover of her soul4 ,on the ,sunday all the household was astir early at their prayers1 and about half-past eight o'clock all1 including the servants who had just returned from the five o'clock service1 assembled in the dining-room2 the noise of the feet of those returning from church had ceased on the pavement of the square outside1 and all was quiet except for the solemn sound of the bells1 as ,dr4 ,carrington offered extempore prayer for all who were fulfilling the ,lord's ordinance on that day4 ,and ,isabel once more felt her heart yearn to a ,god who seemed ,love after all4 ,st4 ,sepulchre's was nearly full when they arrived4 ,the mahogany table had been brought down from the eastern wall to beneath the cupola1 and stood there with a large white cloth1 descending almost to the ground on every side2 and a row of silver vessels1 flat plates and tall new ,communion cups and flagons1 shone upon it4 ,isabel buried her face in her hands1 and tried to withdraw into the solitude of her own soul2 but the noise of the feet coming and going1 and the talking on all sides of her1 were terribly distracting4 ,presently four ministers entered and ,isabel was startled to see1 as she raised her face at the sudden silence1 that none of them wore the prescribed surplice2 for she had not been accustomed to the views of the extreme ,puritans to whom this was a remnant of ,popery2 an indifferent thing indeed in itself1 as they so often maintained2 but far from indifferent when it was imposed by authority4 ,one entered the pulpit2 the other three took their places at the ,holy ,table2 and after a metrical ,psalm sung in the ,genevan fashion1 the service began4 ,at the proper place the minister in the pulpit delivered an hour's sermon of the type to which ,isabel was being now introduced for the first time2 but bearing again and again on the point that the sacrament was a confession to the world of faith in ,christ2 it was in no sense a sacrificial act towards ,god1 as the ,papists vainly taught2 this part of the sermon was spoiled1 to ,isabel's ears at least1 by a flood of disagreeable words poured out against the popish doctrine2 and the end of the sermon consisted of a searching exhortation to those who contemplated sin1 who bore malice1 who were in any way holding aloof from ,god1 to cast themselves mightily upon the love of the ,redeemer1 bewailing their sinful lives1 and purposing to amend them4 ,this act1 wrought out in the silence of the soul even now would transfer the sinner from death unto life2 and turn what threatened to be poison into a lively and healthful food4 ,then he turned to those who came prepared and repentant1 hungering and thirsting after the ,bread of ,life and the ,wine that the ,lord had mingled2 and congratulated them on their possession of grace1 and on the rich access of sanctification that would be theirs by a faithful reception of this comfortable sacrament2 and then in half a dozen concluding sentences he preached ,christ1 as food to the hungry2 a stream to the thirsty2 a rest for the weary4 ,it is ,he alone1 our dear ,redeemer1 who openeth the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 to which may ,he vouchsafe to bring us for ,his ,name's sake4 ,isabel was astonished to see that the preacher did not descend from the pulpit after the sermon1 but that as soon as he had announced that the mayor would sit at the ,town ,hall with the ministers and churchwardens on the following ,thursday to inquire into the cases of all who had not presented themselves for ,communion1 he turned and began to busy himself with the great ,bible that lay on the cushion4 ,the service went on1 and the conducting of it was shared among the three ministers standing1 one at the centre of the table which was placed endways1 and the others at the two ends4 ,as the ,prayer of ,consecration was begun1 ,isabel hid her face as she was accustomed to do1 for she believed it to be the principal part of the service1 and waited for the silence that in her experience generally followed the ,amen4 ,but a voice immediately began from the pulpit1 and she looked up1 startled and distracted4 ,then ,jesus said unto them1 pealed out the preacher's voice1 ,all ye shall be offended by me this night1 for it is written1 ,i will smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered4 ,but after ,i am risen1 ,i will go into ,galilee before you4 ,ah6 why would not the man stop8 ,isabel did not want the past ,saviour but the present now2 not a dead record but a living experience2 above all1 not the minister but the great ,high ,priest ,himself4 ,he began to be troubled and in great heaviness1 and said unto them1 ,my soul is very heavy1 even unto the death2 tarry here and watch4 ,the three ministers had communicated by now2 and there was a rustle and clatter of feet as the empty seats in front1 hung with houselling cloths1 began to be filled4 ,the murmur of the three voices below as the ministers passed along with the vessels were drowned by the tale of the ,passion that rang out overhead4 ,couldest thou not watch one hour8 ,watch and pray1 that ye enter not into temptation4 ,the spirit indeed is ready1 but the flesh is weak4 ,it was coming near to ,isabel's turn2 the ,carringtons already were beginning to move2 and in a moment or two she rose and followed them out4 ,the people were pressing up the aisles2 and as she stood waiting her turn to pass into the white-hung seat1 she could not help noticing the disorder that prevailed2 some knelt devoutly1 some stood1 some sat to receive the sacred elements2 and all the while louder and louder1 above the rustling and the loud whispering of the ministers and the shuffling of feet1 the tale rose and fell on the cadences of the preacher's voice4 ,now it was her turn2 she was kneeling with palms outstretched and closed eyes4 ,ah6 would he not be silent for one moment8 ,could not the reality speak for itself1 and its interpreter be still8 ,surely the ,king of ,love needed no herald when ,himself was here4 ,and anon in the dawning1 the high ,priests held a ,council with ,elders and the ,scribes and the whole ,council1 and bound ,jesus and led ,him away4 444 ,and so it was over presently1 and she was back again in her seat1 distracted and miserable2 trying to pray1 forcing herself to attend now to the reader1 now to her ,saviour with whom she believed herself in intimate union1 and finding nothing but dryness and distraction everywhere4 ,how interminable it was6 ,she opened her eyes1 and what she saw amazed and absorbed her for a few moments2 some were sitting back and talking2 some looking cheerfully about them as if at a public entertainment2 one man especially overwhelmed her imagination2 with a great red face and neck like a butcher1 animal and brutal1 with a heavy hanging jowl and little narrow lack-lustre eyes--how bored and depressed he was by this long obligatory ceremony6 ,then once more she closed her eyes in self-reproach at her distractions2 here were her lips still fragrant with the ,wine of ,god1 the pressure of her ,beloved's arm still about her2 and these were her thoughts1 settling like flies1 on everything4444 ,when she opened them again the last footsteps were passing down the aisle1 the dripping ,cups were being replaced by the ministers1 and covered with napkins1 and the tale of ,easter was in telling from the pulpit like the promise of a brighter day4 ,and they said one to another1 ,who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre8 ,and when they looked1 they saw that the stone was rolled away 7for it was a very great one74 ,so read the minister and closed the book2 and ,our ,father began4 ,in the evening1 when all was over1 and the prayers said and the expounding and catechising finished1 in a kind of despair she slipped away alone1 and walked a little by herself in the deepening twilight beside the river2 and again she made effort after effort to catch some consciousness of grace from this ,sacrament ,sunday1 so rare and so precious2 but an oppression seemed to dwell in the very air4 ,the low rain-clouds hung over the city1 leaden and chill1 the path where she walked was rank with the smell of dead leaves1 and the trees and grass dripped with lifeless moisture4 ,as she goaded and allured alternately her own fainting soul1 it writhed and struggled but could not rise2 there was no pungency of bitterness in her self-reproach1 no thrill of joy in her aspiration2 for the hand of ,calvin's ,god lay heavy on the delicate languid thing4 ,she walked back at last in despair over the wet cobblestones of the empty market square2 but as she came near the house1 she saw that the square was not quite empty4 ,a horse stood blowing and steaming before ,dr4 ,carrington's door1 and her own maid and ,kate were standing hatless in the doorway looking up and down the street4 ,isabel's heart began to beat1 and she walked quicker4 ,in a moment ,kate saw her1 and began to beckon and call2 and the maid ran to meet her4 ,mistress ,isabel1 ,mistress ,isabel1 she cried1 make haste4 ,what is it8 asked the girl1 in sick foreboding4 ,there is a man come from ,great ,keynes1 began the maid1 but ,kate stopped her4 ,come in1 ,mistress ,isabel1 she said1 my father is waiting for you4 ,dr4 ,carrington met her at the dining-room door2 and his face was tender and full of emotion4 ,what is it8 whispered the girl sharply4 ,anthony8 ,dear child1 he said1 come in1 and be brave4 ,there was a man standing in the room with cap and whip in hand1 spurred and splashed from head to foot2 ,isabel recognised one of the grooms from the ,hall4 ,what is it8 she said again with a piteous sharpness4 ,dr4 ,carrington laid his hands gently on her shoulders1 and looked into her eyes4 ,it is news of your father1 he said1 from ,lady ,maxwell4 ,he paused1 and the steady gleam of his eyes strengthened and quieted her1 then he went on deliberately1 ,the ,lord hath given and the ,lord hath taken it4 ,he paused as if for an answer1 but no answer came2 ,isabel was staring white-faced with parted lips into those strong blue eyes of his3 and he finished3 ,blessed be the name of the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,a ,,winding-,,up ,the curtained windows on the ground-floor of the ,dower ,house shone red from within as ,isabel and ,dr4 ,carrington1 with three or four servants behind1 rode round the curving drive in front late on the ,monday evening4 ,a face peeped from ,mrs4 ,carroll's window as the horse's hoofs sounded on the gravel1 and by the time that ,isabel1 pale1 wet1 and worn-out with her seventy miles' ride1 was dismounted1 ,mistress ,margaret herself was at the door1 with ,anthony's face at her shoulder1 and ,mrs4 ,carroll looking over the banisters4 ,isabel was not allowed to see her father's body that night1 but after she was in bed1 ,lady ,maxwell herself1 who had been sent for when he lay dying1 came down from the ,hall1 and told her what there was to tell2 while ,mistress ,margaret and ,anthony entertained ,dr4 ,carrington below4 ,dear child1 said the old lady1 leaning with her elbow on the bed1 and holding the girl's hand tenderly as she talked1 it was all over in an hour or two4 ,it was the heart1 you know4 ,mrs4 ,carroll sent for me suddenly1 on ,saturday morning2 and by the time ,i reached him he could not speak4 ,they had carried him upstairs from his study1 where they had found him2 and laid him down on his bed1 and--yes1 yes--he was in pain1 but he was conscious1 and he was praying ,i think2 his lips moved4 ,and ,i knelt down by the bed and prayed aloud2 he only spoke twice2 and1 my dear1 it was your name the first time1 and the name of ,his ,saviour the second time4 ,he looked at me1 and ,i could see he was trying to speak2 and then on a sudden he spoke ',isabel4' ,and ,i think he was asking me to take care of you4 ,and ,i nodded and said that ,i would do what ,i could1 and he seemed satisfied and shut his eyes again4 ,and then presently ,mr4 ,bodder began a prayer--he had come in a moment before2 they could not find him at first--and then1 and then your dear father moved a little and raised his hand1 and the minister stayed2 and he was looking up as if he saw something2 and then he said once1 ',jesus' clear and loud2 and1 and--that was all1 dear child4 ,the next morning she and ,anthony1 with the two old ladies1 one of whom was always with them during these days1 went into the darkened oak room on the first floor1 where he had died and now rested4 ,the red curtains made a pleasant rosy light1 and it seemed to the children impossible to believe that that serene face1 scarcely more serene than in life1 with its wide closed lids under the delicate eyebrows1 and contented clean-cut mouth1 and the scholarly hands closed on the breast1 all in a wealth of autumn flowers and dark copper-coloured beech leaves1 were not the face and hands of a sleeping man4 ,but ,isabel did not utterly break down till she saw his study4 ,she drew the curtains aside herself1 and there stood his table2 his chair was beside it1 pushed back and sideways as if he had that moment left it2 and on the table itself the books she knew so well4 ,in the centre of the table stood his inlaid desk1 with the papers lying upon it1 and his quill beside them1 as if just laid down2 even the ink-pot was uncovered just as he had left it1 as the agony began to lay its hand upon his heart4 ,she stooped and read the last sentence4 ,this is the great fruit1 that unspeakable benefit that they do eat and drink of that labour and are burden1 and come-- and there it stopped2 and the blinding tears rushed into the girl's eyes1 as she stooped to kiss the curved knob of the chair-arm where his dear hand had last rested4 ,when all was over a day or two later the two went up to stay at the ,hall1 while the housekeeper was left in charge of the ,dower ,house4 ,lady ,maxwell and ,mistress ,margaret had been present at the parish church on the occasion of the funeral1 for the first time ever since the old ,marian priest had left2 and had assisted too at the opening of the will1 which was found1 tied up and docketed in one of the inner drawers of the inlaid desk2 and before its instructions were complied with1 ,lady ,maxwell wished to have a word or two with ,isabel and ,anthony4 ,she made an opportunity on the morning of ,anthony's departure for ,cambridge1 two days after the funeral1 when ,mistress ,margaret was out of the room1 and ,hubert had ridden off as usual with ,piers1 on the affairs of the estate4 ,my child1 said she to ,isabel1 who was lying back passive and listless on the window-seat4 ,what do you think your cousin will direct to be done8 ,he will scarcely wish you to leave home altogether1 to stay with him4 ,and yet1 you understand1 he is your guardian4 ,isabel shook her head4 ,we know nothing of him1 she said1 wearily1 he has never been here4 ,if you have a suggestion to make to him you should decide at once1 the other went on1 the courier is to go on ,monday1 is he not1 ,anthony8 ,the boy nodded4 ,but will he not allow us1 he said1 to stay at home as usual8 ,surely---- ,lady ,maxwell shook her head4 ,and ,isabel8 she asked1 who will look after her when you are away8 ,mrs4 ,carroll8 he said interrogatively4 ,again she shook her head4 ,he would never consent1 she said1 it would not be right4 ,isabel looked up suddenly1 and her eyes brightened a little4 ,lady ,maxwell-- she began1 and then stopped1 embarrassed4 ,well1 my dear8 ,what is it1 ,isabel8 asked ,anthony4 ,if it were possible--but1 but ,i could not ask it4 ,if you mean ,margaret1 my dear2 said the old lady serenely1 drawing her needle carefully through1 it was what ,i thought myself2 but ,i did not know if you would care for that4 ,is that what you meant8 ,oh1 ,lady ,maxwell1 said the girl1 her face lighting up4 ,then the old lady explained that it was not possible to ask them to live permanently at the ,hall1 although of course ,isabel must do so until an arrangement had been made2 because their father would scarcely have wished them to be actually inmates of a ,catholic house2 but that he plainly had encouraged close relations between the two houses1 and indeed1 ,lady ,maxwell interpreted his mention of his daughter's name1 and his look as he said it1 in the sense that he wished those relations to continue4 ,she thought therefore that there was no reason why their new guardian's consent should not be asked to ,mistress ,margaret's coming over to the ,dower ,house to take charge of ,isabel1 if the girl wished it4 ,he had no particular interest in them2 he lived a couple of hundred miles away1 and the arrangement would probably save him a great deal of trouble and inconvenience4 ,but you1 ,lady ,maxwell1 ,isabel burst out1 her face kindled with hope1 for she had dreaded the removal terribly1 you will be lonely here4 ,dear child1 said the old lady1 laying down her embroidery1 ,god has been gracious to me2 and my husband is coming back to me2 you need not fear for me4 ,and she told them1 with her old eyes full of happy tears1 how she had had a private word1 which they must not repeat1 from a ,catholic friend at ,court1 that all had been decided for ,sir ,nicholas' release1 though he did not know it himself yet1 and that he would be at home again for ,advent4 ,the prison fever was beginning to cause alarm1 and it seemed that a good fine would meet the old knight's case better than any other execution of justice4 ,so then1 it was decided2 and as ,isabel walked out to the gatehouse after dinner beside ,anthony1 with her hand on his horse's neck1 and as she watched him at last ride down the village green and disappear round behind the church1 half her sorrow at losing him was swallowed up in the practical certainty that they would meet again before ,christmas in their old home1 and not in a stranger's house in the bleak ,north country4 ,on the following ,thursday1 ,sir ,nicholas' weekly letter showed evidence that the good news of his release had begun to penetrate to him2 his wife longed to tell him all she had heard1 but so many jealous eyes were on the watch for favouritism that she had been strictly forbidden to pass on her information4 ,however there was little need4 ,i am in hopes1 he wrote1 of keeping ,christmas in a merrier place than prison4 ,i do not mean heaven1 he hastened to add1 for fear of alarming his wife4 ,good ,mr4 ,jakes tells me that ,sir ,john is ill to-day1 and that he fears the gaol-fever2 and if it is the gaol-fever1 sweetheart1 which pray ,god it may not be for ,sir ,john's sake1 it will be the fourteenth case in the ,tower2 and folks say that we shall all be let home again2 but with another good fine1 they say1 to keep us poor and humble1 and mindful of the ,queen's ,majesty her laws4 ,however1 dearest1 ,i would gladly pay a thousand pounds1 if ,i had them1 to be home again4 ,but there was news at the end of the letter that caused consternation in one or two hearts1 and sent ,hubert across1 storming and almost crying1 to ,isabel1 who was taking a turn in the dusk at sunset4 ,she heard his step beyond the hedge1 quick and impatient1 and stopped short1 hesitating and wondering4 ,he had behaved to her with extraordinary tact and consideration1 and she was very conscious of it4 ,since her sudden return ten days before from the visit which had been meant to separate them1 he had not spoken a word to her privately1 except a shy sentence or two of condolence1 stammered out with downcast eyes1 but which from the simplicity and shortness of the words had brought up a sob from her heart4 ,she guessed that he knew why she had been sent to ,northampton1 and had determined not to take advantage in any way of her sorrow4 ,every morning he had disappeared before she came down1 and did not come back till supper1 where he sat silent and apart1 and yet1 when an occasion offered itself1 behaved with a quick attentive deference that showed her where his thoughts had been4 ,now she stood1 wondering and timid1 at that hurried insistent step on the other side of the hedge4 ,as she hesitated1 he came quickly through the doorway and stopped short4 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said1 with all his reserve gone1 and looking at her imploringly1 but with the old familiar air that she loved1 have you heard8 ,i am to go as soon as my father comes back4 ,oh6 it is a shame6 ,his voice was full of tears1 and his eyes were bright and angry4 ,her heart leapt up once and then seemed to cease beating4 ,go8 she said2 and even as she spoke knew from her own dismay how dear that quiet chivalrous presence was to her4 ,yes1 he went on in the same voice4 ,oh6 ,i know ,i should not speak2 and--and especially now at all times2 but ,i could not bear it2 nor that you should think it was my will to go4 ,she stood still looking at him4 ,may ,i walk with you a little1 he said1 but--,i must not say much--,i promised my father4 ,and then as they walked he began to pour it out4 ,it is some old man in ,durham1 he said1 and ,i am to see to his estates4 ,my father will not want me here when he comes back1 and1 and it is to be soon4 ,he has had the offer for me2 and has written to tell me4 ,there is no choice4 ,she had turned instinctively towards the house1 and the high roofs and chimneys were before them1 dark against the luminous sky4 ,no1 no1 said ,hubert1 laying his hand on her arm2 and at the touch she thrilled so much that she knew she must not stay1 and went forward resolutely up the steps of the terrace4 ,ah6 let me speak1 he said2 ,i have not troubled you much1 ,mistress ,isabel4 ,she hesitated again a moment4 ,in my father's room1 he went on1 and ,i will bring the letter4 ,she nodded and passed into the hall without speaking1 and turned to ,sir ,nicholas' study2 while ,hubert's steps dashed up the stairs to his mother's room4 ,isabel went in and stood on the hearth in the firelight that glowed and wavered round the room on the tapestry and the prie-dieu and the table where ,hubert had been sitting and the tall shuttered windows1 leaning her head against the mantelpiece1 doubtful and miserable4 ,listen1 said ,hubert1 bursting into the room a moment later with the sheet open in his hand4 ',tell ,hubert that ,lord ,arncliffe needs a gentleman to take charge of his estates2 he is too old now himself1 and has none to help him4 ,i have had the offer for ,hubert1 and have accepted it2 he must go as soon as ,i have returned4 ,i am sorry to lose the lad1 but since ,james----' and ,hubert broke off4 ,i must not read that1 he said4 ,isabel still stood1 stretching her hands out to the fire1 turned a little away from him4 ,but what can ,i say8 went on the lad passionately1 ,i must go2 and--and ,god knows for how long1 five or six years maybe2 and ,i shall come back and find you--and find you---- and a sob rose up and silenced him4 ,hubert1 she said1 turning and looking with a kind of wavering steadiness into his shadowed eyes1 and even then noticing the clean-cut features and the smooth curve of his jaw with the firelight on it1 you ought not---- ,i know1 ,i know2 ,i promised my father2 but there are some things ,i cannot bear4 ,of course ,i do not want you to promise anything2 but ,i thought that if perhaps you could tell me that you thought--that you thought there would be no one else2 and that when ,i came back---- ,hubert1 she said again1 resolutely1 it is impossible3 our religions---- ,but ,i would do anything1 ,i think4 ,besides1 in five years so much may happen4 ,you might become a ,catholic--or--or1 ,i might come to see that the ,protestant ,religion was nearly the same1 or as true at least--or--or--so much might happen4--,can you not tell me anything before ,i go8 ,a keen ray of hope had pierced her heart as he spoke2 and she scarcely knew what she said4 ,but1 ,hubert1 even if ,i were to say---- ,he seized her hands and kissed them again and again4 ,oh6 ,god bless you1 ,isabel6 ,now ,i can go so happily4 ,and ,i will not speak of it again2 you can trust me2 it will not be hard for you4 ,she tried to draw her hands away1 but he still held them tightly in his own strong hands1 and looked into her face4 ,his eyes were shining4 ,yes1 yes1 ,i know you have promised nothing4 ,i hold you to nothing4 ,you are as free as ever to do what you will with me4 ,but1--and he lifted her hands once more and kissed them1 and dropped them2 seized his cap and was gone4 ,isabel was left alone in a tumult of thought and emotion4 ,he had taken her by storm2 she had not guessed how desperately weak she was towards him1 until he had come to her like this in a whirlwind of passion and stood trembling and almost crying1 with the ruddy firelight on his face1 and his eyes burning out of shadow4 ,she felt fascinated still by that mingling of a boy's weakness and sentiment and of a man's fire and purpose2 and she sank down on her knees before the hearth and looked wonderingly at her hands which he had kissed so ardently1 now transparent and flaming against the light as if with love4 ,then as she looked at the red heart of the fire the sudden leaping of her heart quieted1 and there crept on her a glow of steady desire to lean on the power of this tall young lover of hers2 she was so utterly alone without him it seemed as if there were no choice left2 he had come and claimed her in virtue of the master-law1 and she--how much had she yielded8 ,she had not promised2 but she had shown evidently her real heart in those half dozen words2 and he had interpreted them for her2 and she dared not in honesty repudiate his interpretation4 ,and so she knelt there1 clasping and unclasping her hands1 in a whirl of delight and trembling2 all the bounds of that sober inner life seemed for the moment swept away2 she almost began to despise its old coldnesses and limitations4 ,how shadowy after all was the love of ,god1 compared with this burning tide that was bearing her along on its bosom6444 ,she sank lower and lower into herself among the black draperies1 clasping those slender hands tightly across her breast4 ,suddenly a great log fell with a crash1 the red glow turned into leaping flames2 the whole dark room seemed alive with shadows that fled to and fro1 and she knelt upright quickly and looked round her1 terrified and ashamed4--,what was she doing here8 ,was it so soon then that she was setting aside the will of her father1 who trusted and loved her so well1 and who lay out there in the chancel vault8 ,ah6 she had no right here in this room--,hubert's room now1 with his cap and whip lying across the papers and the estate-book1 and his knife and the broken jesses on the seat of the chair beside her4 ,there was his step overhead again4 ,she must be gone before he came back4 ,there was high excitement on the estate and in the village a week or two later when the rumour of ,sir ,nicholas' return was established1 and the paper had been pinned up to the gatehouse stating1 in ,lady ,maxwell's own handwriting1 that he would be back sometime in the week before ,advent ,sunday4 ,reminiscences were exchanged of the glorious day when the old knight came of age1 over forty years ago2 of the sports on the green1 of the quintain-tilting for the gentlefolks1 and the archery in the meadow behind the church for the vulgar2 of the high mass and the dinner that followed it4 ,it was rumoured that ,mr4 ,hubert and ,mr4 ,piers had already selected the ox that was to be roasted whole1 and that materials for the bonfire were in process of collection in the woodyard of the home farm4 ,sir ,nicholas' letters became more and more emphatically underlined and incoherent as the days went on1 and ,lady ,maxwell less and less willing for ,isabel to read them2 but the girl often found the old lady hastily putting away the thin sheets which she had just taken out to read to herself once again1 on which her dear lord had scrawled down his very heart itself1 as if his courting of her were all to do again4 ,it was not until the ,saturday morning that the courier rode in through the gatehouse with the news that ,sir ,nicholas was to be released that day1 and would be down if possible before nightfall4 ,all the men on the estate were immediately called in and sent home to dress themselves2 and an escort of a dozen grooms and servants led by ,hubert and ,piers rode out at once on the north road1 with torches ready for kindling1 to meet the party and bring them home2 and all other preparations were set forward at once4 ,towards eight o'clock ,lady ,maxwell was so anxious and restless that ,isabel slipped out and went down to the gatehouse to look out for herself if there were any signs of the approach of the party4 ,she went up to one of the little octagonal towers1 and looked out towards the green4 ,it was a clear starlight night1 but towards the village all was bathed in the dancing ruddy light of the bonfire4 ,it was burning on a little mound at the upper end of the green1 just below where ,isabel stood1 and a heavy curtain of smoke drifted westwards4 ,as she looked down on it she saw against it the tall black posts of the gigantic jack and the slowly revolving carcass of the ox2 and round about the stirring crowd of the village folk1 their figures black on this side1 luminous on that4 ,she could even make out the cassock and square cap of ,mr4 ,bodder as he moved among his flock4 ,the rows of houses on either side1 bright and clear at this end1 melted away into darkness at the lower end of the green1 where on the right the church tower rose up1 blotting out the stars1 itself just touched with ruddy light1 and on the top of which1 like a large star itself1 burned the torch of the watcher who was looking out towards the north road4 ,there was a ceaseless hum of noise from the green1 pierced by the shrill cries of the children round the glowing mass of the bonfire1 but there was no disorder1 as the barrels that had been rolled out of the ,hall cellars that afternoon still stood untouched beneath the ,rectory garden-wall4 ,isabel contrasted in her mind this pleasant human tumult with the angry roaring she had heard from these same country-folk a few months before1 when she had followed ,lady ,maxwell out to the rescue of the woman who had injured her2 and she wondered at these strange souls1 who attended a ,protestant service1 but were so fierce and so genial in their defence and welcome of a ,catholic squire4 ,as she thought1 there was a sudden movement of the light on the church tower2 it tossed violently up and down1 and a moment later the jubilant clangour of the bells broke out4 ,there was a sudden stir in the figures on the green1 and a burst of cheering rose4 ,isabel strained her eyes northwards1 but the road took a turn beyond the church and she could see nothing but darkness and low-hung stars and one glimmering window4 ,she turned instinctively to the house behind her1 and there was the door flung wide1 and she could make out the figures of the two ladies against the brightly lit hall beyond1 wrapped like herself1 in cloak and hood1 for the night was frosty and cold4 ,as she turned once more she heard the clear rattle of trotting hoofs on the hard road1 and a glow began to be visible at the lower dark end of the village4 ,the cheering rose higher1 and the bells were all clashing together in melodious discord1 as in the angle of the road a group of tossing torches appeared4 ,then she could make out the horsemen2 three riding together1 and the others as escort round them4 ,the crowd had poured off the grass on to the road by now1 and the horses were coming up between two shouting gesticulating lines which closed after them as they went4 ,now she could make out the white hair of ,sir ,nicholas1 as he bowed bare-headed right and left2 and ,hubert's feathered cap1 on one side of him1 and ,mr4 ,boyd's black hat on the other4 ,they had passed the bonfire now1 and were coming up the avenue1 the crowds still streaming after them1 and the church tower bellowing rough music overhead4 ,isabel leaned out over the battlements1 and saw beneath her the two old ladies waiting just outside the gate by the horse-block2 and then she drew back1 her eyes full of tears1 for she saw ,sir ,nicholas' face as he caught sight of his wife4 ,there was a sudden silence as the horses drew up2 and the crowds ceased shouting1 and when ,isabel leaned over again ,sir ,nicholas was on the horse-block1 the two ladies immediately behind him1 and the people pressing forward to hear his voice4 ,it was a very short speech2 and ,isabel overhead could not catch more than detached phrases of it1 for the faith--my wife and you all--home again--my son ,hubert here--you and your families--the ,catholic religion--the ,queen's grace--,god save her ,majesty4 ,then again the cheering broke out2 and ,isabel crossed over to see them pass up to the house and to the bright door set wide for them1 and even as she watched them go up the steps1 and ,hubert's figure close behind1 she suddenly dropped her forehead on to the cold battlement1 and drew a sharp breath or two1 for she remembered again what it all meant to him and to herself4 ,,part ,,ii ,,chapter ,i ,,anthony ,,in ,,london ,the development of a nation is strangely paralleled by the development of an individual4 ,there comes in both a period of adolescence1 of the stirring of new powers1 of an increase of strength1 of the dawn of new ideals1 of the awaking of self-consciousness2 contours become defined and abrupt1 awkward and hasty movements succeed to the grace of childhood2 and there is a curious mingling of refinement and brutality1 stupidity and tenderness2 the will is subject to whims2 it is easily roused and not so easily quieted4 ,yet in spite of the attendant discomforts the whole period is undeniably one of growth4 ,the reign of ,elizabeth coincided with this stage in the development of ,england4 ,the young vigour was beginning to stir--and ,hawkins and ,drake taught the world that it was so1 and that when ,england stretched herself catastrophe abroad must follow4 ,she loved finery and feathers and velvet1 and to see herself on the dramatic stage and to sing her love-songs there1 as a growing maid dresses up and leans on her hand and looks into her own eyes in the mirror--and ,marlowe and ,greene and ,shakespeare are witnesses to it4 ,yet she loved to hang over the arena too and watch the bear-baiting and see the blood and foam and listen to the snarl of the hounds1 as a lad loves sport and things that minister death4 ,her policy1 too1 under ,elizabeth as her genius1 was awkward and ill-considered and capricious1 and yet strong and successful in the end1 as a growing lad1 while he is clumsier1 yet manages to leap higher than a year ago4 ,and once more1 to carry the parallel still further1 during the middle period of the reign1 while the balance of parties and powers remained much the same1 principles and tendencies began to assert themselves more definitely1 just as muscles and sinews begin to appear through the round contour of the limbs of a growing child4 ,thus1 from #aega to #aegg1 while there was no startling reversal of elements in the affairs of ,england1 the entire situation became more defined4 ,the various parties1 though they scarcely changed in their mutual relations1 yet continued to develop swiftly along their respective lines1 growing more pronounced and less inclined to compromise2 foreign enmities and expectations became more acute2 plots against the ,queen's life more frequent and serious1 and the countermining of them under ,walsingham more patient and skilful2 competition and enterprise in trade more strenuous2 ,scottish affairs more complicated2 movements of revolt and repression in ,ireland more violent4 ,what was true of politics was also true of religious matters1 for the two were inextricably mingled4 ,the ,puritans daily became more clamorous and intolerant2 their ,exercises more turbulent1 and their demands more unreasonable and one-sided4 ,the ,papists became at once more numerous and more strict2 and the ,government measures more stern in consequence4 ,the act of '#ga made it no less a crime than ,high ,treason to reconcile or be reconciled to the ,church of ,rome1 to give effect to a ,papal ,bull1 to be in possession of any muniments of superstition1 or to declare the ,queen a heretic or schismatic4 ,the ,church of ,england1 too1 under the wise guidance of ,parker1 had begun to shape her course more and more resolutely along the lines of inclusiveness and moderation2 to realise herself as representing the religious voice of a nation that was widely divided on matters of faith2 and to attempt to include within her fold every individual that was not an absolute fanatic in the ,papist or ,puritan direction4 ,thus1 in every department1 in home and foreign politics1 in art and literature1 and in religious independence1 ,england was rising and shaking herself free2 the last threads that bound her to the ,continent were snapped by the ,reformation1 and she was standing with her soul1 as she thought1 awake and free at last1 conscious of her beauty and her strength1 ready to step out at last before the world1 as a dominant and imperious power4 ,anthony ,norris had been arrested1 like so many others1 by the vision of this young country of his1 his mother and mistress1 who stood there1 waiting to be served4 ,he had left ,cambridge in '#gc1 and for three years had led a somewhat aimless life2 for his guardian allowed him a generous income out of his father's fortune4 ,he had stayed with ,hubert in the north1 had yawned and stretched himself at ,great ,keynes1 had gone to and fro among friends' houses1 and had at last come to the conclusion1 to which he was aided by a chorus of advisers1 that he was wasting his time4 ,he had begun then to look round him for some occupation1 and in the final choice of it his early religious training had formed a large element4 ,it had kept alive in him a certain sense of the supernatural1 that his exuberance of physical life might otherwise have crushed2 and now as he looked about to see how he could serve his country1 he became aware that her ecclesiastical character had a certain attraction for him2 he had had indeed an idea of taking ,orders2 but he had relinquished this by now1 though he still desired if he might to serve the ,national ,church in some other capacity4 ,there was much in the ,church of ,england to appeal to her sons2 if there was a lack of unity in her faith and policy1 yet that was largely out of sight1 and her bearing was gallant and impressive4 ,she had great wealth1 great power and great dignity4 ,the ancient buildings and revenues were hers2 the civil power was at her disposal1 and the ,queen was eager to further her influence1 and to protect her bishops from the encroaching power of ,parliament1 claiming only for the crown the right to be the point of union for both the secular and ecclesiastical sections of the nation1 and to stamp by her royal approval or annul by her veto the acts of ,parliament and ,convocation alike4 ,it seemed then to ,anthony's eyes that the ,church of ,england had a tremendous destiny before her1 as the religious voice of the nation that was beginning to make itself so dominant in the council of the world1 and that there was no limit to the influence she might exercise by disciplining the exuberant strength of ,england1 and counteracting by her soberness and self-restraint the passionate fanaticism of the ,latin nations4 ,so little by little in place of the shadowy individualism that was all that he knew of religion1 there rose before him the vision of a living church1 who came forth terrible as an army with banners1 surrounded by all the loyalty that nationalism could give her1 with the ,queen herself as her guardian1 and great princes and prelates as her supporters1 while at the wheels of her splendid car walked her hot-blooded chivalrous sons1 who served her and spread her glories by land and sea1 not perhaps chiefly for the sake of her spiritual claims1 but because she was bone of their bone2 and was no less zealous than themselves for the name and character of ,england4 ,when1 therefore1 towards the end of '#gf1 ,anthony received the offer of a position in the household of the ,archbishop of ,canterbury1 through the recommendation of the father of one of his ,cambridge friends1 he accepted it with real gratitude and enthusiasm4 ,the post to which he was appointed was that of ,gentleman of the ,horse4 ,his actual duties were not very arduous owing to the special circumstances of ,archbishop ,grindal2 and he had a good deal of time to himself4 ,briefly1 they were as follows--,he had to superintend the ,yeoman of the ,horse1 and see that he kept full accounts of all the horses in stable or at pasture1 and of all the carriages and harness and the like4 ,every morning he had to present himself to the ,archbishop and receive stable-orders for the day1 and to receive from the yeoman accounts of the stables4 ,every month he examined the books of the yeoman before passing them on to the steward4 ,his permission too was necessary before any guest's or stranger's horse might be cared for in the ,lambeth stables4 ,he was responsible also for all the men and boys connected with the stable2 to engage them1 watch their morals and even the performance of their religious duties1 and if necessary report them for dismissal to the steward of the household4 ,in ,archbishop ,parker's time this had been a busy post1 as the state observed at ,lambeth and ,croydon was very considerable2 but ,grindal was of a more retiring nature1 disliking as was said1 lordliness2 and although still the household was an immense affair1 in its elaborateness and splendour beyond almost any but royal households of the present day1 still ,anthony's duties were far from heavy4 ,the ,archbishop indeed at first dispensed with this office altogether1 and concentrated all the supervision of the stable on the yeoman1 and ,anthony was the first and only ,gentleman of the ,horse that ,archbishop ,grindal employed4 ,the disgrace and punishment under which the ,archbishop fell so early in his archiepiscopate made this particular post easier than it would even otherwise have been2 as fewer equipages were required when the ,archbishop was confined to his house1 and the establishment was yet further reduced4 ,ordinarily then his duties were over by eleven o'clock1 except when special arrangements were to be made4 ,he rose early1 waited upon the ,archbishop by eight o'clock1 and received his orders for the day2 then interviewed the yeoman2 sometimes visited the stables to receive complaints1 and was ready by half-past ten to go to the chapel for the morning prayers with the rest of the household4 ,at eleven he dined at the ,steward's table in the great hall1 with the other principal officers of the household1 the chaplain1 the secretaries1 and the gentlemen ushers1 with guests of lesser degree4 ,this great hall with its two entrances at the lower end near the gateway1 its magnificent hammer-beam roof1 its das1 its stained glass1 was a worthy place of entertainment1 and had been the scene of many great feasts and royal visits in the times of previous archbishops in favour with the sovereign1 and of a splendid banquet at the beginning of ,grindal's occupancy of the see4 ,now1 however1 things were changed4 ,there were seldom many distinguished persons to dine with the disgraced prelate2 and he himself preferred too to entertain those who could not repay him again1 after the precept of the gospel2 and besides the provision for the numerous less important guests who dined daily at ,lambeth1 a great tub was set at the lower end of the hall as it had been in ,parker's time1 and every day after dinner under the steward's direction was filled with food from the tables1 which was afterwards distributed at the gate to poor people of the neighbourhood4 ,after dinner ,anthony's time was often his own1 until the evening prayers at six1 followed by supper again spread in the hall4 ,it was necessary for him always to sleep in the house1 unless leave was obtained from the steward4 ,this gentleman1 ,mr4 ,john ,scot1 an ,esquire1 took a fancy to ,anthony1 and was indulgent to him in many ways2 and ,anthony had1 as a matter of fact1 little difficulty in coming and going as he pleased so soon as his morning duties were done4 ,lambeth ,house had been lately restored by ,parker1 and was now a very beautiful and well-kept place4 ,among other repairs and buildings he had re-roofed the great hall that stood just within ,morton's gateway2 he had built a long pier into the ,thames where the barge could be entered easily even at low tide2 he had rebuilt the famous summerhouse of ,cranmer's in the garden1 besides doing many sanitary alterations and repairs2 and the house was well kept up in ,grindal's time4 ,anthony soon added a great affection and tenderness to the awe that he felt for the ,archbishop1 who was almost from the first a pathetic and touching figure4 ,when ,anthony first entered on his duties in ,november '#gf1 he found the ,archbishop in his last days of freedom and good favour with the ,queen4 ,elizabeth1 he soon learnt from the gossip of the household1 was as determined to put down the ,puritan prophesyings as the popish services2 for both alike tended to injure the peace she was resolved to maintain4 ,rumours were flying to and fro2 the ,archbishop was continually going across the water to confer with his friends and the ,lords of the ,council1 and messengers came and went all day2 and it was soon evident that the ,archbishop did not mean to yield4 ,it was said that his ,grace had sent a letter to her ,majesty bidding her not to meddle with what did not concern her1 telling her that she1 too1 would one day have to render account before ,christ's tribunal1 and warning her of ,god's anger if she persisted4 ,her ,majesty had sworn like a trooper1 a royal page said one day as he lounged over the fire in the guard-room1 and had declared that if she was like ,ozeas and ,ahab and the rest1 as ,grindal had said she was1 she would take care that he1 at least1 should be like ,micaiah the son of ,imlah1 before she had done with him4 ,then it began to leak out that ,elizabeth was sending her commands to the bishops direct instead of through their ,metropolitan2 and1 as the days went by1 it became more and more evident that disgrace was beginning to shadow ,lambeth4 ,the barges that drew up at the watergate were fewer as summer went on1 and the long tables in hall were more and more deserted2 even the ,archbishop himself seemed silent and cast down4 ,anthony used to watch him from his window going up and down the little walled garden that looked upon the river1 with his hands clasped behind him and his black habit gathered up in them1 and his chin on his breast4 ,he would be longer than ever too in chapel after the morning prayer1 and the company would wait and wonder in the anteroom till his ,grace came in and gave the signal for dinner4 ,and at last the blow fell4 ,on one day in ,june1 ,anthony1 who had been on a visit to ,isabel at ,great ,keynes1 returned to ,lambeth in time for morning prayer and dinner just before the gates were shut by the porter1 having ridden up early with a couple of grooms4 ,there seemed to him to be an air of constraint abroad as the guests and members of the household gathered for dinner4 ,there were no guests of high dignity that day1 and the ,archbishop sat at his own table silent and apart4 ,anthony1 from his place at the steward's table1 noticed that he ate very sparingly1 and that he appeared even more preoccupied and distressed than usual4 ,his short-sighted eyes1 kind and brown1 surrounded by wrinkles from his habit of peering closely at everything1 seemed full of sadness and perplexity1 and his hand fumbled with his bread continually4 ,anthony did not like to ask anything of his neighbours1 as there were one or two strangers dining at the steward's table that day2 and the moment dinner was over1 and grace had been said and the ,archbishop retired with his little procession preceded by a white wand1 an usher came running back to tell ,master ,norris that his ,grace desired to see him at once in the inner cloister4 ,anthony hastened round through the court between the hall and the river1 and found the ,archbishop walking up and down in his black habit with the round flapped cap1 that1 as a ,puritan1 he preferred to the square head-dress of the more ecclesiastically-minded clergy1 still looking troubled and cast down1 continually stroking his dark forked beard1 and talking to one of his secretaries4 ,anthony stood at a little distance at the open side of the court near the river1 cap in hand1 waiting till the ,archbishop should beckon him4 ,the two went up and down in the shade in the open court outside the cloisters1 where the pump stood1 and where the pulpit had been erected for the ,queen's famous visit to his predecessor2 when she had sat in a gallery over the cloister and heard the chaplain's sermon4 ,on the north rose up the roof of the chapel4 ,the cloisters themselves were poor buildings--little more than passages with a continuous row of square windows running along them the height of a man's head4 ,after a few minutes the secretary left the ,archbishop with an obeisance1 and hastened into the house through the cloister1 and presently the ,archbishop1 after a turn or two more with the same grave air1 peered towards ,anthony and then called him4 ,anthony immediately came towards him and received orders that half a dozen horses with grooms should be ready as soon as possible1 who were to receive orders from ,mr4 ,richard ,frampton1 the secretary2 and that three or four horses more were to be kept saddled till seven o'clock that evening in case further messages were wanted4 ,and ,i desire you1 ,mr4 ,norris1 said the ,archbishop1 to let the men under your charge know that their master is in trouble with the ,queen's ,grace2 and that they can serve him best by being prompt and obedient4 ,anthony bowed to the ,archbishop1 and was going to withdraw1 but the ,archbishop went on3 ,i will tell you1 he said1 for your private ear only at present1 that ,i have received an order this day from my ,lords of the ,council1 bidding me to keep to my house for six months2 and telling me that ,i am sequestered by the ,queen's desire4 ,i know not how this will end1 but the cause is that ,i will not do her ,grace's will in the matter of the ,exercises1 as ,i wrote to tell her so2 and ,i am determined1 by ,god's grace1 not to yield in this thing2 but to govern the charge committed to me as ,he gives me light4 ,that is all1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,the whole household was cast into real sorrow by the blow that had fallen at last on the master2 he was loving and grateful to servants2 and was free and liberal in domestic matters1 and it needed only a hint that he was in trouble1 for his officers and servants to do their utmost for him4 ,anthony's sympathy was further aroused by the knowledge that the ,papists1 too1 hated the old man1 and longed to injure him4 ,there had been a great increase of ,catholics this year2 the ,archbishop of ,york had reported that a more stiff-necked1 wilful1 or obstinate people did he never hear of2 and from ,hereford had come a lament that conformity itself was a mockery1 as even the ,papists that attended church were a distraction when they got there1 and ,john ,hareley was instanced as reading so loud upon his ,latin popish primer 7that he understands not7 that he troubles both minister and people4 ,in ,november matters were so serious that the ,archbishop felt himself obliged to take steps to chastise the recusants2 and in ,december came the news of the execution of ,cuthbert ,maine at ,launceston in ,cornwall4 ,how much the ,catholics resented this against the ,archbishop was brought to ,anthony's notice a day or two later4 ,he was riding back for morning prayer after an errand in ,battersea1 one frosty day1 and had just come in sight of ,morton's ,gateway1 when he observed a man standing by it1 who turned and ran1 on hearing the horse's footsteps1 past ,lambeth ,church and disappeared in the direction of the meadows behind ,essex ,house4 ,anthony checked his horse1 doubtful whether to follow or not1 but decided to see what it was that the man had left pinned to the door4 ,he rode up and detached it1 and found it was a violent and scurrilous attack upon the ,archbishop for his supposed share in the death of the two ,papists4 ,it denounced him as a bloody pseudo-minister1 compared him to ,pilate1 and bade him look to his congregation of lewd and profane persons that he named the ,church of ,england1 for that ,god would avenge the blood of his saints speedily upon their murderers4 ,anthony carried it into the hall1 and after showing it to ,mr4 ,scot1 put it indignantly into the fire4 ,the steward raised his eyebrows4 ,why so1 ,master ,norris8 he asked4 ,why1 said ,anthony sharply1 you would not have me frame it1 and show to my lord4 ,i am not sure1 said the other1 if you desire to injure the ,papists4 ,such foul nonsense is their best condemnation4 ,it is best to keep evidence against a traitor1 not destroy it4 ,besides1 we might have caught the knave1 and now we cannot1 he added1 looking at the black shrivelling sheet half regretfully4 ,it is a mystery to me1 said ,anthony1 how there can be ,papists4 ,why1 they hate ,england1 said the steward1 briefly1 as the bell rang for morning prayer4 ,as ,anthony followed him along the gallery1 he thought half guiltily of ,sir ,nicholas and his lady1 and wondered whether that was true of them4 ,but he had no doubt that it was true of ,catholics as a class2 they had ceased to be ,english2 the cause of the ,pope and the ,queen were irreconcilable2 and so the whole incident added more fuel to the hot flame of patriotism and loyalty that burnt so bright in the lad's soul4 ,but it was fanned yet higher by a glimpse he had of ,court-life2 and he owed it to ,mary ,corbet whom he had only seen momentarily in public once or twice1 and never to speak to since her visit to ,great ,keynes over six years ago4 ,he had blushed privately and bitten his lip a good many times in the interval1 when he thought of his astonishing infatuation1 and yet the glamour had never wholly faded2 and his heart quickened perceptibly when he opened a note one day1 brought by a royal groom1 that asked him to come that very afternoon if he could1 to ,whitehall ,palace1 where ,mistress ,corbet would be delighted to see him and renew their acquaintance4 ,as he came1 punctual to the moment1 into the gallery overlooking the tilt-yard1 the afternoon sun was pouring in through the oriel window1 and the yard beyond seemed all a haze of golden light and dust4 ,he heard an exclamation1 as he paused1 dazzled1 and the servant closed the door behind him2 and there came forward to him in the flood of glory1 the same resplendent figure1 all muslin and jewels1 that he remembered so well1 with the radiant face1 looking scarcely older1 with the same dancing eyes and scarlet lips4 ,all the old charm seemed to envelop him in a moment as he saluted her with all the courtesy of which he was capable4 ,ah6 she cried1 how happy ,i am to see you again--those dear days at ,great ,keynes6 ,and she took both his hands with such ardour that poor ,anthony was almost forced to think that he had never been out of her thoughts since4 ,how can ,i serve you1 ,mistress ,corbet8 he asked4 ,serve me8 ,why1 by talking to me1 and telling me of the country4 ,what does the lad mean8 ,come and sit here1 she said1 and she drew him to the window seat4 ,anthony looked out into the shining haze of the tilt-yard4 ,some one with a long pole was struggling violently on the back of a horse1 jerking the reins and cursing audibly4 ,look at that fool1 said ,mary1 he thinks his horse as great a dolt as himself4 ,chris1 ,chris1 she screamed through her hands--you sodden ass2 be quieter with the poor beast--soothe him1 soothe him4 ,he doesn't know what you want of him with your foul temper and your pole going like a windmill about his ears4 ,the cursing and jerking ceased1 and a red furious face with thick black beard and hair looked up4 ,but before the rider could speak1 ,mary went on again3 ,there now1 ,chris1 he is as quiet as a sheep again4 ,now take him at it4 ,what does he want8 asked ,anthony4 ,i can scarcely see for the dust4 ,why1 he's practising at the quintain2--ah6 ah6 she cried out again1 as the quintain was missed and swung round with a hard buffet on the man's back as he tore past4 ,going to market1 ,chris8 ,you've got a sturdy shepherd behind you4 ,baa1 baa1 black sheep4 ,who's that8 asked ,anthony1 as the tall horseman1 as if driven by the storm of contumely from the window1 disappeared towards the stable4 ,why that's ,chris ,hatton--whom the ,queen calls her sheep1 and he's as silly as one1 too1 with his fool's face and his bleat and his great eyes4 ,he trots about after her ,grace1 too1 like a pet lamb4 ,bah6 ,i'm sick of him4 ,that's enough of the ass2 tell me about ,isabel4 ,then they fell to talking about ,isabel2 and ,mary eyed him as he answered her questions4 ,then she isn't a ,papist1 yet8 she asked4 ,anthony's face showed such consternation that she burst out laughing4 ,there1 there1 there6 she cried4 ,no harm's done4 ,then that tall lad1 who was away last time ,i was there--well1 ,i suppose he's not turned ,protestant8 ,anthony's face was still more bewildered4 ,why1 my dear lad1 she said1 where are your eyes8 ,mistress ,corbet1 he burst out at last1 ,i do not know what you mean4 ,hubert has been in ,durham for years4 ,there is no talk---- and he stopped4 ,mary's face became sedate again4 ,well1 well1 she said1 ,i always was a tattler4 ,it seems ,i am wrong again4 ,forgive me1 ,master ,anthony4 ,anthony was indeed astonished at her fantastic idea4 ,of course he knew that ,hubert had once been fond of ,isabel1 but that was years ago1 when they had been all children together4 ,why1 he reflected1 he too had been foolish once--and he blushed a little4 ,then they went on to talk of ,great ,keynes1 ,sir ,nicholas1 and ,mr4 ,stewart's arrest and death2 and ,mary asked ,anthony to excuse her interest in such matters1 but ,papistry had always been her religion1 and what could a poor girl do but believe what she was taught8 ,then they went on to speak of more recent affairs1 and ,mary made him describe to her his life at ,lambeth1 and everything he did from the moment he got up to the moment he went to bed again2 and whether the ,archbishop was a kind master1 and how long they spent at prayers1 and how many courses they had at dinner2 and ,anthony grew more and more animated and confidential--she was so friendly and interested and pretty1 as she leaned towards him and questioned and listened1 and the faint scent of violet from her dress awakened his old memories of her4 ,and then at last she approached the subject on which she had chiefly wished to see him--which was that he should speak to the steward at ,lambeth on behalf of a young man who was to be dismissed1 it seemed1 from the ,archbishop's service1 because his sister had lately turned ,papist and fled to a convent abroad4 ,it was a small matter2 and ,anthony readily promised to do his best1 and1 if necessary1 to approach the ,archbishop himself3 and ,mistress ,corbet was profusely grateful4 ,they had hardly done talking of the matter1 when a trumpet blew suddenly somewhere away behind the building they were in4 ,mary held up a white finger and put her head on one side4 ,that will be the ,ambassador1 she said4 ,anthony looked at her interrogatively4 ,why1 you country lad6 she said1 come and see4 ,she jumped up1 and he followed her down the gallery1 and along through interminable corridors and ante-chambers1 and up and down the stairs of this enormous palace2 and ,anthony grew bewildered and astonished as he went at the doors on all sides1 and the roofs that ranged themselves every way as he looked out4 ,and at last ,mary stopped at a window1 and pointed out4 ,the courtyard beneath was alive with colour and movement4 ,in front of the entrance opposite waited the great gilded state carriage1 and another was just driving away4 ,on one side a dozen ladies on grey horses were drawn up1 to follow behind the ,queen when she should come out2 and a double row of liveried servants were standing bare-headed round the empty carriage4 ,the rest of the court was filled with ,spanish and ,english nobles1 mounted1 with their servants on foot2 all alike in splendid costumes--the ,spaniards with rich chains about their necks1 and tall broad-brimmed hats decked with stones and pearls1 and the ,englishmen in feathered buckled caps and short cloaks thrown back4 ,two or three trumpeters stood on the steps of the porch4 ,anthony did not see much state at ,lambeth1 and the splendour and gaiety of this seething courtyard exhilarated him1 and he stared down at it all1 fascinated1 while ,mary ,corbet poured out a caustic commentary3 ,there is the fat fool ,chris again1 all red with his tilting4 ,i would like to baa at him again1 but ,i dare not with all these foreign folk4 ,there is ,leicester1 that tall man with a bald forehead in the cap with the red feather1 on the white horse behind the carriage--he always keeps close to the ,queen4 ,he is the enemy of your prelate1 ,master ,anthony1 you know4444 ,that is ,oxford1 just behind him on the chestnut4 ,yes1 look well at him4 ,he is the prince of the tilt-yard2 none can stand against him4 ,you would say he was at his nine-pins1 when he rides against them all4444 ,and he can do more than tilt4 ,these sweet-washed gloves--and she flapped an embroidered pair before ,anthony--these he brought to ,england4 ,god bless and reward him for it6 she added fervently4444 ,i do not see ,burghley4 ,eh6 but he is old and gouty these days2 and loves a cushion and a chair and a bit of flannel better than to kneel before her ,grace4 ,you know1 she allows him to sit when he confers with her4 ,but then1 she is ever prone to show mercy to bearded persons4444 ,ah6 there is dear ,sidney2 that is a sweet soul4 ,but what does he do here among the stones and mortar when he has the beeches of ,penshurst to walk beneath4 ,he is not so wise as ,i thought him4444 ,but ,i must say ,i grow weary of his nymphs and his airs of ,olympus4 ,and for myself1 ,i do not see that ,flora and ,phoebus and ,maia and the rest are a great gain1 instead of ,our ,lady and ,saint ,christopher and the court of heaven4 ,but then ,i am a ,papist and not a heathen1 and therefore blind and superstitious4 ,is that not so1 ,master ,anthony8444 ,and there is ,maitland beside him1 with the black velvet cap and the white feather1 and his cross eyes and mouth4 ,now ,i wish he were at ,penshurst1 or ,bath--or better still1 at ,jericho1 for it is further off4 ,i cannot bear that fellow4444 ,why1 ,sussex is going on the water1 too1 ,i see4 ,now what brings him here8 ,i should have thought his affairs gave him enough to think of4444 ,there he is1 with his groom behind him1 on the other chestnut4 ,i am astonished at him4 ,he is all for this ,french marriage1 you know4 ,so you may figure to yourself ,mendoza's love for him6 ,they will be like two cats together on the barge2 spitting and snarling softly at one another4 ,her ,grace loves to balance folk like that2 first one stretches his claws1 and then the other2 then one arches his back and snarls1 and the other scratches his face for him2 and then when all is flying fur and blasphemy1 off slips her ,grace and does what she will4 ,it was an astonishing experience for ,anthony4 ,he had stepped out from his workaday life among the grooms and officers and occasional glimpses of his lonely old master1 into an enchanted region1 where great personages whose very names were luminous with fame1 now lived and breathed and looked cheerful or sullen before his very eyes2 and one who knew them in their daily life stood by him and commented and interpreted them for him4 ,he listened and stared1 dazed with the strangeness of it all4 ,mistress ,corbet was proceeding to express her views upon the foreign element that formed half the pageant1 when the shrill music broke out again in the palace1 and the trumpeters on the steps took it up2 and a stir and bustle began4 ,then out of the porch began to stream a procession1 like a river of colour and jewels1 pouring from the foot of the carved and windowed wall1 and eddying in a tumbled pool about the great gilt carriage2--ushers and footmen and nobles and ladies and pages in bewildering succession4 ,anthony pressed his forehead to the glass as he watched1 with little exclamations1 and ,mary watched him1 amused and interested by his enthusiasm4 ,and last moved the great canopy bending and swaying under the doorway1 and beneath it1 like two gorgeous butterflies1 at the sight of whom all the standing world fell on its knees1 came the pale ,elizabeth with her auburn hair1 and the brown-faced ,mendoza1 side by side2 and entered the carriage with the five plumes atop and the caparisoned horses that stamped and tossed their jingling heads4 ,the yard was already emptying fast1 en route for ,chelsea ,stairs2 and as soon as the two were seated1 the shrill trumpets blew again1 and the halberdiers moved off with the carriage in the midst1 the great nobles going before1 and the ladies behind4 ,the later comers mounted as quickly as possible1 as their horses were brought in from the stable entrance1 and clattered away1 and in five minutes the yard was empty1 except for a few sentries at their posts1 and a servant or two lounging at the doorway2 and as ,anthony still stared at the empty pavement and the carpeted steps1 far away from the direction of the ,abbey came the clear call of the horns to tell the loyal folk that the ,queen was coming4 ,it was a great inspiration for ,anthony4 ,he had seen world-powers incarnate below him in the glittering rustling figure of the ,queen1 and the dark-eyed courtly ,ambassador in his orders and jewels at her side4 ,there they had sat together in one carriage2 the huge fiery realm of the south1 whose very name was redolent with passion and adventure and boundless wealth2 and the little self-contained northern kingdom1 now beginning to stretch its hands1 and quiver all along its tingling sinews and veins with fresh adolescent life4 ,and ,anthony knew that he was one of the cells of this young organism2 and that in him as well as in ,elizabeth and this sparkling creature at his side ran the fresh red blood of ,england4 ,they were all one in the possession of a common life2 and his heart burned as he thought of it4 ,after he had parted from ,mary he rode back to ,westminster1 and crossed the river by the horse-ferry that plied there4 ,and even as he landed and got his beast1 with a deal of stamping and blowing1 off the echoing boards on to the clean gravel again1 there came down the reaches of the river the mellow sound of music across a mile of water1 mingled with the deep rattle of oars1 and sparkles of steel and colour glittered from the far-away royal barges in the autumn sunshine2 and the lad thought with wonder how the two great powers so savagely at war upon the salt sea1 were at peace here1 sitting side by side on silken cushions and listening to the same trumpets of peace upon the flowing river4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,some ,,new ,,lessons ,the six years that followed ,sir ,nicholas' return and ,hubert's departure for the ,north had passed uneventfully at ,great ,keynes4 ,the old knight had been profoundly shocked that any ,catholic1 especially an agent so valuable as ,mr4 ,stewart1 should have found his house a death-trap2 and although he continued receiving his friends and succouring them1 he did so with more real caution and less ostentation of it4 ,his religious zeal and discretion were further increased by the secret return to the ,old ,religion of several of his villagers during the period2 and a very fair congregation attended ,mass so often as it was said in the cloister wing of the ,hall4 ,the new rector1 like his predecessor1 was content to let the squire alone2 and unlike him had no wife to make trouble4 ,then1 suddenly1 in the summer of '#gg1 catastrophes began1 headed by the unexpected return of ,hubert1 impatient of waiting1 and with new plans in his mind4 ,isabel had been out with ,mistress ,margaret walking in the dusk one ,august evening after supper1 on the raised terrace beneath the yews4 ,they had been listening to the loud snoring of the young owls in the ivy on the chimney-stack opposite1 and had watched the fierce bird slide silently out of the gloom1 white against the blackness1 and disappear down among the meadows4 ,once ,isabel had seen him pause1 too1 on one of his return journeys1 suspicious of the dim figures beneath1 silhouetted on a branch against the luminous green western sky1 with the outline of a mouse with its hanging tail plain in his crooked claws1 before he glided to his nest again4 ,as ,isabel waited she heard the bang of the garden-door1 but gave it no thought1 and a moment after ,mistress ,margaret asked her to fetch a couple of wraps from the house for them both1 as the air had a touch of chill in it4 ,she came down the lichened steps1 crossed the lawn1 and passed into the unlighted hall4 ,as she entered1 the door opposite opened1 and for a moment she saw the silhouette of a man's figure against the bright passage beyond4 ,her heart suddenly leapt1 and stood still4 ,anthony6 she whispered1 in a hush of suspense4 ,there was a vibration and a step beside her4 ,isabel6 said ,hubert's voice4 ,and then his arms closed round her for the first time in her life4 ,she struggled and panted a moment as she felt his breath on her face2 and he released her4 ,she recoiled to the door1 and stood there silent and panting4 ,oh6 ,isabel6 he whispered2 and again1 ,isabel6 ,she put out her hand and grasped the door-post behind her4 ,oh6 ,hubert6 ,why have you come8 ,he came a step nearer and she could see the faint whiteness of his face in the western glimmer4 ,i cannot wait1 he said1 ,i have been nearly beside myself4 ,i have left the north--and ,i cannot wait so long4 ,well8 she said2 and he heard the note of entreaty and anxiety in her voice4 ,i have my plans1 he answered2 ,i will tell you to-morrow4 ,where is my aunt8 ,isabel heard a step on the gravel outside4 ,she is coming1 she said sharply4 ,hubert melted into the dark1 and she saw the opposite door open and let him out4 ,the next day ,hubert announced his plans to ,sir ,nicholas1 and a conflict followed4 ,i cannot go on1 sir1 he said1 ,i cannot wait for ever4 ,i am treated like a servant1 too2 and you know how miserably ,i am paid1 ,i have obeyed you for six years1 sir2 and now ,i have thrown up the post and told my lord to his face that ,i can bear with him no longer4 ,sir ,nicholas' face1 as he sat in his upright chair opposite the boy1 grew flushed with passion4 ,it is your accursed temper1 sir1 he said violently4 ,i know you of old4 ,wait8 ,for what8 ,for the ,protestant girl8 ,i told you to put that from your mind1 sir4 ,hubert did not propose as yet to let his father into all his plans4 ,i have not spoken her name1 sir1 ,i think4 ,i say ,i cannot wait for my fortune2 ,i may be impatient1 sir--,i do not deny it4 ,then how do you propose to better it8 sneered his father4 ,in ,november1 said ,hubert steadily1 looking his father in the eyes1 ,i sail with ,mr4 ,drake4 ,sir ,nicholas' face grew terrific4 ,he rose1 and struck the table twice with his clenched fist4 ,then1 by ,god1 sir1 ,mr4 ,drake may have you now4 ,hubert's face grew white with anger2 but he had his temper under control4 ,then ,i wish you good-day1 sir1 and he left the room4 ,when the boy had left the house again for ,london1 as he did the same afternoon1 ,lady ,maxwell tried to soothe the old man4 ,it was impossible1 even for her1 to approach him before4 ,sweetheart1 she said tranquilly1 as he sat and glowered at his plate when supper was over and the men had left the room1 sweetheart1 we must have ,hubert down here again4 ,he must not sail with ,mr4 ,drake4 ,the old man's face flared up again in anger4 ,he may follow his own devices1 he cried4 ,i care not what he does4 ,he has given up the post that ,i asked for him2 and he comes striding and ruffling home with his hat cocked and--and----2 his voice became inarticulate4 ,he is only a boy1 sweetheart2 with a boy's hot blood--you would sooner have him like that than a milk-sop4 ,besides--he is our boy4 ,the old man growled4 ,his wife went on3 ,and now that ,james cannot have the estate1 he must have it1 as you know1 and carry on the old name4 ,he has disgraced it1 burst out the angry old man1 and he is going now with that damned ,protestant to harry ,catholics4 ,by the grace of ,god ,i love my country1 and would serve her ,grace with my heart's blood--but that my boy should go with ,drake----6 and again his voice failed4 ,it was a couple of days before she could obtain her husband's leave to write a conciliatory letter1 giving leave to ,hubert to go with ,drake1 if he had made any positive engagement 7because1 as she represented to ,sir ,nicholas1 there was nothing actually wrong or disloyal to the ,faith in it7--but entreating him with much pathos not to leave his old parents so bitterly4 99 99 99 99 ,oh1 my dear son1 the end of the letter ran1 your father is old2 and ,god1 in whose hand are our days1 alone knows how long he will live2 and ,i1 too1 my son1 am old4 ,so come back to us and be our dear child again4 ,you must not think too hardly of your father's words to you2 he is quick and hot1 as you are1 too--but indeed we love you dearly4 ,your room here is ready for you2 and ,piers wants a firm hand now over him1 as your father is so old4 ,so come back1 my darling1 and make our old hearts glad again4 ,but the weeks passed by1 and no answer came1 and the old people's hearts grew sick with suspense2 and then1 at last1 in ,september the courier brought a letter1 written from ,plymouth1 which told the mother that it was too late2 that he had in fact engaged himself to ,mr4 ,drake in ,august before he had come to ,great ,keynes at all2 and that in honour he must keep his engagement4 ,he asked pardon of his father for his hastiness2 but it seemed a cold and half-hearted sorrow2 and the letter ended by announcing that the little fleet would sail in ,november2 and that at present they were busy fitting the ships and engaging the men2 and that there would be no opportunity for him to return to wish them good-bye before he sailed4 ,it was plain that the lad was angry still4 ,sir ,nicholas did not say much2 but a silence fell on the house4 ,lady ,maxwell sent for ,isabel1 and they had a long interview4 ,the old lady was astonished at the girl's quietness and resignation4 ,yes1 she said1 she loved ,hubert with all her heart4 ,she had loved him for a long while4 ,no1 she was not angry1 only startled4 ,what would she do about the difference in religion8 ,could she marry him while one was a ,catholic and the other a ,protestant8 ,no1 they would never be happy like that2 and she did not know what she would do4 ,she supposed she would wait and see4 ,yes1 she would wait and see2 that was all that could be done4--,and then had come a silent burst of tears1 and the girl had sunk down on her knees and hidden her face in the old lady's lap1 and the wrinkled jewelled old hand passed quietly over the girl's black hair2 but no more had been said1 and ,isabel presently got up and went home to the ,dower ,house4 ,the autumn went by1 and ,november came1 and there was no further word from ,hubert4 ,then towards the end of ,november a report reached them from ,anthony at ,lambeth that the fleet had sailed2 but had put back into ,falmouth after a terrible storm in the ,channel4 ,and hope just raised its head4 ,then one evening after supper ,sir ,nicholas complained of fever and restlessness1 and went early to bed4 ,in the night he was delirious4 ,mistress ,margaret hastened up at midnight from the ,dower ,house1 and a groom galloped off to ,lindfield before morning to fetch the doctor1 and another to fetch ,mr4 ,barnes1 the priest1 from ,cuckfield4 ,sir ,nicholas was bled to reduce the fever of the pneumonia that had attacked him4 ,all day long he was sinking4 ,about eleven o'clock that night he fell asleep1 apparently1 and ,lady ,maxwell1 who had watched incessantly1 was persuaded to lie down2 but at three o'clock in the morning1 on the first of ,december1 ,mistress ,margaret awakened her1 and together they knelt by the bedside of the old man4 ,the priest1 who had anointed him on the previous evening1 knelt behind1 repeating the prayers for the dying4 ,sir ,nicholas lay on his back1 supported by pillows1 under the gloom of the black old four-posted bed4 ,a wood-fire glowed on the hearth1 and the air was fragrant with the scent of the burning cedar-logs4 ,a crucifix was in the old man's hands2 but his eyes were bright with fever1 and his fingers every now and then relaxed1 and then tightened their hold again on the cool silver of the figure of the crucified ,saviour4 ,his lips were moving tremulously1 and his ruddy old face was pale now4 ,the priest's voice went on steadily2 the struggle was beginning4 ,proficiscere1 anima christiana1 de hoc mundo4--,go forth1 ,christian soul1 from this world in the name of ,god the ,father ,almighty1 who created thee2 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 ,son of the living ,god1 ,who suffered for thee2 in the name of the ,holy ,ghost1 who was shed forth upon thee2 ,in the name of ,angels and ,archangels2 in the name of ,thrones and ,dominions2 in the name of ,principalities and ,powers---- ,suddenly the old man1 whose head had been slowly turning from side to side1 ceased his movement1 and his open mouth closed2 he was looking steadily at his wife1 and a look of recognition came back to his eyes4 ,sweetheart1 he said2 and smiled1 and died4 99 99 99 99 ,isabel did not see much of ,mistress ,margaret for the next few days2 she was constantly with her sister1 and when she came to the ,dower ,house now and then1 said little to the girl4 ,there were curious rumours in the village2 strangers came and went continually1 and there was a vast congregation at the funeral1 when the body of the old knight was laid to rest in the ,maxwell chapel4 ,the following day the air of mystery deepened2 and young ,mrs4 ,melton whispered to ,isabel1 with many glances and becks1 that she and her man had seen lights through the chapel windows at three o'clock that morning4 ,isabel went into the chapel presently to visit the grave1 and there was a new smear of black on the east wall as if a taper had been set too near4 ,the courier who had been despatched to announce to ,hubert that his father had died and left him master of the ,hall and estate1 with certain conditions1 returned at the end of the month with the news that the fleet had sailed again on the thirteenth1 and that ,hubert was gone with it2 so ,lady ,maxwell1 now more silent and retired than ever1 for the present retained her old position and ,mr4 ,piers took charge of the estate4 ,although ,isabel outwardly was very little changed in the last six years1 great movements had been taking place in her soul1 and if ,hubert had only known the state of the case1 possibly he would not have gone so hastily with ,mr4 ,drake4 ,the close companionship of such an one as ,mistress ,margaret was doing its almost inevitable work2 and the girl had been learning that behind the brilliant and even crude surface of the ,catholic practice1 there lay still and beautiful depths of devotion which she had scarcely dreamed of4 ,the old nun's life was a revelation to ,isabel2 she heard from her bed in the black winter mornings her footsteps in the next room1 and soon learnt that ,mistress ,margaret spent at least two hours in prayer before she appeared at all4 ,two or three times in the day she knew that she retired again for the same purpose1 and again an hour after she was in bed1 there were the same gentle movements next door4 ,she began to discover1 too1 that for the ,catholic1 as well as for the ,puritan1 the ,person of the ,saviour was the very heart of religion2 that her own devotion to ,christ was a very languid flame by the side of the ardent inarticulate passion of this soul who believed herself ,his wedded spouse2 and that the worship of the saints and the ,blessed ,mother instead of distracting the love of the ,christian soul rather seemed to augment it4 ,the ,king of ,love stood1 as she fancied sometimes1 to ,catholic eyes1 in a glow of ineffable splendour2 and the faces of ,his adoring ,court reflected the ruddy glory on all sides2 thus refracting the light of their central ,sun1 instead of1 as she had thought1 obscuring it4 ,other difficulties1 too1 began to seem oddly unreal and intangible1 when she had looked at them in the light of ,mistress ,margaret's clear old eyes and candid face4 ,it was a real event in her inner life when she first began to understand what the rosary meant to ,catholics4 ,mistress ,corbet had told her what was the actual use of the beads2 and how the mysteries of ,christ's life and death were to be pondered over as the various prayers were said2 but it had hitherto seemed to ,isabel as if this method were an elaborate and superstitious substitute for reading the inspired record of the ,new ,testament4 ,she had been sitting out in the little walled garden in front of the ,dower ,house one morning on an early summer day after her father's death1 and ,mistress ,margaret had come out in her black dress and stood for a moment looking at her irresolutely1 framed in the dark doorway4 ,then she had come slowly across the grass1 and ,isabel had seen for the first time in her fingers a string of ivory beads4 ,mistress ,margaret sat down on a garden chair a little way from her1 and let her hands sink into her lap1 still holding the beads4 ,isabel said nothing1 but went on reading4 ,presently she looked up again1 and the old lady's eyes were half-closed1 and her lips just moving2 and the beads passing slowly through her fingers4 ,she looked almost like a child dreaming1 in spite of her wrinkles and her snowy hair2 the pale light of a serene soul lay on her face4 ,this did not look like the mechanical performance that ,isabel had always associated with the idea of beads4 ,so the minutes passed away2 every time that ,isabel looked up there was the little white face with the long lashes lying on the cheek1 and the crown of snowy hair and lace1 and the luminous look of a soul in conscious communion with the unseen4 ,when the old lady had finished1 she twisted the beads about her fingers and opened her eyes4 ,isabel had an impulse to speak4 ,mistress ,margaret1 she said1 may ,i ask you something8 ,of course1 my darling1 the old lady said4 ,i have never seen you use those before--,i cannot understand them4 ,what is it1 asked the old lady1 that you don't understand8 ,how can prayers said over and over again like that be any good8 ,mistress ,margaret was silent for a moment4 ,i saw young ,mrs4 ,martin last week1 she said1 with her little girl in her lap4 ,amy had her arms round her mother's neck1 and was being rocked to and fro2 and every time she rocked she said ',oh1 mother4' ,but then1 said ,isabel1 after a moment's silence1 she was only a child4 ',except ye become like little children--' quoted ,mistress ,margaret softly--you see1 my ,isabel1 we are nothing more than children with ,god and ,his ,blessed ,mother4 ,to say ',hail ,mary1 ,hail ,mary1' is the best way of telling her how much we love her4 ,and then this string of beads is like ,our ,lady's girdle1 and her children love to finger it1 and whisper to her4 ,and then we say our paternosters1 too2 and all the while we are talking she is shewing us pictures of her dear ,child1 and we look at all the great things ,he did for us1 one by one2 and then we turn the page and begin again4 ,i see1 said ,isabel2 and after a moment or two's silence ,mistress ,margaret got up and went into the house4 ,the girl sat still with her hands clasped round her knee4 ,how strange and different this religion was to the fiery gospel she had heard last year at ,northampton from the harsh stern preacher1 at whose voice a veil seemed to rend and show a red-hot heaven behind6 ,how tender and simple this was--like a blue summer's sky with drifting clouds6 ,if only it was true6 ,if only there were a great ,mother whose girdle was of beads strung together1 which dangled into every ,christian's hands2 whose face bent down over every ,christian's bed2 and whose mighty and tender arms that had held her ,son and ,god were still stretched out beneath her other children4 ,and ,isabel1 whose soul yearned for a mother1 sighed as she reminded herself that there was but one ,mediator between ,god and man--the man1 ,christ ,jesus4 ,and so the time went by1 like an outgoing tide1 silent and steady4 ,the old nun did not talk much to the girl about dogmatic religion1 for she was in a difficult position4 ,she was timid certainly of betraying her faith by silence1 but she was also timid of betraying her trust by speech4 ,sometimes she felt she had gone too far1 sometimes not far enough2 but on the whole her practice was never to suggest questions1 but only to answer them when ,isabel asked2 and to occupy herself with affirmative rather than with destructive criticism4 ,more than this she hesitated to do out of honour for the dead2 less than this she dared not do out of love for ,god and ,isabel4 ,but there were three or four conversations that she felt were worth waiting for2 and the look on ,isabel's face afterwards1 and the sudden questions she would ask sometimes after a fit of silence1 made her friend's heart quicken towards her1 and her prayers more fervent4 ,the two were sitting together one ,december day in ,isabel's upstairs room and the girl1 who had just come in from a solitary walk1 was half kneeling on the window-seat and drumming her fingers softly on the panes as she looked out at the red western sky4 ,i used to think1 she said1 that ,catholics had no spiritual life2 but now it seems to me that in comparison we ,puritans have none4 ,you know so much about the soul1 as to what is from ,god and what from the ,evil ,one2 and we have to grope for ourselves4 ,and yet our ,saviour said that ,his sheep should know ,his voice4 ,i do not understand it4 ,and she turned towards ,mistress ,margaret who had laid down her work and was listening4 ,dear child1 she said1 if you mean our priests and spiritual writers1 it is because they study it4 ,we believe in the science of the soul2 and we consult our spiritual guides for our soul's health1 as the leech for our body's health4 ,but why must you ask the priest1 if the ,lord speaks to all alike8 ,he speaks through the priest1 my dear1 as ,he does through the physician4 ,but why should the priest know better than the people8 pursued ,isabel1 intent on her point4 ,because he tells us what the ,church says1 said the other smiling1 it is his business4 ,he need not be any better or cleverer in other respects4 ,the baker may be a thief or a foolish fellow2 but his bread is good4 ,but how do you know1 went on ,isabel1 who thought ,mistress ,margaret a little slow to see her point--how do you know that the ,church is right8 ,the old nun considered a moment1 and then lifted her embroidery again4 ,why do you think1 she asked1 beginning to sew1 that each single soul that asks ,god's guidance is right8 ,because the ,holy ,ghost is promised to such1 said ,isabel wondering4 ,then is it not likely1 went on the other still stitching1 that the millions of souls who form ,holy ,church are right1 when they all agree together8 ,isabel moved a little impatiently4 ,you see1 went on ,mistress ,margaret1 that is what we ,catholics believe our ,saviour meant when ,he said that the gates of hell should not prevail against ,his ,church4 ,but ,isabel was not content4 ,she broke in3 ,but why are not the ,scriptures sufficient8 ,they are ,god's ,word4 ,the other put down her embroidery again1 and smiled up into the girl's puzzled eyes4 ,well1 my child1 she said1 do they seem sufficient1 when you look at ,christendom now8 ,if they are so clear1 how is it that you have the ,lutherans1 and the ,anabaptists1 and the ,family of ,love1 and the ,calvinists1 and the ,church of ,england1 all saying they hold to the ,scriptures alone4 ,nay1 nay2 the ,scriptures are the grammar1 and the ,church is the dame that teaches out of it1 and she knows so well much that is not in the grammar1 and we name that tradition4 ,but where there is no dame to teach1 the children soon fall a-fighting about the book and the meaning of it4 ,isabel looked at ,mistress ,margaret a moment1 and then turned back again to the window in silence4 ,at another time they had a word or two about ,peter's prerogatives4 ,surely1 said ,isabel suddenly1 as they walked together in the garden1 ,christ is the one ,foundation of the ,church1 ,st4 ,paul tells us so expressly4 ,yes1 my dear1 said the nun1 but then ,christ our ,lord said3 ',thou art ,peter1 and on this rock ,i will build my ,church4' ,so he who is the only ,good ,shepherd1 said to ,peter1 ',feed ,my sheep'2 and ,he that is ,clavis ,david and that openeth and none shutteth said to him1 ',i will give thee the keys1 and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven4' ,that is why we call ,peter the ,vicar of ,christ4 ,isabel raised her eyebrows4 ,surely1 surely---- she began4 ,yes1 my child1 said ,mistress ,margaret1 ,i know it is new and strange to you2 but it was not to your grandfather or his forbears3 to them1 as to me1 it is the plain meaning of the words4 ,we ,catholics are a simple folk4 ,we hold that what our ,saviour said simply ,he meant simply3 as we do in the sacred mystery of ,his ,body and ,blood4 ,to us1 you know1 she went on1 smiling1 with a hand on the girl's arm1 it seems as if you ,protestants twisted the ,word of ,god against all justice4 ,isabel smiled back at her2 but she was puzzled4 ,the point of view was new to her4 ,and yet again in the garden1 a few months later1 as they sat out together on the lawn1 the girl opened the same subject4 ,mistress ,margaret1 she said1 ,i have been thinking a great deal2 and it seems very plain when you talk4 ,but you know our great divines could answer you1 though ,i cannot4 ,my father was no ,papist2 and ,dr4 ,grindal and the ,bishops are all wise men4 ,how do you answer that8 ,the nun looked silently down at the grass a moment or two4 ,it is the old tale1 she said at last1 looking up2 we cannot believe that the babes and sucklings are as likely to be right in such matters as the wise and prudent--even more likely1 if our ,saviour's words are to be believed4 ,dear child1 do you not see that our ,lord came to save all men1 and call all men into ,his ,church2 and that therefore ,he must have marked ,his ,church in such a manner that the most ignorant may perceive it as easily as the most learned8 ,learning is very well1 and it is the gift of ,god2 but salvation and grace cannot depend upon it4 ,it needs an architect to understand why ,paul's ,church is strong and beautiful1 and what makes it so2 but any child or foolish fellow can see that it is so4 ,i do not understand1 said ,isabel1 wrinkling her forehead4 ,why this--that you are as likely to know the ,catholic ,church when you see it1 as ,dr4 ,grindal or ,dr4 ,freake1 or your dear father himself4 ,only a divine can explain about it and understand it1 but you and ,i are as fit to see it and walk into it1 as any of them4 ,but then why are they not all ,catholics8 asked ,isabel1 still bewildered4 ,ah6 said the nun1 softly1 ,god alone knows1 who reads hearts and calls whom ,he will4 ,but learning1 at least1 has nought to do with it4 ,conversations of this kind that took place now and then between the two were sufficient to show ,mistress ,margaret1 like tiny bubbles on the surface of a clear stream1 the swift movement of this limpid soul that she loved so well4 ,but on the other hand1 all the girl's past life1 and most sacred and dear associations1 were in conflict with this movement2 the memory of her quiet1 wise father rose and reproached her sometimes2 ,anthony's enthusiastic talk1 when he came down from ,lambeth1 on the glorious destinies of the ,church of ,england1 of her gallant protest against the corruptions of the ,west1 and of her future unique position in ,christendom as the ,national ,church of the most progressive country--all this caused her to shrink back terrified from the bourne to which she was drifting1 and from the breach that must follow with her brother4 ,but above all else that caused her pain was the shocking suspicion that her love for ,hubert perhaps was influencing her1 and that she was living in gross self-deception as to the sincerity of her motives4 ,this culminated at last in a scene that seriously startled the old nun2 it took place one summer night after ,hubert's departure in ,mr4 ,drake's expedition4 ,mistress ,margaret had seen ,isabel to her room1 and an hour later had finished her night-office and was thinking of preparing herself to bed1 when there was a hurried tap at the door1 and ,isabel came quickly in1 her face pale and miserable1 her great grey eyes full of trouble and distraction1 and her hair on her shoulders4 ,my dear child1 said the nun1 what is it8 ,isabel closed the door and stood looking at her1 with her lips parted4 ,how can ,i know1 ,mistress ,margaret1 she said1 in the voice of a sleep-walker1 whether this is the voice of ,god or of my own wicked self8 ,no1 no1 she went on1 as the other came towards her1 frightened1 let me tell you4 ,i must speak4 ,yes1 my child1 you shall2 but come and sit down first1 and she drew her to a chair and set her in it1 and threw a wrap over her knees and feet2 and sat down beside her1 and took one of her hands1 and held it between her own4 ,now then1 ,isabel1 what is it8 ,i have been thinking over it all so long1 began the girl1 in the same tremulous voice1 with her eyes fixed on the nun's face1 and to-night in bed ,i could not bear it any longer4 ,you see1 ,i love ,hubert1 and ,i used to think ,i loved our ,saviour too2 but now ,i do not know4 ,it seems as if ,he was leading me to the ,catholic ,church2 all is so much more plain and easy there--it seems--it seems--to make sense in the ,catholic ,church2 and all the rest of us are wandering in the dark4 ,but if ,i become a ,catholic1 you see1 ,i can marry ,hubert then2 and ,i cannot help thinking of that2 and wanting to marry him4 ,but then perhaps that is the reason that ,i think ,i see it all so plainly2 just because ,i want to see it plainly4 ,and what am ,i to do8 ,why will not our ,lord shew me my own heart and what is ,his ,will8 ,mistress ,margaret shook her head gently4 ,dear child1 she said1 our ,saviour loves you and wishes to make you happy4 ,do you not think that perhaps ,he is helping you and making it easy in this way1 by drawing you to ,his ,church through ,hubert4 ,why should not both be ,his ,will8 that you should become a ,catholic and marry ,hubert as well8 ,yes1 said ,isabel1 but how can ,i tell8 ,there is only one thing to be done1 went on the old lady1 be quite simple and quiet4 ,whenever your soul begins to be disturbed and anxious1 put yourself in ,his ,hands1 and refuse to decide for yourself4 ,it is so easy1 so easy4 ,but why should ,i be so anxious and disturbed1 if it were not our ,lord speaking and warning me8 ,in the ,catholic ,church1 said ,mistress ,margaret1 we know well about all those movements of the soul2 and we call them scruples4 ,you must resist them1 dear child1 like temptations4 ,we are told that if a soul is in grace and desires to serve ,god1 then whenever our ,lord speaks it is to bring sweetness with ,him2 and when it is the evil one1 he brings disturbance4 ,and that is why ,i am sure that these questionings are not from ,god4 ,you feel stifled1 is it not so1 when you try to pray8 and all seems empty of ,god2 the waves and storms are going over you4 ,but lie still and be content2 and refuse to be disturbed2 and you will soon be at peace again and see the light clearly4 ,mistress ,margaret found herself speaking simply in short words and sentences as to a child4 ,she had seen that for a long while past the clouds had been gathering over ,isabel1 and that her soul was at present completely overcast and unable to perceive or decide anything clearly2 and so she gave her this simple advice1 and did her utmost to soothe her1 knowing that such a clean soul would not be kept long in the dark4 ,she knelt down with ,isabel presently and prayed aloud with her1 in a quiet even voice2 a patch of moonlight lay on the floor1 and something of its white serenity seemed to be in the old nun's tones as she entreated the merciful ,lord to bid peace again to this anxious soul1 and let her see light again through the dark4 ,and when she had taken ,isabel back again to her own room at last1 and had seen her safely into bed1 and kissed her good-night1 already the girl's face was quieter as it lay on the pillow1 and the lines were smoothed out of her forehead4 ,god bless you6 said ,mistress ,margaret4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,hubert',s ,,return ,after the sailing of ,mr4 ,drake's expedition1 the friends of the adventurers had to wait in patience for several months before news arrived4 ,then the ,elizabeth1 under the command of ,mr4 ,winter1 which had been separated from ,mr4 ,drake's ,pelican in a gale off the south-west coast of ,america1 returned to ,england1 bringing the news of ,mr4 ,doughty's execution for desertion2 but of the ,pelican herself there was no further news until complaints arrived from the ,viceroy of ,new ,spain of ,mr4 ,drake's ravages up the west coast4 ,then silence again fell for eighteen months4 ,anthony had followed the fortunes of the ,pelican1 in which ,hubert had sailed1 with a great deal of interest3 and it was with real relief that after the burst of joy in ,london at the news of her safe return to ,plymouth with an incalculable amount of plunder1 he had word from ,lady ,maxwell that she hoped he would come down at once to ,great ,keynes1 and help to welcome ,hubert home4 ,he was not able to go at once1 for his duties detained him2 but a couple of days after the ,hall had welcomed its new master1 ,anthony was at the ,dower ,house again with ,isabel4 ,he found her extraordinarily bright and vivacious1 and was delighted at the change1 for he had been troubled the last time he had seen her a few months before1 at her silence and listlessness2 but her face was radiant now1 as she threw herself into his arms at the door1 and told him that they were all to go to supper that night at the ,hall2 and that ,hubert had been keeping his best stories on purpose for his return4 ,she showed him1 when they got up to his room at last1 little things ,hubert had given her--carved nuts1 a ,spanish coin or two1 and an ingot of gold--but of which she would say nothing1 but only laugh and nod her head4 ,hubert1 too1 when he saw him that evening seemed full of the same sort of half-suppressed happiness that shone out now and again suddenly4 ,there he sat1 for hours after supper that night1 broader and more sunburnt than ever1 with his brilliant eyes glancing round as he talked1 and his sinewy man's hand1 in the delicate creamy ruff1 making little explanatory movements1 and drawing a map once or twice in spilled wine on the polished oak2 the three ladies sat forward and watched him breathlessly1 or leaned back and sighed as each tale ended1 and ,anthony found himself1 too1 carried away with enthusiasm again and again1 as he looked at this gallant sea-dog in his gold chain and satin and jewels1 and listened to his stories4 ,it was bitter cold1 said ,hubert in his strong voice1 telling them of ,mr4 ,doughty's death1 on the morning itself3 and snow lay on the decks when we rose4 ,mr4 ,fletcher had prepared a table in the poop-cabin1 with a white cloth and bread and wine2 and at nine of the clock we were all assembled where we might see into the cabin3 and ,mr4 ,fletcher said the ,communion service1 and ,mr4 ,drake and ,mr4 ,doughty received the sacrament there at his hands4 ,some of ,mr4 ,doughty's men had all they could do to keep back their tears2 for you know1 mother1 they were good friends4 ,and then when it was done1 we made two lines down the deck to where the block stood by the main-mast2 and the two came down together2 and they kissed one another there4 ,and ,mr4 ,doughty spoke to the men1 and bade them pray for the ,queen's ,grace with him2 and they did4 ,and then he and ,mr4 ,drake put off their doublets1 and ,mr4 ,doughty knelt at the block1 and said another prayer or two1 and then laid his head down1 and he was shivering a little with cold1 and then1 when he gave the sign1 ,mr4 ,drake---- and ,hubert brought the edge of his hand down sharply1 and the glasses rang1 and the ladies drew quick hissing breaths2 and ,lady ,maxwell put her hand on her son's arm1 as he looked round on all their faces4 ,then he told them of the expedition up the west coast1 and of the towns they sacked2 and the opulent names rolled oddly off his tongue1 and seemed to bring a whiff of southern scent into this panelled ,english room1--,valparaiso1 ,tarapaca1 and ,arica--2 and of the capture of the ,cacafuego off ,quibdo2 and of the enormous treasure they took1 the great golden crucifix with emeralds of the size of pigeon's eggs1 and the chests of pearls1 and the twenty-six tons of silver1 and the wedges of pure gold from the ,peruvian galleon1 and of the golden falcon from the ,chinese trader that they captured south of ,guatulco4 ,and he described the search up the coast for the passage eastwards that never existed2 and of ,drake's superb resolve to return westwards instead1 by the ,moluccas2 and how they stayed at ,ternate1 south of ,celebes1 and coasted along ,java seeking a passage1 and found it in the ,sunda straits1 and broke out from the treacherous islands into the open sea2 crossed to ,africa1 rounded the ,cape of ,good ,hope2 came up the west coast1 touching at ,sierra ,leone1 and so home again along the ,spanish and ,french coasts1 to ,plymouth ,sound and the pealing of ,plymouth bells4 ,and he broke out into something very like eloquence when he spoke of ,drake4 ,never was such a captain1 he cried1 with his little stiff beard and his obstinate eyes4 ,i have seen him stand on the poop1 when the arrows were like hail on the deck1 with one finger in the ring round his neck1--so3 and ,hubert thrust a tanned finger into a link of his chain1 and lifted his chin1 just making little signs to the steersman1 with his hand behind his back1 to bring the ship nearer to the ,spaniard2 as cool1 ,i tell you1 as cool as if he were playing merelles4 ,oh6 and then when we boarded1 out came his finger from his ring2 and there was none that struck so true and fierce2 and all in silence too1 without an oath or a cry or a word2 except maybe to give an order4 ,but he was very sharp with all that angered him4 ,when we sighted the ,madre di ,dios1 ,i ran into his cabin to tell him of it1 without saluting1 so full was my head of the chase4 ,and he looked at me like ice2 and then roared at me to know where my manners were1 and bade me go out and enter again properly1 before he would hear my news2 and then ,i heard him rating the man that stood at his door for letting me pass in that state4 ,at his dinner1 too1 which he took alone1 there were always trumpets to blow1 as when her ,grace dines4 ,when he laughed it seemed as if he did it with a grave face4 ,there was a piece of grand fooling when we got out from among those weary ,indian islands2 where the great crabs be1 and flies that burn in the dark1 as ,i told you4 ,mr4 ,fletcher1 the minister1 played the coward one night when we ran aground2 and bade us think of our sins and our immortal souls1 instead of urging us to be smart about the ship2 and he did it1 too1 not as ,mr4 ,drake might do1 but in such a melancholy voice as if we were all at our last hour2 so when we were free of our trouble1 and out on the main again1 we were all called by the drum to the forecastle1 and there ,mr4 ,drake sat on a sea-chest as solemn as a judge1 so that not a man durst laugh1 with a pair of pantoufles in his hand2 and ,mr4 ,fletcher was brought before him1 trying to smile as if 'twas a jest for him too1 between two guards2 and there he was arraigned2 and the witnesses were called2 and ,tom ,moore said how he was tapped on the shoulder by ,mr4 ,fletcher as he was getting a pick from the hold2 and how he was as white as a ghost and bade him think on ,mr4 ,doughty1 how there was no mercy for him when he needed it1 and so there would be none for us--and then other witnesses came1 and then ,mr4 ,fletcher tried to make his defence1 saying how it was the part of a minister to bid men think on their souls2 but 'twas no good4 ,mr4 ,drake declared him guilty2 and sentenced him to be kept in irons till he repented of that his cowardice2 and then1 which was the cream of the joke1 since the prisoner was a minister1 ,mr4 ,drake declared him excommunicate1 and cut off from the ,church of ,god1 and given over to the devil4 ,and he was put in irons1 too1 for a while2 so 'twas not all a joke4 ,and what is ,mr4 ,drake doing now8 asked ,lady ,maxwell4 ,oh6 ,drake is in ,london1 said ,hubert4 ,ah6 yes1 and you must all come to ,deptford when her ,grace is going to be there4 ,anthony1 lad1 you'll come8 ,anthony said he would certainly do his best2 and ,isabel put out her hand to her brother1 and beamed at him2 and then turned to look at ,hubert again4 ,and what are you to do next8 asked ,mistress ,margaret4 ,well1 he said1 ,i am to go to ,plymouth again presently1 to help to get the treasure out of the ships2 and ,i must be there1 too1 for the spring and summer1 for ,drake wants me to help him with his new expedition4 ,but you are not going with him again1 my son8 said his mother quickly4 ,hubert put out his hand to her4 ,no1 no1 he said1 ,i have written to tell him ,i cannot4 ,i must take my father's place here4 ,he will understand2 and he gave one swift glance at ,isabel1 and her eyes fell4 ,anthony was obliged to return to ,lambeth after a day or two1 and he carried with him a heart full of admiration and enthusiasm for his friend4 ,he had wondered once or twice1 too1 as his eyes fell on ,isabel1 whether there was anything in what ,mistress ,corbet had said2 but he dared not speak to her1 and still less to ,hubert1 unless his confidence was first sought4 ,the visit to ,deptford1 which took place a week or two later1 gave an additional spurt to ,anthony's nationalism4 ,london was all on fire at the return of the buccaneers1 and as ,anthony rode down the south bank of the river from ,lambeth to join the others at the inn1 the three miles of river beyond ,london ,bridge were an inspiriting sight in the bright winter sunshine1 crowded with craft of all kinds1 bright with bunting1 that were making their way down to the naval triumph4 ,the road1 too1 was thick with vehicles and pedestrians4 ,it was still early when he met his party at the inn1 and ,hubert took them immediately to see the ,pelican that was drawn up in a little creek on the south bank4 ,mistress ,margaret had not come1 so the four went together all over the ship that had been for these years the perilous home of this sunburnt lad they all loved so well4 ,hubert pointed out ,drake's own cabin at the poop1 with its stern-windows1 where the last sacrament of the two friends had been celebrated2 and where ,drake himself had eaten in royal fashion to the sound of trumpets and slept with all-night sentries at his door4 ,he showed them too his own cabin1 where he had lived with three more officers1 and the upper poop-deck where ,drake would sit hour after hour with his spy-glass1 ranging the horizons for treasure-ships4 ,and he showed them1 too1 the high forecastle1 and the men's quarters2 and ,isabel fingered delicately the touch-holes of the very guns that had roared and snapped so fiercely at the ,dons2 and they peered down into the dark empty hold where the treasure-chests had lain1 and up at the three masts and the rigging that had borne so long the swift wings of the ,pelican4 ,and they heard the hiss and rattle of the ropes as ,hubert ordered a man to run up a flag to show them how it was done2 and they smelled the strange tarry briny smell of a sea-going ship4 ,you are not tired8 ,anthony said to his sister1 as they walked back to the inn from which they were to see the spectacle4 ,she shook her head happily2 and ,anthony1 looking at her1 once more questioned himself whether ,mistress ,corbet were right or not4 ,when they had settled down at last to their window1 the crowds were gathering thicker every moment about the entrance to the ship1 which lay in the creek perhaps a hundred yards from the inn1 and on the road along which the ,queen was to come from ,greenwich4 ,anthony felt his whole heart go out in sympathy to these joyous shouting folk beneath1 who were here to celebrate the gallant pluck of a little bearded man and his followers1 who for the moment stood for ,england1 and in whose presence just now the ,queen herself must take second place4 ,even the quacks and salesmen who were busy in their booths all round used patriotism to push their bargains4 ,spanish ointment1 ,spanish ointment6 bellowed a red-faced herbalist in a doctor's gown1 just below the window4 ,the ,dons know what's best for wounds and knocks after ,frankie ,drake's visit2 and the crowd laughed and bought up his boxes4 ,and another drove a roaring business in green glass beads1 reported to be the exact size of the emeralds taken from the ,cacafuego2 and others sold little models of the ,pelican1 warranted to frighten away ,dons and all other kinds of devils from the house that possessed one4 ,isabel laughed with pleasure1 and sent ,anthony down to buy one for her4 ,but perhaps more than all else the sight of the seamen themselves stirred his heart4 ,most of them1 officers as well as men1 were dressed with absurd extravagance1 for the prize-money1 even after the deduction of the ,queen's lion-share1 had been immense1 but beneath their plumed and jewel-buckled caps1 brown faces looked out1 alert and capable1 with tight lips and bright1 puckered eyes1 with something of the terrier in their expression4 ,there they swaggered along with a slight roll in their walk1 by ones or twos1 through the crowd that formed lanes to let them pass1 and surged along in their wake1 shouting after them and clapping them on the back4 ,anthony watched them eagerly as they made their way from all directions to where the ,pelican lay2 for it was close on noon4 ,then from far away came the boom of the ,tower guns1 and then the nearer crash of those that guarded the dockyard2 and last the deafening roar of the ,pelican broadside2 and then the smoke rose and drifted in a heavy veil in the keen frosty air over the cheering crowds4 ,when it lifted again1 there was the flash of gold and colour from the ,greenwich road1 and the high braying of the trumpets pierced the roaring welcome of the people4 ,but the watchers at the windows could see no more over the heads of the crowd than the plumes of the royal carriage1 as the ,queen dismounted1 and a momentary glimpse of her figure and the group round her as she passed on to the deck of the ,pelican and went immediately below to the banquet1 while the parish church bells pealed a welcome4 ,lady ,maxwell insisted that ,isabel should now dine1 as there would be no more to be seen till the ,queen should come up on deck again4 ,of the actual ceremony of the knighting of ,mr4 ,drake they had a very fair view1 though the figures were little and far away4 ,the first intimation they had that the banquet was over was the sight of the scarlet-clad yeomen emerging one by one up the little hatchway that led below4 ,the halberdiers lined the decks already1 with their weapons flashing in long curved lines2 and by the time that the trumpets began to sound to show that the ,queen was on her way from below1 the decks were one dense mass of colour and steel1 with a lane left to the foot of the poop-stairs by which she would ascend4 ,then at last the two figures appeared1 the ,queen radiant in cloth of gold1 and ,mr4 ,drake1 alert and brisk1 in his ,court suit and sword4 ,there was silence from the crowd as the adventurer knelt before the ,queen1 and ,anthony held his breath with excitement as he caught the flash of the slender sword that an officer had put into the ,queen's hand2 and then an inconceivable noise broke out as ,sir ,francis ,drake stood up4 ,the crowd was one open mouth1 shouting1 the church bells burst into peals overhead1 answered by the roll of drums from the deck and the blare of trumpets2 and then the whole din sank into nothingness for a moment under the heart-shaking crash of the ship's broadside1 echoed instantly by the deeper roar of the dockyard guns1 and answered after a moment or two from far away by the dull boom from the ,tower4 ,and ,anthony leaned yet further from the window and added his voice to the tumult4 ,as he rode back alone to ,lambeth1 after parting with the others at ,london ,bridge1 for they intended to go down home again that night1 he was glowing with national zeal4 ,he had seen not only royalty and magnificence but an apotheosis of character that day4 ,there in the little trim figure with the curly hair kneeling before the ,queen was ,england at its best--,england that sent two ships against an empire2 and it was the ,church that claimed ,sir ,francis ,drake as a son1 and indeed a devoted one1 in a sense1 that ,anthony himself was serving here at ,lambeth1 and for which he felt a real and fervent enthusiasm4 ,he was surprised a couple of days later to receive a note in ,lady ,maxwell's handwriting1 brought up by a special messenger from the ,hall4 ,there is a friend of mine1 she wrote1 to come to ,lambeth ,house presently1 he tells me1 to be kept a day or two in ward before he is sent to ,wisbeach4 ,he is a ,catholic1 named ,mr4 ,henry ,buxton1 who showed me great love during the sorrow of my dear husband's death2 and ,i write to you to show kindness to him1 and to get him a good bed1 and all that may comfort him3 for ,i know not whether ,lambeth ,prison is easy or hard2 but ,i hope perhaps that since my ,lord ,archbishop is a prisoner himself he has pity on such as are so too2 and so my pains be in vain4 ,however1 if you will see ,mr4 ,buxton at least1 and have some talk with him1 and show him this letter1 it will cheer him perhaps to see a friend's face4 ,anthony of course made inquiries at once1 and found that ,mr4 ,buxton was to arrive on the following afternoon4 ,it was the custom to send prisoners occasionally to ,lambeth1 more particularly those more distinguished1 or who1 it was hoped1 could be persuaded to friendly conference4 ,mr4 ,buxton1 however1 was thought to be incorrigible1 and was only sent there because there was some delay in the preparations for his reception at ,wisbeach1 which since the previous year had been used as an overflow prison for ,papists4 ,on the evening of the next day1 which was ,friday1 ,anthony went straight out from the ,hall after supper to the gateway prison1 and found ,mr4 ,buxton at a fish supper in the little prison in the outer part of the eastern tower4 ,he introduced himself1 but found it necessary to show ,lady ,maxwell's letter before the prisoner was satisfied as to his identity4 ,you must pardon me1 ,mr4 ,norris1 he said1 when he had read the letter and asked a question or two1 but we poor ,papists are bound to be shy4 ,why1 in this very room1 he went on1 pointing to the inner corner away from the door1 and smiling1 for aught ,i know a man sits now to hear us4 ,anthony was considerably astonished to see this stranger point so confidently to the hiding-hole1 where indeed the warder used to sit sometimes behind a brick partition1 to listen to the talk of the prisoners2 and showed his surprise4 ,ah1 ,mr4 ,norris1 the other said1 we ,papists are bound to be well informed2 or else where were our lives8 ,but come1 sir1 let us sit down4 ,anthony apologised for interrupting him at his supper1 and offered to come again1 but ,mr4 ,buxton begged him not to leave1 as he had nearly finished4 ,so ,anthony sat down1 and observed the prison and the prisoner4 ,it was fairly well provided with necessaries3 a good straw bed lay in one corner on trestles2 and washing utensils stood at the further wall2 and there was an oil lamp that hung high up from an iron pin4 ,the prisoner's luggage lay still half unpacked on the floor1 and a row of pegs held a hat and a cloak4 ,mr4 ,buxton himself was a dark-haired man with a short beard and merry bright eyes2 and was dressed soberly as a gentleman2 and behaved himself with courtesy and assurance4 ,but it was a queer place with this flickering lamp1 thought ,anthony1 for a gentleman to be eating his supper in4 ,when ,mr4 ,buxton had finished his dish of roach and a tankard of ale1 he looked up at ,anthony1 smiling4 ,my lord knows the ways of ,catholics1 then1 he said1 pointing to the bones on his plate4 ,anthony explained that the ,protestants observed the ,friday abstinence1 too4 ,ah yes1 said the other1 ,i was forgetting the ,queen's late injunctions4 ,let us see2 how did it run8 ',the same is not required for any liking of ,papish ,superstitions or ,ceremonies 7is it87 hitherto used1 which utterly are to be detested of all ,christian folk'2 7no1 the last word or two is a gloss71 'but only to maintain the mariners in this land1 and to set men a-fishing4' ,that is the sense of it1 is it not1 sir8 ,you fast1 that is1 not for heavenly reasons1 which were a foolish and ,papish thing to do2 but for earthly reasons1 which is a reasonable and ,protestant thing to do4 ,anthony might have taken this assault a little amiss1 if he had not seen a laughing light in his companion's eyes2 and remembered1 too1 that imprisonment is apt to breed a little bitterness4 ,so he smiled back at him4 ,then soon they fell to talking of ,lady ,maxwell and ,great ,keynes1 where it seemed that ,mr4 ,buxton had stayed more than once4 ,i knew ,sir ,nicholas well1 he said1 ,god rest his soul4 ,it seems to me he is one of those whose life continually gave the lie to men who say that a ,catholic can be no true ,englishman4 ,there never beat a more loyal heart than his4 ,anthony agreed2 but asked if it were not true that ,catholics were in difficulties sometimes as to the proper authority to be obeyed--the ,pope or the ,prince4 ,it is true1 said the other1 or it might be4 ,yet the principle is clear1 ,date ,csari quae sunt ,csaris4 ,the difficulty lies but in the application of the maxim4 ,but with us1 said ,anthony--,church of ,england folk1--there hardly can be ever any such difficulty2 for the ,prince of the ,state is the ,governor of the ,church as well4 ,i take your point1 said ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,you mean that a ,national ,church is better1 for that spiritual and temporal authorities are then at one4 ,just so1 said ,anthony1 beginning to warm to his favourite theme4 ,the ,church is the nation regarded as religious4 ,when ,england wars on land it is through her army1 which is herself under arms2 when on sea she embarks in the navy2 and in the warfare with spiritual powers1 it is through her ,church4 ,and surely in this way the ,church must always be the ,church of the people4 ,the ,englishman and the ,spaniard are like cat and dog2 they like not the same food nor the same kind of coat2 ,i hear that their buildings are not like ours2 their language1 nay1 their faces and minds1 are not like ours4 ,then why should be their prayers and their religion8 ,i quarrel with no foreigner's faith2 it is ,god who made us so4 ,anthony stopped1 breathless with his unusual eloquence2 but it was the subject that lay nearest to his heart at present1 and he found no lack of words4 ,the prisoner had watched him with twinkling eyes1 nodding his head as if in agreement2 and when he had finished his little speech1 nodded again in meditative silence4 ,it is complete1 he answered1 complete4 ,and as a theory would be convincing2 and ,i envy you1 ,master ,norris1 for you stand on the top of the wave4 ,that is what ,england holds4 ,but1 my dear sir1 ,christ our ,lord refused such a kingdom as that4 ,my kingdom1 ,he said1 is not of this world--is not1 that is1 ruled by the world's divisions and systems4 ,you have described ,babel1--every nation with its own language4 ,but it was to undo ,babel and to build one spiritual city that our ,saviour came down1 and sent the ,holy ,ghost to make the ,church at ,pentecost out of ,arabians and ,medes and ,elamites--to break down the partition-walls1 as the apostle tells us1--that there be neither ,jew nor ,greek1 barbarian nor ,scythian--and to establish one vast kingdom 7which for that very reason we name ,catholic71 to destroy differences between nation and nation1 by lifting each to be of the ,people of ,god--to pull down ,babel1 the ,city of ,confusion1 and build ,jerusalem the ,city of ,peace4 ,dear ,god6 cried ,mr4 ,buxton1 rising in his excitement1 and standing over ,anthony1 who looked at him astonished and bewildered4 ,you and your ,england would parcel out the ,kingdom of heaven into national ,churches1 as you name them--among all the kingdoms of the world2 and yet you call yourselves the servants of ,him who came to do just the opposite--yes1 and who will do it1 in spite of you1 and make the kingdoms of this world1 instead1 the ,kingdom of our ,lord and of ,his ,christ4 ,why1 if each nation is to have her ,church1 why not each county and each town--yes1 and each separate soul1 too2 for all are different6 ,nay1 nay1 ,master ,norris1 you are blinded by the ,prince of this world4 ,he is shewing you even now from an high mountain the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them3 lift your eyes1 dear lad1 to the hills from whence cometh your help2 those hills higher than the mountain where you stand2 and see the new ,jerusalem1 and the glory of her1 coming down from ,god to dwell with men4 ,mr4 ,buxton stood1 his eyes blazing1 plainly carried away wholly by enthusiasm2 and ,anthony1 in spite of himself1 could not be angry4 ,he moistened his lips once or twice4 ,well1 sir2 of course ,i hold with what you say1 in one sense2 but it is not come yet2 and never will1 till our ,lord comes back to make all plain4 ,not come yet8 cried the other1 ,not come yet6 ,why1 what is the one ,holy ,catholic and ,apostolic ,church but that8 ,there you have one visible kingdom1 gathered out of every nation and tongue and people1 as the apostle said4 ,i have a little estate in ,france1 ,master ,norris1 where ,i go sometimes2 and there are folk in their wooden shoes1 talking a different human tongue to me1 but1 thank ,god6 the same divine one--of contrition and adoration and prayer4 ,there we have the same mass1 the same priesthood1 the same blessed sacrament and the same ,faith1 as in my own little oratory at ,stanfield4 ,go to ,spain1 ,africa1 ,rome1 ,india2 wherever ,christ is preached2 there is the ,church as it is here--the ,city of ,peace4 ,and as for you and your ,church6 with whom do you hold communion8 ,this stung ,anthony1 and he answered impulsively4 ,in ,geneva and ,frankfort1 at least1 there are folk who speak the same divine tongue1 as you call it1 as we do2 they and we are agreed in matters of faith4 ,indeed1 said ,mr4 ,burton sharply1 then what becomes of your ,nationalism1 and the varied temperaments that you told me ,god had made8 ,anthony bit his lip2 he had overshot his mark4 ,but the other swept on2 and as he talked began to step up and down the little room1 in a kind of rhapsody4 ,is it possible8 he cried1 that men should be so blind as to prefer the little divided companies they name ,national ,churches--all confusion and denial--to that glorious kingdom that ,christ bought with his own dear blood1 and has built upon ,peter1 against which the gates of hell shall not prevail4 ,yes1 ,i know it is a flattering and a pleasant thought that this little nation should have her own ,church2 and it is humbling and bitter that ,england should be called to submit to a foreign potentate in the affairs of faith--,nay1 cry they like the ,jews of old1 not ,christ but ,barabbas--we will not have this ,man to reign over us4 ,and yet this is ,god's will and not that4 ,mark me1 ,mr4 ,norris1 what you hope will never come to be--the ,liar will not keep his word--you shall not have that ,national ,church that you desire3 as you have dealt1 so will it be dealt to you3 as you have rejected1 so will you be rejected4 ,england herself will cast you off3 your religious folk will break into a hundred divisions4 ,even now your ,puritans mock at your prelates--so soon6 ,and if they do thus now1 what will they do hereafter8 ,you have cast away ,authority1 and authority shall forsake you4 ,behold your house is left unto you desolate4 ,forgive me1 ,mr4 ,norris1 he added after a pause1 if ,i have been discourteous1 and have forgotten my manners2 but--but ,i would1 as the apostle said1 that you were altogether as ,i am1 except these bonds4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,a ,,counter-,,march ,isabel was sitting out alone in the ,italian garden at the ,hall1 one afternoon in the summer following the visit to ,deptford4 ,hubert was down at ,plymouth1 assisting in the preparations for the expedition that ,drake hoped to conduct against ,spain4 ,the two countries were technically at peace1 but the object with which he was going out1 with the moral and financial support of the ,queen1 was a corporate demonstration against ,spain1 of ,french1 ,portuguese1 and ,english ships under the main command of ,don ,antonio1 the ,portuguese pretender2 it was proposed to occupy ,terceira in the ,azores2 and ,drake and ,hawkins entertained the highest hopes of laying their hands on further plunder4 ,she was leaning back in her seat1 with her hands behind her head1 thinking over her relations with ,hubert4 ,when he had been at home at the end of the previous year1 he had apparently taken it for granted that the marriage would be celebrated2 he had given her the gold nugget1 that she had showed ,anthony1 telling her he had brought it home for the wedding-ring2 and she understood that he was to come for his final answer as soon as his work at ,plymouth was over4 ,but not a word of explanation had passed between them on the religious difficulty4 ,he had silenced her emphatically and kindly once when she had approached it2 and she gathered from his manner that he suspected the direction in which her mind was turning and was generously unwilling for her to commit herself an inch further than she saw4 ,else whence came his assurance8 ,and1 for herself1 things were indeed becoming plain3 she wondered why she had hesitated so long1 why she was still hesitating2 the cup was brimming above the edge2 it needed but a faint touch of stimulus to precipitate all4 ,and so ,isabel lay back and pondered1 with a touch of happy impatience at the workings of her own soul2 for she dared not act without the final touch of conviction4 ,mistress ,margaret had taught her that the swiftest flight of the soul was when there was least movement1 when the soul knew how to throw itself with that supreme effort of cessation into the ,hands of ,god1 that ,he might bear it along3 when1 after informing the intellect and seeking by prayer for ,god's bounty1 the humble client of ,heaven waited with uplifted eyes and ready heart until ,god should answer4 ,and so she waited1 knowing that the gift was at hand1 yet not daring to snatch it4 ,but1 in the meanwhile1 her imagination at least might act without restraint2 so she sent it out1 like a bird from the ,ark1 to bring her the earnest of peace4 ,there1 in the cloister-wing1 somewhere1 lay the chapel1 where she and ,hubert would kneel together2--somewhere beneath that grey roof4 ,that was the terrace where she would walk one day as one who has a right there4 ,which of these windows would be hers8 ,not ,lady ,maxwell's1 of course2 she must keep that4444 ,ah6 how good ,god was6 ,the tall door on to the terrace opened1 and ,mistress ,margaret peered out with a letter in her hand4 ,isabel called to her2 and the old nun came down the steps into the garden4 ,why did she walk so falteringly1 the girl wondered1 as if she could not see8 ,what was it8 ,what was it8 ,isabel rose to her feet1 startled1 as the nun with bent head came up the path4 ,what is it1 ,mistress ,margaret8 ,the other tried to smile at her1 but her lips were trembling too much2 and the girl saw that her eyes were brimming with tears4 ,she put the letter into her hand4 ,isabel lifted it in an agony of suspense2 and saw her name1 in ,hubert's handwriting4 ,what is it8 she said again1 white to the lips4 ,the old lady as she turned away glanced at her2 and ,isabel saw that her face was all twitching with the effort to keep back her tears4 ,the girl had never seen her like that before1 even at ,sir ,nicholas' death4 ,was there anything1 she wondered as she looked1 worse than death8 ,but she was too dazed by the sight to speak1 and ,mistress ,margaret went slowly back to the house unquestioned4 ,isabel turned the letter over once or twice2 and then sat down and opened it4 ,it was all in ,hubert's sprawling handwriting1 and was dated from ,plymouth4 ,it gave her news first about the squadron2 saying how ,don ,antonio had left ,london for ,plymouth1 and was expected daily2 and then followed this paragraph3 ,and now1 dearest ,isabel1 ,i have such good news to give you4 ,i have turned ,protestant2 and there is no reason why we should not be married as soon as ,i return4 ,i know this will make you happy to think that our religions are no longer different4 ,i have thought of this so long2 but would not tell you before for fear of disappointing you4 ,sir ,francis ,drake's religion seems to me the best2 it is the religion of all the 'sea-dogs' as they name us2 and of the ,queen's ,grace1 and it will be soon of all ,england2 and more than all it is the religion of my dearest mistress and love4 ,i do not1 of course1 know very much of it as yet2 but good ,mr4 ,collins here has shown me the superstitions of ,popery2 and ,i hope now to be justified by faith without works as the gospel teaches4 ,i fear that my mother and aunt will be much distressed by this news2 ,i have written1 too1 to tell them of it4 ,you must comfort them1 dear love2 and perhaps some day they1 too1 will see as we do4 ,then followed a few messages1 and loving phrases1 and the letter ended4 ,isabel laid it down beside her on the low stone wall2 and looked round her with eyes that saw nothing4 ,there was the grey old house before her1 and the terrace1 and the cloister-wing to the left1 and the hot sunshine lay on it all1 and drew out scents and colours from the flower-beds1 and joy from the insects that danced in the trembling air2 and it all meant nothing to her2 like a picture when the page is turned over it4 ,five minutes ago she was regarding her life and seeing how the ,grace of ,god was slowly sorting out its elements from chaos to order--the road was unwinding itself before her eyes as she trod on it day by day--now a hand had swept all back into disorder1 and the path was hidden by the ruins4 ,then gradually one thought detached itself1 and burned before her1 vivid and startling2 and in all its terrible reality slipped between her and the visible world on which she was staring4 ,it was this3 to embrace the ,catholic ,faith meant the renouncing of ,hubert4 ,as a ,protestant she might conceivably have married a ,catholic2 as a ,catholic it was inconceivable that she should marry an apostate4 ,then she read the letter through again carefully and slowly2 and was astonished at the unreality of ,hubert's words about ,romish superstition and gospel simplicity4 ,she tried hard to silence her thoughts2 but two reasons for ,hubert's change of religion rose up and insisted on making themselves felt2 it was that he might be more in unity with the buccaneers whom he admired2 second1 that there might be no obstacle to their marriage4 ,and what then1 she asked1 was the quality of the heart he had given her8 ,then1 in a flash of intuition1 she perceived that a struggle lay before her1 compared with which all her previous spiritual conflicts were as child's play2 and that there was no avoiding it4 ,the vision passed1 and she rose and went indoors to find the desolate mother whose boy had lost the ,faith4 ,a month or two of misery went by4 ,for ,lady ,maxwell they passed with recurring gusts of heart-broken sorrow and of agonies of prayer for her apostate son4 ,mistress ,margaret was at the ,hall all day1 soothing1 encouraging1 even distracting her sister by all the means in her power4 ,the mother wrote one passionate wail to her son1 appealing to all that she thought he held dear1 even yet to return to the ,faith for which his father had suffered and in which he had died2 but a short answer only returned1 saying it was impossible to make his defence in a letter1 and expressing pious hopes that she1 too1 one day would be as he was2 the same courier brought a letter to ,isabel1 in which he expressed his wonder that she had not answered his former one4 ,and as for ,isabel1 she had to pass through this valley of darkness alone4 ,anthony was in ,london2 and even if he had been with her could not have helped her under these circumstances2 her father was dead--she thanked ,god for that now--and ,mistress ,margaret seemed absorbed in her sister's grief4 ,and so the girl fought with devils alone4 ,the arguments for ,catholicism burned pitilessly clear now2 every line and feature in them stood out distinct and hard4 ,catholicism1 it appeared to her1 alone had the marks of the ,bride1 visible unity1 visible ,catholicity1 visible ,apostolicity1 visible ,sanctity2--there they were1 the seals of the most ,high ,god4 ,she flung herself back furiously into the ,protestantism from which she had been emerging2 there burned in the dark before her the marks of the ,beast1 visible disunion1 visible nationalism1 visible ,erastianism1 visible gulfs where holiness should be3 that system in which now she could never find rest again glared at her in all its unconvincing incoherence1 its lack of spirituality1 its adulterous union with the civil power instead of the pure wedlock of the ,spouse of ,christ4 ,she wondered once more how she dared to have hesitated so long2 or dared to hesitate still4 ,on the theological side intellectual arguments of this kind started out1 strong and irrefutable2 her emotional drawings towards ,catholicism for the present retired4 ,feelings might have been disregarded or discredited by a strong effort of the will2 these apparently cold phenomena that presented themselves to her intellect1 could not be thus dealt with4 ,yet1 strangely enough1 even now she would not throw herself resolutely into ,catholicism3 the fierce stimulus instead of precipitating the crisis1 petrified it4 ,more than once she started up from her knees in her own dark room1 resolved to awaken the nun and tell her she would wait no longer1 but would turn ,catholic at once and have finished with the misery of suspense3 and even as she moved to the door her will found itself against an impenetrable wall4 ,and then on the other side all her human nature cried out for ,hubert--,hubert--,hubert4 ,there he stood by her in fancy1 day and night1 that chivalrous1 courteous lad1 who had been loyal to her so long2 had waited so patiently2 had run to her with such dear impatience2 who was so wholesome1 so strong1 so humble to her2 so quick to understand her wants1 so eager to fulfil them2 so bound to her by associations2 so fit a mate for the very differences between them4 ,and now these two claims were no longer compatible2 in his very love for her he had ended that possibility4 ,all those old dreams2 the little scenes she had rehearsed1 of their first mass1 their first communion together2 their walks in the twilight2 their rides over the hills2 the new ties that were to draw the old ladies at the ,hall and herself so close together--all this was changed2 some of those dreams were now for ever impossible1 others only possible on terms that she trembled even to think of4 ,perhaps it was worst of all to reflect that she was in some measure responsible for his change of religion2 she fancied that it was through her slowness to respond to light1 her delaying to confide in him1 that he had been driven through impatience to take this step4 ,and so week after week went by and she dared not answer his letter4 ,the old ladies1 too1 were sorely puzzled at her4 ,it was impossible for them to know how far her religion was changing4 ,she had kept up the same reserve towards them lately as towards ,hubert1 chiefly because she feared to disappoint them2 and so after an attempt to tell each other a little of their mutual sympathy1 the three women were silent on the subject of the lad who was so much to them all4 ,she began to show her state a little in her movements and appearance4 ,she was languid1 soon tired and dispirited2 she would go for short1 lonely walks1 and fall asleep in her chair worn out when she came in4 ,her grey eyes looked longer and darker2 her eyelids and the corners of her mouth began to droop a little4 ,then in ,october he came home4 ,isabel had been out a long afternoon walk by herself through the reddening woods4 ,they had never1 since the first awakening of the consciousness of beauty in her1 meant so little to her as now4 ,it appeared as if that keen unity of a life common to her and all living things had been broken or obscured2 and that she walked in an isolation all the more terrible in that she was surrounded by the dumb presence of what she loved4 ,last year the quick chattering cry of the blackbird1 the evening mists over the meadows1 the stir of the fading life of the woods1 the rustling scamper of the rabbit over the dead leaves1 the solemn call of the homing rooks--all this1 only last year1 went to make up the sweet natural atmosphere in which her spirit moved and breathed at ease4 ,now she was excommunicate from that pleasant friendship1 banned by nature and forgotten by the ,god who made it and was immanent within it4 ,her relations to the ,saviour1 who only such a short time ago had been the ,person round whom all the joys of life had centred1 from whom they radiated1 and to whom she referred them all--these relations had begun to be obscured by her love for ,hubert1 and now had vanished altogether4 ,she had regarded her earthly and her heavenly lover as two persons1 each of whom had certain claims upon her heart1 and each of whom she had hoped to satisfy in different ways2 instead of identifying the two1 and serving each not apart from1 but in the other4 ,and it now seemed to her that she was making experience of a ,divine jealousy that would suffer her to be satisfied neither with ,god nor man4 ,her soul was exhausted by internal conflict1 by the swift alternations of attraction and repulsion between the poles of her supernatural and natural life2 so that when it turned wearily from self to what lay outside1 it was not even capable1 as before1 of making that supreme effort of cessation of effort which was necessary to its peace4 ,it seemed to her that she was self-poised in emptiness1 and could neither touch heaven or earth--crucified so high that she could not rest on earth1 so low that she could not reach to heaven4 ,she came in weary and dispirited as the candles were being lighted in her sitting-room upstairs2 but she saw the gleam of them from the garden with no sense of a welcoming brightness4 ,she passed from the garden into the door of the hall which was still dark1 as the fire had nearly burned itself out4 ,as she entered the door opposite opened1 and once more she saw the silhouette of a man's figure against the lighted passage beyond2 and again she stopped frightened1 and whispered ,anthony4 ,there was a momentary pause as the door closed and all was dark again2 and then she heard ,hubert's voice say her name2 and felt herself wrapped once more in his arms4 ,for a moment she clung to him with furious longing4 ,ah6 this is a tangible thing1 she felt1 this clasp2 the faint cleanly smell of his rough frieze dress refreshed her like wine1 and she kissed his sleeve passionately4 ,and the wide gulf between them yawned again2 and her spirit sickened at the sight of it4 ,oh6 ,hubert1 ,hubert6 she said4 ,she felt herself half carried to a high chair beside the fire-place and set down there2 then he re-arranged the logs on the hearth1 so that the flames began to leap again1 showing his strong hands and keen clear-cut face2 then he turned on his knees1 seized her two hands in his own1 and lifted them to his lips2 then laid them down again on her knee1 still holding them2 and so remained4 ,oh6 ,isabel1 he said1 why did you not write8 ,she was silent as one who stares fascinated down a precipice4 ,it is all over1 he went on in a moment1 with the expedition4 ,the ,queen's ,grace has finally refused us leave to go--and ,i have come back to you1 ,isabel4 ,how strong and pleasant he looked in this leaping fire-light6 how real6 and she was hesitating between this warm human reality and the chilly possibilities of an invisible truth4 ,her hands tightened instinctively within his1 and then relaxed4 ,i have been so wretched1 she said piteously4 ,ah6 my dear1 and he threw an arm round her neck and drew her face down to his1 but that is over now4 ,she sat back again2 and then an access of purpose poured into her and braced her will to an effort4 ,no1 no1 she began1 ,i must tell you4 ,i was afraid to write4 ,hubert1 ,i must wait a little longer4 ,i--,i do not know what ,i believe4 ,he looked at her1 puzzled4 ,what do you mean1 dearest8 ,i have been so much puzzled lately--thinking so much--and--and--,i am sorry you have become a ,protestant4 ,it makes all so hard4 ,my dear1 this is--,i do not understand4 ,i have been thinking1 went on ,isabel bravely1 whether perhaps the ,catholic ,church is not right after all4 ,hubert loosed her hands and stood up4 ,she crouched into the shadow of the interior of the high chair1 and looked up at him1 terrified4 ,his cheek twitched a little4 ,isabel1 this is foolishness4 ,i know what the ,catholic faith is4 ,it is not true2 ,i have been through it all4 ,he was speaking nervously and abruptly4 ,she said nothing4 ,then he suddenly dropped on his knees himself4 ,my dearest1 ,i understand4 ,you were doing this for me4 ,i quite understand4 ,it is what ,i too---- and then he stopped4 ,i know1 ,i know1 she cried piteously4 ,it is just what ,i have feared so terribly--that--that our love has been blinding us both4 ,and yet1 what are we to do1 what are we to do8 ,oh6 ,god--,hubert1 help me4 ,then he began to speak in a low emphatic voice1 holding her hands1 delicately stroking one of them now and again1 and playing with her fingers4 ,she watched his curly head in the firelight as he talked1 and his keen face as he looked up4 ,it is all plain to me1 he said1 caressingly4 ,you have been living here with my aunt1 a dear old saint2 and she has been talking and telling you all about the ,catholic religion1 and making it seem all true and good4 ,and you1 my dear child1 have been thinking of me sometimes1 and loving me a little1 is it not so8 and longing that religion should not separate us2 and so you began to wish it was true2 and then to hope it was2 and at last you have begun to think it is4 ,but it is not your true sweet self that believes it4 ,ah6 you know in your heart of hearts1 as ,i have known so long1 that it is not true2 that it is made up by priests and nuns2 and it is very beautiful1 ,i know1 my dearest1 but it is only a lovely tale2 and you must not spoil all for the sake of a tale4 ,and ,i have been gradually led to the light2 it was your-- and his voice faltered--your prayers that helped me to it4 ,i have longed to understand what it was that made you so sweet and so happy2 and now ,i know2 it is your own simple pure religion2 and--and--it is so much more sensible1 so much more likely to be true than the ,catholic religion4 ,it is all in the ,bible you see2 so plain1 as ,mr4 ,collins has showed me4 ,and so1 my dear love1 ,i have come to believe it too2 and you must put all these fancies out of your head1 these dreams2 though ,i love you1 ,i love you1 and he kissed her hand again1 for wishing to believe them for my sake--and--and we will be married before ,christmas2 and we will have our own fairy-tale1 but it shall be a true one4 ,this was terrible to ,isabel4 ,it seemed as if her own haunting thought that she was sacrificing a dream to reality had become incarnate in her lover and was speaking through his lips4 ,and yet in its very incarnation1 it seemed to reveal its weakness rather than its strength4 ,as a dark suggestion the thought was mighty2 embodied in actual language it seemed to shrink a little4 ,but then1 on the other hand--and so the interior conflict began to rage again4 ,she made a movement as if to stand up2 but he pressed her back into the chair4 ,no1 my dearest1 you shall be a prisoner until you give your parole4 ,twice ,isabel made an effort to speak2 but no sound came4 ,it seemed as if the raging strife of thoughts deafened and paralysed her4 ,now1 ,isabel1 said ,hubert4 ,i cannot1 ,i cannot1 she cried desperately1 you must give me time4 ,it is too sudden1 your returning like this4 ,you must give me time4 ,i do not know what ,i believe4 ,oh1 dear ,god1 help me4 ,isabel1 promise6 promise6 ,before ,christmas6 ,i thought it was all to be so happy1 when ,i came in through the garden just now4 ,my mother will hardly speak to me2 and ,i came to you1 ,isabel1 as ,i always did2 ,i felt so sure you would be good to me2 and tell me that you would always love me1 now that ,i had given up my religion for love of you4 ,and now---- and ,hubert's voice ended in a sob4 ,her heart seemed rent across1 and she drew a sobbing sigh4 ,hubert heard it1 and caught at her hands again as he knelt4 ,isabel1 promise1 promise4 ,then there came that gust of purpose into her heart again2 she made a determined effort and stood up2 and ,hubert rose and stood opposite her4 ,you must not ask me1 she said1 bravely4 ,it would be wicked to decide yet4 ,i cannot see anything clearly4 ,i do not know what ,i believe1 nor where ,i stand4 ,you must give me time4 ,there was a dead silence4 ,his face was so much in shadow that she could not tell what he was thinking4 ,he was standing perfectly still4 ,then that is all the answer you will give me8 he said1 in a perfectly even voice4 ,isabel bowed her head4 ,then--then ,i wish you good-night1 ,mistress ,norris1 and he bowed to her1 caught up his cap and went out4 ,she could not believe it for a moment1 and caught her breath to cry out after him as the door closed2 but she heard his step on the stone pavement outside1 the crunch of the gravel1 and he was gone4 ,then she went and leaned her head against the curved mantelshelf and stared into the logs that his hands had piled together4 ,this1 then1 she thought1 was the work of religion2 the end of all her aspirations and efforts1 that ,god should mock them by bringing love into their life1 and then when they caught at it and thanked him for it1 it was whisked away again1 and left their hands empty4 ,was this the ,father of ,love in whom she had been taught to believe1 who treated ,his children like this8 ,and so the bitter thoughts went on2 and yet she knew in her heart that she was powerless2 that she could not go to the door and call ,hubert and promise what he asked4 ,a great ,force had laid hold of her1 it might be benevolent or not--at this moment she thought not--but it was irresistible2 and she must bow her head and obey4 ,and even as she thought that1 the door opened again1 and there was ,hubert4 ,he came in two quick steps across the room to her1 and then stopped suddenly4 ,mistress ,isabel1 he asked1 can you forgive me8 ,i was a brute just now4 ,i do not ask for your promise4 ,i leave it all in your hands4 ,do with me what you will4 ,but--but1 if you could tell me how long you think it will be before you know---- ,he had touched the right note4 ,isabel's heart gave a leap of sorrow and sympathy4 ,oh1 ,hubert1 she said brokenly1 ,i am so sorry2 but ,i promise ,i will tell you--by ,easter8 and her tone was interrogative4 ,yes1 yes1 said ,hubert4 ,he looked at her in silence1 and she saw strange lines quivering at the corners of his mouth1 and his eyes large and brilliant in the firelight4 ,then the two drew together1 and he took her in his arms strongly and passionately4 99 99 99 99 ,there was a scene that night between the mother and son4 ,mistress ,margaret had gone back to the ,dower ,house for supper2 and ,lady ,maxwell and ,hubert were supping in ,sir ,nicholas' old study that would soon be arranged for ,hubert now that he had returned for good4 ,they had been very silent during the meal1 while the servants were in the room1 talking only of little village affairs and of the estate1 and of the cancelling of the proposed expedition4 ,hubert had explained to his mother that it was generally believed that ,elizabeth had never seriously intended the ,english ships to sail1 but that she only wished to draw ,spain's attention off herself by setting up complications between that country and ,france2 and when she had succeeded in this by managing to get the ,french squadron safe at ,terceira1 she then withdrew her permission to ,drake and ,hawkins1 and thus escaped from the quarrel altogether4 ,but it was a poor makeshift for conversation4 ,when the servants had withdrawn1 a silence fell4 ,presently ,hubert looked across the table between the silver branched candlesticks4 ,mother1 he said1 of course ,i know what you are thinking4 ,but ,i cannot consent to go through all the arguments2 ,i am weary of them4 ,neither will ,i see ,mr4 ,barnes to-morrow at ,cuckfield or here4 ,i am satisfied with my position4 ,my son1 said ,lady ,maxwell with dignity1 ,i do not think ,i have spoken that priest's name2 or indeed any4 ,well1 said ,hubert1 impatiently1 at any rate ,i will not see him4 ,but ,i wish to say a few words about this house4 ,we must have our positions clear4 ,my father left to your use1 did he not1 the whole of the cloister-wing8 ,i am delighted1 dear mother1 that he did so4 ,you will be happy there ,i know2 and of course ,i need not say that ,i hope you will keep your old room overhead as well2 and1 indeed1 use the whole house as you have always done4 ,i shall be grateful if you will superintend it all1 as before--at least1 until a new mistress comes4 ,thank you1 my son4 ,i will speak of that in a moment1 he went on1 looking steadily at the table-cloth2 but there was a word ,i wished to say first4 ,i am now a loyal subject of her ,grace in all things2 in religion as in all else4 ,and--and ,i fear ,i cannot continue to entertain seminary priests as my father used to do4 ,my--my conscience will not allow that4 ,but of course1 mother1 ,i need not say that you are at perfect liberty to do what you will in the cloister-wing2 ,i shall ask no questions2 and ,i shall set no traps or spies4 ,but ,i must ask that the priests do not come into this part of the house1 nor walk in the garden4 ,fortunately you have a lawn in the cloister2 so that they need not lack fresh air or exercise4 ,you need not fear1 ,hubert1 said his mother1 ,i will not embarrass you4 ,you shall be in no danger4 ,i think you need not have said that1 mother2 ,i am not usually thought a coward4 ,lady ,maxwell flushed a little1 and began to finger her silver knife4 ,however1 ,hubert went on1 ,i thought it best to say that4 ,the chapel1 you see1 is in that wing2 and you have that lawn2 and--and ,i do not think ,i am treating you hardly4 ,and is your brother ,james not to come8 asked his mother4 ,i have thought much over that1 said ,hubert2 and although it is hard to say it1 ,i think he had better not come to my part of the house--at least not when ,i am here2 ,i must know nothing of it4 ,you must do what you think well when ,i am away1 about him and others too4 ,it is very difficult for me1 mother2 please do not add to the difficulty4 ,you need not fear1 said ,lady ,maxwell steadily2 you shall not be troubled with any ,catholics besides ourselves4 ,then that is arranged1 said the lad4 ,and now there is a word more4 ,what have you been doing to ,isabel8 ,and he looked sharply across the table4 ,his mother's eyes met his fearlessly4 ,i do not understand you1 she said4 ,mother1 you must know what ,i mean4 ,you have seen her continually4 ,i have told you1 my son1 that ,i do not know4 ,why1 burst out ,hubert1 she is half a ,catholic4 ,thank ,god1 said his mother4 ,ah6 yes2 you thank ,god1 ,i know2 but whom am ,i to thank for it8 ,i would that you could thank ,him too4 ,hubert made a sharp sound of disgust4 ,ah6 yes1 he said scornfully1 ,i knew it2 ,non nobis ,domine1 and the rest4 ,hubert1 said ,lady ,maxwell1 ,i do not think you mean to insult me in this house2 but either that is an insult1 or else ,i misunderstood you wholly1 and must ask your pardon for it4 ,well1 he said1 in a harsh voice1 ,i will make myself plain4 ,i believe that it is through the influence of you and ,aunt ,margaret that this has been brought about4 ,at the moment he spoke the door opened4 ,come in1 ,margaret1 said her sister1 this concerns you4 ,the old nun came across to ,hubert with her anxious sweet face2 and put her old hand tenderly on his black satin sleeve as he sat and wrenched at a nut between his fingers4 ,hubert1 dear boy1 she said1 what is all this8 ,will you tell me8 ,hubert rose1 a little ashamed of himself1 and went to the door and closed it2 and then drew out a chair for his aunt1 and put a wine-glass for her4 ,sit down1 aunt1 he said1 and pushed the decanter towards her4 ,i have just left ,isabel1 she said1 she is very unhappy about something4 ,you saw her this evening1 dear lad8 ,yes1 said ,hubert1 heavily1 looking down at the table and taking up another nut1 and it is of that that ,i have been speaking4 ,who has made her unhappy8 ,i had hoped you would tell us that1 said ,mistress ,margaret2 ,i came up to ask you4 ,my son has done us--me--the honour---- began ,lady ,maxwell2 but ,hubert broke in3 ,i left ,isabel here last ,christmas happy and a ,protestant4 ,i have come back here now to find her unhappy and half a ,catholic1 if not more--and---- ,oh6 are you sure8 asked ,mistress ,margaret1 her eyes shining4 ,thank ,god1 if it be so6 ,sure8 said ,hubert1 why she will not marry me2 at least not yet4 ,oh1 poor lad1 she said tenderly1 to have lost both ,god and ,isabel4 ,hubert turned on her savagely4 ,but the old nun's eyes were steady and serene4 ,poor lad6 she said again4 ,hubert looked down again2 his lip wrinkled up in a little sneer4 ,as far as ,i am concerned1 he said1 ,i can understand your not caring1 but ,i am astonished at this response of yours to her father's confidence6 ,lady ,maxwell grew white to the lips4 ,i have told you1 she began--but you do not seem to believe it--that ,i have had nothing to do1 so far as ,i know1 with her conversion1 which--and she raised her voice bravely--,i pray ,god to accomplish4 ,she has1 of course1 asked me questions now and then2 and ,i have answered them--that is all4 ,and ,i1 said ,mistress ,margaret1 plead guilty to the same charge1 and to no other4 ,you are not yourself1 dear boy1 at present2 and indeed ,i do not wonder at it2 and ,i pray ,god to help you2 but you are not yourself1 or you would not speak like this to your mother4 ,hubert rose to his feet2 his face was white under the tan1 and the ruffle round his wrist trembled as he leaned heavily with his fingers on the table4 ,i am only a plain ,protestant now1 he said bitterly1 and ,i have been with ,protestants so long that ,i have forgotten ,catholic ways2 but---- ,stay1 ,hubert1 said his mother1 do not finish that4 ,you will be sorry for it presently1 if you do4 ,come1 ,margaret4 ,and she moved towards the door2 her son went quickly past and opened it4 ,nay1 nay1 said the nun4 ,do you be going1 ,mary4 ,let me stay with the lad1 and we will come to you presently4 ,lady ,maxwell bowed her head and passed out1 and ,hubert closed the door4 ,mistress ,margaret looked down on the table4 ,you have given me a glass1 dear boy2 but no wine in it4 ,hubert took a couple of quick steps back1 and faced her4 ,it is no use1 it is no use1 he burst out1 and his voice was broken with emotion1 you cannot turn me like that4 ,oh1 what have you done with my ,isabel8 ,he put out his hand and seized her arm4 ,give her back to me1 ,aunt ,margaret2 give her back to me4 ,he dropped into his seat and hid his face on his arm2 and there was a sob or two4 ,sit up and be a man1 ,hubert1 broke in ,mistress ,margaret's voice1 clear and cool4 ,he looked up in amazement with wet indignant eyes4 ,she was looking at him1 smiling tenderly4 ,and now1 for the second time1 give me half a glass of wine1 dear boy4 ,he poured it out1 bewildered at her self-control4 ,for a man that has been round the world1 she said1 you are but a foolish child4 ,what do you mean8 ,have you never thought of a way of yet winning ,isabel1 she asked4 ,what do you mean8 he repeated4 ,why1 come back to the ,church1 dear lad2 and make your mother and me happy again1 and marry ,isabel1 and save your own soul4 ,aunt ,margaret1 he cried1 it is impossible4 ,i have truly lost my faith in the ,catholic religion2 and--and--you would not have me a hypocrite4 ,ah6 ah6 said the nun1 you cannot tell yet4 ,please ,god it may come back4 ,oh6 dear boy1 in your heart you know it is true4 ,before ,god1 in my heart ,i know that it is not true4 ,no1 no1 no1 she said2 but the light died out of her eyes1 and she stretched a tremulous hand4 ,yes1 ,aunt ,margaret1 it is so4 ,for years and years ,i have been doubting2 but ,i kept on just because it seemed to me the best religion2 and--and ,i would not be driven out of it by her ,grace's laws against my will1 like a dog stoned from his kennel4 ,but you are only a lad still1 she said piteously4 ,he laughed a little4 ,but ,i have had the gift of reason and discretion nearly twenty years1 a priest would tell me4 ,besides1 ,aunt ,margaret1 ,i could not be such a--a cur--as to come back without believing4 ,i could never look ,isabel in the eyes again4 ,well1 well1 said the old lady1 let us wait and see4 ,do you intend to be here now for a while8 ,not while ,isabel is like this1 he said4 ,i could not4 ,i must go away for a while1 and then come back and ask her again4 ,when will she decide8 ,she told me by next ,easter1 said ,hubert4 ,oh1 ,aunt ,margaret1 pray for us both4 ,the light began to glimmer again in her eyes4 ,there1 dear boy1 she said1 you see you believe in prayer still4 ,but1 aunt1 said ,hubert1 why should ,i not8 ,protestants pray4 ,well1 well1 said the old nun again4 ,now you must come to your mother2 and--and be good to her4 ,,chapter ,v ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,the ,,jesuits ,the effect on ,anthony of ,mr4 ,buxton's conversation was very considerable4 ,he had managed to keep his temper very well during the actual interview2 but he broke out alone afterwards1 at first with an angry contempt4 ,the absurd arrogance of the man made him furious--the arrogance that had puffed away ,england and its ambitions and its vigour--palpable evidences of life and reality1 and further of ,god's blessing--in favour of a miserable ,latin nation which had the presumption to claim the possession of ,peter's ,chair and of the person of the ,vicar of ,christ6 ,test it1 said the young man to himself1 by the ancient ,fathers and ,councils that ,dr4 ,jewel quoted so learnedly1 and the preposterous claim crumbled to dust4 ,test it1 yet again1 by the finger of ,providence2 and ,god ,himself proclaimed that the pretensions of the spiritual kingdom1 of which the prisoner in the cell had bragged1 are but a blasphemous fable4 ,and ,anthony reminded himself of the events of the previous year4 ,three great assaults had been made by the ,papists to win back ,england to the old ,religion4 ,dr4 ,william ,allen1 the founder of ,douai ,college1 had already for the last seven or eight years been pouring seminary priests into ,england1 and over a hundred and twenty were at work among their countrymen1 preparing the grand attack4 ,this was made in three quarters at once4 ,in ,scotland it was chiefly political1 and ,anthony thought1 with a bitter contempt1 of the ,count d',aubigny1 ,esm ,stuart1 who was supposed to be an emissary of the ,jesuits2 how he had plotted with ecclesiastics and nobles1 and professed ,protestantism to further his ends2 and of all the stories of his duplicity and evil-living1 told round the guard-room fire4 ,in ,ireland the attempt was little else than ludicrous4 ,anthony laughed fiercely to himself as he pictured the landing of the treacherous fools at ,dingle1 of ,sir ,james ,fitz,maurice and his lady1 very wretched and giddy after their voyage1 and the barefooted friars1 and ,dr4 ,sanders1 and the banner so solemnly consecrated2 and of the sands of ,smerwick1 when all was over a year later1 and the six hundred bodies1 men and women who had preferred ,mr4 ,buxton's spiritual kingdom to ,elizabeth's kindly rule1 stripped and laid out in rows1 like dead game1 for ,lord ,grey de ,wilton to reckon them by4 ,but his heart sank a little as he remembered the third method of attack1 and of the coming of the ,jesuits4 ,by last ,july all ,london knew that they were here1 and men's hearts were shaken with apprehension4 ,they reminded one another of the ,april earthquake that had tolled the great ,westminster bell1 and thrown down stones from the churches4 ,one of the ,lambeth guards1 a native of ,blunsdon1 in ,wiltshire1 had told ,anthony himself that a pack of hell-hounds had been heard there1 in full cry after a ghostly quarry4 ,phantom ships had been seen from ,bodmin attacking a phantom castle that rode over the waves off the ,cornish coast4 ,an old woman of ,blasedon had given birth to a huge-headed monster with the mouth of a mouse1 eight legs1 and a tail2 and1 worse than all1 it was whispered in the ,somersetshire inns that three companies of black-robed men1 sixty in number1 had been seen1 coming and going overhead in the gloom4 ,these two strange emissaries1 ,fathers ,persons and ,campion--how they appealed to the imagination1 lurking under a hundred disguises1 now of servants1 now of gentlemen of means and position6 ,it was known that they were still in ,england1 going about doing good1 their friends said who knew them2 stirring up the people1 their enemies said who were searching for them4 ,anthony had seen with his own eyes some of the papers connected with their presence--that containing a statement of their objects in coming1 namely1 that they were spiritual not political agents1 seeking recruits for ,christ and for none else2 ,campion's ,challenge and ,brag1 offering to meet any ,english ,divine on equal terms in a public disputation2 besides one or two of the controversial pamphlets1 purporting to be printed at ,douai1 but really emanating from a private printing-press in ,england1 as the ,government experts had discovered from an examination of the water-marks of the paper employed4 ,yet as the weeks went by1 and his first resentment cooled1 ,mr4 ,buxton's arguments more and more sank home1 for they had touched the very point where ,anthony had reckoned that his own strength lay4 ,he had never before heard ,nationalism and ,catholicism placed in such flat antithesis4 ,in fact1 he had never before really heard the statement of the ,catholic position2 and his fierce contempt gradually melted into respect4 ,both theories had a concrete air of reality about them2 his own imaged itself under the symbols of ,england's power2 the ,national ,church appealed to him so far as it represented the spiritual side of the ,english people2 and ,mr4 ,buxton's conception appealed to him from its very audacity4 ,this great spiritual kingdom1 striding on its way1 trampling down the barriers of temperament and nationality1 disregarding all earthly limitations and artificial restraints1 imperiously dominating the world in spite of the world's struggles and resentment--this1 after all1 as he thought over it1 was--well--was a new aspect of affairs4 ,the coming of the ,jesuits1 too1 emphasised the appeal3 here were two men1 as the world itself confessed1 of exceptional ability--for ,campion had been a famous ,oxford orator1 and ,persons a ,fellow of ,balliol--choosing1 under a free-will obedience1 first a life of exile1 and then one of daily peril and apprehension1 the very thought of which burdened the imagination with horror2 hunted like vermin1 sleeping and faring hard1 their very names detested by the majority of their countrymen1 with the shadow of the gallows moving with them1 and the reek of the hangman's cauldron continually in their nostrils--and for what8 ,for ,mr4 ,buxton's spiritual kingdom6 ,well1 ,anthony thought to himself as the weeks went by and his new thoughts sank deeper1 if it is all a superstitious dream1 at least it is a noble one6 ,what1 too1 was the answer1 he asked himself1 that ,england gave to ,father ,campion's challenge1 and the defence that the ,government was preparing against the spiritual weapons of the ,jesuits8 ,new prisons at ,framingham and ,battersea2 new penalties enacted by ,parliament2 and1 above all1 the unanswerable argument of the rack1 and the gallows finally to close the discussion4 ,and what of the army that was being set in array against the priests1 and that was even now beginning to scour the country round ,berkshire1 ,oxfordshire1 and ,london8 ,anthony had to confess to himself that they were queer allies for the servants of ,christ2 for traitors1 liars1 and informers were among the most trusted ,government agents4 ,in short1 as the spring drew on1 ,anthony was not wholly happy4 ,again and again in his own room he studied a little manuscript translation of ,father ,campion's ,ten ,reasons1 that had been taken from a popish prisoner1 and that a friend had given him2 and as he read its exultant rhetoric1 he wondered whether the writer was indeed as insincere and treacherous as ,mr4 ,scot declared4 ,there seemed in the paper a reckless outspokenness1 calculated rather to irritate than deceive4 ,i turn to the ,sacraments1 he read1 none1 none1 not two1 not one1 ,o holy ,christ1 have they left4 ,their very bread is poison4 ,their baptism1 though it be true1 yet in their judgment is nothing4 ,it is not the saving water6 ,it is not the channel of ,grace6 ,it brings not ,christ's merits to us6 ,it is but a sign of salvation6 ,and again the writer cried to ,elizabeth to return to the ancient ,religion1 and to be in truth what she was in name1 the ,defender of the ,faith4 ',kings shall be thy nursing fathers1' thus ,isaiah sang1 'and ,queens thy nursing mothers4' ,listen1 ,elizabeth1 most ,mighty ,queen6 ,to thee the great ,prophet sings6 ,he teaches thee thy part4 ,join then thyself to these princes6444 ,o ,elizabeth1 a day1 a day shall come that shall show thee clearly which have loved thee the better1 the ,society of ,jesus or ,luther's brood6 ,what arrogance1 thought ,anthony to himself1 and what assurance too6 ,meanwhile in the outer world things were not reassuring to the friends of the ,government3 it was true that half a dozen priests had been captured and examined by torture1 and that ,sir ,george ,peckham himself1 who was known to have harboured ,campion1 had been committed to the ,marshalsea2 but yet the ,jesuits' influence was steadily on the increase4 ,more and more severe penalties had been lately enacted2 it was now declared to be high treason to reconcile or be reconciled to the ,church of ,rome2 overwhelming losses in fortune as well as liberty were threatened against all who said or heard ,mass or refused to attend the services of the ,establishment2 but1 as was discovered from papers that fell from time to time into the hands of the ,government agents1 the only answer of the priests was to inveigh more strenuously against even occasional conformity1 declaring it to be the mortal sin of schism1 if not of apostasy1 to put in an appearance under any circumstances1 except those of actual physical compulsion1 at the worship in the parish churches4 ,worse than all1 too1 was the fact that this severe gospel began to prevail2 recusancy was reported to be on the increase in all parts of the country2 and many of the old aristocracy began to return to the faith of their fathers3 ,lords ,arundel1 ,oxford1 ,vaux1 ,henry ,howard1 and ,sir ,francis ,southwell were all beginning to fall under the suspicion of the shrewdest ,government spies4 ,the excitement at ,lambeth ran higher day by day as the summer drew on2 the net was being gradually contracted in the home counties2 spies were reported to be everywhere1 in inns1 in the servants' quarters of gentlemen's houses1 lounging at cross roads and on village greens4 ,campion's name was in every mouth4 ,now they were on his footsteps1 it was said2 now he was taken2 now he was gone back to ,france2 now he was in ,london2 now in ,lancashire2 and each rumour in turn corrected its predecessor4 ,anthony shared to the full in the excitement2 the figure of the quarry1 after which so many hawks were abroad1 appealed to his imagination4 ,he dreamed of him at night1 once as a crafty-looking man with narrow eyes and stooping shoulders1 that skulked and ran from shadow to shadow across a moonlit country2 once as a ruddy-faced middle-aged gentleman riding down a crowded street2 and several times as a kind of double of ,mr4 ,stewart1 whom he had never forgotten1 since he had watched him in the little room of ,maxwell ,hall1 gallant and alert among his enemies4 ,at last one day in ,july1 as it drew on towards evening1 and as ,anthony was looking over the stable-accounts in his little office beyond the ,presence ,chamber1 a buzz of talk and footsteps broke out in the court below2 and a moment later the ,archbishop's body-servant ran in to say that his ,grace wished to see ,mr4 ,norris at once in the gallery that opened out of the guard-room4 ,and ,i think it is about the ,jesuits1 sir1 added the man1 evidently excited4 ,anthony ran down at once and found his master pacing up and down1 with a courier waiting near the steps at the lower end that led to ,chichele's tower4 ,the ,archbishop stopped by a window1 emblazoned with ,cardinal ,pole's emblem1 and beckoned to him4 ,see here1 ,master ,norris1 he said1 ,i have received news that ,campion is at last taken3 it may well be false1 as so often before2 but take horse1 if you please1 and ride into the city and find the truth for me4 ,i will not send a groom2 they believe the maddest tales4 ,you are at liberty8 he added courteously4 ,yes1 your ,grace1 ,i will ride immediately4 ,as he rode down the river-bank towards ,london ,bridge ten minutes later1 he could not help feeling some dismay as well as excitement at the news he was to verify4 ,and yet what other end was possible8 ,but what a doom for the brilliant ,oxford orator1 even though he had counted the cost6 ,streams of excited people were pouring across the bridge into the city2 ,campion's name was on every tongue2 and ,anthony1 as he passed under the high gate1 noticed a man point up at the grim spiked heads above it1 and laugh to his companion4 ,there seemed little doubt1 from the unanimity of those whom he questioned1 that the rumour was true2 and some even said that the ,jesuit was actually passing down ,cheapside on his way to the ,tower4 ,when at last ,anthony came to the thoroughfare the crowd was as dense as for a royal progress4 ,he checked his horse at the door of an inn-yard1 and asked an ostler that stood there what it was all about4 ,it is ,campion1 the ,jesuit1 sir1 said the man4 ,he has been taken at ,lyford1 and is passing here presently4 ,the man had hardly finished speaking when a yell came from the end of the street1 and groans and hoots ran down the crowd4 ,anthony turned in his saddle1 and saw a great stir and movement1 and then horses' and men's heads moving slowly down over the seething surface of the crowd1 as if swimming in a rough sea4 ,he could make little out1 as the company came towards him1 but the faces of the officers and pursuivants who rode in the front rank1 four or five abreast2 then followed the faces of three or four others1 also riding between guards1 and ,anthony looked eagerly at them2 but they were simple faces enough1 a little pale and quiet2 one was like a farmer's1 ruddy and bearded2--surely ,campion could not be among those6 ,then more and more1 riding two and two1 with a couple of armed guards with each pair2 some looked like country-men or servants1 some like gentlemen1 and one or two might be priests2 but the crowd seemed to pay them no attention beyond a glance or two4 ,ah6 what was this coming behind8 ,there was a space behind the last row of guards1 and then came a separate troop riding all together1 of half a dozen men at least1 and one in the centre1 with something white in his hat4 ,the ferment round this group was tremendous2 men were leaping up and yelling1 like hounds round a carted stag2 clubs shot up menacingly1 and a storm of ceaseless execration raged outside the compact square of guards who sat alert and ready to beat off an attack4 ,once a horse kicked fiercely as a man sprang to his hind-quarters1 and there was a scream of pain and a burst of laughing4 ,anthony sat trembling with excitement as the first group had passed1 and this second began to come opposite the entrance where he sat4 ,this then was the man6 ,the rider in the centre sat his horse somewhat stiffly1 and ,anthony saw that his elbows were bound behind his back1 and his hands in front2 the reins were drawn over his horse's head and a pursuivant held them on either side4 ,the man was dressed as a layman1 in a plumed hat and a buff jerkin1 such as soldiers or plain country-gentlemen might use2 and in the hat was a great paper with an inscription4 ,anthony spelt it out4 ,campion1 the ,seditious ,jesuit4 ,then he looked at the man's face4 ,it was a comely refined face1 a little pale but perfectly serene3 his pointed dark brown beard and moustache were carefully trimmed2 and his large passionate eyes looked cheerfully about him4 ,anthony stared at him1 wholly fascinated2 for above the romance that hung about the hunted priest and the glamour of the dreaded ,society which he represented1 there was a chivalrous fearless look in his face that drew the heart of the young man almost irresistibly4 ,at least he did not look like the skulking knave at whom all the world was sneering1 and of whom ,anthony had dreamt so vividly a few nights before4 ,the storm of execration from the faces below1 and the faces crowding at the windows1 seemed to affect him not at all2 and he looked from side to side as if they were cheering him rather than crying against him4 ,once his eyes met ,anthony's and rested on them for a moment2 and a strange thrill ran through him and he shivered sharply4 99 99 99 99 ,and yet he felt1 too1 a distinct and irresistible movement of attraction towards this felon who was riding towards his agony and passion2 and he was conscious at the same time of that curious touch of wonder that he had felt years before towards the man whipped at the cart's tail1 as to whether the solitary criminal were not in the right1 and the clamorous accusers in the wrong4 ,campion in a moment had passed on and turned his head4 ,in that moment1 too1 ,anthony caught a sudden clear instantaneous impression of a group of faces in the window opposite4 ,there were a couple of men in front1 stout city personages no doubt1 with crimson faces and open mouths cursing the traitorous ,papist and the crafty vagrant fox trapped at last2 but between them1 looking over their shoulders1 was a woman's face in which ,anthony saw the most intense struggle of emotions4 ,the face was quite white1 the lips parted1 the eyes straining1 and sorrow and compassion were in every line1 as she watched the cheerful priest among his warders2 and yet there rested on it1 too1 a strange light as of triumph4 ,it was the face of one who sees victory even at the hour of supremest failure4 ,in an instant more the face had withdrawn itself into the darkness of the room4 ,when the crowds had surged down the street in the direction of the ,tower1 yelling in derision as ,campion saluted the lately defaced ,cheapside ,cross1 ,anthony guided his horse out through the dispersing groups1 realising as he did so1 with a touch of astonishment at the coincidence1 that he had been standing almost immediately under the window whence he and ,isabel had leaned out so many years before4 99 99 99 99 ,the sun was going down behind the ,abbey as he rode up towards ,lambeth1 and the sky above and the river beneath were as molten gold4 ,the ,abbey itself1 with ,westminster ,hall and the ,houses of ,parliament below1 stood up like mystical palaces against the sunset2 and it seemed to ,anthony as he rode1 as if ,god ,himself were illustrating in glorious illumination the closing pages of that human life of which a glimpse had opened to him in ,cheapside4 ,it did not appear to him as it had done in the days of his boyish love as if heaven and earth were a stage for himself to walk and pose upon2 but he felt intensely now the dominating power of the personality of the priest2 and that he himself was no more than a spectator of this act of a tragedy of which the priest was both hero and victim1 and for which this evening glory formed so radiant a scene4 ,the old intellectual arguments against the cause that the priest represented for the moment were drowned in this flood of splendour4 ,when he arrived at ,lambeth and had reached the ,archbishop's presence1 he told him the news briefly1 and went to his room full of thought and perplexity4 ,in a few days the story of ,campion's arrest was known far and wide4 ,it had been made possible by the folly of one ,catholic and the treachery of another2 and when ,anthony heard it1 he was stirred still more by the contrast between the ,jesuit and his pursuers4 ,the priest had returned to the moated grange at ,lyford1 after having already paid as long a visit there as was prudent1 owing to the solicitations of a number of gentlemen who had ridden after him and his companion1 and who wished to hear his eloquence4 ,he had returned there again1 said mass on the ,sunday morning1 and preached afterwards1 from a chair set before the altar1 a sermon on the tears of the ,saviour over apostate ,jerusalem4 ,but a false disciple had been present who had come in search of one ,payne2 and this man1 known afterwards by the ,catholics as ,judas ,eliot or ,eliot ,iscariot1 had gathered a number of constables and placed them about the manor-house2 and before the sermon was over he went out quickly from the table of the ,lord1 the house was immediately surrounded1 and the alarm was raised by a watcher placed in one of the turrets after ,eliot's suspicious departure4 ,the three priests present1 ,campion and two others1 were hurried into a hiding-hole over the stairs4 ,the officers entered1 searched1 and found nothing2 and were actually retiring1 when ,eliot succeeded in persuading them to try again2 they searched again till dark1 and still found nothing4 ,mrs4 ,yate encouraged them to stay the night in the house1 and entertained them with ale2 and then when all was quiet1 insisted on hearing some parting words from her eloquent guest4 ,he came out into the room where she had chosen to spend the night until the officers were gone2 and the rest of the ,catholics1 some ,brigittine nuns and others1 met there through private passages and listened to him for the last time4 ,as the company was dispersing one of the priests stumbled and fell1 making a noise that roused the sentry outside4 ,again the house was searched1 and again with no success4 ,in despair they were leaving it1 when ,jenkins1 ,eliot's companion1 who was coming downstairs with a servant of the house1 beat with his stick on the wall1 saying that they had not searched there4 ,it was noticed that the servant showed signs of agitation2 and men were fetched to the spot2 the wall was beaten in and the three priests were found together1 having mutually shriven one another1 and made themselves ready for death4 ,campion was taken out and sent first to the ,sheriff of ,berkshire1 and then on towards ,london on the following day4 99 99 99 99 ,the summer days went by1 and every day brought its fresh rumour about ,campion4 ,sir ,owen ,hopton1 ,governor of the ,tower1 who at first had committed his prisoner to ,little-,ease1 now began to treat him with more honour2 he talked1 too1 mysteriously1 of secret interviews and promises and understandings2 and gradually it began to get about that ,campion was yielding to kindness2 that he had seen the ,queen2 that he was to recant at ,paul's ,cross2 and even that he was to have the ,see of ,canterbury4 ,this last rumour caused great indignation at ,lambeth1 and ,anthony was more pressed than ever to get what authentic news he could of the ,jesuit4 ,then at the beginning of ,august came a burst of new tales2 he had been racked1 it was said1 and had given up a number of names2 and as the month went by more and more details1 authentic and otherwise1 were published4 ,those favourably inclined to the ,catholics were divided in opinion2 some feared that he had indeed yielded to an excess of agony2 others1 and these proved to be in the right when the truth came out1 that he had only given up names which were already known to the authorities2 though even for this he asked public pardon on the scaffold4 ,towards the end of ,august the ,archbishop again sent expressly for ,anthony and bade him accompany his chaplain on the following day to the ,tower1 to be present at the public disputation that was to take place between ,english divines and the ,jesuit4 ,now he will have the chance he craved for1 said ,grindal4 ,he hath bragged that he would meet any and all in dispute1 and now the ,queen's clemency hath granted it him4 ,on the following day in the early morning sunshine the minister and ,anthony rode down together to the ,tower1 where they arrived a few minutes before eight o'clock1 and were passed through up the stairs into ,st4 ,john's chapel to the seats reserved for them4 ,it was indeed true that the authorities had determined to give ,campion his chance1 but they had also determined to make it as small as possible4 ,he was not even told that the discussion was to take place until the morning of its occasion1 and he was allowed no opportunity for developing his own theological position2 the entire conduct of the debate was in the hands of his adversaries2 he might only parry1 seldom riposte1 and never attack4 ,when ,anthony found himself in his seat he looked round the chapel4 ,almost immediately opposite him1 on a raised platform against a pillar1 stood two high seats occupied by ,deans ,nowell and ,day1 who were to conduct the disputation1 and who were now talking with their heads together while a secretary was arranging a great heap of books on the table before them4 ,on either side1 east and west1 stretched chairs for the divines that were to support them in debate1 should they need it2 and the platform on which ,anthony himself had a chair was filled with a crowd of clergy and courtiers laughing and chatting together4 ,a little table1 also heaped with books1 with seats for the notaries1 stood in the centre of the nave1 and not far from it were a number of little wooden stools which the prisoners were to occupy4 ,plainly they were to be allowed no advisers and no books2 even the physical support of table and chairs was denied to them in spite of their weary racked bodies4 ,the chapel1 bright with the morning sunlight that streamed in through the east windows of the bare ,norman sanctuary1 hummed with the talk and laughter of those who had come to see the priest-baiting and the vindication of the ,protestant ,religion2 though1 as ,anthony looked round1 he saw here and there an anxious or a downcast face of some unknown friend of the ,papists4 ,he himself was far from easy in his mind4 ,he had been studying ,campion's ,ten ,reasons more earnestly than ever1 and was amazed to find that the very authorities to which ,dr4 ,jewel deferred1 namely1 the ,scriptures interpreted by ,fathers and ,councils and illustrated by ,history1 were exactly ,campion's authorities1 too2 and that the ,jesuit's appeal to them was no less confident than the ,protestant's4 ,that fact had1 of course1 suggested the thought that if there were no further living authority in existence to decide between these two scholars1 ,christendom was in a poor position4 ,when doctors differed1 where was the layman to turn8 ,to his own private judgment1 said the ,protestant4 ,but then ,campion's private judgment led him to submit to the ,catholic claim6 ,this then at present weighed heavily on ,anthony's mind4 ,was there or was there not an authority on earth capable of declaring to him the ,revelation of ,god8 ,for the first time he was beginning to feel a logical and spiritual necessity for an infallible external ,judge in matters of faith2 and that the ,catholic ,church was the only system that professed to supply it4 ,the question of the existence of such an authority was1 with the doctrine of justification1 one of those subjects continually in men's minds and conversations1 and to ,anthony1 unlike others1 it appeared more fundamental even than its companion4 ,all else seemed secondary4 ,indulgences1 the ,mass1 ,absolution1 the ,worship of ,mary and the ,saints--all these must stand or fall on ,god's authority made known to man4 ,the one question for him was1 ,where was that authority to be certainly found8 ,there came the ringing tramp of footsteps2 the buzz of talk ceased and then broke out again1 as the prisoners1 with all eyes bent upon them1 surrounded by a strong guard of pikemen1 were seen advancing up the chapel from the north-west door towards the stools set ready for them4 ,anthony had no eyes but for ,campion who limped in front1 supported on either side by a warder4 ,he could scarcely believe at first that this was the same priest who had ridden so bravely down ,cheapside4 ,now he was bent1 and walked like an old broken man2 his face was deathly pale1 with shadows and lines about his eyes1 and his head trembled a little4 ,there were one or two exclamations of pity1 for all knew what had caused the change2 and ,anthony heard an undertone moan of sorrow and anger from some one in a seat behind him4 ,the prisoners sat down2 and the guards went to their places4 ,campion took his seat in front1 and turned immediately from side to side1 running his dark eyes along the faces to see where were his adversaries2 and once more ,anthony met his eyes1 and thrilled at it4 ,through the pallor and pain of his face1 the same chivalrous spirit looked out and called for homage and love1 that years ago at ,oxford had made young men1 mockingly nicknamed after their leader1 to desire his praise more passionately than anything on earth1 and even to imitate his manners and dress and gait1 for very loyalty and devotion4 ,anthony could not take his eyes off him2 he watched the clear-cut profile of his face thrown fearlessly forward1 waited in tense expectation to hear him speak1 and paid no attention to the whisperings of the chaplain beside him4 99 99 99 99 ,presently the debate began4 ,it was opened by ,dean ,nowell from his high seat1 who assured ,father ,campion of the disinterested motives of himself and his reverend friends in holding this disputation4 ,it was1 after all1 only what the priest had demanded2 and they trusted by ,god's grace that they would do him good and help him to see the truth4 ,there was no unfairness1 said the ,dean1 who seemed to think that some apology was needed1 in taking him thus unprepared1 since the subject of debate would be none other than ,campion's own book4 ,the ,jesuit looked up1 nodded his head1 and smiled4 ,i thank you1 ,mr4 ,dean1 he said1 in his deep resonant voice1 and there fell a dead hush as he spoke4 ,i thank you for desiring to do me good1 and to take up my challenge2 but ,i must say that ,i would ,i had understood of your coming1 that ,i might have made myself ready4 ,campion's voice thrilled strangely through ,anthony1 as the glance from his eyes had done4 ,it was so assured1 so strong and delicate an instrument1 and so supremely at its owner's command1 that it was hardly less persuasive than his personality and his learning that made themselves apparent during the day4 ,and ,anthony was not alone in his impressions of the ,jesuit4 ,lord ,arundel afterwards attributed his conversion to ,campion's share in the discussions4 ,again and again during the day a murmur of applause followed some of the priest's clean-cut speeches and arguments1 and a murmur of disapproval the fierce thrusts and taunts of his opponents2 and by the end of the day's debate1 so marked was the change of attitude of the crowd that had come to triumph over the ,papist1 and so manifest their sympathy with the prisoners1 that it was thought advisable to exclude the public from the subsequent discussions4 ,on this first day1 all manner of subjects were touched upon1 such as the comparative leniency of ,catholic and ,protestant governments1 the position of ,luther with regard to the ,epistle of ,st4 ,james1 and other matters comparatively unimportant1 in the discussion of which a great deal of time was wasted4 ,campion entreated his opponents to leave such minor questions alone1 and to come to doctrinal matters2 but they preferred to keep to details rather than to principles1 and the priest had scarcely any opportunity to state his positive position at all4 ,the only doctrinal matter seriously touched upon was that of ,justification by ,faith2 and texts were flung to and fro without any great result4 ,we are justified by faith1 cried one side4 ,though ,i have all faith and have not charity1 ,i am nothing1 cried the other4 ,the effect on ,anthony of this day's debate arose rather from the victorious personality of the priest than from his arguments4 ,his gaiety1 too1 was in strange contrast to the solemn ,puritanism of his enemies4 ,for instance1 he was on the point that ,councils might err in matters of fact1 but that the ,scriptures could not4 ,as for example1 he said1 his eyes twinkling out of his drawn face1 ,i am bound under pain of damnation to believe that ,toby's dog had a tail1 because it is written1 he wagged it4 ,the ,deans looked sternly at him1 as the audience laughed4 ,now1 now1 said one of them1 it becomes not to deal so triflingly with matters of weight4 ,campion dropped his eyes1 demurely1 as if reproved4 ,why1 then1 he said1 if this example like you not1 take another4 ,i must believe that ,saint ,paul had a cloak1 because he willeth ,timothy to bring it with him4 ,again the crowd laughed2 and ,anthony laughed1 too1 with a strange sob in his throat at the gallant foolery1 which1 after all1 was as much to the point as a deal that the ,deans were saying4 ,but the second day's debate1 held in ,hopton's ,hall1 was on more vital matters2 and ,anthony again and again found himself leaning forward breathlessly1 as ,drs4 ,goode and ,fulke on the one side1 and ,campion on the other1 respectively attacked and defended the ,doctrine of the ,visible ,church2 for this1 for ,anthony1 was one of the crucial points of the dispute between ,catholicism and ,protestantism4 ,anthony believed already that the ,church was one2 and if it was visible1 surely1 he thought to himself1 it must be visibly one2 and in that case1 it is evident where that ,church is to be found4 ,but if it is invisible1 it may be invisibly one1 and then as far as that matter is concerned1 he may rest in the ,church of ,england4 ,if not--and then he recoiled from the gulf that opened4 ,it must be an essential mark of the ,church1 said ,campion1 and such a quality as is inseparable4 ,it must be visible1 as fire is hot1 and water moist4 ,goode answered that when ,christ was taken and the ,apostles fled1 then at least the ,church was invisible2 and if then1 why not always8 ,it was a ,church inchoate1 answered the priest1 beginning1 not perfect4 ,but ,goode continued to insist that the true ,church is known only to ,god1 and therefore invisible4 ,there are many wolves within1 he said1 and many sheep without4 ,i know not who is elect1 retorted ,campion1 but ,i know who is a ,catholic4 ,only the elect are of the ,church1 said ,goode4 ,i say that both good and evil are of the visible ,church1 answered the other4 ,to be elect or true members of ,christ is one thing1 went on ,goode1 and to be in the visible ,church is another4 99 99 99 99 ,as the talk went on1 ,anthony began to see where the confusion lay4 ,the ,protestants were anxious to prove that membership in a visible body did not ensure salvation but then the ,catholics never claimed that it did2 the question was3 ,did or did not ,christ intend there to be a visible ,church1 membership in which should be the normal though not the infallible means of salvation8 ,they presently got on to the a priori point as to whether a visible ,church would seem to be a necessity4 ,there is a perpetual commandment1 said the priest1 in ,matthew eighteen--',tell the ,church'2 but that cannot be unless the ,church is visible2 ergo1 the visibility of the ,church is continual4 ,when there is an established ,church1 said ,goode1 this remedy is to be sought for4 ,but this cannot be always had4 ,the disease is continual1 answered ,campion2 ergo the remedy must be continual4 ,then he left the a priori ground and entered theirs4 ,to whom should ,i have gone1 he cried1 before ,luther's time8 ,what prelates should ,i have made my complaint unto in those days8 ,where was your ,church nine hundred years ago8 ,whose were ,john ,huss1 ,jerome of ,prague1 the ,waldenses8 ,were they yours8 ,then he turned scornfully to ,fulke1 ,help him1 ,master ,doctor4 ,and ,fulke repeated ,goode's assertion1 that valuable as the remedy is1 it cannot always be had4 ,anthony sat back1 puzzled4 ,both sides seemed right4 ,persecution must often hinder the full privileges of ,church membership and the exercise of discipline4 ,yet the question was1 ,what was ,christ's intention8 ,was it that the ,church should be visible8 ,it seemed that even the ministers allowed that1 now4 ,and if so1 why then the ,catholic's claim that ,christ's intention had never been wholly frustrated1 but that a visible unity was to be found amongst themselves--surely this was easier to believe than the ,protestant theory that the ,church which had been visible for fifteen centuries was not really the ,church at all2 but that the true ,church had been invisible--in spite of ,christ's intention--during all that period1 and was now to be found only in small separated bodies scattered here and there4 ,how of the prevailing of the gates of hell1 if that were allowed to be true8 99 99 99 99 ,at two o'clock they reassembled for the afternoon conference2 and now they got even closer to the heart of the matter1 for the subject was to be1 whether the ,church could err8 ,fulke asserted that it could1 and did2 and made a syllogism3 ,whatsoever error is incident to every member1 is incident to the whole4 ,but it is incident to every member to err2 ergo1 to the whole4 ,i deny both major and minor1 said ,campion quietly4 ,every man may err1 but not the whole gathered together2 for the whole hath a promise1 but so hath not every particular man4 ,fulke denied this stoutly1 and beat on the table4 ,every member hath the spirit of ,christ1 he said1 which is the spirit of truth2 and therefore hath the same promise that the whole hath4 ,why1 then1 said ,campion1 smiling1 there should be no heretics4 ,yes1 answered ,fulke1 heretics may be within the ,church1 but not of the ,church4 ,and so they found themselves back again where they started from4 ,anthony sat back on the oak bench and sighed1 and glanced round at the interested faces of the theologians and the yawns of the amateurs1 as the debate rolled on over the old ground1 and touched on free will1 and grace1 and infant baptism2 until the ,lieutenant interposed3 ,master ,doctors1 he said1 with a judicial air1 the question that was appointed before dinner was1 whether the visible ,church may err--to which ,goode retorted that the digressions were all ,campion's fault4 ,then the debate took the form of contradictions4 ,whatsoever congregation doth err in matters of faith1 said ,goode1 is not the true ,church2 but the ,church of ,rome erreth in matters of faith2 ergo1 it is not the true ,church4 ,i deny your minor1 said ,campion1 the ,church of ,rome hath not erred4 ,then the same process was repeated over the ,council of ,trent2 and the debate whirled off once more into details and irrelevancies about imputed righteousness1 and the denial of the ,cup to the laity4 ,again the audience grew restless4 ,they had not come there1 most of them1 to listen to theological minuti1 but to see sport2 and this interminable chopping of words that resulted in nothing bored them profoundly4 ,a murmur of conversation began to buzz on all sides4 ,campion was in despair4 ,thus shall we run into all questions1 he cried hopelessly1 and then we shall have done this time twelve months4 ,but ,fulke would not let him be2 but pressed on a question about the ,council of ,nice4 ,now we shall have the matter of images1 sighed ,campion4 ,you are nimis acutus1 retorted ,fulke1 you will leap over the stile or ever you come to it4 ,i mean not to speak of images4 ,and so with a few more irrelevancies the debate ended4 ,the third debate in ,september 7on the twenty-third71 at which ,anthony was again present1 was on the subject of the ,real ,presence in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,fulke was in an evil temper1 since it was common talk that ,campion had had the best of the argument on the eighteenth4 ,the other day1 he said1 when we had some hope of your conversion1 we forbare you much1 and suffered you to discourse2 but now that we see you are an obstinate heretic1 and seek to cover the light of the truth with multitude of words1 we mean not to allow you such large discourses as we did4 ,you are very imperious to-day1 answered ,campion serenely1 whatsoever the matter is4 ,i am the ,queen's prisoner1 and none of yours4 ,not a whit imperious1 said ,fulke angrily1--though ,i will exact of you to keep the right order of disputation4 ,then the argument began4 ,it soon became plain to ,anthony that it was possible to take the ,scripture in two senses1 literally and metaphorically4 ,the sacrament either was literally ,christ's body1 or it was not4 ,who then was to decide8 ,father ,campion said it meant the one2 ,dr4 ,fulke the other4 ,could it be possible that ,christ should leave ,his people in doubt as to such a thing8 ,surely not1 thought ,anthony4 ,well1 then1 where is the arbiter8 ,father ,campion says1 ,the ,church2 ,dr4 ,fulke says1 ,the ,scripture4 ,but that is a circular argument1 for the question to be decided is3 ,what does the ,scripture mean8 for it may mean at least two things1 at least so it would seem4 ,here then he found himself face to face with the claims of the ,church of ,rome to be that arbiter2 and his heart began to grow sick with apprehension as he saw how that ,church supplied exactly what was demanded by the circumstances of the case--that is1 an infallible living guide as to the meaning of ,god's ,revelation4 ,the simplicity of her claim appalled him4 ,he did not follow the argument closely1 since it seemed to him but a secondary question now2 though he heard one or two sentences4 ,at one point ,campion was explaining what the ,church meant by substance4 ,it was that which transcended the senses4 ,are you not ,dr4 ,fulke8 he said4 ,and yet ,i see nothing but your colour and exterior form4 ,the substance of ,dr4 ,fulke cannot be seen4 ,i will not vouchsafe to reply upon this answer1 snarled ,fulke1 whose temper had not been improved by the debate--too childish for a sophister6 ,then followed interminable syllogisms1 of which ,campion would not accept the premises2 and no real progress was made4 ,the ,jesuit tried to explain the doctrine that the wicked may be said not to eat the ,body in the ,sacrament1 because they receive not the virtue of ,it1 though they receive the ,thing2 but ,fulke would not hear him4 ,the distinction was new to ,anthony1 with his puritan training1 and he sat pondering it while the debate passed on4 ,the afternoon discussion1 too1 was to little purpose4 ,more and more ,anthony1 and others with him1 began to see that the heart of the matter was the authority of the ,church2 and that unless that was settled1 all other debate was beside the point2 and the importance of this was brought out for him more clearly than ever on the #bgth of the month1 when the fourth and last debate took place1 and on the subject of the sufficiency of the ,scriptures unto salvation4 ,mr4 ,charke1 who had now succeeded as disputant1 began with extempore prayer1 in which as usual the priest refused to join1 praying and crossing himself apart4 ,mr4 ,walker then opened the disputation with a pompous and insolent speech about one ,campion1 an unnatural man to his country1 degenerated from an ,englishman1 an apostate in religion1 a fugitive from this realm1 unloyal to his prince4 ,campion sat with his eyes cast down1 until the minister had done4 ,then the discussion began4 ,the priest pointed out that ,protestants were not even decided as to what were ,scriptures and what were not1 since ,luther rejected three epistles in the ,new ,testament2 therefore1 he argued1 the ,church is necessary as a guide1 first of all1 to tell men what is ,scripture4 ,walker evaded by saying he was not a ,lutheran but a ,christian2 and then the talk turned on to apocryphal books4 ,but it was not possible to evade long1 and the ,jesuit soon touched his opponent4 ,to leave a door to traditions1 he said1 which the ,holy ,ghost may deliver to the true ,church1 is both manifest and seen3 as in the ,baptism of infants1 the ,holy ,ghost proceeding from ,father to ,son1 and such other things mentioned1 which are delivered by tradition4 ,prove these directly by the ,scripture if you can6 ,charke answered by the analogy of circumcision which infants received1 and by quoting ,christ's words as to sending of the ,comforter2 and they were soon deep in detailed argument2 but once more ,anthony saw that it was all a question of the interpretation of ,scripture2 and1 therefore1 that it would seem that an authoritative interpreter was necessary--and where could such be found save in an infallible living ,voice8 ,and once more a question of ,campion's drove the point home4 ,was all ,scripture written when the ,apostles first taught8 ,and ,charke dared not answer yes4 ,the afternoon's debate concerned justification by faith1 and this1 more than ever1 seemed to ,anthony a secondary matter1 now that he was realising what the claim of a living authority meant2 and he sat back1 only interested in watching the priest's face1 so controlled yet so transparent in its simplicity and steadfastness1 as he listened to the ministers' brutal taunts and insolence1 and dealt his quiet skilful parries and ripostes to their incessant assaults4 ,at last the ,lieutenant struck the table with his hand1 and intimated that the time was past1 and after a long prayer by ,mr4 ,walker1 the prisoners were led back to their cells4 ,as ,anthony rode back alone in the evening sunlight1 he was as one who was seeing a vision4 ,there was indeed a vision before him1 that had been taking shape gradually1 detail by detail1 during these last months1 and ousting the old one2 and which now1 terribly emphasised by ,campion's arguments and illuminated by the fire of his personality1 towered up imperious1 consistent1 dominating--and across her brow her title1 ,the ,catholic ,church4 ,far above all the melting cloudland of theory she moved1 a stupendous fact2 living1 in contrast with the dead past to which her enemies cried in vain2 eloquent when other systems were dumb2 authoritative when they hesitated2 steady when they reeled and fell4 ,about her throne dwelt her children1 from every race and age1 secure in her protection1 and wise with her knowledge1 when other men faltered and questioned and doubted3 and as ,anthony looked up and saw her for the first time1 he recognised her as the ,mistress and ,mother of his soul2 and although the blinding clouds of argument and theory and self-distrust rushed down on him again and filled his eyes with dust1 yet he knew he had seen her face in very truth1 and that the memory of that vision could never again wholly leave him4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,some ,,contrasts ,in the ,lambeth household the autumn passed by uneventfully4 ,the rigour of the ,archbishop's confinement had been mitigated1 and he had been allowed now and again to visit his palace at ,croydon2 but his inactivity still continued as the sequestration was not removed2 ,elizabeth had refused to listen to the petition of ,convocation in '#hj for his reinstatement4 ,anthony went down to the old palace once or twice with him2 and was brought closer to him in many ways2 and his affection and tenderness towards his master continually increased4 ,grindal was a pathetic figure at this time1 with few friends1 in poor health1 out of favour with the ,queen1 who had disregarded his existence2 and now his afflictions were rendered more heavy than ever by the blindness that was creeping over him4 ,the ,archbishop1 too1 in his loneliness and sorrow1 was drawn closer to his young officer than ever before2 and gradually got to rely upon him in many little ways4 ,he would often walk with ,anthony in the gardens at ,lambeth1 leaning upon his arm1 talking to him of his beloved flowers and herbs which he was now almost too blind to see2 telling him queer facts about the properties of plants2 and even attempting to teach him a little irrelevant botany now and then4 ,they were walking up and down together1 soon after ,campion's arrest1 one ,august morning before prayers in a little walled garden on the river that ,grindal had laid out with great care in earlier years4 ,ah1 said the old man1 ,i am too blind to see my flowers now1 ,mr4 ,norris2 but ,i love them none the less2 and ,i know their places4 ,now there1 he went on1 pointing with his stick1 there ,i think grows my mastick or marum2 perhaps ,i smell it1 however4 ,what is that flower like1 ,mr4 ,norris8 ,anthony looked at it1 and described its little white flower and its leaves4 ,that is it1 said the ,archbishop1 ,i thought my memory served me4 ,it is a kind of marjoram1 and it has many virtues1 against cramps1 convulsions and venomous bites--so ,galen tells us4 ,then he went on to talk of the simple old plants that he loved best2 of the two kinds of basil that he always had in his garden2 and how good it was mixed in sack against the headache2 and the male penny-royal1 and how well it had served him once when he had great internal trouble4 ,mr4 ,gerrard was here a week or two ago1 ,mr4 ,norris1 when you were down at ,croydon for me4 ,he is my ,lord ,burghley's man2 he oversees his gardens at ,wimbledon ,house1 and in the country4 ,he was telling me of a rascal he had seen at a fair1 who burned henbane and made folks with the toothache breathe in the fumes2 and then feigned to draw a worm forth from the aching tooth2 but it was no worm at all1 but a lute string that he held ready in his hand4 ,there are sad rascals abroad1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,the old man waxed eloquent when they came to the iris bed4 ,ah6 ,mr4 ,norris1 the flowers-de-luce are over by now1 ,i fear2 but what wonderful creatures of ,god they are1 with their great handsome heads and their cool flags4 ,i love to hear a bed of them rustle all together and shake their spears and nod their banners like an army in array4 ,and then they are not only for show4 ,apuleius says that they are good against the gout4 ,i asked ,mr4 ,gerrard whether my lord had tried them2 but he said no1 he would not4 ,at the violet bed he was yet more emphatic4 ,i think1 ,mr4 ,norris1 ,i love these the best of all4 ,they are lowly creatures2 but how sweet6 and like other lowly creatures exalted by their ,maker to do great things as his handmaidens4 ,the leaves are good against inflammations1 and the flowers against ague and hoarseness as well4 ,and then there is oil-of-violets1 as you know2 and violet-syrup and sugar-violet2 then they are good for blisters2 garlands of them were an ancient cure for the headache1 as ,i think ,dioscorides tells us4 ,and they are the best of all cures for some children's ailments4 ,and so they walked up and down together2 the ,archbishop talking quietly on and on2 and helping quite unknown to himself by his tender irrelevant old man's talk to soothe the fever of unrest and anxiety that was beginning to torment ,anthony so much now4 ,his conversation1 like the very flowers he loved to speak of1 was good against inflammations4 ,anthony came to him one morning1 thinking to please him1 and brought him a root that he had bought from a travelling pedlar just outside the gateway4 ,this is a mandrake root1 your ,grace2 ,i heard you speak of it the other day4 ,the ,archbishop took it1 smiling1 felt it carefully1 peered at it a minute or two4 ,no1 my son1 he said1 ,i fear you have met a knave4 ,this is briony-root carved like a mandrake into the shape of a man's legs4 ,it is worthless1 ,i fear2 but ,i thank you for the kind thought1 ,mr4 ,norris1 and he gave the root back to him4 ,and the stories we hear of the mandrake1 ,i fear1 are fables1 too4 ,some say that they only grow beneath gallows from that which falls there2 that the male grows from the corruption of a man's body2 and the female from that of a woman's2 but that is surely a lie1 and a foul one1 too4 ,and then folks say that to draw it up means death2 and that the mandrake screams terribly as it comes up2 and so they bid us tie a dog to it1 and then drive the dog from it so as to draw it up so4 ,i asked ,mr4 ,baker1 the chirurgeon in the household of my ,lord ,oxford1 the other day1 about that2 and he said that such tales be but doltish dreams and old wives' fables4 ,but the true mandrake is a clean and wholesome plant4 ,the true ointment ,populeon should have the juice of the leaves in it2 and the root boiled and strained causes drowsiness4 ,it hath a predominate cold faculty1 ,galen saith2 but its true home is not in ,england at all4 ,it comes from ,mount ,garganus in ,apulia4 ,it was pathetic1 ,anthony thought sometimes1 that this old prelate should be living so far from the movements of the time1 owing to no fault of his own4 ,during these months the great tragedy of ,campion's passion was proceeding a couple of miles away2 but the ,archbishop thought less of it than of the death of an old tree4 ,the only thing from the outside world that seemed to ruffle him was the behaviour of the ,puritans4 ,anthony was passing through le velvet-room one afternoon when he heard voices in the ,presence ,chamber beyond2 and almost immediately heard the ,archbishop1 who had recognised his step1 call his name4 ,he went in and found him with a stranger in a dark sober dress4 ,take this gentleman to ,mr4 ,scot1 he said1 and ask him to give him some refreshment2 for that he must be gone directly4 ,when ,anthony had taken the gentleman to the steward1 he returned to the ,archbishop for any further instructions about him4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,norris1 my business is done with him4 ,he comes from my lord of ,norwich1 and must be returning this evening4 ,if you are not occupied1 ,mr4 ,norris1 will you give me your arm into the garden8 ,they went out by the vestry-door into the little cloisters1 and skirting the end of the creek that ran up by ,chichele's water-tower began to pace up and down the part of the garden that looked over the river4 ,my lord has sent to know if ,i know aught of one ,robert ,browne1 with whom he is having trouble4 ,this ,mr4 ,browne has lately come from ,cambridge1 and so my lord thought ,i might know something of him2 but ,i do not4 ,this gentleman has been saying some wild and foolish things1 ,i fear2 and desires that every church should be free of all others2 and should appoint its own minister1 and rule its own affairs without interference1 and that prophesyings should be without restraint4 ,now1 you know1 ,mr4 ,norris1 ,i have always tried to serve that party1 and support them in their gospel religion2 but this goes too far4 ,where were any governance at all1 if all this were to come about8 where were the ,rule of ,faith8 the power of discipline8 ,nay1 where were the unity for which our ,saviour prayed8 ,it liketh me not4 ,good ,dr4 ,freake1 as his messenger tells me1 feels as ,i do about this2 and desires to restrain ,mr4 ,browne1 but he is so hot he will not be restrained2 and besides1 he is some kin to my ,lord ,burghley1 so ,i fear his mouth will be hard to stop4 ,anthony could not help thinking of ,mr4 ,buxton's prediction that the ,church of ,england had so repudiated authority1 that in turn her own would one day be repudiated4 ,a ,papist prisoner1 your ,grace1 he said1 said to me the other day that this would be sure to come3 that the whole principle of ,church authority had been destroyed in ,england2 and that the ,church of ,england would more and more be deserted by her children2 for that there was no necessary centre of unity left1 now that ,peter was denied4 ,it is what a ,papist is bound to say1 replied the ,archbishop2 but it is easy to prophesy1 when fulfilment may be far away4 ,indeed1 ,i think we shall have trouble with some of these zealous men2 and the ,queen's ,grace was surely right in desiring some restraint to be put upon the ,exercises4 ,but it is mere angry raving to say that the ,church of ,england will lose the allegiance of her children4 ,anthony could not feel convinced that events bore out the ,archbishop's assertion4 ,everywhere the ,puritans were becoming more outrageously disloyal4 ,there were everywhere signs of disaffection and revolt against the authorities of the ,establishment1 even on the part of the most sincere and earnest men1 many of whom were looking forward to the day when the last rags of popery should be cast away1 and formal ,presbyterianism inaugurated in the ,church of ,england4 ,episcopal ,ordination was more and more being regarded as a merely civil requirement1 but conveying no ministerial commission2 recognition by the congregation with the laying on of the hands of the presbyterate was the only ordination they allowed as apostolic4 ,anthony said a word to the ,archbishop about this4 ,you must not be too strict1 said the old man4 ,both views can be supported by the ,scriptures2 and although the ,church of ,england at present recognises only ,episcopal ,ordination within her own borders1 she does not dare to deny1 as the ,papists fondly do1 that other rites may not be as efficacious as her own4 ,that1 surely1 ,master ,norris1 is in accordance with the mind of ,christ that hath the spirit of liberty4 ,much as ,anthony loved the old man and his gentle charity1 this doctrinal position as stated by the chief pastor of the ,church of ,england scarcely served to establish his troubled allegiance4 ,during these autumn months1 too1 both between and after the disputations in the ,tower1 the image of ,campion had been much in his thoughts4 ,everywhere1 except among the irreconcilables1 the ,jesuit was being well spoken of3 his eloquence1 his humour1 and his apparent sincerity were being greatly commented on in ,london and elsewhere4 ,anthony1 as has been seen1 was being deeply affected on both sides of his nature2 the shrewd wit of the other was in conflict with his own intellectual convictions1 and this magnetic personality was laying siege to his heart4 ,and now the last scene of the tragedy1 more affecting than all1 was close at hand4 ,anthony was present first at the trial in ,westminster ,hall1 which took place during ,november1 and was more than ever moved by what he saw and heard there4 ,the priest1 as even his opponents confessed1 had by now won a marvellously good report1 to be such a man as his like was not to be found1 either for life1 learning1 or any other quality which might beautify a man4 ,and now here he stood at the bar1 paler than ever1 so numbed with racking that he could not lift his hand to plead--that supple musician's hand of his1 once so skilful on the lute--so that ,mr4 ,sherwin had to lift it for him out of the furred cuff in which he had wrapped it1 kissing it tenderly as he did so1 in reverence for its sufferings2 and he saw1 too1 the sleek face of ,eliot1 in his red yeoman's coat1 as he stood chatting at the back1 like another ,barabbas whom the people preferred to the servant of the ,crucified4 ,and1 above all1 he heard ,campion's stirring defence1 spoken in that same resonant sweet voice1 though it broke now and then through weakness1 in spite of the unconquerable purpose and cheerfulness that showed in his great brown eyes1 and round his delicate humorous mouth4 ,it was indeed an astonishing combination of sincerity and eloquence1 and even humour1 that was brought to bear on the jury1 and all in vain1 during those days4 ,if you want to dispute as though you were in the schools1 cried one of the court1 when he found himself out of his depth1 you are only proving yourself a fool4 ,i pray ,god1 said ,campion1 while his eyes twinkled1 ,i pray ,god make us both sages4 ,and1 in spite of the tragedy of the day1 a little hum of laughter ran round the audience4 ,if a sheep were stolen1 he argued again1 in answer to the presupposition that since some ,catholics were traitors1 therefore these were--and a whole family called in question for the same1 were it good manner of proceeding for the accusers to say ',your great grandfathers and fathers and sisters and kinsfolk all loved mutton2 ergo1 you have stolen the sheep'8 ,again1 in answer to the charge that he and his companions had conspired abroad1 he said1 ,as for the accusation that we plotted treason at ,rheims1 reflect1 my lords1 how just this charge is6 ,for see6 ,first we never met there at all2 then1 many of us have never been at ,rheims at all2 finally1 we were never in our lives all together1 except at this hour and in prison4 ,anthony heard1 too1 ,campion expose the attempt that was made to shift the charge from religion to treason4 ,there was offer made to us1 he cried indignantly1 that if we would come to the church to hear sermons and the word preached1 we should be set at large and at liberty2 so ,pascall and ,nicholls--7two apostates7 otherwise as culpable in all offences as we1 upon coming to church were received to grace and had their pardon granted2 whereas1 if they had been so happy as to have persevered to the end1 they had been partakers of our calamities4 ,so that our religion was cause of our imprisonment1 and ex consequenti1 of our condemnation4 ,the ,queen's ,counsel tried to make out that certain secrets that ,campion1 in an intercepted letter1 had sworn not to reveal1 must be treasonable or he would not so greatly fear their publication4 ,to this the priest made a stately defence of his office1 and declaration of his staunchness4 ,he showed how by his calling as a priest he was bound to secrecy in matters heard in confession1 and that these secret matters were of this nature4 ,these were the hidden matters1 he said1 these were the secrets1 to the revealing whereof ,i cannot nor will not be brought1 come rack1 come rope6 ,and again1 when ,sergeant ,anderson interpreted a phrase of ,campion's referring to the great day to which he looked forward1 as meaning the day of a foreign papal invasion1 the prisoner cried in a loud voice3 ,o ,judas1 ,judas6 ,no other day was in my mind1 ,i protest1 than that wherein it should please ,god to make a restitution of faith and religion4 ,whereupon1 as in every pulpit every ,protestant doth1 ,i pronounced a great day1 not wherein any temporal potentate should minister1 but wherein the terrible ,judge should reveal all men's consciences1 and try every man of each kind of religion4 ,this is the day of change1 this is the great day which ,i threatened2 comfortable to the well-behaving1 and terrible to all heretics4 ,any other day but this1 ,god knows ,i meant not4 ,then1 after the other prisoners had pleaded1 ,campion delivered a final defence to the jury1 with a solemnity that seemed to belong to a judge rather than a criminal4 ,the babble of tongues that had continued most of the day was hushed to a profound silence in court as he stood and spoke1 for the sincerity and simplicity of the priest were evident to all1 and combined with his eloquence and his strange attractive personality1 dominated all but those whose minds were already made up before entering the court4 ,what charge this day you sustain1 began the priest1 in a steady low voice1 with his searching eyes bent on the faces before him1 and what account you are to render at the dreadful ,day of ,judgment1 whereof ,i could wish this also were a mirror1 ,i trust there is not one of you but knoweth4 ,i doubt not but in like manner you forecast how dear the innocent is to ,god1 and at what price ,he holdeth man's blood4 ,here we are accused and impleaded to the death1--he began to raise his voice a little--here you do receive our lives into your custody2 here must be your device1 either to restore them or condemn them4 ,we have no whither to appeal but to your consciences2 we have no friends to make there but your heeds and discretions4 ,then he touched briefly on the evidence1 showing how faulty and circumstantial it was1 and urged them to remember that a man's life by the very constitution of the realm must not be sacrificed to mere probabilities or presumptions2 then he showed the untrustworthiness of his accusers1 how one had confessed himself a murderer1 and how another was an atheist4 ,then he ended with a word or two of appeal4 ,god give you grace1 he cried1 to weigh our causes aright1 and have respect to your own consciences2 and so ,i will keep the jury no longer4 ,i commit the rest to ,god1 and our convictions to your good discretions4 ,when the jury had retired1 and all the judges but one had left the bench until the jury should return1 ,anthony sat back in his place1 his heart beating and his eyes looking restlessly now on the prisoners1 now on the door where the jury had gone out1 and now on ,judge ,ayloff1 whom he knew a little1 and who sat only a few feet away from him on one side4 ,he could hear the lawyers sitting below the judge talking among themselves2 and presently one of them leaned over to him4 ,good-day1 ,mr4 ,norris1 he said1 you have come to see an acquittal1 ,i doubt not4 ,no man can be in two minds after what we have heard2 at least concerning ,mr4 ,campion4 ,we all think so1 here1 at any rate4 ,the lawyer was going on to say a word or two more as to the priest's eloquence1 when there was a sharp exclamation from the judge4 ,anthony looked up and saw ,judge ,ayloff staring at his hand1 turning it over while he held his glove in the other2 and ,anthony saw to his surprise that the fingers were all blood-stained4 ,one or two gentlemen near him turned and looked1 too1 as the judge1 still staring and growing a little pale1 wiped the blood quickly away with the glove2 but the fingers grew crimson again immediately4 ',s',body6 said ,ayloff1 half to himself2 'tis strange1 there is no wound4 ,a moment later1 looking up1 he saw many of his neighbours glancing curiously at his hand and his pale face1 and hastily thrust on his glove again2 and immediately after the jury returned1 and the judges filed in to take their places4 ,anthony's attention was drawn off again1 and the buzz of talk in the court was followed again by a deep silence4 ,the verdict of ,guilty was uttered1 as had been pre-arranged1 and the ,queen's ,counsel demanded sentence4 ,campion and the rest1 said ,chief ,justice ,wray1 ,what can you say why you should not die8 ,then ,campion1 still steady and resolute1 made his last useless appeal4 ,it was not our death that ever we feared4 ,but we knew that we were not lords of our own lives1 and therefore for want of answer would not be guilty of our own deaths4 ,the only thing that we have now to say is1 that if our religion do make us traitors1 we are worthy to be condemned2 but otherwise are and have been true subjects as ever the ,queen had4 ,in condemning us1 you condemn all your own ancestors1 and as he said this1 his voice began to rise1 and he glanced steadily and mournfully round at the staring faces about him1 all the ancient priests1 bishops1 and kings--all that was once the glory of ,england1 the island of saints1 and the most devoted child of the ,see of ,peter4 ,then1 as he went on1 he flung out his wrenched hands1 and his voice rang with indignant defiance4 ,for what have we taught1 he cried1 however you may qualify it with the odious name of treason1 that they did not uniformly teach8 ,to be condemned with these old lights--not of ,england only1 but of the world--by their degenerate descendants1 is both gladness and glory to us4 ,then1 with a superb gesture1 he sent his voice pealing through the hall3 ,god lives1 posterity will live2 their judgment is not so liable to corruption as that of those who are now about to sentence us to death4 ,there was a burst of murmurous applause as he ended1 which stilled immediately1 as the ,chief ,justice began to deliver sentence4 ,but when the horrible details of his execution had been enumerated1 and the formula had ended1 it was the prisoner's turn to applaud3-- ,te ,deum laudamus6 cried ,campion2 ,te ,dominum confitemur4 ,haec est dies1 shouted ,sherwin1 quam fecit ,dominus2 exultemus et laetemur in ill3 and so with the thanksgiving and joy of the condemned criminals1 the mock-trial ended4 ,when ,anthony rode down silently and alone in the rain that ,december morning a few days later1 to see the end1 he found a vast silent crowd assembled on ,tower ,hill and round the gateway1 where the four horses were waiting1 each pair harnessed to a hurdle laid flat on the ground4 ,he would not go in1 for he could scarcely trust himself to speak1 so great was his horror of the crime that was to be committed2 so he backed his horse against the wall1 and waited over an hour in silence1 scarcely hearing the murmurs of impatience that rolled round the great crowd from time to time1 absorbed in his own thoughts4 ,here was the climax of these days of misery and self-questioning that had passed since the trial in ,westminster ,hall4 ,it was no use1 he argued to himself1 to pretend otherwise4 ,these three men of ,god were to die for their religion--and a religion too which was gradually detaching itself to his view from the mists and clouds that hid it1 as the one great reality and truth of ,god's ,revelation to man4 ,he had come1 he knew1 to see not an execution but a martyrdom4 ,there was a trampling from within1 the bolts creaked1 and the gate rolled back2 a company of halberdiers emerged1 and in their midst the three priests in laymen's dress2 behind followed a few men on horseback1 with a little company of ministers1 bible in hand2 and then a rabble of officers and pursuivants4 ,anthony edged his horse in among the others1 as the crowd fell back1 and took up his place in the second rank of riders between a gentleman of his acquaintance who made room for him on the one side1 and ,sir ,francis ,knowles on the other1 and behind the ,tower officials4 ,then1 once more he heard that ringing bass voice whose first sound silenced the murmurs of the surging excited crowd4 ,god save you all1 gentlemen6 ,god bless you and make you all good ,catholics4 ,then1 as the priest turned to kneel towards the east1 he saw his face paler than ever now1 after his long fast in preparation for death4 ,the rain was still falling as ,campion in his frieze gown knelt in the mud4 ,there was silence as he prayed1 and as he ended aloud by commending his soul to ,god4 ,in manus tuas1 ,domine1 commendo spiritum meum4 99 99 99 99 ,the three were secured to the hurdles1 ,briant and ,sherwin on the one1 ,campion on the other1 all lying on their backs1 with their feet towards the horse's heels4 ,the word to start was given by ,sir ,owen ,hopton who rode with ,charke1 the preacher of ,gray's ,inn1 in the front rank2 the lashed horses plunged forward1 with the jolting hurdles spattering mud behind them2 and the dismal pageant began to move forward through the crowd on that way of sorrows4 ,there was a ceaseless roar and babble of voices as they went4 ,charke1 in his minister's dress1 able now to declaim without fear of reply1 was hardly silent for a moment from mocking and rebuking the prisoners1 and making pompous speeches to the people4 ,see here1 he cried1 these rogueing popish priests1 laid by the heels--aye1 by the heels--at last2 in spite of their tricks and turns4 ,see this fellow in his frieze gown1 dead to the world as he brags2 and know how he skulked and hid in his disguises till her ,majesty's servants plucked him forth6 ,we will disguise him1 we will disguise him1 ere we have done with him1 that his own mother should not know him4 ,ha1 now6 ,campion1 do you hear me8 ,and so the harsh voice rang out over the crowd that tramped alongside1 and up to the faces that filled every window2 while the ministers below kept up a ceaseless murmur of adjuration and entreaty and threatening1 with a turning of leaves of their bibles1 and bursts of prayer1 over the three heads that jolted and rocked at their feet over the cobblestones and through the mud4 ,the friends of the prisoners walked as near to them as they dared1 and their lips moved continually in prayer4 ,every now and then as ,anthony craned his head1 he could see ,campion's face1 with closed eyes and moving lips that smiled again and again1 all spattered and dripping with filth2 and once he saw a gentleman walking beside him fearlessly stoop down and wipe the priest's face with a handkerchief4 ,presently they had passed up ,cheapside and reached ,newgate2 in a niche in the archway itself stood a figure of the ,mother of ,god looking compassionately down2 and as ,campion's hurdle passed beneath it1 her servant wrenched himself a few inches up in his bonds and bowed to his glorious ,queen2 and then laid himself down quietly again1 as a chorus of lament rose from the ministers over his superstition and obstinate idolatry that seemed as if it would last even to death2 and ,charke too1 who had become somewhat more silent1 broke out again into revilings4 99 99 99 99 ,the crowd at ,tyburn was vast beyond all reckoning4 ,outside the gate it stretched on every side1 under the elms1 a few were even in the branches1 along the sides of the stream2 everywhere was a sea of heads1 out of which1 on a little eminence like another ,calvary1 rose up the tall posts of the three-cornered gallows1 on which the martyrs were to suffer4 ,as the hurdles came slowly under the gate1 the sun broke out for the first time2 and as the horses that drew the hurdles came round towards the carts that stood near the gallows and the platform on which the quartering block stood1 a murmur began that ran through the crowd from those nearest the martyrs4--,but they are laughing1 they are laughing6 ,the crowd gave a surge to and fro as the horses drew up1 and ,anthony reined his own beast back among the people1 so that he was just opposite the beam on which the three new ropes were already hanging1 and beneath which was standing a cart with the back taken out4 ,in the cart waited a dreadful figure in a tight-fitting dress1 sinewy arms bare to the shoulder1 and a butcher's knife at his leather girdle4 ,a little distance away stood the hateful cauldron1 bubbling fiercely1 with black smoke pouring from under it3 the platform with the block and quartering-axe stood beneath the gallows2 and round this now stood the officers1 with ,norton the rack-master1 and ,sir ,owen ,hopton and the rest1 and the three priests1 with the soldiers forming a circle to keep the crowd back4 ,the hangman stooped as ,anthony looked1 and a moment later ,campion stood beside him on the cart1 pale1 mud-splashed1 but with the same serene smile2 his great brown eyes shone as they looked out over the wide heaving sea of heads1 from which a deep heart-shaking murmur rose as the famous priest appeared4 ,anthony could see every detail of what went on2 the hangman took the noose that hung from above1 and slipped it over the prisoner's head1 and drew it close round his neck2 and then himself slipped down from the cart1 and stood with the others1 still well above the heads of the crowd1 but leaving the priest standing higher yet on the cart1 silhouetted1 rope and all1 framed in the posts and cross-beam1 from which two more ropes hung dangling against the driving clouds and blue sky over ,london city4 99 99 99 99 ,campion waited perfectly motionless for the murmur of innumerable voices to die down2 and ,anthony1 fascinated and afraid beneath that overpowering serenity1 watched him turn his head slowly from side to side with a majestical countenance1 as his enemies confessed1 as if he were on the point of speaking4 ,silence seemed to radiate out from him1 spreading like a ripple1 outwards1 until the furthest outskirts of that huge crowd was motionless and quiet2 and then without apparent effort1 his voice began to peal out4 99 99 99 99 ',spectaculum facti sumus ,deo1 angelis et hominibus4' ,these are the words of ,saint ,paul1 ,englished thus1 ',we are made a spectacle or sight unto ,god1 unto ,his angels1 and unto men'2--verified this day in me1 who am here a spectacle unto my ,lord ,god1 a spectacle unto ,his angels1 and unto you men1 satisfying myself to die as becometh a true ,christian and ,catholic man4 ,he was interrupted by cries from the gentlemen beneath1 and turned a little1 looking down to see what they wished4 ,you are not here to preach to the people1 said ,sir ,francis ,knowles1 angrily1 but to confess yourself a traitor4 ,campion smiled and shook his head4 ,no1 no1 he said3 and then looking up and raising his voice1--as to the treasons which have been laid to my charge1 and for which ,i am come here to suffer1 ,i desire you all to bear witness with me1 that ,i am thereof altogether innocent4 ,there was a chorus of anger from the gentlemen1 and one of them called up something that ,anthony could not hear4 ,campion raised his eyebrows4 ,well1 my lord1 he cried aloud1 and his voice instantly silenced again the noisy buzz of talk1 ,i am a ,catholic man and a priest3 in that faith have ,i lived1 and in that faith do ,i intend to die4 ,if you esteem my religion treason1 then am ,i guilty2 as for other treason1 ,i never committed any1 ,god is my judge4 ,but you have now what you desire4 ,i beseech you to have patience1 and suffer me to speak a word or two for discharge of my conscience4 ,there was a furious burst of refusals from the officers4 ,well1 said ,campion1 at last1 looking straight out over the crowd1 it seems ,i may not speak2 but this only will ,i say2 that ,i am wholly innocent of all treason and conspiracy1 as ,god is my judge2 and ,i beseech you to credit me1 for it is my last answer upon my death and soul4 ,as for the jury ,i do not blame them1 for they were ignorant men and easily deceived4 ,i forgive all who have compassed my death or wronged me in any whit1 as ,i hope to be forgiven2 and ,i ask the forgiveness of all those whose names ,i spoke upon the rack4 ,then he said a word or two more of explanation1 such as he had said during his trial1 for the sake of those ,catholics whom this a concession of his had scandalised1 telling them that he had had the promise of the ,council that no harm should come to those whose names he revealed2 and then was silent again1 closing his eyes2 and ,anthony1 as he watched him1 saw his lips moving once more in prayer4 ,then a harsh loud voice from behind the cart began to proclaim that the ,queen punished no man for religion but only for treason4 ,a fierce murmur of disagreement and protest began to rise from the crowd2 and ,anthony turning saw the faces of many near him frowning and pursing their lips1 and there was a shout or two of denial here and there4 ,the harsh voice ceased1 and another began3 ,now1 ,mr4 ,campion1 it cried1 tell us1 ,what of the ,pope8 ,do you renounce him8 ,campion opened his eyes and looked round4 ,i am a ,catholic1 he said simply2 and closed his eyes again for prayer1 as the voice cried brutally3 ,in your ,catholicism all treason is contained4 ,again a murmur from the crowd4 ,then a new voice from the black group of ministers called out3 ,mr4 ,campion1 ,mr4 ,campion1 leave that popish stuff1 and say1 ',christ have mercy on me4' ,again the priest opened his eyes4 ,you and ,i are not one in religion1 sir1 wherefore ,i pray you content yourself4 ,i bar none of prayer1 but ,i only desire them of the household of faith to pray with me2 and in mine agony to say one creed4 ,again he closed his eyes4 ,pater noster qui es in clis4444 ,pray in ,english1 pray in ,english6 shouted a voice from the minister's group4 ,once more the priest opened his eyes2 and1 in spite of the badgering1 his eyes shone with humour and his mouth broke into smiles1 so that a great sob of pity and love broke from ,anthony4 ,i will pray to ,god in a language that both ,he and ,i well understand4 ,ask her ,grace's forgiveness1 ,mr4 ,campion1 and pray for her1 if you be her true subject4 ,wherein have ,i offended her8 ,in this ,i am innocent4 ,this is my last speech2 in this give me credit--,i have and do pray for her4 ,aha6 but which queen8--for ,elizabeth8 ,ay1 for ,elizabeth1 your queen and my queen1 unto whom ,i wish a long quiet reign with all prosperity4 99 99 99 99 ,there was the crack of a whip1 the scuffle of a horse's feet1 a rippling movement over the crowd1 and a great murmured roar1 like the roar of the waves on a pebbly beach1 as the horse's head began to move forward2 and the priest's figure to sway and stagger on the jolting cart4 ,anthony shut his eyes1 and the murmur and cries of the crowd grew louder and louder4 ,once more the deep sweet voice rang out1 loud and penetrating3 ,i die a true ,catholic4444 ,anthony kept his eyes closed1 and his head bent1 as great sobs began to break up out of his heart4444 ,ah6 he was in his agony now6 that sudden cry and silence from the crowd showed it4 ,what was it he had asked8 one creed8-- ,i believe in ,god the ,father ,almighty4 444 ,the soft heavy murmur of the crowd rose and fell4 ,catholics were praying all round him1 reckless with love and pity3 ,jesu1 ,jesu1 save him6 ,be to him a ,jesus6444 ,mary pray6 ,mary pray6444 ,credo in ,deum ,patrem omnipotentem4444 ,passus sub ,pontio ,pilato4444 ,crucified dead and buried4444 ,the forgiveness of sins4444 ,and the ,life ,everlasting4444 99 99 99 99 ,anthony dropped his face forward on to his horse's mane4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,a ,,message ,,from ,,the ,,city ,sir ,francis ,walsingham sat in his private room a month after ,father ,campion's death4 ,he had settled down again now to his work which had been so grievously interrupted by his mission to ,france in connection with a new treaty between that country and ,england in the previous year4 ,the secret detective service that he had inaugurated in ,england chiefly for the protection of the ,queen's person was a vast and complicated business1 and the superintendence of this1 in addition to the other affairs of his office1 made him an exceedingly busy man4 ,england was honeycombed with mines and countermines both in the political and the religious world1 and it needed all this man's brilliant and trained faculties to keep abreast with them4 ,his spies and agents were everywhere2 and not only in ,england3 they circled round ,mary of ,scotland like flies round a wounded creature1 seeking to settle and penetrate wherever an opening showed itself4 ,these ,scottish troubles would have been enough for any ordinary man2 but ,walsingham was indefatigable1 and his agents were in every prison1 lurking round corridors in private houses1 found alike in thieves' kitchens and at gentlemen's tables4 ,just at present ,walsingham was anxious to give all the attention he could to ,scottish affairs2 and on this wet dreary ,thursday morning in ,january as he sat before his bureau1 he was meditating how to deal with an affair that had come to him from the heart of ,london1 and how if possible to shift the conduct of it on to other shoulders4 ,he sat and drummed his fingers on the desk1 and stared meditatively at the pigeon-holes before him4 ,his was an interesting face1 with large1 melancholy1 and almost fanatical eyes1 and a poet's mouth and forehead2 but it was probably exactly his imaginative faculties that enabled him to picture public affairs from the points of view of the very various persons concerned in them2 and thereby to cope with the complications arising out of these conflicting interests4 ,he stroked his pointed beard once or twice1 and then struck a hand-bell at his side2 and a servant entered4 ,if ,mr4 ,lackington is below1 he said1 show him here immediately1 and the servant went out4 ,lackington1 sometime servant to ,sir ,nicholas ,maxwell1 had entered ,sir ,francis' service instead1 at the same time that he had exchanged the ,catholic for the ,protestant religion2 and he was now one of his most trusted agents4 ,but he had been in so many matters connected with recusancy1 that a large number of the papists in ,london were beginning to know him by sight2 and the affairs were becoming more and more scarce in which he could be employed among ,catholics with any hope of success4 ,it was his custom to call morning by morning at ,sir ,francis' office and receive his instructions2 and just now he had returned from business in the country4 ,presently he entered1 closing the door behind him1 and bowed profoundly to his master4 ,i have a matter on hand1 ,lackington1 said ,sir ,francis1 without looking at him1 and without any salutation beyond a glance and a nod as he entered1--a matter which ,i have not leisure to look into1 as it is not1 ,i think1 anything more than mere religion2 but which might1 ,i think1 repay you for your trouble1 if you can manage it in any way4 ,but it is a troublesome business4 ,these are the facts4 ,no4 #c ,newman's ,court1 in the ,city1 has been a suspected house for some while4 ,i have had it watched1 and there is no doubt that the papists use it4 ,i thought at first that the ,scots were mixed up with it2 but that is not so4 ,yesterday1 a boy of twelve years old1 left the house in the afternoon1 and was followed to a number of houses1 of which ,i will give you the list presently2 and was finally arrested in ,paul's ,churchyard and brought here4 ,i frightened him with talk of the rack2 and ,i think ,i have the truth out of him now2 ,i have tested him in the usual ways--and all that ,i can find is that the house is used for mass now and then2 and that he was going to the papists' houses yesterday to bid them come for next ,sunday morning4 ,but he was stopped too soon3 he had not yet told the priest to come4 ,now unless the priest is told to-night by one whom he trusts1 there will be no mass on ,sunday1 and the nest of papists will escape us4 ,it is of no use to send the boy2 as he will betray all by his behaviour1 even if we frighten him into saying what we wish to the priest4 ,i suppose it is of no use your going to the priest and feigning to be a ,catholic messenger2 and ,i cannot at this moment see what is to be done4 ,if there were anything beyond mere religion in this1 ,i would spare no pains to hunt them out2 but it is not worth my while4 ,yet there is the reward2 and if you think that you can do anything1 you can have it for your pains4 ,i can spare you till ,monday1 and of course you shall have what men you will to surround the house and take them at mass1 if you can but get the priest there4 ,thank you1 sir1 said ,lackington deferentially4 ,have ,i your honour's leave to see the boy in your presence8 ,walsingham struck the bell again4 ,bring the lad that is locked in the steward's parlour1 he said1 when the servant appeared4--,sit down1 ,lackington1 and examine him when he comes4 ,and ,sir ,francis took down some papers from a pigeon-hole1 sorted out one or two1 and saying1 ,here are his statements1 handed them to the agent2 who began to glance through them at once4 ,walsingham then turned to his table again and began to go on with his letters4 ,in a moment or two the door opened1 and a little lad of twelve years old1 came in1 followed by the servant4 ,that will do1 said ,walsingham1 without looking up2 ,you can leave him here1 and the servant went out4 ,the boy stood back against the wall by the door1 his face was white and his eyes full of horror1 and he looked in a dazed way at the two men4 ,what is your name1 boy8 began ,lackington in a sharp1 judicial tone4 ,john ,belton1 said the lad in a tremulous voice4 ,and you are a little papist8 asked the agent4 ,no sir2 a ,protestant4 ,then how is it that you go on errands for papists8 ,i am a servant1 sir1 said the boy imploringly4 ,lackington turned the papers over for a moment or two4 ,now you know1 he began again in a threatening voice1 that this gentleman has power to put you on the rack2 you know what that is8 ,the boy nodded in mute white-faced terror4 ,well1 now1 he will hear all you say2 and will know whether you say the truth or not4 ,now tell me if you still hold to what you said yesterday4 ,and then ,lackington with the aid of the papers ran quickly over the story that ,sir ,francis had related4 ,now do you mean to tell me1 ,john ,belton1 he added1 that you1 a ,protestant1 and a lad of twelve1 are employed on this work by papists1 to gather them for mass8 ,the boy looked at him with the same earnest horror4 ,yes1 sir1 yes1 sir1 he said1 and there was a piteous sob in his voice4 ,indeed it is all true3 but ,i do not often go on these messages for my master4 ,mr4 ,roger generally goes3 but he is sick4 ,oho6 said ,lackington1 you did not say that yesterday4 ,the boy was terrified4 ,no1 sir1 he cried out miserably1 the gentleman did not ask me4 ,well1 who is ,mr4 ,roger8 ,what is he like8 ,he is my master's servant1 sir2 and he wears a patch over his eye2 and stutters a little in his speech4 ,these kinds of details were plainly beyond a frightened lad's power of invention1 and ,lackington was more satisfied4 ,and what was the message that you were to give to the folk and the priest8 ,please1 sir1 ',come1 for all things are now ready4' ,this was such a queer answer that ,lackington gave an incredulous exclamation4 ,it is probably true1 said ,sir ,francis1 without looking up from his letters2 ,i have come across the same kind of cypher1 at least once before4 ,thank you1 sir1 said the agent4 ,and now1 my boy1 tell me this4 ,how did you know what it meant8 ,please1 sir1 said the lad1 a little encouraged by the kinder tone1 ,i have noticed that twice before when ,mr4 ,roger could not go1 and ,i was sent with the same message1 all the folks and the priest came on the next ,sunday2 and ,i think that it means that all is safe1 and that they can come4 ,you are a sharp lad1 said the spy approvingly4 ,i am satisfied with you4 ,then1 sir1 may ,i go home8 asked the boy with hopeful entreaty in his voice4 ,nay1 nay1 said the other1 ,i have not done with you yet4 ,answer me some more questions4 ,why did you not go to the priest first8 ,because ,i was bidden to go to him last1 said the boy4 ,if ,i had been to all the other houses by five o'clock last night1 then ,i was to meet the priest at ,papists' ,corner in ,paul's ,church4 ,but if ,i had not done them--as ,i had not1--then ,i was to see the priest to-night at the same place4 ,lackington mused a moment4 ,what is the priest's name8 he asked4 ,please1 sir1 ,mr4 ,arthur ,oldham4 ,the agent gave a sudden start and a keen glance at the boy1 and then smiled to himself2 then he meditated1 and bit his nails once or twice4 ,and when was ,mr4 ,roger taken ill8 ,he slipped down at the door of his lodging and hurt his foot1 at dinner-time yesterday2 and he could not walk4 ,his lodging8 ,then he does not sleep in the house8 ,no sir2 he sleeps in ,stafford ,alley1 round the corner4 ,and where do you live8 ,please1 sir1 ,i go home to my mother nearly every night2 but not always4 ,and where does your mother live8 ,please1 sir1 at #d ,bell's ,lane4 ,lackington remained deep in thought1 and looked at the boy steadily for a minute or two4 ,now1 sir2 may ,i go8 he asked eagerly4 ,lackington paid no attention1 and he repeated his question4 ,the agent still did not seem to hear him1 but turned to ,sir ,francis1 who was still at his letters4 ,that is all1 sir1 for the present1 he said4 ,may the boy be kept here till ,monday8 ,the lad broke out into wailing2 but ,lackington turned on him a face so savage that his whimpers died away into horror-stricken silence4 ,as you will1 said ,sir ,francis1 pausing for a moment in his writing1 and striking the bell again2 and1 on the servant's appearance1 gave orders that ,john ,belton should be taken again to the steward's parlour until further directions were received4 ,the boy went sobbing out and down the passage again under the servant's charge1 and the door closed4 ,and the mother8 asked ,walsingham abruptly1 pausing with pen upraised4 ,with your permission1 sir1 ,i will tell her that her boy is in trouble1 and that if his master sends to inquire for him1 she is to say he is sick upstairs4 ,and you will report to me on ,monday8 ,yes1 sir2 by then ,i shall hope to have taken the crew4 ,sir ,francis nodded his head sharply1 and the pen began to fly over the paper again2 as ,lackington slipped out4 99 99 99 99 ,anthony ,norris was passing through the court of ,lambeth ,house in the afternoon of the same day1 when the porter came to him and said there was a child waiting in the ,lodge with a note for him2 and would ,master ,norris kindly come to see her4 ,he found a little girl on the bench by the gate1 who stood up and curtseyed as the grand gentleman came striding in2 and handed him a note which he opened at once and read4 ,for the love of ,god1 the note ran1 come and aid one who can be of service to a friend3 follow the little maid ,master ,norris1 and she will bring you to me4 ,if you have any friends at ,great ,keynes1 for the love you bear to them1 come quickly4 ,anthony turned the note over2 it was unsigned1 and undated4 ,on his inquiry further from the little girl1 she said she knew nothing about the writer2 but that a gentleman had given her the note and told her to bring it to ,master ,anthony ,norris at ,lambeth ,house2 and that she was to take him to a house that she knew in the city2 she did not know the name of the house1 she said4 ,it was all very strange1 thought ,anthony1 but evidently here was some one who knew about him2 the reference to ,great ,keynes made him think uneasily of ,isabel and wonder whether any harm had happened to her1 or whether any danger threatened4 ,he stood musing with the note between his fingers1 and then told the child to go straight down to ,paul's ,cross and await him there1 and he would follow immediately4 ,the child ran off1 and ,anthony went round to the stables to get his horse4 ,he rode straight down to the city and put up his horse in the ,bishop's stables1 and then went round with his riding-whip in his hand to ,paul's ,cross4 ,it was a dull miserable afternoon1 beginning to close in with a fine rain falling1 and very few people were about2 and he found the child crouched up against the pulpit in an attempt to keep dry4 ,come1 he said kindly1 ,i am ready2 show me the way4 ,the child led him along by the ,cathedral through the churchyard1 and then by winding passages1 where ,anthony kept a good look-out at the corners2 for a stab in the back was no uncommon thing for a well-dressed gentleman off his guard4 ,the houses overhead leaned so nearly together that the darkening sky disappeared altogether now and then2 at one spot ,anthony caught a glimpse high up of ,bow ,church spire2 and after a corner or two the child stopped before a doorway in a little flagged court4 ,it is here1 she said2 and before ,anthony could stop her she had slipped away and disappeared through a passage4 ,he looked at the house4 ,it was a tumble-down place2 the door was heavily studded with nails1 and gave a most respectable air to the house3 the leaded windows were just over his head1 and tightly closed4 ,there was an air of mute discretion and silence about the place that roused a vague discomfort in ,anthony's mind2 he slipped his right hand into his belt and satisfied himself that the hilt of his knife was within reach4 ,overhead the hanging windows and eaves bulged out on all sides2 but there was no one to be seen2 it seemed a place that had slipped into a backwater of the humming stream of the city4 ,the fine rain still falling added to the dismal aspect of the little court4 ,he looked round once more2 and then rapped sharply at the door to which the child had pointed4 ,there was silence for at least a minute2 then as he was about to knock again there was a faint sound overhead1 and he looked up in time to see a face swiftly withdrawn from one of the windows4 ,evidently an occupant of the house had been examining the visitor4 ,then shuffling footsteps came along a passage within1 and a light shone under the door4 ,there was a noise of bolts being withdrawn1 and the rattle of a chain2 and then the handle turned and the door opened slowly inwards1 and an old woman stood there holding an oil lamp over her head4 ,this was not very formidable at any rate4 ,i have been bidden to come here1 he said1 by a letter delivered to me an hour ago4 ,ah1 said the old woman1 and looked at him peeringly1 then you are for ,mr4 ,roger8 ,i daresay1 said ,anthony1 a little sharply4 ,he was not accustomed to be treated like this4 ,the old woman still looked at him suspiciously2 and then1 as ,anthony made a movement of impatience1 she stepped back4 ,come in1 sir1 she said4 ,he stepped in1 and she closed and fastened the door again behind him2 and then1 holding the oil-lamp high over her head1 she advanced in her slippers towards the staircase1 and ,anthony followed4 ,on the stairs she turned once to see if he was coming1 and beckoned him on with a movement of her head4 ,anthony looked about him as he went up3 there was nothing remarkable or suspicious about the house in any way4 ,it was cleaner than he had been led to expect by its outside aspect2 wainscoted to the ceiling with oak2 and the stairs were strong and well made4 ,it was plainly a very tolerably respectable place2 and ,anthony began to think from its appearance that he had been admitted at the back door of some well-to-do house off ,cheapside4 ,the banisters were carved with some distinction2 and there were the rudimentary elements of linen-pattern design on the panels that lined the opposite walls up to the height of the banisters4 ,the woman went up and up1 slowly1 panting a little2 at each landing she turned and glanced back to see that her companion was following3 all the doors that they passed were discreetly shut2 and the house was perfectly dark except for the flickering light of the woman's lamp1 and silent except for the noise of the footsteps and the rush of a mouse now and then behind the woodwork4 ,at the third landing she stopped1 and came close up to ,anthony4 ,that is the door1 she whispered hoarsely2 and pointed with her thumb towards a doorway that was opposite the staircase4 ,ask for ,master ,roger4 ,and then without saying any more1 she set the lamp down on the flat head of the top banister and herself began to shuffle downstairs again into the dark house4 ,anthony stood still a moment1 his heart beating a little4 ,what was this strange errand8 and ,isabel6 what had she to do with this house buried away in the courts of the great city8 ,as he waited he heard a door close somewhere behind him1 and the shuffling footsteps had ceased4 ,he touched the hilt of his knife once again to give himself courage2 and then walked slowly across and rapped on the door4 ,instantly a voice full of trembling expectancy1 cried to him to come in2 he turned the handle and stepped into the fire-lit room4 ,it was extremely poorly furnished2 a rickety table stood in the centre with a book or two and a basin with a plate1 a saucepan hissed and bubbled on the fire2 in the corner near the window stood a poor bed2 and to this ,anthony's attention was immediately directed by a voice that called out hoarsely3 ,thank ,god1 sir1 thank ,god1 sir1 you have come6 ,i feared you would not4 ,anthony stepped towards it wondering and expectant1 but reassured4 ,lying in the bed1 with clothes drawn up to the chin was the figure of a man4 ,there was no light in the room1 save that given by the leaping flames on the hearth2 and ,anthony could only make out the face of a man with a patch over one eye2 the man stretched a hand over the bed clothes as he came near1 and ,anthony took it1 a little astonished1 and received a strong trembling grip of apparent excitement and relief3 ,thank ,god1 sir6 the man said again1 but there is not too much time4 ,how can ,i serve you8 said ,anthony1 sitting on a chair near the bedside4 ,your letter spoke of friends at ,great ,keynes4 ,what did you mean by that8 ,is the d-door closed1 sir8 asked the man anxiously2 stuttering a little as he spoke4 ,anthony stepped up and closed it firmly2 and then came back and sat down again4 ,well then1 sir2 ,i believe you are a friend of the priest ,mr4 ,m-,maxwell's4 ,anthony shook his head4 ,there is no priest of that name that ,i know4 ,ah1 cried the man1 and his voice shook1 have ,i said too much8 ,you are ,mr4 ,anthony ,norris of the ,dower ,house1 and of the ,archbishop's household8444 ,i am1 said ,anthony1 but yet---- ,well1 well1 said the man1 ,i must go forward now4 ,he whom you know as ,mr4 ,james ,maxwell is a ,catholic p-priest1 known to many under the name of ,mr4 ,arthur ,oldham4 ,he is in sore d-danger4 ,anthony was silent through sheer astonishment4 ,this then was the secret of the mystery that had hung round ,mr4 ,james so long4 ,the few times he had met him in town since his return1 it had been on the tip of his tongue to ask what he did there1 and why ,hubert was to be master of the ,hall2 but there was something in ,mr4 ,james' manner that made the asking of such a question appear an impossible liberty2 and it had remained unasked4 ,well1 said the man in bed1 in anxious terror1 there is no mistake1 is there8 ,i said nothing1 said ,anthony1 for astonishment2 ,i had no idea that he was a priest4 ,and how can ,i serve him8 ,he is in sore danger1 said the man1 and again and again there came the stutter4 ,now ,i am a ,catholic3 you see how much ,i t-trust you sir4 ,i am the only one in this house4 ,i was entrusted with a m-message to ,mr4 ,maxwell to put him on his guard against a danger that threatens him4 ,i was to meet him this very evening at five of the clock2 and this afternoon as ,i left my room1 ,i slipped and so hurt my foot that ,i cannot put it to the ground4 ,i dared not send a l-letter to ,mr4 ,maxwell1 for fear the child should be followed2 ,i dared not send to another ,catholic2 nor indeed did ,i know where to find one whom ,mr4 ,m-,maxwell would know and trust1 as he is new to us here2 but ,i had heard him speak of his friend ,mr4 ,anthony ,norris1 who was at ,lambeth ,house2 and ,i determined1 sir1 to send the child to you2 and ask you to do this service for your friend2 for an officer of the ,archbishop's household is beyond suspicion4 ,n-now1 sir1 will you do this service8 ,if you do it not1 ,i know not where to turn for help4 ,anthony was silent4 ,he felt a little uneasy4 ,supposing that there was sedition mixed up in this6 ,how could he trust the man's story8 ,how could he be certain in fact that he was a ,catholic at all8 ,he looked at him keenly in the fire-light4 ,the man's one eye shone in deep anxiety1 and his forehead was wrinkled2 and he passed his hand nervously over his mouth again and again4 ,how can ,i tell1 said ,anthony1 that all this is true8 ,the man with an impatient movement unfastened his shirt at the neck and drew up on a string that was round his neck a little leather case4 ,th-there1 sir1 he stammered1 drawing the string over his head4 ,t-take that to the fire and see what it is4 ,anthony took it curiously1 and holding it close to the fire drew off the little case2 there was the wax medal stamped with the lamb1 called ,agnus ,dei4 ,th-there1 cried the man from the bed1 now ,i have p-put myself in your hands--and if more is w-wanted---- and as ,anthony came back holding the medal1 the man fumbled beneath the pillow and drew out a rosary4 ,n-now1 sir1 do you believe me8 ,it was felony to possess these things and ,anthony had no more doubts4 ,yes1 he said1 and ,i ask your pardon4 ,and he gave back the ,agnus ,dei4 ,but there is no sedition in this8 ,n-none1 sir1 ,i give you my word1 said the man1 apparently greatly relieved1 and sinking back on his pillow4 ,i will tell you all1 and you can judge for yourself2 but you will promise to be secret4 ,and when ,anthony had given his word1 he went on4 ,m-,mass was to have been said in ,newman's ,court on ,sunday1 at number #c1 but that c-cursed spy ,walsingham1 hath had wind of it4 ,his men have been lurking round there2 and it is not safe4 ,however1 there is no need to say that to ,mr4 ,maxwell2 he will understand enough if you will give him a message of half a dozen words from me1--,mr4 ,roger4 ,you can tell him that you saw me1 if you wish to4 ,but ah6 sir1 you give me your word to say no more to any one1 not even to ,mr4 ,maxwell himself1 for it is in a public place4 ,and then ,i will tell you the p-place and the m-message2 but we must be swift1 because the time is near2 it is at five of the clock that he will look for a messenger4 ,i give you my word1 said ,anthony4 ,well1 sir1 the place is ,papists' ,corner in the ,cathedral1 and the words are these1 ',come1 for all things are now ready4' ,you know sir1 that we ,catholics go in fear of our lives1 and like the poor hares have to double and turn if we would escape4 ,if any overhears that message1 he will never know it to be a warning4 ,and it was for that that ,i asked your word to say no more than your message1 with just the word that you had seen me yourself4 ,you may tell him1 of course sir1 that ,mr4 ,roger had a patch over his eye and st-stuttered a little in his speech2 and he will know it is from me then4 ,now1 sir1 will you tell me what the message is1 and the place1 to be sure that you know them2 and then1 sir1 it will be time to go2 and ,god bless you1 sir4 ,god bless you for your kindness to us poor papists6 ,the man seized ,anthony's gloved hand and kissed it fervently once or twice4 ,anthony repeated his instructions carefully4 ,he was more touched than he cared to show by the evident gratitude and relief of this poor terrified ,catholic4 ,th-that is right1 sir2 that is right2 and now1 sir1 if you please1 be gone at once2 or the ,father will have left the ,cathedral4 ,the child will be in the court below to show you the way out to the churchyard4 ,god bless you1 sir2 and reward you for your kindness6 ,and as ,anthony went out of the room he heard benedictions mingled with sobs following him4 ,the woman was nowhere to be seen2 so he took the oil-lamp from the landing1 and found his way downstairs again1 unfastened the front door1 and went out1 leaving the lamp on the floor4 ,the child was leaning against the wall opposite2 he could just see the glimmer of her face in the heavy dusk4 ,come1 my child1 he said1 show me the way to the churchyard4 ,she came forward1 and he began to follow her out of the little flagged court4 ,he turned round as he left the court and saw high up against the blackness overhead a square of window lighted with a glow from within2 and simultaneously there came the sound of bolts being shut in the door that he had just left4 ,evidently the old woman had been on the watch1 and was now barring the door behind him4 ,it wanted courage to do as ,anthony was doing1 but he was not lacking in that2 it was not a small matter to go to ,papists' ,corner and give a warning to a ,catholic priest3 but firstly1 ,james ,maxwell was his friend1 and in danger3 secondly1 ,anthony had no sympathy with religious persecution2 and thirdly1 as has been seen1 the last year had made a really deep impression upon him3 he was more favourably inclined to the ,catholic cause than he had ever imagined to be possible4 ,as he followed the child through the labyrinth of passages1 passing every now and then the lighted front of a house1 or a little group of idlers 7for the rain had now ceased7 who stared to see this gentleman in such company1 his head was whirling with questions and conjectures4 ,was it not after all a dishonourable act to the ,archbishop in whose service he was1 thus to take the side of the ,papists8 ,but that it was too late to consider now4--,how strange that ,james ,maxwell was a priest6 ,that of course accounted at once for his long absence1 no doubt in the seminary abroad1 and his ultimate return1 and for ,hubert's inheriting the estates4 ,and then he passed on to reflect as he had done a hundred times before on this wonderful ,religion that allured men from home and wealth and friends1 and sent them rejoicing to penury1 suspicion1 hatred1 peril1 and death itself1 for the kingdom of heaven's sake4 ,suddenly he found himself in the open space opposite the ,cathedral--the child had again disappeared4 ,it was less dark here2 the leaden sky overhead still glimmered with a pale sunset light2 and many house-windows shone out from within4 ,he passed round the south side of the ,cathedral1 and entered the western door4 ,the building was full of deep gloom only pricked here and there by an oil-lamp or two that would presently be extinguished when the ,cathedral was closed4 ,the air was full of a faint sound1 made up from echoes of the outside world and the footsteps of a few people who still lingered in groups here and there in the aisles1 and talked among themselves4 ,the columns rose up in slender bundles and faded into the pale gloom overhead2 as he crossed the nave on the way to ,papists' ,corner far away to the east rose the dark carving of the stalls against the glimmering stone beyond4 ,it was like some vast hall of the dead2 the noise of the footsteps seemed like an insolent intrusion on this temple of silence2 and the religious stillness had an active and sombre character of its own more eloquent and impressive than all the tumult that man could make4 ,as ,anthony came to ,papists' ,corner he saw a very tall solitary figure passing slowly from east to west2 it was too dark to distinguish faces2 so he went towards it1 so that at the next turn they would meet face to face4 ,when he was within two or three steps the man before him turned abruptly2 and ,anthony immediately put out his hand smiling4 ,mr4 ,arthur ,oldham1 he said4 ,the man started and peered curiously through the gloom at him4 ,why ,anthony6 he exclaimed1 and took his hand1 what is your business here8 ,and they began slowly to walk westwards together4 ,i am come to meet ,mr4 ,oldham1 he said1 and to give him a message2 and this is it1 ',come1 for all things are now ready6' ,my dear boy1 said ,james1 stopping short1 you must forgive me2 but what in the world do you mean by that8 ,i come from ,mr4 ,roger1 said ,anthony1 you need not be afraid4 ,he has had an accident and sent for me4 ,mr4 ,roger8 said ,james interrogatively4 ,yes1 said ,anthony1 he hath a patch over one eye2 and stutters somewhat4 ,james gave a sigh of relief4 ,my dear boy1 he said1 ,i cannot thank you enough4 ,you know what it means then8 ,why1 yes1 said ,anthony4 ,and you a ,protestant1 and in the ,archbishop's household8 ,why1 yes1 said ,anthony1 and a ,christian and your friend4 ,god bless you1 ,anthony1 said the priest2 and took his hand and pressed it4 ,they were passing out now under the west door1 and stood together for a moment looking at the lights down ,ludgate ,hill4 ,the houses about ,amen ,court stood up against the sky to their right4 ,i must not stay1 said ,anthony1 ,i must fetch my horse and be back at ,lambeth for evening prayers at six4 ,he is stabled at the ,palace here4 ,well1 well1 said the priest1 ,i thank ,god that there are true hearts like yours4 ,god bless you again my dear boy--and--and make you one of us some day6 ,anthony smiled at him a little tremulously1 for the gratitude and the blessing of this man was dear to him2 and after another hand grasp1 he turned away to the right1 leaving the priest still half under the shadow of the door looking after him4 ,he had done his errand promptly and discreetly4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,the ,,massing-,,house ,newman's ,court lay dark and silent under the stars on ,sunday morning a little after four o'clock4 ,the gloomy weather of the last three or four days had passed off in heavy battalions of sullen sunset clouds on the preceding evening1 and the air was full of frost4 ,by midnight thin ice was lying everywhere2 pendants of it were beginning to form on the overhanging eaves2 and streaks of it between the cobble-stones that paved the court4 ,the great city lay in a frosty stillness as of death4 ,the patrol passed along ,cheapside forty yards away from the entrance of the court1 a little after three o'clock2 and a watchman had cried out half an hour later1 that it was a clear night2 and then he too had gone his way4 ,the court itself was a little rectangular enclosure with two entrances1 one to the north beneath the arch of a stable that gave on to ,newman's ,passage1 which in its turn opened on to ,st4 ,giles' ,lane that led to ,cheapside2 the other1 at the further end of the long right-hand side1 led by a labyrinth of passages down in the direction of the wharfs to the west of ,london ,bridge4 ,there were three houses to the left of the entrance from ,newman's ,passage2 the back of a ware-house faced them on the other long side with the door beyond2 and the other two sides were respectively formed by the archway of the stable with a loft over it1 and a blank high wall at the opposite end4 ,a few minutes after four o'clock the figure of a woman suddenly appeared soundlessly in the arch under the stables2 and after standing there a moment advanced along the front of the houses till she reached the third door4 ,she stood here a moment in silence1 listening and looking towards the doorway opposite1 and then rapped gently with her finger-nail eleven or twelve times4 ,almost immediately the door opened1 showing only darkness within2 she stepped in1 and it closed silently behind her4 ,then the minutes slipped away again in undisturbed silence4 ,at about twenty minutes to five the figure of a very tall man dressed as a layman slipped in through the door that led towards the river1 and advanced to the door where he tapped in the same manner as the woman before him1 and was admitted at once4 ,after that people began to come more frequently1 some hesitating and looking about them as they entered the court1 some slipping straight through without a pause1 and going to the door1 which opened and shut noiselessly as each tapped and was admitted4 ,sometimes two or three would come together1 sometimes singly2 but by five o'clock about twenty or thirty persons had come and been engulfed by the blackness that showed each time the door opened2 while no glimmer of light from any of the windows betrayed the presence of any living soul within4 ,at five o'clock the stream stopped4 ,the little court lay as silent under the stars again as an hour before4 ,it was a night of breathless stillness2 there was no dripping from the eaves2 no sound of wheels or hoofs from the city2 only once or twice came the long howl of a dog across the roofs4 ,ten minutes passed away4 ,then without a sound a face appeared like a pale floating patch in the dark door that opened on to the court4 ,it remained hung like a mask in the darkness for at least a minute2 and then a man stepped through on to the cobblestones4 ,something on his head glimmered sharply in the starlight2 and there was the same sparkle at the end of a pole that he carried in his hand2 he turned and nodded2 and three or four men appeared behind him4 ,then out of the darkness of the archway at the other end of the court appeared a similar group4 ,once a man slipped on the frozen stones and cursed under his breath1 and the leader turned on him with a fierce indrawing of his breath2 but no word was spoken4 ,then through both entrances streamed dark figures1 each with a steely glitter on head and breast1 and with something that shone in their hands2 till the little court seemed half full of armed men2 but the silence was still formidable in its depth4 ,the two leaders came together to the door of the third house1 and their heads were together2 and a few sibilant consonants escaped them4 ,the breath of the men that stood out under the starlight went up like smoke in the air4 ,it was now a quarter-past five4 ,three notes of a hand-bell sounded behind the house2 and then1 without any further attempt at silence1 the man who had entered the court first advanced to the door and struck three or four thundering blows on it with a mace1 and shouted in a resonant voice3 ,open in the ,queen's ,name4 ,the men relaxed their cautious attitudes1 and some grounded their weapons2 others began to talk in low voices2 a small party advanced nearer their leaders with weapons1 axes and halberds1 uplifted4 ,by now the blows were thundering on the door2 and the same shattering voice cried again and again3 ,open in the ,queen's name2 open in the ,queen's name6 ,the middle house of the three was unoccupied2 but the windows of the house next the stable1 and the windows in the loft over the archway1 where the stable-boys slept1 suddenly were illuminated2 latches were lifted1 the windows thrust open and heads out of them4 ,then one or two more pursuivants came up the dark passage bearing flaming torches with them4 ,a figure appeared on the top of the blank wall at the end1 and pointed and shouted4 ,the stable-boys in a moment more appeared in their archway1 and one or two persons came out of the house next the stable1 queerly habited in cloaks and hats over their night-attire4 99 99 99 99 ,the din was now tremendous2 the questions and answers shouted to and fro were scarcely audible under the thunder that pealed from the battered door2 a party had advanced to it and were raining blows upon the lock and hinges4 ,the court was full of a ruddy glare that blazed on the half-armour and pikes of the men1 and the bellowing and the crashes and the smoke together went up into the night air as from the infernal pit4 ,it was a hellish transformation from the deathly stillness of a few minutes--a massacre of the sweet night silence4 ,and yet the house where the little silent stream of dark figures had been swallowed up rose up high above the smoky cauldron1 black1 dark1 and irresponsive4 99 99 99 99 ,there rose a shrill howling from behind the house1 and the figure on the top of the wall capered and gesticulated again4 ,then footsteps came running up the passage1 and a pursuivant thrust his way through to the leaders2 and1 in a moment or two1 above the din a sharp word was given1 and three or four men hurried out through the doorway by which the man had come4 ,almost at the same moment the hinges of the door gave way1 the whole crashed inwards1 and the attacking party poured into the dark entrance hall beyond4 ,by this time the noise had wakened many in the houses round1 and lights were beginning to shine from the high windows invisible before1 and a concourse of people to press in from all sides4 ,the approaches had all been guarded1 but at the crash of the door some of the sentries round the nearer corners hurried into the court1 and the crowd poured after them2 and by the time that the officers and men had disappeared into the house1 their places had been filled by the spectators1 and the little court was again full of a swaying1 seething1 shouting mass of men1 with a few women with hoods and cloaks among them--inquiries and information were yelled to and fro4 ,it was a nest of papists--a wasp's nest was being smoked out--what harm had they done8--,it was a murder2 two women had had their throats cut4--,no1 no2 it was a papists' den--a massing-house4--,well1 ,god save her ,grace and rid her of her enemies4 ,with these damned ,spaniards everywhere1 ,england was going to ruin4--,they had escaped at the back4 ,no2 they tried that way1 but it was guarded4--,there were over fifty papists1 some said1 in that house4--,it was a plot4 ,mary was mixed up in it4 ,the ,queen was to be blown up with powder1 like poor ,darnley4 ,the barrels were all stored there4--,no1 no1 no6 it was nothing but a massing-house4--,who was the priest8--,well1 they would see him at ,tyburn on a hurdle2 and serve him right with his treasonable mummery4--,no1 no6 they had had enough of blood4--,campion had died like a man2 and an ,englishman too--praying for his ,queen4--,the incessant battle and roar went up4 99 99 99 99 ,meanwhile lights were beginning to shine everywhere in the dark house4 ,a man with a torch was standing in a smoky glare half way up the stairs seen through the door1 and the interior of the plain hall was illuminated4 ,then the leaded panes overhead were beginning to shine out4 ,steel caps moved to and fro2 gigantic shadows wavered2 the shadow of a halberd head went across a curtain at one of the lower windows4 ,a crimson-faced man threw open a window and shouted instructions to the sentry left at the door1 who in answer shook his head and pointed to the bellowing crowd2 the man at the window made a furious gesture and disappeared4 ,the illumination began to climb higher and higher as the searchers mounted from floor to floor2 thin smoke began to go up from one or two of the chimneys in the frosty air2--they were lighting straw to bring down any fugitives concealed in the chimneys4 ,then the sound of heavy blows began to ring out2 they were testing the walls everywhere for hiding-holes2 there was a sound of rending wood as the flooring was torn up4 ,then over the parapet against the stairs looked a steel-crowned face of a pursuivant4 ,the crowd below yelled and pointed at first1 thinking he was a fugitive2 but he grinned down at them and disappeared4 ,then at last came an exultant shout2 then a breathless silence2 then the crowd began to question and answer again4 ,they had caught the priest6--,no1 the priest had escaped1--damn him6--,it was half a dozen women4 ,no1 no6 they had had the women ten minutes ago in a room at the back4--,what fools these pursuivants were6--,they had found the chapel and the altar4--,what a show it would all make at the trial6--,ah6 ah6 it was the priest after all4 99 99 99 99 ,those nearest the door saw the man with the torch on the stairs stand back a little2 and then a dismal little procession began to appear round the turn4 ,first came a couple of armed men1 looking behind them every now and then2 then a group of half a dozen women1 whom they had found almost immediately1 but had been keeping for the last few minutes in a room upstairs2 then a couple more men4 ,then there was a little space2 and then more constables and more prisoners4 ,each male prisoner was guarded by two men2 the women were in groups4 ,all these came out to the court4 ,the crowd began to sway back against the walls1 pointing and crying out2 and a lane with living walls was formed towards the archway that opened into ,newman's ,passage4 ,when the last pursuivants who brought up the rear had reached the door1 an officer1 who had been leaning from a first-floor window with the pale face of ,lackington peering over his shoulder1 gave a sharp order2 and the procession halted4 ,the women1 numbering fourteen or fifteen1 were placed in a group with some eight men in hollow square round them2 then came a dozen men1 each with a pursuivant on either side4 ,but plainly they were not all come2 they were still waiting for something2 the officer and ,lackington disappeared from the window2 and for a moment too1 the crowd was quiet4 ,a murmur of excitement began to rise again1 as another group was seen descending the stairs within4 ,the officer came first1 looking back and talking as he came2 then followed two pursuivants with halberds1 and immediately behind them1 followed by yet two men1 walked ,james ,maxwell in crimson vestments all disordered1 with his hands behind him1 and his comely head towering above the heads of the guard4 ,the crowd surged forward1 yelling2 and the men at the door grounded their halberds sharply on the feet of the front row of spectators4 ,as the priest reached the door1 a shrill cry either from a boy or a woman pierced the roaring of the mob4 ,god bless you1 father1 and as he heard it he turned and smiled serenely4 ,his face was white1 and there was a little trickle of blood run down across it from some wound in his head4 ,the rest of the prisoners turned towards him as he came out2 and again he smiled and nodded at them4 ,and so the ,catholics with their priest stood a moment in that deafening tumult of revilings1 before the officer gave the word to advance4 ,then the procession set forward through the archway2 the crowd pressing back before them1 like the recoil of a wave1 and surging after them again in the wake4 ,high over the heads of all moved the steel halberds1 shining like grim emblems of power2 the torches tossed up and down and threw monstrous stalking shadows on the walls as they passed2 the steel caps edged the procession like an impenetrable hedge2 and last moved the crimson-clad priest1 as if in some church function1 but with a bristling barrier about him2 then came the mob1 pouring along the narrow passages1 jostling1 cursing1 reviling1 swelled every moment by new arrivals dashing down the alleys and courts that gave on the thoroughfare2 and so with tramp and ring of steel the pageant went forward on its way of sorrows4 99 99 99 99 ,before six o'clock ,newman's ,court was empty again1 except for one armed figure that stood before the shattered door of ,no4 #c to guard it4 ,inside the house was dark again except in one room high up where the altar had stood4 ,here the thick curtains against the glass had been torn down1 and the window was illuminated2 every now and again the shadows on the ceiling stirred a little as if the candle was being moved2 and once the window opened and a pale smooth face looked out for a moment1 and then withdrew again4 ,then the light disappeared altogether2 and presently shone out in another room on the same floor2 then again after an half an hour or so it was darkened2 and again reappeared on the floor below4 ,and so it went on from room to room2 until the noises of the waking city began1 and the stars paled and expired4 ,over the smokeless town the sky began to glow clear and brilliant4 ,the crowing of cocks awoke here and there2 a church bell or two began to sound far away over the roofs4 ,the pale blue overhead grew more and more luminous2 the candle went out on the first floor2 the steel-clad man stretched himself and looked at the growing dawn4 ,a step was heard on the stairs1 and ,lackington came down1 carrying a small valise apparently full to bursting4 ,he looked paler than usual2 and a little hollow-eyed for want of sleep4 ,he came out and stood by the soldier1 and looked about him4 ,everywhere the court showed signs of the night's tumult4 ,crumbled ice from broken icicles and trampled frozen pools lay powdered on the stones4 ,here and there on the walls were great smears of black from the torches1 and even one or two torn bits of stuff and a crushed hat marked where the pressure had been fiercest4 ,most eloquent of all was the splintered door behind him1 still held fast by one stout bolt1 but leaning crookedly against the dinted wall of the interior4 ,a good night's work1 friend1 said ,lackington to the man4 ,another hive taken1 and here--and he tapped his valise--here ,i bear the best of the honey4 ,the soldier looked heavily at the bag4 ,he was tired too2 and he did not care for this kind of work4 ,well1 said ,lackington again1 ,i must be getting home safe4 ,keep the door2 you shall be relieved in one hour4 ,the soldier nodded at him2 but still said nothing2 and ,lackington lifted the valise and went off too under the archway4 99 99 99 99 ,that same morning ,lady ,maxwell in her room in the ,hall at ,great ,keynes awoke early before dawn with a start4 ,she had had a dream but could not remember what it was1 except that her son ,james was in it1 and seemed to be in trouble4 ,he was calling on her to save him1 she thought1 and awoke at the sound of his voice4 ,she often dreamt of him at this time2 for the life of a seminary priest was laid with snares and dangers4 ,but this dream seemed worse than all4 ,she struck a light1 and looked timidly round the room2 it seemed still ringing with his voice4 ,a great tapestry in a frame hung over the mantelpiece1 ,acton followed by his hounds2 the hunter panted as he ran1 and was looking back over his shoulder2 and the long-jawed dogs streamed behind him down a little hill4 ,so strong was the dream upon the old lady that she felt restless1 and presently got up and went to the window and opened a shutter to look out4 ,a white statue or two beyond the terrace glimmered in the dusk1 and the stars were bright in the clear frosty night overhead4 ,she closed the shutter and went back again to bed2 but could not sleep4 ,again and again as she was dozing off1 something would startle her wide awake again3 sometimes it was a glimpse of ,james' face2 sometimes he seemed to be hurrying away from her down an endless passage with closed doors2 he was dressed in something crimson4 ,she tried to cry out1 her voice would not rise above a whisper4 ,sometimes it was the dream of his voice2 and once she started up crying out1 ,i am coming1 my son4 ,then at last she awoke again at the sound of footsteps coming along the corridor outside2 and stared fearfully at the door to see what would enter4 ,but it was only the maid come to call her mistress4 ,lady ,maxwell watched her as she opened the shutters that now glimmered through their cracks1 and let a great flood of light into the room from the clear shining morning outside4 ,it is a frosty morning1 my lady1 said the maid4 ,send one of the men down to ,mistress ,torridon1 said ,lady ,maxwell1 and ask her to come here as soon as it is convenient4 ,say ,i am well2 but would like to see her when she can come4 ,there was no priest in the house that ,sunday1 so there could be no mass2 and on these occasions ,mistress ,margaret usually stayed at the ,dower ,house until after dinner2 but this morning she came up within half an hour of receiving the message4 ,she did not pretend to despise her sister's terror1 or call it superstitious4 ,mary1 she said1 taking her sister's jewelled old fingers into her own two hands1 we must leave all this to the good ,god4 ,it may mean much1 or little1 or nothing4 ,he only knows2 but at least we may pray4 ,let me tell ,isabel2 a child's prayers are mighty with ,him2 and she has the soul of a little child still4 ,so ,isabel was told2 and after church she came up to dine at the ,hall and spend the day there2 for ,lady ,maxwell was thoroughly nervous and upset3 she trembled at the sound of footsteps1 and cried out when one of the men came into the room suddenly4 ,isabel went again to evening prayer at three o'clock2 but could not keep her thoughts off the strange nervous horror at the ,hall1 though it seemed to rest on no better foundation than the waking dreams of an old lady--and her mind strayed away continually from the darkening chapel in which she sat1 so near where ,sir ,nicholas himself lay1 to the upstairs parlour where the widow sat shaken and trembling at her own curious fancies about her dear son4 ,mr4 ,bodder's sermon came to an end at last2 and ,isabel was able to get away1 and hurry back to the ,hall4 ,she found the old ladies as she had left them in the little drawing-room1 ,lady ,maxwell sitting on the window-seat near the harp1 preoccupied and apparently listening for something she knew not what4 ,mistress ,margaret was sitting in a tall padded porter's chair reading aloud from an old ,english mystic1 but her sister was paying no attention1 and looked strangely at the girl as she came in4 ,isabel sat down near the fire and listened2 and as she listened the memory of that other day1 years ago1 came to her when she sat once before with these two ladies in the same room1 and ,mistress ,margaret read to them1 and the letter came from ,sir ,nicholas2 and then the sudden clamour from the village4 ,so now she sat with terror darkening over her1 glancing now and again at that white expectant face1 and herself listening for the first far-away rumour of the dreadful interruption that she now knew must come4 ,the ,goodness of ,god1 read the old nun1 is the highest prayer1 and it cometh down to the lowest part of our need4 ,it quickeneth our soul and bringeth it on life1 and maketh it for to waxen in grace and virtue4 ,it is nearest in nature2 and readiest in grace3 for it is the same grace that the soul seeketh1 and ever shall seek till we know verily that ,he hath us all in ,himself enclosed4 ,for he hath no despite of that ,he hath made1 nor hath ,he any disdain to serve us at the simplest office that to our body belongeth in nature1 for love of the soul that ,he hath made to ,his own likeness4 ,for as the body is clad in the clothes1 and the flesh in the skin1 and the bones in the flesh1 and the heart in the whole1 so are we1 soul and body1 clad in the ,goodness of ,god1 and enclosed4 ,yea1 and more homely2 for all these may waste and wear away1 but the ,goodness of ,god is ever whole2 and more near to us without any likeness2 for truly our ,lover desireth that our soul cleave to ,him with all its might1 and that we be evermore cleaving to ,his goodness4 ,for of all things that heart may think1 this most pleaseth ,god1 and soonest speedeth us4 ,for our soul is so specially loved of ,him that is highest1 that it overpasseth the knowing of all creatures---- ,hush1 said ,lady ,maxwell suddenly1 on her feet1 with a lifted hand4 ,there was a breathless silence in the room2 ,isabel's heart beat thick and heavy and her eyes grew large with expectancy2 it was a windless frosty night again1 and the ivy outside on the wall1 and the laurels in the garden seemed to be silently listening too4 ,mary1 ,mary1 began her sister1 you----2 but the old lady lifted her hand a little higher2 and silence fell again4 ,then far away in the direction of the ,london road came the clear beat of the hoofs of a galloping horse4 ,lady ,maxwell bowed her head1 and her hand slowly sank to her side4 ,the other two stood up and remained still while the beat of the hoofs grew and grew in intensity on the frozen road4 ,the front door1 said ,lady ,maxwell4 ,mistress ,margaret slipped from the room and went downstairs2 ,isabel took a step or two forward1 but was checked by the old lady's uplifted hand again4 ,and again there was a breathless silence1 save for the beat of the hoofs now close and imminent4 ,a moment later the front door was opened1 and a great flood of cold air swept up the passages2 the portrait of ,sir ,nicholas in the hall downstairs1 lifted and rattled against the wall4 ,then came the clatter on the paved court2 and the sound of a horse suddenly checked with the slipping up of hoofs and the jingle and rattle of chains and stirrups4 ,there were voices in the hall below1 and a man's deep tones2 then came steps ascending4 ,lady ,maxwell still stood perfectly rigid by the window1 waiting1 and ,isabel stared with white face and great open eyes at the door2 outside1 the flame of a lamp on the wall was blowing about furiously in the draught4 ,then a stranger stepped into the room2 evidently a gentleman2 he bowed to the two ladies1 and stood1 with the rime on his boots and a whip in his hand1 a little exhausted and disordered by hard riding4 ,lady ,maxwell8 he said4 ,lady ,maxwell bowed a little4 ,i come with news of your son1 madam1 the priest2 he is alive and well2 but he is in trouble4 ,he was taken this morning in his mass-vestments2 and is in the ,marshalsea4 ,lady ,maxwell's lips moved a little2 but no sound came4 ,he was betrayed1 madam1 by a friend4 ,he and thirty other ,catholics were taken all together at mass4 ,then ,lady ,maxwell spoke2 and her voice was dead and hard4 ,the friend1 sir6 ,what was his name8 ,the traitor's name1 madam1 is ,anthony ,norris4 ,the room turned suddenly dark to ,isabel's eyes2 and she put up her hand and tore at the collar round her throat4 ,oh no1 no1 no1 no6 she cried1 and tottered a step or two forward and stood swaying4 ,lady ,maxwell looked from one to another with eyes that seemed to see nothing2 and her lips stirred again4 ,mistress ,margaret who had followed the stranger up1 and who stood now behind him at the door1 came forward to ,isabel with a little cry1 with her hands trembling before her4 ,but before she could reach her1 ,lady ,maxwell herself came swiftly forward1 her head thrown back1 and her arms stretched out towards the girl1 who still stood dazed and swaying more and more4 ,my poor1 poor child6 said ,lady ,maxwell2 and caught her as she fell4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,from ,,fulham ,,to ,,greenwich ,anthony in ,london1 strangely enough1 heard nothing of the arrest on the ,sunday1 except a rumour at supper that some ,papists had been taken4 ,it had sufficient effect on his mind to make him congratulate himself that he had been able to warn his friend last week4 ,at dinner on ,monday there were a few guests2 and among them1 one ,sir ,richard ,barkley1 afterwards ,lieutenant of the ,tower4 ,he sat at the ,archbishop's table1 but ,anthony's place1 on the steward's left hand1 brought him very close to the end of the first table where ,sir ,richard sat4 ,dinner was half way through1 when ,mr4 ,scot who was talking to ,anthony1 was suddenly silent and lifted his hand as if to check the conversation a moment4 ,i saw them myself1 said ,sir ,richard's voice just behind4 ,what is it8 whispered ,anthony4 ,the ,catholics1 answered the steward4 ,they were taken in ,newman's ,court1 off ,cheapside1 went on the voice1 nearly thirty1 with one of their priests1 at mass1 in his trinkets too--,oldham his name is4 ,there was a sudden crash of a chair fallen backwards1 and ,anthony was standing by the officer4 ,i beg your pardon1 ,sir ,richard ,barkley1 he said2--and a dead silence fell in the hall4--,but is that the name of the priest that was taken yesterday8 ,sir ,richard looked astonished at the apparent insolence of this young official4 ,yes1 sir1 he said shortly4 ,then1 then1---- began ,anthony2 but stopped2 bowed low to the ,archbishop and went straight out of the hall4 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,scot was waiting for him in the hall when he returned late that night4 ,anthony's face was white and distracted2 he came in and stood by the fire1 and stared at him with a dazed air4 ,you are to come to his ,grace1 said the steward1 looking at him in silence4 ,anthony nodded without speaking1 and turned away4 ,then you cannot tell me anything8 said ,mr4 ,scot4 ,the other shook his head impatiently1 and walked towards the inner door4 ,the ,archbishop was sincerely shocked at the sight of his young officer1 as he came in and stood before the table1 staring with bewildered eyes1 with his dress splashed and disordered1 and his hands still holding the whip and gloves4 ,he made him sit down at once1 and after ,anthony had drunk a glass of wine1 he made him tell his story and what he had done that day4 ,he had been to the ,marshalsea2 it was true ,mr4 ,oldham was there1 and had been examined4 ,mr4 ,young had conducted it4--,the house at ,newman's ,court was guarded3 the house behind ,bow ,church was barred and shut up1 and the people seemed gone away4--,he could not get a word through to ,mr4 ,oldham1 though he had tried heavy bribery4--,and that was all4 ,anthony spoke with the same dazed air1 in short broken sentences2 but became more himself as the wine and the fire warmed him2 and by the time he had finished he had recovered himself enough to entreat the ,archbishop to help him4 ,it is useless1 said the old man4 ,what can ,i do8 ,i have no power4 ,and--and he is a popish priest6 ,how can ,i interfere8 ,my lord1 cried ,anthony desperately1 flushed and entreating1 all has been done through treachery4 ,do you not see it8 ,i have been a brainless fool4 ,that man behind ,bow ,church was a spy4 ,for ,christ's sake help us1 my lord6 ,grindal looked into the lad's great bright eyes2 sighed2 and threw out his hands despairingly4 ,it is useless2 indeed it is useless1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,but ,i will tell you all that ,i can do4 ,i will give you to-morrow a letter to ,sir ,francis ,walsingham4 ,i was with him abroad as you know1 in the popish times of ,mary3 and he is still in some sort a friend of mine--but you must remember that he is a strong ,protestant2 and ,i do not suppose that he will help you4 ,now go to bed1 dear lad2 you are worn out4 ,anthony knelt for the old man's blessing1 and left the room4 99 99 99 99 ,the interview next day was more formidable than he had expected4 ,he was at the ,secretary's house by ten o'clock1 and waited below while the ,archbishop's letter was taken up4 ,the servant came back in a few minutes1 and asked him to follow2 and in an agony of anxiety1 but with a clear head again this morning1 and every faculty tense1 he went upstairs after him1 and was ushered into the room where ,walsingham sat at a table4 ,there was silence as the two bowed1 but ,sir ,francis did not offer to rise1 but sat with the ,archbishop's letter in his hand1 glancing through it again1 as the other stood and waited4 ,i understand1 said the ,secretary at last1 and his voice was dry and unsympathetic1--,i understand1 from his ,grace's letter1 that you desire to aid a popish priest called ,oldham or ,maxwell1 arrested at mass on ,sunday morning in ,newman's ,court4 ,if you will be so good as to tell me in what way you desire to aid him1 ,i can be more plain in my answer4 ,you do not desire1 ,i hope1 ,mr4 ,norris1 anything but justice and a fair trial for your friend8 ,anthony cleared his throat before answering4 ,i--he is my friend1 as you say1 ,sir ,francis2 and--and he hath been caught by foul means4 ,i myself was used1 as ,i have little doubt1 in his capture4 ,surely there is no justice1 sir1 in betraying a man by means of his friend4 ,and ,anthony described the ruse that had brought it all about4 ,sir ,francis listened to him coldly2 but there came the faintest spark of amusement into his large sad eyes4 ,surely1 ,mr4 ,norris1 he said1 it was somewhat simple2 and ,i have no doubt at all that it all is as you say2 and that the poor stuttering cripple with a patch was as sound and had as good sight and power of speech as you and ,i2 but the plan was1 it seems1 if you will forgive me1 not so simple as yourself4 ,it would be passing strange1 surely that the man1 if a friend of the priest's1 could find no ,catholic to take his message2 but not at all strange if he were his enemy4 ,i do not think sincerely1 sir1 that it would have deceived me4 ,but that is not now the point4 ,he is taken now1 fairly or foully1 and--what was it you wished me to do8 ,i hoped1 said ,anthony1 in rising indignation at this insolence1 that you would help me in some way to undo this foul unjustice4 ,surely1 sir1 it cannot be right to take advantage of such knavish tricks4 ,good ,mr4 ,norris1 said the ,secretary1 we are not playing a game1 with rules that must not be broken1 but we are trying to serve justice--his voice rose a little in sincere enthusiasm--and to put down all false practices1 whether in religion or state1 against ,god or the prince4 ,surely the point for you and me is not1 ought this gentleman to have been taken in the manner he was2 but being taken1 is he innocent or guilty8 ,then you will not help me8 ,i will certainly not help you to defeat justice1 said the other4 ,mr4 ,norris1 you are a young man2 and while your friendship does your heart credit1 your manner of forwarding its claims does not equally commend your head4 ,i counsel you to be wary in your speech and actions2 or they may bring you into trouble some day yourself4 ,after all1 as no doubt your friends have told you1 you played what1 as a minister of the ,crown1 ,i must call a knave's part in attempting to save this popish traitor1 although by ,god's ,providence1 you were frustrated4 ,but it is indeed going too far to beg me to assist you4 ,i have never heard of such audacity6 ,anthony left the house in a fury4 ,it was true1 as the ,archbishop had said1 that ,sir ,francis ,walsingham was a convinced ,protestant2 but he had expected to find in him some indignation at the methods by which the priest had been captured2 and some desire to make compensation for it4 ,he went again to the ,marshalsea2 and now heard that ,james had been removed to the ,tower1 with one or two of the ,catholics who had been in trouble before4 ,this was serious news2 for to be transferred to the ,tower was often but the prelude to torture or death4 ,he went on there1 however1 and tried again to gain admittance1 but it was refused1 and the doorkeeper would not even consent to take a message in4 ,mr4 ,oldham1 he said1 was being straitly kept1 and it would be as much as his place was worth to admit any communication to him without an order from the ,council4 ,when ,anthony got back to ,lambeth after this fruitless day1 he found an imploring note from ,isabel awaiting him2 and one of the grooms from the ,hall to take his answer back4 ,write back at once1 dear ,anthony1 she wrote1 and explain this terrible thing1 for ,i know well that you could not do what has been told us of you4 ,but tell us what has happened1 that we may know what to think4 ,poor ,lady ,maxwell is in the distress you may imagine2 not knowing what will come to ,mr4 ,james4 ,she will come to ,london1 ,i think1 this week4 ,write at once now1 my ,anthony1 and tell us all4 ,anthony scribbled a few lines1 saying how he had been deceived2 and asking her to explain the circumstances to ,lady ,maxwell1 who no doubt would communicate them to her son as soon as was possible2 he added that he had so far failed to get a message through the gaoler4 ,he gave the note himself to the groom2 telling him to deliver it straight into ,isabel's hands1 and then went to bed4 ,in the morning he reported to the ,archbishop what had taken place4 ,i feared it would be so1 ,grindal said4 ,there is nothing to be done but to commit your friend into ,god's hands1 and leave him there4 ,my ,lord1 said ,anthony1 ,i cannot leave it like that4 ,i will go and see my lord bishop to-day2 and then1 if he can do nothing to help1 ,i will even see the ,queen's ,grace herself4 ,grindal threw up his hands with a gesture of dismay4 ,that will ruin all1 he said4 ,an officer of mine could do nothing but anger her ,grace4 ,i must do my best1 said ,anthony2 it was through my folly he is in prison1 and ,i could never rest if ,i left one single thing undone4 ,just as ,anthony was leaving the house1 a servant in the royal livery dashed up to the gate2 and the porter ran out after ,anthony to call him back4 ,the man delivered to him a letter which he opened then and there4 ,it was from ,mistress ,corbet4 ,what can be done1 the letter ran1 for poor ,mr4 ,james8 ,i have heard a tale of you from a ,catholic1 which ,i know is a black lie4 ,i am sure that even now you will be doing all you can to save your friend4 ,i told the man that told me1 that he lied and that ,i knew you for an honest gentleman4 ,but come1 dear ,mr4 ,anthony2 and we will do what we can between us4 ,her ,grace noticed this morning that ,i had been weeping2 ,i put her off with excuses that she knows to be excuses2 and she is so curious that she will not rest till she knows the cause4 ,come after dinner to-day2 we are at ,greenwich now2 and we will see what may be done4 ,it may even be needful for you to see her ,grace yourself1 and tell her the story4 ,your loving friend1 ,mary ,corbet4 ,anthony gave a message to the royal groom1 to tell ,mistress ,corbet that he would do as she said1 and then rode off immediately to the city4 ,there was another disappointing delay as the ,bishop was at ,fulham2 and thither he rode directly through the frosty streets under the keen morning sunshine1 fretting at the further delay4 ,he had often had occasion to see the ,bishop before1 and ,aylmer had taken something of a liking to this staunch young churchman2 and now as the young man came hurrying across the grass under the elms1 the ,bishop1 who was walking in his garden in his furs and flapped cap1 noticed his anxious eyes and troubled face1 and smiled at him kindly1 wondering what he had come about4 ,the two began to walk up and down together4 ,the sunshine was beginning to melt the surface of the ground1 and the birds were busy with breakfast-hunting4 ,look at that little fellow6 cried the ,bishop1 pointing to a thrush on the lawn1 he knows his craft4 ,the thrush had just rapped several times with his beak at a worm's earth1 and was waiting with his head sideways watching4 ,aha6 cried the ,bishop again1 he has him4 ,the thrush had seized the worm who had come up to investigate the noise1 and was now staggering backwards1 bracing himself1 and tugging at the poor worm1 who1 in a moment more was dragged out and swallowed4 ,my lord1 said ,anthony1 ,i came to ask your pity for one who was betrayed by like treachery4 ,the ,bishop looked astonished1 and asked for the story2 but when he heard who it was that had been taken1 and under what circumstances1 the kindliness died out of his eyes4 ,he shook his head severely when ,anthony had done4 ,it is useless coming to me1 sir1 he said4 ,you know what ,i think4 ,to be ordained beyond the seas and to exercise priestly functions in ,england is now a crime4 ,it is useless to pretend anything else4 ,it is revolt against the ,queen's ,grace and the peace of the realm4 ,and ,i must confess ,i am astonished at you1 ,mr4 ,norris1 thinking that anything ought to be done to shield a criminal1 and still more astonished that you should think ,i would aid you in that4 ,i tell you plainly that ,i am glad that the fellow is caught1 for that ,i think there will be presently one less fire-brand in ,england4 ,i know it is easy to cry out against persecution and injustice2 that is ever the shallow cry of the mob2 but this is not a religious persecution1 as you yourself very well know4 ,it is because the ,roman ,church interferes with the peace of the realm and the ,queen's authority that its ordinances are forbidden2 we do not seek to touch a man's private opinions4 ,however1 you know all that as well as ,i4 ,anthony was raging now with anger4 ,i am not so sure1 my lord1 as ,i was1 he said4 ,i had hoped from your lordship at any rate to find sympathy for the base trick whereby my friend was snared2 and ,i find it now hard to trust the judgment of any who do not feel as ,i do about it4 ,that is insolence1 ,mr4 ,norris1 said ,aylmer1 stopping in his walk and turning upon him his cold half-shut eyes1 and ,i will not suffer it4 ,then1 my lord1 ,i had better begone to her ,grace at once4 ,to her ,grace6 exclaimed the ,bishop4 ,appello ,csarem1 said ,anthony1 and was gone again4 99 99 99 99 ,as ,anthony came into the courtyard of ,greenwich ,palace an hour or two later he found it humming with movement and noise4 ,cooks were going to and fro with dishes1 as dinner was only just ending2 servants in the royal livery were dashing across with messages2 a few great hounds for the afternoon's baiting were in a group near one of the gateways1 snuffing the smell of cookery1 and howling hungrily now and again4 ,anthony stopped one of the men1 and sent him with a message to ,mistress ,corbet2 and the servant presently returned1 saying that the ,court was just rising from dinner1 and ,mistress ,corbet would see him in a parlour directly1 if the gentleman would kindly follow him4 ,a groom took his horse off to the stable1 and ,anthony himself followed the servant to a little oak-parlour looking on to a lawn with a yew hedge and a dial4 ,he felt as one moving in a dream1 bewildered by the rush of interviews1 and oppressed by the awful burden that he bore at his heart4 ,nothing any longer seemed strange2 and he scarcely gave a thought to what it meant when he heard the sound of trumpets in the court1 as the ,queen left the ,hall4 ,in five minutes more ,mistress ,corbet burst into the room2 and her anxious look broke into tenderness at the sight of the misery in the lad's face4 ,oh1 ,master ,anthony1 she cried1 seizing his hand1 thank ,god you are here4 ,and now what is to be done for him8 ,they sat down together in the window-seat4 ,mary was dressed in an elaborate rose-coloured costume2 but her pretty lips were pale1 and her eyes looked distressed and heavy4 ,i have hardly slept1 she said1 since ,saturday night4 ,tell me all that you know4 ,anthony told her the whole story1 mechanically and miserably4 ,ah1 she said1 that was how it was4 ,i understand it now4 ,and what can we do8 ,you know1 of course1 that he has been questioned in the ,tower4 ,anthony turned suddenly white and sick4 ,not the--not the---- he began1 falteringly4 ,she nodded at him mutely with large eyes and compressed lips4 ,oh1 my ,god1 said ,anthony2 and then again1 ,o ,god4 ,she took up one of his brown young hands and pressed it gently between her white slender ones4 ,i know1 she said1 ,i know2 he is a gallant gentleman4 ,anthony stood up shaking2 and sat down again4 ,the horror had goaded him into clearer consciousness4 ,ah6 what can we do8 he said brokenly4 ,let me see the ,queen4 ,she will be merciful4 ,you must trust to me in this1 said ,mary1 ,i know her2 and ,i know that to go to her now would be madness4 ,she is in a fury with ,pinart to-day at something that has passed about the ,duke4 ,you know ,monsieur is here2 she kissed him the other day1 and the ,lord only knows whether she will marry him or not4 ,you must wait a day or two2 and be ready when ,i tell you4 ,but1 stammered ,anthony1 every hour we wait1 he suffers4 ,oh1 you cannot tell that1 said ,mary1 they give them a long rest sometimes2 and it was only yesterday that he was questioned4 ,anthony sat silently staring out on the fresh lawn2 there was still a patch of frost under the shadow of the hedge he noticed4 ,wait here a moment1 said ,mary1 looking at him2 and she got up and went out4 ,anthony still sat staring and thinking of the horror4 ,presently ,mary was at his side again with a tall venetian wine-glass brimming with white wine4 ,here1 she said1 drink this1--and then--have you dined to-day8 ,there was not time1 said ,anthony4 ,she frowned at him almost fiercely4 ,and you come here fasting1 she said1 to face the ,queen6 ,you foolish boy2 you know nothing4 ,wait here1 she added imperiously1 and again she left the room4 ,anthony still stared out of doors1 twisting the empty glass in his hand2 until again came her step and the rustle of her dress4 ,she took the glass from him and put it down4 ,a servant had followed her back into the room in a minute or two with a dish of meat and some bread2 he set it on the table1 and went out4 ,now1 said ,mary1 sit down and eat before you speak another word4 ,and ,anthony obeyed4 ,the servant presently returned with some fruit1 and again left them4 ,all the while ,anthony was eating1 ,mary sat by him and told him how she had heard the whole story from another ,catholic at court2 and how the ,queen had questioned her closely the night before1 as to what the marks of tears meant on her cheeks4 ,it was when ,i heard of the racking1 explained ,mary1 ,i could not help it4 ,i went up to my room and cried and cried4 ,but ,i would not tell her ,grace that3 it would have been of no use2 so ,i said ,i had a headache2 but ,i said it in such a way as to prepare her for more4 ,she has not questioned me again to-day2 she is too full of anger and of the bear-baiting2 but she will--she will4 ,she never forgets2 and then ,mr4 ,anthony1 it must be you to tell her4 ,you are a pleasant-faced young man1 sir1 and she likes such as that4 ,and you must be both forward and modest with her4 ,she loves boldness1 but hates rudeness4 ,that is why ,chris is so beloved by her4 ,he is a fool1 but he is a handsome fool1 and a forward fool1 and withal a tender fool2 and sighs and cries1 and calls her his ,goddess2 and says how he takes to his bed when she is not there1 which of course is true4 ,the other day he came to her1 white-faced1 sobbing like a frightened child1 about the ring she had given ,monsieur le petit grenouille4 ,and oh1 she was so tender with him4 ,and so1 ,mr4 ,anthony1 you must not be just forward with her1 and frown at her and call her ,jezebel and tyrant1 as you would like to do2 but you must call her ,cleopatra1 and ,diana as well4 ,forward and backward all in one2 that is the way she loves to be wooed4 ,she is a woman1 remember that4 ,i must just let my heart speak1 said ,anthony1 ,i cannot twist and turn4 ,yes1 yes1 said ,mary1 that is what ,i mean2 but mind that it is your heart4 ,they went on talking a little longer2 when suddenly the trumpets pealed out again4 ,mary rose with a look of consternation4 ,i must fly1 she said1 her ,grace will be starting for the pit directly2 and ,i must be there4 ,do you follow1 ,mr4 ,anthony2 ,i will speak to a servant in the court about you4 ,and in a moment she was gone4 ,when ,anthony had finished the fruit and wine1 he felt considerably refreshed2 and after waiting a few minutes1 went out into the court again1 which he found almost deserted1 except for a servant or two4 ,one of these came up to him1 and said respectfully that ,mistress ,corbet had left instructions that ,mr4 ,norris was to be taken to the bear-pit2 so ,anthony followed him through the palace to the back4 99 99 99 99 ,it was a startlingly beautiful sight that his eyes fell upon when he came up the wooden stairs on to the stage that ran round the arena where the sport was just beginning4 ,it was an amphitheatre1 perhaps forty yards across2 and the seats round it were filled with the most brilliant costumes1 many of which blazed with jewels4 ,hanging over the top of the palisade were rich stuffs and tapestries4 ,the ,queen herself no doubt with ,alenon was seated somewhere to the right1 as ,anthony could see by the canopy1 with the arms of ,england and ,france embroidered upon its front2 but he was too near to her to be able to catch even a glimpse of her face or figure4 ,the awning overhead was furled1 as the day was so fine1 and the winter sunshine poured down on the dresses and jewels4 ,all the ,court was there2 and ,anthony recognised many great nobles here and there in the specially reserved seats4 ,a ceaseless clangour of trumpets and cymbals filled the air1 and drowned not only the conversation but the terrific noise from the arena where half a dozen great dogs1 furious with hunger and excited as much by the crowds and the brazen music overhead as by the presence of their fierce adversary1 were baiting a huge bear chained to a ring in the centre of the sand4 ,anthony's heart sank a little as he noticed the ladies of the ,court applauding and laughing at the abominable scene below1 no doubt in imitation of their mistress who loved this fierce sport2 and as he thought of the kind of heart to which he would have to appeal presently4 ,so through the winter afternoon the bouts went on2 the band answered with harsh chords the death of the dogs one by one1 and welcomed the collapse of the bear with a strident bellowing passage on the great horns and drums2 and by the time it was over and the spectators rose to their feet1 ,anthony's hopes were lower than ever4 ,can there be any compassion left1 he wondered1 in a woman to whom such an afternoon was nothing more than a charming entertainment8 ,by the time he was able to get out of his seat and return to the courtyard1 the procession had again disappeared1 but he was escorted by the same servant to the parlour again1 where ,mistress ,corbet presently rustled in4 ,you must stay to-night1 she said1 as late as possible4 ,i wish you could sleep here2 but we are so crowded with these ,frenchmen and ,hollanders that there is not a bed empty4 ,the ,queen is in better humour1 and if the play goes well1 it may be that a word said even to-night might reach her heart4 ,i will tell you when it is over4 ,you must be present4 ,i will send you supper here directly4 ,anthony inquired as to his dress4 ,nay1 nay1 said ,mistress ,corbet1 that will do very well2 it is sober and quiet1 and a little splashed3 it will appear that you came in such haste that you could not change it4 ,her ,grace likes to see a man hot and in a hurry sometimes2 and not always like a peacock in the shade4--,and1 ,master ,anthony1 it suits you very well4 ,he asked what time the play would be over1 and that his horse might be saddled ready for him when he should want it2 and ,mary promised to see to it4 ,he felt much more himself as he supped alone in the parlour4 ,the bewilderment had passed2 the courage and spirit of ,mary had infected his own1 and the stirring strange life of the palace had distracted him from that dreadful brooding into which he had at first sunk4 ,when he had finished supper he sat in the window seat1 pondering and praying too that the fierce heart of the ,queen might be melted1 and that ,god would give him words to say4 ,there was much else too that he thought over1 as he sat and watched the illuminated windows round the little lawn on which his own looked1 and heard the distant clash of music from the ,hall where the ,queen was supping in state4 ,he thought of ,mary and of her gay and tender nature2 and of his own boyish love for her4 ,that indeed had gone1 or rather had been transfigured into a brotherly honour and respect4 ,both she and he1 he was beginning to feel1 had a more majestic task before them than marrying and giving in marriage4 ,the religion which made this woman what she was1 pure and upright in a luxurious and treacherous ,court1 tender among hard hearts1 sympathetic in the midst of selfish lives--this ,religion was beginning to draw this young man with almost irresistible power4 ,mary herself was doing her part bravely1 witnessing in a ,protestant ,court to the power of the ,catholic ,faith in her own life2 and he1 what was he doing8 ,these last three days were working miracles in him4 ,the way he had been received by ,walsingham and ,aylmer1 their apparent inability to see his point of view on this foul bit of treachery1 the whole method of the ,government of the day2--and above all the picture that was floating now before his eyes over the dark lawn1 of the little cell in the ,tower and the silent wrenched figure lying upon the straw--the gallant gentleman as ,mary had called him1 who had reckoned all this price up before he embarked on the life of a priest1 and was even now paying it gladly and thankfully1 no doubt--all this deepened the previous impressions that ,anthony's mind had received2 and as he sat here amid the stir of the royal palace1 again and again a vision moved before him1 of himself as a ,catholic1 and perhaps---- ,but ,isabel6 ,what of ,isabel8 ,and at the thought of her he rose and walked to and fro4 99 99 99 99 ,presently the servant came again to take ,anthony to the ,presence ,chamber1 where the play was to take place4 ,i understand1 sir1 from ,mistress ,corbet1 said the man1 closing the door of the parlour a moment1 that you are come about ,mr4 ,maxwell4 ,i am a ,catholic1 too1 sir1 and may ,i say1 sir1 ,god bless and prosper you in this4--,i--,i beg your pardon1 sir1 will you follow me8 ,the room was full at the lower end where ,anthony had to stand1 as he was not in ,court dress2 and he could see really nothing of the play1 and hear very little either4 ,the children of ,paul's were acting some classical play which he did not know3 all he could do was to catch a glimpse now and again of the protruding stage1 with the curtains at the back1 and the glitter of the armour that the boys wore2 and hear the songs that were accompanied by a little string band1 and the clash of the brass at the more martial moments4 ,the ,queen and the ,duke1 he could see1 sat together immediately opposite the stage1 on raised seats under a canopy2 a group of halberdiers guarded them1 and another small company of them was ranged at the sides of the stage4 ,anthony could see little more than this1 and could hear only isolated sentences here and there1 so broken was the piece by the talking and laughing around him4 ,but he did not like to move as ,mistress ,corbet had told him to be present1 so he stood there listening to the undertone talk about him1 and watching the faces4 ,what he did see of the play did not rouse him to any great enthusiasm4 ,his heart was too heavy with his errand1 and it seemed to him that the occasional glimpses he caught of the stage showed him a very tiresome hero1 dressed in velvet doublet and hose and steel cap1 strangely unconvincing1 who spoke his lines pompously1 and was as unsatisfactory as the slender shrill-voiced boy who1 representing a woman of marvellous beauty and allurement1 was supposed to fire the conqueror's blood with passion4 ,at last it ended2 and an orator in apparel of cloth of gold1 spoke a kind of special epilogue in rhyming metre in praise of the ,virgin ,queen1 and then retired bowing4 ,immediately there was a general movement2 the brass instruments began to blare out1 and an usher at the door desired those who were blocking the way to step aside to make way for the ,queen's procession1 which would shortly pass out4 ,anthony himself went outside with one or two more1 and then stood aside waiting4 ,there was a pause and then a hush2 and the sound of a high rating woman's voice1 followed by a murmur of laughter4 ,in a moment more the door was flung open again1 and to ,anthony's surprise ,mistress ,corbet came rustling out1 as the people stepped back to make room4 ,her eyes fell on ,anthony near the door1 and she beckoned him to follow1 and he went down the corridor after her1 followed her silently along a passage or two1 wondering why she did not speak1 and then came after her into the same little oak parlour where he had supped4 ,a servant followed them immediately with lighted candles which he set down and retired4 ,anthony looked at ,mistress ,corbet1 and saw all across her pale cheek the fiery mark of the five fingers of a hand1 and saw too that her eyes were full of tears1 and that her breath came unevenly4 ,it is no use to-night1 she said1 with a sob in her voice2 her ,grace is angry with me4 ,and1 and---- began ,anthony in amazement4 ,and she struck me1 said ,mary1 struggling bravely to smile4 ,it was all my fault1--and a bright tear or two ran down on to her delicate lace4 ,i was sitting near her ,grace1 and ,i could not keep my mind off poor ,james ,maxwell2 and ,i suppose ,i looked grave1 because when the play was over1 she beckoned me up1 and--and asked how ,i liked it1 and why ,i looked so solemn--for she would know--was it for ,scipio ,africanus1 or some other man8 ,and--and ,i was silent2 and ,alenon1 that little frog-man burst out laughing and said to her ,grace something--something shameful--in ,french--but ,i understood1 and gave him a look2 and her ,grace saw it1 and1 and struck me here1 before all the ,court1 and bade me begone4 ,oh6 it is shameful1 said ,anthony1 furiously1 his own eyes bright too1 at the sight of this gallant girl and her humiliation4 ,you cannot stay here1 ,mistress ,corbet4 ,this is the second time at least1 is it not8 ,ah6 but ,i must stay1 she said1 or who will speak for the ,catholics8 ,but now it is useless to think of seeing her ,grace to-night4 ,yet to-morrow1 maybe1 she will be sorry1--she often is--and will want to make amends2 and then will be our time1 so you must be here to-morrow by dinner-time at least4 ,oh1 ,mistress ,corbet1 said the boy1 ,i wish ,i could do something4 ,you dear lad6 said ,mary1 and then indeed the tears ran down4 99 99 99 99 ,anthony rode back to ,lambeth under the stars1 anxious and dispirited1 and all night long dreamed of pageants and progresses that blocked the street down which he must ride to rescue ,james4 ,the brazen trumpets rang out whenever he called for help or tried to explain his errand2 and ,elizabeth rode by1 bowing and smiling to all save him4 99 99 99 99 ,the next day he was at ,greenwich again by dinner-time1 and again dined by himself in the oak parlour1 waited upon by the ,catholic servant4 ,he was just finishing his meal when in sailed ,mary1 beaming4 ,i told you so1 she said delightedly1 the ,queen is sorry4 ,she pinched my ear just now1 and smiled at me1 and bade me come to her in her private parlour in half an hour2 and ,i shall put my petition then2 so be ready1 ,master ,anthony1 be ready and of a good courage2 for1 please ,god1 we shall save him yet4 ,anthony looked at her1 white and scared4 ,what shall ,i say8 he said4 ,speak from your heart1 sir1 as you did to me yesterday4 ,be bold1 yet not overbold4 ,tell her plainly that he is your friend2 and that it was through your action he was betrayed4 ,say that you love the man4 ,she likes loyalty4--,say he is a fine upstanding fellow1 over six feet in height1 with a good leg4 ,she likes a good leg4--,say that he has not a wife1 and will never have one4 ,wives and husbands like her not--in spite of le petit grenouille4--,and look straight in her face1 ,master ,anthony1 as you looked in mine yesterday when ,i was a cry-baby4 ,she likes men to do that4--,and then look away as if dazzled by her radiancy4 ,she likes that even more4 ,anthony looked so bewildered by these instructions that ,mary laughed in his face4 ,here then1 poor lad1 she said1 ,i will tell you in a word4 ,tell the truth and be a man2--a man6 ,she likes that best of all2 though she likes sheep too1 such as ,chris ,hatton1 and frogs like the ,duke1 and apes like the little ,spaniard1 and chattering dancing monkeys like the ,frenchman--and--and devils1 like ,walshingham4 ,but do you be a man and risk it4 ,i know you can manage that4 ,and ,mary smiled at him so cheerfully1 that ,anthony felt heartened4 ,there1 she said1 now you look like one4 ,but you must have some more wine first1 ,i will send it in as ,i go4 ,and now ,i must go4 ,wait here for the message4 ,she gave him her hand1 and he kissed it1 and she went out1 nodding and smiling over her shoulder4 ,anthony sat miserably on the window-seat4 ,ah6 so much depended on him now4 ,the ,queen was in a good humour1 and such a chance might never occur again2--and meantime ,james ,maxwell waited in the ,tower4 ,the minutes passed2 steps came and went in the passage outside2 and ,anthony's heart leaped into his mouth at each sound4 ,once the door opened1 and ,anthony sprang to his feet trembling4 ,but it was only the servant with the wine4 ,anthony took it--a fiery ,italian wine1 and drew a long draught that sent his blood coursing through his veins1 and set his heart a-beating strongly again4 ,and even as he set the cup down1 the door was open again1 and a bowing page was there4 ,may it please you1 sir1 the ,queen's ,grace has sent me for you4 ,anthony got up1 swallowed in his throat once or twice1 and motioned to go2 the boy went out and ,anthony followed4 ,they went down a corridor or two1 passing a sentry who let the well-known page and the gentleman pass without challenging2 ascended a twisted oak staircase1 went along a gallery1 with stained glass of heraldic emblems in the windows1 and paused before a door4 ,the page1 before knocking1 turned and looked meaningly at ,anthony1 who stood with every pulse in his body racing2 then the boy knocked1 opened the door2 ,anthony entered1 and the door closed behind him4 ,,chapter ,x ,,the ,,appeal ,,to ,c,,sar ,the room was full of sunshine that poured in through two tall windows opposite1 upon a motionless figure that sat in a high carved chair by the table1 and watched the door4 ,this figure dominated the whole room3 the lad as he dropped on his knees1 was conscious of eyes watching him from behind the chair1 of tapestried walls1 and a lute that lay on the table1 but all those things were but trifling accessories to that scarlet central figure with a burnished halo of auburn hair round a shadowed face4 99 99 99 99 ,there was complete silence for a moment or two2 a hound bayed in the court outside1 and there came a far-away bang of a door somewhere in the palace4 ,there was a rustle of silk that set every nerve of his body thrilling1 and then a clear hard penetrating voice spoke two words4 ,well1 sir8 ,anthony drew a breath1 and swallowed in his throat4 ,your ,grace1 he said1 and lifted his eyes for a moment1 and dropped them again4 ,but in the glimpse every detail stamped itself clear on his imagination4 ,there she sat in vivid scarlet and cloth of gold1 radiating light2 with high puffed sleeves2 an immense ruff fringed with lace4 ,the narrow eyes were fixed on him1 and as he now waited again1 he knew that they were running up and down his figure1 his dark splashed hose and his tumbled doublet and ruff4 ,you come strangely dressed4 ,anthony drew a quick breath again4 ,my heart is sick1 he said4 ,there was another slight movement4 ,well1 sir1 the voice said again1 you have not told us why you are here4 ,for justice from my queen1 he said1 and stopped4 ,and for mercy from a woman1 he added1 scarcely knowing what he said4 ,again ,elizabeth stirred in her chair4 ,you taught him that1 you wicked girl1 she said4 ,no1 madam1 came ,mary's voice from behind1 subdued and entreating1 it is his heart that speaks4 ,enough1 sir1 said ,elizabeth2 now tell us plainly what you want of us4 ,then ,anthony thought it time to be bold4 ,he made a great effort1 and the sense of constraint relaxed a little4 ,i have been1 your ,grace1 to ,sir ,francis ,walsingham1 and my lord ,bishop of ,london1 and ,i can get neither justice nor mercy from either2 and so ,i come to your ,grace1 who are their mistress1 to teach them manners4 ,stay1 said ,elizabeth1 that is insolence to my ministers4 ,so my lord said1 answered ,anthony frankly1 looking into that hard clear face that was beginning to be lined with age4 ,and he saw that ,elizabeth smiled1 and that the face behind the chair nodded at him encouragingly4 ,well1 insolence1 go on4 ,it is on behalf of one who has been pronounced a felon and a traitor by your ,grace's laws1 that ,i am pleading2 but one who is a very gallant ,christian gentleman as well4 ,your friend lacks not courage1 interrupted ,elizabeth to ,mary4 ,no1 your ,grace1 said the other1 that has never been considered his failing4 ,anthony waited1 and then the voice spoke again harshly4 ,go on with the tale1 sir4 ,i cannot be here all day4 ,he is a popish priest1 your ,majesty2 and he was taken at mass in his vestments1 and is now in the ,tower2 and he hath been questioned on the rack4 ,and1 madam1 it is piteous to think of it4 ,he is but a young man still1 but passing strong and tall4 ,what has this to do with me1 sir8 interrupted the ,queen harshly4 ,i cannot pardon every proper young priest in the kingdom4 ,what else is there to be said for him8 ,he was taken through the foul treachery of a spy1 who imposed upon me1 his friend1 and caused me all unknowing to say the very words that brought him into the net4 ,and then1 more and more1 ,anthony began to lose his self-consciousness1 and poured out the story from the beginning2 telling how he had been brought up in the same village with ,james ,maxwell2 and what a loyal gentleman he was2 and then the story of the trick by which he had been deceived4 ,as he spoke his whole appearance seemed to change2 instead of the shy and rather clumsy manner with which he had begun1 he was now natural and free2 he moved his hands in slight gestures2 his blue eyes looked the ,queen fairly in the face2 he moved a little forward on his knees as he pleaded1 and he spoke with a passion that astonished both ,mary and himself afterwards when he thought of it1 in spite of his short and broken sentences4 ,he was conscious all the while of an intense external strain and pressure1 as if he were pleading for his life1 and the time was short4 ,elizabeth relaxed her rigid attitude1 and leaned her chin on her hand and her elbow on the table and watched him1 her thin lips parted1 the pearl rope and crown on her head1 and the pearl pendants in her ears moving slightly as she nodded at points in his story4 ,ah6 your ,grace1 he cried1 lifting his open hands towards her a little1 you have a woman's heart2 all your people say so4 ,you cannot allow this man to be so trapped to his death6 ,treachery never helped a cause yet4 ,if your men cannot catch these priests fairly1 then a-,god's name1 let them not catch them at all6 ,but to use a friend1 and make a ,judas of him2 to make the very lips that have spoken friendly1 speak traitorously2 to bait the trap like that--it is devilish4 ,let him go1 let him go1 madam6 ,one priest more or less cannot overthrow the realm2 but one more foul crime done in the name of justice can bring ,god's wrath down on the nation4 ,i hold that a trick like that is far worse than all the disobedience in the world2 nay--how can we cry out against the ,jesuits and the plotters1 if we do worse ourselves8 ,madam1 madam1 let him go6 ,oh6 ,i know ,i cannot speak as well in this good cause1 as some can in a bad cause1 but let the cause speak for itself4 ,i cannot speak1 ,i know4 ,nay1 nay1 said ,elizabeth softly1 you wrong yourself4 ,you have an honest face1 sir2 and that is the best recommendation to me4 ,and so1 ,minnie1 she went on1 turning to ,mary1 this was your petition1 was it2 and this your advocate8 ,well1 you have not chosen badly4 ,now1 you speak yourself4 ,mary stood a moment silent1 and then with a swift movement came round the arm of the ,queen's chair1 and threw herself on her knees1 with her hands upon the ,queen's left hand as it lay upon the carved boss1 and her voice was as ,anthony had never yet heard it1 vibrant and full of tears4 ,oh6 madam1 madam2 this poor lad cannot speak1 as he says2 and yet his sad honest face1 as your ,grace said1 is more eloquent than all words4 ,and think of the silence of the little cell upstairs in the ,tower2 where a gallant gentleman lies1 all rent and torn with the rack2 and1--and how he listens for the footsteps outside of the tormentors who come to drag him down again1 all aching and heavy with pain1 down to that fierce engine in the dark4 ,and think of his gallant heart1 your ,grace1 how brave it is2 and how he will not yield nor let one name escape him4 ,ah6 not because he loves not your ,grace nor desires to serve you2 but because he serves your ,grace best by serving and loving his ,god first of all4--,and think how he cannot help a sob now and again2 and whispers the name of his ,saviour1 as the pulleys begin to wrench and twist4--,and1--and1--do not forget his mother1 your ,grace1 down in the country2 how she sits and listens and prays for her dear son2 and cannot sleep1 and dreams of him when at last she sleeps1 and wakes screaming and crying at the thought of the boy she bore and nursed in the hands of those harsh devils4 ,and--and1 you can stop it all1 your ,grace1 with one little word2 and make that mother's heart bless your name and pray for you night and morning till she dies2--and let that gallant son go free1 and save his racked body before it be torn asunder2--and you can make this honest lad's heart happy again with the thought that he has saved his friend instead of slaying him4 ,look you1 madam1 he has come confessing his fault2 saying bravely to your ,grace that he did try to do his friend a service in spite of the laws1 for that he held love to be the highest law4 ,ah6 how many happy souls you can make with a word2 because you are a ,queen4--,what is it to be a ,queen6--to be able to do all that6--,oh6 madam1 be pitiful then1 and show mercy as one day you hope to find it4 ,mary spoke with an intense feeling2 her voice was one long straining sob of appeal2 and as she ended her tears were beginning to rain down on the hand she held between her own2 she lifted it to her streaming face and kissed it again and again2 and then dropped her forehead upon it1 and so rested in dead silence4 ,elizabeth swallowed in her throat once or twice2 and then spoke1 and her voice was a little choked4 ,well1 well1 you silly girl4--,you plead too well4 ,anthony irresistibly threw his hands out as he knelt4 ,oh6 ,god bless your ,grace6 he said2 and then gave a sob or two himself4 ,there1 there1 you are a pair of children1 she said2 for ,mary was kissing her hand again and again4 ,and you are a pretty pair1 too1 she added4 ,now1 now1 that is enough1 stand up4 ,anthony rose to his feet again and stood there2 and ,mary went round again behind the chair4 ,now1 now1 you have put me in a sore strait1 said ,elizabeth2 between you ,i scarcely know how to keep my word4 ,they call me fickle enough already4 ,but ,frank ,walsingham shall do it for me4 ,he is certainly at the back of it all1 and he shall manage it4 ,it shall be done at once4 ,call a page1 ,minnie4 ,mary ,corbet went to the back of the room into the shadow1 opened a door that ,anthony had not noticed1 and beckoned sharply2 in a moment or two a page was bowing before ,elizabeth4 ,is ,sir ,francis ,walsingham in the palace8 she asked1--then bring him here1 she ended1 as the boy bowed again4 ,and you too1 she went on1 shall hear that ,i keep my word1--she pointed towards the door whence the page had come4--,stand there1 she said1 and leave the door ajar4 ,mary gave ,anthony her hand and a radiant smile as they went together4 ,aha6 said ,elizabeth1 not in my presence4 ,anthony flushed with fury in spite of his joy4 99 99 99 99 ,they went in through the door1 and found themselves in a tiny panelled room with a little slit of a window2 it was used to place a sentry or a page within it4 ,there were a couple of chairs1 and the two sat down to wait4 ,oh1 thank ,god6 whispered ,anthony4 ,again the harsh voice rang out from the open door4 ,now1 now1 no love-making within there6 ,mary smiled and laid her finger on her lips4 ,then there came the ripple of a lute from the outer room1 played not unskilfully4 ,mary smiled again and nodded at ,anthony4 ,then1 a metallic voice1 but clear enough and tuneful1 began to sing a verse of the little love-song of ,harrington's1 ,whence comes my love8 ,it suddenly ceased in the middle of the line1 and the voice cried to some one to come in4 ,anthony could hear the door open and close again1 and a movement or two1 which doubtless represented ,walsingham's obeisance4 ,then the ,queen's voice began again1 low1 thin1 and distinct4 ,the two in the inner room listened breathlessly4 ,i wish a prisoner in the ,tower to be released1 ,sir ,francis2 without any talk or to-do4 ,and ,i desire you to do it for me4 ,there was silence1 and then ,walsingham's deep tones4 ,your ,grace has but to command4 ,his name is ,james ,maxwell1 and he is a popish priest4 ,a longer silence followed4 ,i do not know if your ,grace knows all the circumstances4 ,i do1 sir1 or ,i should not interfere4 ,the feeling of the people was very strong4 ,well1 and what of that8 ,it will be a risk of your ,grace's favour with them4 ,have ,i not said that my name was not to appear in the matter8 ,and do you think ,i fear my people's wrath8 ,there was silence again4 ,well1 ,sir ,francis1 why do you not speak8 ,i have nothing to say1 your ,grace4 ,then it will be done8 ,i do not see at present how it can be done1 but doubtless there is a way4 ,then you will find it1 sir1 immediately1 rang out the ,queen's metallic tones4 7,mary turned and nodded solemnly at ,anthony1 with pursed lips47 ,he was questioned on the rack two days ago1 your ,grace4 ,have ,i not said ,i know all the circumstances8 ,do you wish me to say it again8 ,the ,queen was plainly getting angry4 ,i ask your pardon1 madam2 but ,i only meant that he could not travel probably1 yet awhile4 ,he was on the rack for four hours1 ,i understand4 7,anthony felt that strange sickness rise again2 but ,mary laid her cool hand on his and smiled at him47 ,well1 well1 rasped out ,elizabeth1 ,i do not ask impossibilities4 ,they would cease to be so1 madam1 if you did4 7,mary within the little room put her lips to ,anthony's ear3 ,butter6 she whispered47 ,well1 sir1 went on the ,queen1 you shall see that he has a physician1 and leave to travel as soon as he will4 ,it shall be done1 your ,grace4 ,very well1 see to it4 ,i beg your ,grace's pardon2 but what---- ,well1 what is it now8 ,i would wish to know your ,grace's pleasure as to the future for ,mr4 ,maxwell4 ,is no pledge of good behaviour to be exacted from him8 ,of course he says mass again at his peril4 ,either he must take the oath at once1 or he shall be allowed forty-eight hours' safe-conduct with his papers for the ,continent4 ,your ,grace1 indeed ,i must remonstrate---- ,then the ,queen's wrath burst out2 they heard a swift movement1 and the rap of her high heels as she sprang to her feet4 ,by ,god's ,son1 she screamed1 am ,i ,queen or not8 ,i have had enough of your counsel4 ,you presume1 sir-- her ringed hand came heavily down on the table and they heard the lute leap and fall again4--,you presume on your position1 sir4 ,i made you1 and ,i can unmake you1 and by ,god ,i will1 if ,i have another word of your counselling4 ,be gone1 and see that it be done2 ,i will not bid twice4 ,there was silence again2 and they heard the outer door open and close4 ,anthony's heart was beating wildly4 ,he had sprung to his feet in a trembling excitement as the ,queen had sprung to hers4 ,the mere ring of that furious royal voice1 even without the sight of her pale wrathful face and blazing eyes that ,walsingham looked upon as he backed out from the presence1 was enough to make this lad's whole frame shiver4 ,mary apparently was accustomed to this2 for she looked up at ,anthony1 laughing silently1 and shrugged her shoulders4 ,then they heard the ,queen's silk draperies rustle and her pearls chink together as she sank down again and took up her lute and struck the strings4 ,then the metallic voice began again1 with a little tremor in it1 like the ground-swell after a storm2 and she sang the verse through in which she had been interrupted3 ,why thus1 my love1 so kind bespeak ,sweet eye1 sweet lip1 sweet blushing cheek-- ,yet not a heart to save my pain2 ,o ,venus1 take thy gifts again6 ,make not so fair to cause our moan1 ,or make a heart that's like your own4 ,the lute rippled away into silence4 99 99 99 99 ,mary rose quietly to her feet and nodded to ,anthony4 ,come back1 you two6 cried the ,queen4 ,mary stepped straight through1 the lad behind her4 ,well1 said the ,queen1 turning to them and showing her black teeth in a smile4 ,have ,i kept my word8 ,ah6 your ,grace1 said ,mary1 curtseying to the ground1 you have made some simple loving hearts very happy to-day--,i do not mean ,sir ,francis'4 ,the ,queen laughed4 ,come here1 child1 she said1 holding out her glittering hand1 down here1 and ,mary sank down on the ,queen's footstool1 and leaned against her knee like a child1 smiling up into her face2 while ,elizabeth put her hand under her chin and kissed her twice on the forehead4 ,there1 there1 she said caressingly1 have ,i made amends8 ,am ,i a hard mistress8 ,and she threw her left hand round the girl's neck and began to play with the diamond pendant in her ear1 and to stroke the smooth curve of her cheek with her flashing fingers4 ,anthony1 a little on one side1 stood watching and wondering at this silky tigress who raged so fiercely just now4 ,elizabeth looked up in a moment and saw him4 ,why1 here is the tall lad here still1 she said1 eyeing us as if we were monsters4 ,have you never yet seen two maidens loving one another1 that you stare so with your great eyes8 ,aha6 ,minnie2 he would like to be sitting where ,i am--is it not so1 sir8 ,i would sooner stand where ,i am1 madam1 said ,anthony1 by a sudden inspiration1 and look upon your ,grace4 ,why1 he is a courtier already1 said the ,queen4 ,you have been giving him lessons1 ,minnie1 you sly girl4 ,a loyal heart makes the best courtier1 madam1 said ,mary1 taking the ,queen's hand delicately in her own4 ,and next to looking upon my ,grace1 ,mr4 ,norris1 said ,elizabeth1 what do you best love8 ,listening to your ,grace1 said ,anthony1 promptly4 ,mary turned and flashed all her teeth upon him in a smile1 and her eyes danced in her head4 ,elizabeth laughed outright4 ,he is an apt pupil1 she said to ,mary4 --,you mean the lute1 sir8 she added4 ,i mean your ,grace's voice1 madam4 ,i had forgotten the lute4 ,ah1 a little clumsy6 said the ,queen2 not so true a thrust as the others4 ,it was not for lack of good-will1 said poor ,anthony blushing a little4 ,he felt in a kind of dream1 fencing in language with this strange mighty creature in scarlet and pearls1 who sat up in her chair and darted remarks at him1 as with a rapier4 ,aha6 said the ,queen1 he is blushing6 ,look1 ,minnie6 ,mary looked at him deliberately4 ,anthony became scarlet at once2 and tried a desperate escape4 ,it is your livery1 madam1 he said4 ,mary clapped her hands1 and glanced at the ,queen4 ,yes1 ,minnie2 he does his mistress credit4 ,yes1 your ,grace2 but he can do other things besides talk1 explained ,mary4 ,anthony felt like a horse being shown off by a skilful dealer1 but he was more at his ease too after his blush4 ,extend your mercy1 madam1 he said1 and bid ,mistress ,corbet hold her tongue and spare my shame4 ,silence1 sir6 said the ,queen4 ,go on1 ,minnie2 what else can he do8 ,ah6 your ,grace1 he can hawk4 ,oh6 you should see his peregrine2--named after your ,majesty4 ,that shows his loyal heart4 ,i am not sure of the compliment1 said the ,queen2 hawks are fierce creatures4 ,it was not for her fierceness1 put in ,anthony1 that ,i named her after your ,grace4 ,why1 then1 ,mr4 ,norris8 ,for that she soars so high above all other creatures1 said the lad1 and--and that she never stoops but to conquer4 ,mary gave a sudden triumphant laugh1 and glanced up1 and ,elizabeth tapped her on the cheek sharply4 ,be still1 bad girl1 she said4 ,you must not prompt during the lesson4 ,and so the talk went on4 ,anthony really acquitted himself with great credit1 considering the extreme strangeness of his position2 but such an intense weight had been lifted off his mind by the ,queen's pardon of ,james ,maxwell1 that his nature was alight with a kind of intoxication4 ,all his sharpness1 such as it was1 rose to the surface2 and ,mary too was amazed at some of his replies4 ,elizabeth took it as a matter of course2 she was accustomed to this kind of word-fencing2 she did not do it very well herself3 her royalty gave her many advantages which she often availed herself of2 and her address was not to be compared for a moment with that of some of her courtiers and ladies4 ,but still she was amused by this slender honest lad who stood there before her in his graceful splashed dress1 and blushed and laughed and parried1 and delivered his point with force1 even if not with any extraordinary skill4 ,but at last she began to show signs of weariness2 and ,mary managed to convey to ,anthony that it was time to be off4 ,so he began to make his adieux4 ,well1 said ,elizabeth1 let us see you at supper to-night2 and in the parlours afterwards4--,ah6 she cried1 suddenly1 neither of you must say a word as to how your friend was released4 ,it must remain the act of the ,council4 ,my name must not appear2 ,walsingham will see to that1 and you must see to it too4 ,they both promised sincerely4 ,well1 then1 lad1 said ,elizabeth1 and stretched out her hand2 and ,mary rose and stood by her4 ,anthony came up and knelt on the cushion and received the slender scented ringed hand on his own1 and kissed it ardently in his gratitude4 ,as he released it1 it cuffed him gently on the cheek4 ,there1 there6 said ,elizabeth1 ,minnie has taught you too much1 it seems4 ,anthony backed out of the presence1 smiling2 and his last glimpse was once more of the great scarlet-clad figure with the slender waist1 and the priceless pearls1 and the haze of muslin behind that crowned auburn head1 and the pale oval face smiling at him with narrow eyes--and all in a glory of sunshine4 99 99 99 99 ,he did not see ,mary ,corbet again until evening as she was with the ,queen all the afternoon4 ,anthony would have wished to return to ,lambeth2 but it was impossible1 after the command to remain to supper2 so he wandered down along the river bank1 rejoicing in the success of his petition2 and wondering whether ,james had heard of his release yet4 ,of course it was just a fly in the ointment that his own agency in the matter could never be known4 ,it would have been at least some sort of compensation for his innocent share in the whole matter of the arrest4 ,however1 he was too happy to feel the sting of it4 ,he felt1 of course1 greatly drawn to the ,queen for her ready clemency2 and yet there was something repellent about her too in spite of it4 ,he felt in his heart that it was just a caprice1 like her blows and caresses2 and then the assumption of youth sat very ill upon this lean middle-aged woman4 ,he would have preferred less lute-playing and sprightly innuendo1 and more tenderness and gravity4 99 99 99 99 ,mary had arranged that a proper ,court-suit should be at his disposal for supper1 and a room to himself2 so after he had returned at sunset1 he changed his clothes4 ,the white silk suit with the high hosen1 the embroidered doublet with great puffed and slashed sleeves1 the short green-lined cloak1 the white cap and feather1 and the slender sword with the jewelled hilt1 all became him very well2 and he found too that ,mary had provided him with two great emerald brooches of her own1 that he pinned on1 one at the fastening of the crisp ruff and the other on his cap4 ,he went to the private chapel for the evening prayer at half-past six2 which was read by one of the chaplains2 but there were very few persons present1 and none of any distinction4 ,religion1 except as a department of politics1 was no integral part of ,court life4 ,the ,queen only occasionally attended evening-prayer on week days2 and just now she was too busy with the affair of the ,duke of ,alenon to spend unnecessary time in that manner4 ,when the evening prayer was over he followed the little company into the long gallery that led towards the hall1 through which the ,queen's procession would pass to supper2 and there he attached himself to a group of gentlemen1 some of whom he had met at ,lambeth4 ,while they were talking1 the clang of trumpets suddenly broke out from the direction of the ,queen's apartments2 and all threw themselves on their knees and remained there4 ,the doors were flung open by servants stationed behind them2 and the wands advanced leading the procession2 then came the trumpeters blowing mightily1 with a drum or two beating the step2 and then in endless profusion1 servants and guards2 gentlemen pensioners magnificently habited1 for they were continually about the ,queen's person2 and at last1 after an official or two bearing swords1 came the ,queen and ,alenon together2 she in a superb purple toilet with brocaded underskirt and high-heeled twinkling shoes1 and breathing out essences as she swept by smiling2 and he1 a pathetic little brown man1 pockmarked1 with an ill-shapen nose and a head too large for his undersized body1 in a rich velvet suit sparkling all over with diamonds4 ,as they passed ,anthony he heard the ,duke making some ,french compliment in his croaking harsh voice4 ,behind came the crowd of ladies1 nodding1 chattering1 rustling2 and ,anthony had a swift glance of pleasure from ,mistress ,corbet as she went by1 talking at the top of her voice4 ,the company followed on to the hall1 behind the distant trumpets1 and ,anthony found himself still with his friends somewhere at the lower end--away from the ,queen's table1 who sat with ,alenon at her side on a das1 with the great folks about her4 ,all through supper the most astonishing noise went on4 ,everyone was talking loudly2 the servants ran to and fro over the paved floor2 there was the loud clatter over the plates of four hundred persons2 and1 to crown all1 a band in the musicians' gallery overhead made brazen music all supper-time4 ,anthony had enough entertainment himself in looking about the great banqueting-hall1 so magnificently adorned with tapestries and armour and antlers from the park2 and above all by the blaze of gold and silver plate both on the tables and on the sideboards2 and by watching the army of liveried servants running to and fro incessantly2 and the glowing colours of the dresses of the guests4 ,supper was over at last2 and a ,latin grace was exquisitely sung in four parts by boys and men stationed in the musicians' gallery2 and then the ,queen's procession went out with the same ceremony as that with which it had entered4 ,anthony followed behind1 as he had been bidden by the ,queen to the private parlours afterwards2 but he presently found his way barred by a page at the foot of the stairs leading to the ,queen's apartments4 ,it was in vain that he pleaded his invitation2 it was useless1 as the young gentleman had not been informed of it4 ,anthony asked if he might see ,mistress ,corbet4 ,no1 that too was impossible2 she was gone upstairs with the ,queen's ,grace and might not be disturbed4 ,anthony1 in despair1 not however unmixed with relief at escaping a further ordeal1 was about to turn away1 leaving the officious young gentleman swaggering on the stairs like a peacock1 when down came ,mistress ,corbet herself1 sailing down in her splendour1 to see what was become of the gentleman of the ,archbishop's house4 ,why1 here you are6 she cried from the landing as she came down1 and why have you not obeyed the ,queen's command8 ,this young gentleman1 said ,anthony1 indicating the astonished page1 would not let me proceed4 ,it is unusual1 ,mistress ,corbet1 said the boy1 for her ,grace's guests to come without my having received instructions1 unless they are great folk4 ,mistress ,corbet came down the last six steps like a stooping hawk1 her wings bulged behind her2 and she caught the boy one clean light cuff on the side of the head4 ,you imp6 she said1 daring to doubt the word of this gentleman4 ,and the ,queen's ,grace's own special guest6 ,the boy tried still to stand on his dignity and bar the way1 but it was difficult to be dignified with a ringing head and a scarlet ear4 ,stand aside1 said ,mary1 stamping her little buckled foot1 this instant2 unless you would be dragged by your red ear before the ,queen's ,grace4 ,come1 ,master ,anthony4 ,so the two went upstairs together1 and the lad called up after them bitterly3 ,i beg your pardon1 ,mistress2 ,i did not recognise he was your gallant4 ,you shall pay for that1 hissed ,mary over the banisters4 ,they went along a passage or two1 and the sound of a voice singing to a virginal began to ring nearer as they went1 followed by a burst of applause4 ,lady ,leicester1 whispered ,mary2 and then she opened the door and they went in4 ,there were three rooms opening on one another with wide entrances1 so that really one long room was the result4 ,they were all three fairly full2 that into which they entered1 the first in the row1 was occupied by some gentlemen-pensioners and ladies talking and laughing2 some playing shove-groat1 and some of them still applauding the song that had just ended4 ,the middle room was much the same2 and the third1 which was a step higher than the others1 was that in which was the ,queen1 with ,lady ,leicester and a few more4 ,lady ,leicester had just finished a song1 and was laying her virginal down4 ,there was a great fire burning in the middle room1 with seats about it1 and here ,mary ,corbet brought ,anthony4 ,those near him eyed him a little2 but his companion was sufficient warrant of his respectability2 and they soon got into talk1 which was suddenly interrupted by the ,queen's voice from the next room4 ,minnie1 ,minnie1 if you can spare a moment from your lad1 come and help us at a dance4 ,the ,queen was plainly in high good-humour2 and ,mary got up and went into the ,queen's room4 ,those round the fire stood up and pushed the seats back1 and the games ceased in the third room2 as her ,grace needed spectators and applause4 ,then there arose the rippling of lutes from the ladies in the next room1 in slow swaying measure1 with the gentle tap of a drum now and again2 and the pavane began--a stately dignified dance2 and among all the ladies moved the great ,queen herself1 swaying and bending with much grace and dignity4 ,it was the strangest thing for ,anthony to find himself here1 a raven among all these peacocks1 and birds of paradise2 and he wondered at himself and at the strange humour of ,providence1 as he watched the shimmer of the dresses and the sparkle of the shoes and jewels1 and the soft clouds of muslin and lace that shivered and rustled as the ladies stepped2 the firelight shone through the wide doorway on this glowing movement1 and groups of candles in sconces within the room increased and steadied the soft intensity of the light4 ,the soft tingling instruments1 with the slow tap-tap marking the measure like a step1 seemed a translation into chord and melody of this stately tender exercise4 ,and so this glorious flower-bed1 loaded too with a wealth of essences in the dresses and the sweet-washed gloves1 swayed under the wind of the music1 bending and rising together in slow waves and ripples4 ,then it ceased2 and the silence was broken by a quick storm of applause2 while the dancers waited for the lutes4 ,then all the instruments broke out together in quick triple time2 the stringed instruments supplying a hasty throbbing accompaniment1 while the shrill flutes began to whistle and the drums to gallop2--there was yet a pause in the dance1 till the ,queen made the first movement2--and then the whole whirled off on the wings of a coranto4 ,it was bewildering to ,anthony1 who had never even dreamed of such a dance before4 ,he watched first the lower line of the shoes2 and the whole floor1 in reality above1 and in the mirror of the polished boards below1 seemed scintillating in lines of diamond light2 the heavy underskirts of brocade1 puffed satin1 and cloth of gold1 with glimpses of foamy lace beneath1 whirled and tossed above these flashing vibrations4 ,then he looked at the higher strata1 and there was a tossing sea of faces and white throats1 borne up as it seemed--now revealed1 now hidden--on clouds of undulating muslin and lace1 with sparkles of precious stones set in ruff and wings and on high piled hair4 ,he watched1 fascinated1 the faces as they appeared and vanished2 there was every imaginable expression2 the serious looks of one who took dancing as a solemn task1 and marked her position and considered her steps2 the wild gaiety of another1 all white teeth and dimples and eyes1 intoxicated by movement and music and colour1 as men are by wine1 and guided and sustained by the furious genius of the dance1 rather than by intention of any kind4 ,there was the courtly self-restraint of one tall beauty1 who danced as a pleasant duty and loved it1 but never lost control of her own bending1 slender grace2 ah6 and there was the oval face crowned with auburn hair and pearls1 the lower lip drawn up under the black teeth with an effort1 till it appeared to snarl1 and the ropes of pearls leaping wildly on her lean purple stomacher4 ,and over all the grave oak walls and the bright sconces and the taper flames blown about by the eddying gusts from the whirlpool beneath4 ,as ,anthony went down the square winding staircase1 an hour later when the evening was over1 and the keen winter air poured up to meet him1 his brain was throbbing with the madness of dance and music and whirling colour4 ,here1 it seemed to him1 lay the secret of life4 ,for a few minutes his old day-dreams came back but in more intoxicating dress4 ,the figure of ,mary ,corbet in her rose-coloured silk and her clouds of black hair1 and her jewels and her laughing eyes and scarlet mouth1 and her violet fragrance and her fire--this dominated the boy4 ,as he walked towards the stables across the starlit court1 she seemed to move before him1 to hold out her hands to him1 to call him her own dear lad2 to invite him out of the drab-coloured life that lay on all sides1 behind and before1 up into a mystic region of jewelled romance1 where she and he would live and be one in the endless music of rippling strings and shrill flutes and the maddening tap of a little hidden drum4 ,but the familiar touch of his own sober suit and the creaking saddle as he rode home to ,lambeth1 and the icy wind that sang in the river sedges1 and the wholesome smell of the horse and the touch of the coarse hair at the shoulder1 talked and breathed the old ,puritan common sense back to him again4 ,that warm-painted1 melodious world he had left was gaudy nonsense2 and dancing was not the same as living2 and ,mary ,corbet was not just a rainbow on the foam that would die when the sun went in2 but both she and he together were human souls1 redeemed by the death of the ,saviour1 with ,his work to do and no time or energy for folly2 and ,james ,maxwell in the ,tower--7thank ,god1 however1 not for long67--,james ,maxwell with his wrenched joints and forehead and lips wet with agony1 was in the right2 and that lean bitter furious woman in the purple and pearls1 who supped to the blare of trumpets1 and danced to the ripple of lutes1 wholly and utterly and eternally in the wrong4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,a ,,station ,,of ,,the ,,cross ,philosophers tell us that the value of existence lies not in the objects perceived1 but in the powers of perception4 ,the tragedy of a child over a broken doll is not less poignant than the anguish of a worshipper over a broken idol1 or of a king over a ruined realm4 ,thus the conflict of ,isabel during those past autumn and winter months was no less august than the pain of the priest on the rack1 or the struggle of his innocent betrayer to rescue him1 or the misery of ,lady ,maxwell over the sorrows that came to her in such different ways through her two sons4 ,isabel's soul was tender above most souls2 and the powers of feeling pain and of sustaining it were also respectively both acute and strong4 ,the sense of pressure1 or rather of disruption1 became intolerable4 ,she was indeed a soul on the rack2 if she had been less conscientious she would have silenced the voice of ,divine ,love that seemed to call to her from the ,catholic ,church2 if she had been less natural and feminine she would have trampled out of her soul the appeal of the human love of ,hubert4 ,as it was1 she was wrenched both ways4 ,now the cords at one end or the other would relax a little1 and the corresponding relief was almost a shock2 but when she tried to stir and taste the freedom of decision that now seemed in her reach1 they would tighten again with a snap2 and she would find herself back on the torture4 ,to herself she seemed powerless2 it appeared to her1 when she reflected on it consciously1 that it was merely a question as to which part of her soul would tear first1 as to which ultimately retained her4 ,she began to be terrified at solitude2 the thought of the coming night1 with its long hours of questioning and torment until the dawn1 haunted her during the day4 ,she would read in her room1 or remain at her prayers1 in the hopes of distracting herself from the struggle1 until sleep seemed the supreme necessity3 then1 when she lay down1 sleep would flap its wings in mockery and flit away1 leaving her wide-awake staring at the darkness of the room or of her own eyelids1 until the windows began to glimmer and the cocks to crow from farm buildings4 ,in spite of her first resolve to fight the battle alone1 she soon found herself obliged to tell ,mistress ,margaret all that was possible2 but she felt that to express her sheer need of ,hubert1 as she thought it1 was beyond her altogether4 ,how could a nun understand8 ,my darling1 said the old lady1 it would not be ,calvary without the darkness2 and you cannot have ,christ without ,calvary4 ,remember that the ,light of the ,world makes darkness ,his secret place2 and so you see that if you were able to feel that any human soul really understood1 it would mean that the darkness was over4 ,i have suffered that ,night twice myself2 the third time ,i think1 will be in the valley of death4 ,isabel only half understood her2 but it was something to know that others had tasted the cup too2 and that what was so bitter was not necessarily poisonous4 ,at another time as the two were walking together under the pines one evening1 and the girl had again tried to show to the nun the burning desolation of her soul1 ,mistress ,margaret had suddenly turned4 ,listen1 dear child1 she said1 ,i will tell you a secret4 ,over there1 and she pointed out to where the sunset glowed behind the tree trunks and the slope beyond1 over there1 in ,west ,grinsted1 rests our dear ,lord in the blessed sacrament4 ,his ,body lies lonely1 neglected and forgotten by all but half a dozen souls2 while twenty years ago all ,england reverenced ,it4 ,behold and see if there be any sorrow-- and then the nun stopped1 as she saw ,isabel's amazed eyes staring at her4 ,but it haunted the girl and comforted her now and then4 ,yet in the fierceness of her pain she asked herself again and again1 was it true--was it true8 ,was she sacrificing her life for a dream1 a fairy-story8 or was it true that there the body1 that had hung on the cross fifteen hundred years ago1 now rested alone1 hidden in a silver pyx1 within locked doors for fear of the ,jews4--,oh6 dear ,lord1 was it true8 ,hubert had kept his word1 and left the place almost immediately after his last interview2 and was to return at ,easter for his final answer4 ,christmas had come and gone2 and it seemed to her as if even the tenderest mysteries of the ,christian ,religion had no touch with her now4 ,she walked once more in the realm of grace1 as in the realm of nature1 an exile from its spirit4 ,all her sensitive powers seemed so absorbed in interior pain that there was nothing in her to respond to or appreciate the most keen external impressions4 ,as she awoke and looked up on ,christmas morning early1 and saw the frosted panes and the snow lying like wool on the cross-bars1 and heard the ,christmas bells peal out in the listening air2 as she came downstairs and the old pleasant acrid smell of the evergreens met her1 and she saw the red berries over each picture1 and the red heart of the wood-fire2 nay1 as she knelt at the chancel rails1 and tried in her heart to adore the rosy ,child in the manger1 and received the sacred symbols of ,his ,flesh and ,blood1 and entreated ,him to remember ,his loving-kindness that brought ,him down from heaven--yet the whole was far less real1 less intimate to her1 than the sound of ,hubert's voice as he had said good-bye two months ago2 less real than one of those darting pangs of thought that fell on her heart all day like a shower of arrows4 ,and then1 when the sensitive strings of her soul were stretched to anguish1 a hand dashed across them1 striking a wailing discord1 and they did not break4 ,the news of ,anthony's treachery1 and still more his silence1 performed the incredible1 and doubled her pain without breaking her heart4 ,on the ,tuesday morning early ,lady ,maxwell had sent her note by a courier2 bidding him return at once with the answer4 ,the evening had come1 and he had not appeared4 ,the night passed and the morning came2 and it was not till noon that the man at last arrived1 saying he had seen ,mr4 ,norris on the previous evening1 and that he had read the note through there and then1 and had said there was no answer4 ,surely there could be but one explanation of that--that no answer was possible4 ,it could not be said that ,isabel actively considered the question and chose to doubt ,anthony rather than to trust him4 ,she was so nearly passive now1 with the struggle she had gone through1 that this blow came on her with the overwhelming effect of an hypnotic suggestion4 ,her will did not really accept it1 any more than her intellect really weighed it2 but she succumbed to it2 and did not even write again1 nor question the man further4 ,had she done this she might perhaps have found out the truth1 that the man1 a stupid rustic with enough shrewdness to lie1 but not enough to lie cleverly1 had had his foolish head turned by the buzz of ,london town and the splendour of ,lambeth stables and the friendliness of the grooms there1 and had got heavily drunk on leaving ,anthony2 that the answer which he had put into his hat had very naturally fallen out and been lost2 and that when at last he returned to the country already eight hours after his time1 and found the note was missing1 he had stalwartly lied1 hoping that the note was unimportant and that things would adjust themselves or be forgotten before a day of reckoning should arrive4 ,and so ,isabel's power of resistance collapsed under this last blow2 and her soul lay still at last1 almost too much tormented to feel4 ,her last hope was gone2 ,anthony had betrayed his friend4 ,the week crept by1 and ,saturday came4 ,she went out soon after dinner to see a sick body or two in an outlying hamlet2 for she had never forgotten ,mrs4 ,dent's charge1 and1 with the present minister's approval1 still visited the sick one or two days a week at least4 ,then towards sunset she came homewards over some high ground on the outskirts of ,ashdown ,forest4 ,the snow that had fallen before ,christmas1 had melted a week or two ago2 and the frost had broken up2 it was a heavy leaden evening1 with an angry glow shining1 as through chinks of a wall1 from the west towards which she was going4 ,the village lay before her in the gloom2 and lights were beginning to glimmer here and there4 ,she contrasted in a lifeless way that pleasant group of warm houses with their suggestions of love and homeliness with her own desolate self4 ,she passed up through the village towards the ,hall1 whither she was going to report on the invalids to ,lady ,maxwell2 and in the appearance of the houses on either side she thought there was an unaccustomed air4 ,several doors stood wide open with the brightness shining out into the twilight1 as if the inhabitants had suddenly deserted their homes4 ,others were still dark and cold1 although the evening was drawing on4 ,there was not a moving creature to be seen4 ,she passed up1 wondering a little1 through the gatehouse1 and turned into the gravel sweep2 and there stopped short at the sight of a great crowd of men and women and children1 assembled in dead silence4 ,some one was standing at the entrance-steps1 with his head bent as if he were talking to those nearest him in a low voice4 ,as she came up there ran a whisper of her name2 the people drew back to let her through1 and she passed1 sick with suspense1 to the man on the steps1 whom she now recognised as ,mr4 ,james' body-servant4 ,his face looked odd and drawn1 she thought4 ,what is it8 she asked in a sharp whisper4 ,mr4 ,james is here1 madam2 he is with ,lady ,maxwell in the cloister-wing4 ,will you please to go up8 ,mr4 ,james6 ,it is no news about ,mr4 ,anthony--or--or ,mr4 ,hubert6 ,no1 madam4 ,the man hesitated4 ,mr4 ,james has been racked1 madam4 ,the man's voice broke in a great sob as he ended4 ,ah6 ,she reeled against the post2 a man behind caught her and steadied her2 and there was a quick breath of pity from the crowd4 ,ah1 poor thing6 said a woman's voice behind her4 ,i beg your pardon1 madam1 said the servant4 ,i should not have---- ,and--and he is upstairs8 ,he and my lady are together1 madam4 ,she looked at him a moment1 dazed with the horror of it2 and then going past him1 pushed open the door and went through into the inner hall4 ,here again she stopped suddenly3 it was half full of people1 silent and expectant--the men1 the grooms1 the maid-servants1 and even two or three farm-men4 ,she heard the rustle of her name from the white faces that looked at her from the gloom2 but none moved2 and she crossed the hall alone1 and turned down the lower corridor that led to the cloister-wing4 ,at the foot of the staircase she stopped again2 her heart drummed in her ears1 as she listened intently with parted lips4 ,there was a profound silence2 the lamp on the stairs had not been lighted1 and the terrace window only let in a pale glimmer4 ,it was horrible to her6 this secret presence of incarnate pain that brooded somewhere in the house1 this silence of living anguish1 worse than death a thousand times6 ,where was he8 ,what would it look like8 ,even a scream somewhere would have relieved her1 and snapped the tension of the listening stillness that lay on her like a shocking nightmare4 ,this lobby with its well-known doors--the banister on which her fingers rested--the well of the staircase up which she stared with dilated eyes--all was familiar2 and yet1 somewhere in the shadows overhead lurked this formidable ,presence of pain1 mute1 anguished1 terrifying4444 ,she longed to run back1 to shriek for help2 but she dared not3 and stood panting4 ,she went up a couple of steps--stopped1 listened to the sick thumping of her heart--took another step and stopped again2 and so1 listening1 peering1 hesitating1 came to the head of the stairs4 ,ah6 there was the door1 with a line of light beneath it4 ,it was there that the horror dwelt4 ,she stared at the thin bright line2 waited and listened again for even a moan or a sigh from within1 but none came4 ,then with a great effort she stepped forward and tapped4 ,there was no answer2 but as she listened she heard from within the gentle tinkle of some liquid running into a bowl1 rhythmically1 and with pauses4 ,then again she tapped1 nervously and rapidly1 and there was a murmur from the room2 she opened the door softly1 pushed it1 and took a step into the room1 half closing it behind her4 ,there were two candles burning on a table in the middle of the room1 and on the near side of it was a group of three persons4444 ,isabel had seen in one of ,mistress ,margaret's prayer-books an engraving of an old ,flemish ,piet--a group of the ,blessed ,mother holding in her arms the body of her ,crucified ,son1 with the ,magdalen on one side1 supporting one of the dead ,saviour's hands4 ,isabel now caught her breath in a sudden gasp2 for here was the scene reproduced before her4 ,lady ,maxwell was on a low seat bending forwards2 the white cap and ruff seemed like a veil thrown all about her head and beneath her chin2 she was holding in her arms the body of her son1 who seemed to have fainted as he sat beside her2 his head had fallen back against her breast1 and his pointed beard and dark hair and her black dress beyond emphasised the deathly whiteness of his face on which the candlelight fell2 his mouth was open1 like a dead man's4 ,mistress ,margaret was kneeling by his left hand1 holding it over a basin and delicately sponging it2 and the whole air was fragrant and aromatic with some ointment in the water2 a long bandage or two lay on the ground beside the basin4 ,the evening light over the opposite roofs through the window beyond mingled with the light of the tapers1 throwing a strange radiance over the group4 ,the table on which the tapers stood looked to ,isabel like a stripped altar4 ,she stood by the door1 her lips parted1 motionless2 looking with great eyes from face to face4 ,it was as if the door had given access to another world where the passion of ,christ was being re-enacted4 ,then she sank on her knees1 still watching4 ,there was no sound but the faint ripple of the water into the basin and the quiet breathing of the three4 ,lady ,maxwell now and then lifted a handkerchief in silence and passed it across her son's face4 ,isabel1 still staring with great wide eyes1 began to sigh gently to herself4 ,anthony1 ,anthony1 ,anthony6 she whispered4 ,oh1 no1 no1 no6 she whispered again under her breath4 ,no1 ,anthony6 you could not1 you could not6 ,then from the man there came one or two long sighs1 ending in a moan that quavered into silence2 he stirred slightly in his mother's arms2 and then in a piteous high voice came the words ,jesu 444 ,jesu 444 esto mihi 444 ,jesus4 ,consciousness was coming back4 ,he fancied himself still on the rack4 ,lady ,maxwell said nothing1 but gathered him a little closer1 and bent her face lower over him4 ,then again came a long sobbing indrawn breath2 ,james struggled for a moment2 then opened his eyes and saw his mother's face4 ,mistress ,margaret had finished with the water2 and was now swiftly manipulating a long strip of white linen4 ,isabel still sunk on her knees watched the bandage winding in and out round his wrist1 and between his thumb and forefinger4 ,then he turned his head sharply towards her with a gasp as if in pain2 and his eyes fell on ,isabel4 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said2 and his voice was broken and untuneful4 ,mistress ,margaret turned2 and smiled at her2 and at the sight the intolerable compression on the girl's heart relaxed4 ,come1 child1 she said1 come and help me with his hand4 ,no1 no1 lie still1 she added2 for ,james was making a movement as if to rise4 ,james smiled at her as she came forward2 and she saw that his face had a strange look as if after a long illness4 ,you see1 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said1 in the same cracked voice1 and with an infinitely pathetic courtesy1 ,i may not rise4 ,isabel's eyes filled with sudden tears1 his attempt at his old manner was more touching than all else2 and she came and knelt beside the old nun4 ,hold the fingers1 she said2 and the familiar old voice brought the girl a stage nearer her normal consciousness again4 ,isabel took the priest's fingers and saw that they were limp and swollen4 ,the sleeve fell back a little as ,mistress ,margaret manipulated the bandage2 and the girl saw that the forearm looked shapeless and discoloured4 ,she glanced up in swift terror at his face1 but he was looking at his mother1 whose eyes were bent on his2 ,isabel looked quickly down again4 ,there1 said ,mistress ,margaret1 tying the last knot1 it is done4 ,mr4 ,james looked his thanks over his shoulder at her1 as she nodded and smiled before turning to leave the room4 ,isabel sat slowly down and watched them4 ,this is but a flying visit1 ,mistress ,isabel1 said ,james4 ,i must leave to-morrow again4 ,he had sat up now1 and settled himself in his seat1 though his mother's arm was still round him4 ,the voice and the pitiful attempt were terrible to ,isabel4 ,slowly the consciousness was filtering into her mind of what all this implied2 what it must have been that had turned this tall self-contained man into this weak creature who lay in his mother's arms1 and fainted at a touch and sobbed4 ,she could say nothing2 but could only look1 and breathe1 and look4 ,then it suddenly came to her mind that ,lady ,maxwell had not spoken a word4 ,she looked at her2 that old wrinkled face with its white crown of hair and lace had a new and tremendous dignity4 ,there was no anxiety in it2 scarcely even grief2 but only a still and awful anguish1 towering above ordinary griefs like a mountain above the world2 and there was the supreme peace too that can only accompany a supreme emotion--she seemed conscious of nothing but her son4 ,isabel could not answer ,james2 and he seemed not to expect it2 he had turned back to his mother again1 and they were looking at one another4 ,then in a moment ,mistress ,margaret came back with a glass that she put to ,james' lips2 and he drank it without a word4 ,she stood looking at the group an instant or two1 and then turned to ,isabel4 ,come downstairs with me1 my darling2 there is nothing more that we can do4 ,they went out of the room together2 the mother and son had not stirred again2 and ,mistress ,margaret slipped her arm quickly round the girl's waist1 as they went downstairs4 99 99 99 99 ,in the cloister beneath was a pleasant little oak parlour looking out on to the garden and the long south side of the house4 ,mistress ,margaret took the little hand-lamp that burned in the cloister itself as they passed along silently together1 and guided the girl through into the parlour on the left-hand side4 ,there was a tall chair standing before the hearth1 and as ,mistress ,margaret sat down1 drawing the girl with her1 ,isabel sank down on the footstool at her feet1 and hid her face on the old nun's knees4 ,there was silence for a minute or two4 ,mistress ,margaret set down the lamp on the table beside her1 and passed her hands caressingly over the girl's hands and hair2 but said nothing1 until ,isabel's whole body heaved up convulsively once or twice1 before she burst into a torrent of weeping4 ,my darling1 said the old lady in a quiet steady voice1 we should thank ,god instead of grieving4 ,to think that this house should have given two confessors to the ,church1 father and son6 ,yes1 yes1 dear child1 ,i know what you are thinking of1 the two dear lads we both love2 well1 well1 we do not know1 we must trust them both to ,god4 ,it may not be true of ,anthony2 and even if it be true--well1 he must have thought he was serving his ,queen4 ,and for ,hubert---- ,isabel lifted her face and looked with a dreadful questioning stare4 ,dear child1 said the nun1 do not look like that4 ,nothing is so bad as not trusting ,god4 ,anthony1 ,anthony6444 whispered the girl4 ,james told us the same story as the gentleman on ,sunday1 went on the nun4 ,but he said no hard word1 and he does not condemn4 ,i know his heart4 ,he does not know why he is released1 nor by whose order3 but an order came to let him go1 and his papers with it3 and he must be out of ,england by ,monday morning3 so he leaves here to-morrow in the litter in which he came4 ,he is to say mass to-morrow1 if he is able4 ,mass8 ,here8 said the girl1 in the same sharp whisper2 and her sobbing ceased abruptly4 ,yes1 dear2 if he is able to stand and use his hands enough4 ,they have settled it upstairs4 ,isabel continued to look up in her face wildly4 ,ah6 said the old nun again4 ,you must not look like that4 ,remember that he thinks those wounds the most precious things in the world--yes--and his mother too6 ,i must be at mass1 said ,isabel2 ,god means it4 ,now1 now1 said ,mistress ,margaret soothingly1 you do not know what you are saying4 ,i mean it1 said ,isabel1 with sharp emphasis2 ,god means it4 ,mistress ,margaret took the girl's face between her hands1 and looked steadily down into her wet eyes4 ,isabel returned the look as steadily4 ,yes1 yes1 she said1 as ,god sees us4 ,then she broke into talk1 at first broken and incoherent in language1 but definite and orderly in ideas1 and in her interpretations of these last months4 ,kneeling beside her with her hands clasped on the nun's knee1 ,isabel told her all her struggles2 disentangling at last in a way that she had never been able to do before1 all the complicated strands of self-will and guidance and blindness that had so knotted and twisted themselves into her life4 ,the nun was amazed at the spiritual instinct of this ,puritan child1 who ranged her motives so unerringly2 dismissing this as of self1 marking this as of ,god's inspiration1 accepting this and rejecting that element of the circumstances of her life2 steering confidently between the shoals of scrupulous judgment and conscience on the one side1 and the hidden rocks of presumption and despair on the other--these very dangers that had baffled and perplexed her so long--and tracing out through them all the clear deep safe channel of ,god's intention1 who had allowed her to emerge at last from the tortuous and baffling intricacies of character and circumstance into the wide open sea of ,his own sovereign ,will4 ,it seemed to the nun1 as ,isabel talked1 as if it needed just a final touch of supreme tragedy to loosen and resolve all the complications2 and that this had been supplied by the vision upstairs4 ,there she had seen a triumphant trophy of another's sorrow and conquest4 ,there was hardly an element in her own troubles that was not present in that human ,piet upstairs--treachery--loneliness--sympath y--bereavement--and above all the supreme sacrificial act of human love subordinated to divine--human love1 purified and transfigured and rendered invincible and immortal by the very immolation of it at the feet of ,god--all this that the son and mother in their welcome of pain had accomplished in the crucifixion of one and the heart-piercing of the other--this was light opened to the perplexed1 tormented soul of the girl--a radiance poured out of the darkness of their sorrow and made her way plain before her face4 ,my ,isabel1 said the old nun1 when the girl had finished and was hiding her face again1 this is of ,god4 ,glory to ,his ,name6 ,i must ask ,james' leave2 and then you must sleep here to-night1 for the mass to-morrow4 99 99 99 99 ,the chapel at ,maxwell ,hall was in the cloister wing2 but a stranger visiting the house would never have suspected it4 ,opening out of ,lady ,maxwell's new sitting-room was a little lobby or landing1 about four yards square1 lighted from above2 at the further end of it was the door into her bedroom4 ,this lobby was scarcely more than a broad passage2 and would attract no attention from any passing through it4 ,the only piece of furniture in it was a great tall old chest as high as a table1 that stood against the inner wall beyond which was the long gallery that looked down upon the cloister garden4 ,the lobby appeared to be practically as broad as the two rooms on either side of it2 but this was effected by the outer wall being made to bulge a little2 and the inner wall being thinner than inside the two living-rooms4 ,the deception was further increased by the two living-rooms being first wainscoted and then hung with thick tapestry2 while the lobby was bare4 ,a curious person who should look in the chest would find there only an old dress and a few pieces of stuff4 ,this lobby1 however1 was the chapel2 and through the chest was the entrance to one of the priest's hiding holes1 where also the altar-stone and the ornaments and the vestments were kept4 ,the bottom of the chest was in reality hinged in such a way that it would fall1 on the proper pressure being applied in two places at once1 sufficiently to allow the side of the chest against the wall to be pushed aside1 which in turn gave entrance to a little space some two yards long by a yard wide2 and here were kept all the necessaries for divine worship2 with room besides for a couple of men at least to be hidden away4 ,there was also a way from this hole on to the roof1 but it was a difficult and dangerous way2 and was only to be used in case of extreme necessity4 ,it was in this lobby that ,isabel found herself the next morning kneeling and waiting for mass4 ,she had been awakened by ,mistress ,margaret shortly before four o'clock and told in a whisper to dress herself in the dark2 for it was impossible under the circumstances to tell whether the house was not watched2 and a light seen from outside might conceivably cause trouble and disturbance4 ,so she had dressed herself and come down from her room along the passages1 so familiar during the day1 so sombre and suggestive now in the black morning with but one shaded light placed at the angles4 ,other figures were stealing along too2 but she could not tell who they were in the gloom4 ,then she had come through the little sitting-room where the scene of last night had taken place and into the lobby beyond4 ,but the whole place was transformed4 ,over the old chest now hung a picture1 that usually was in ,lady ,maxwell's room1 of the ,blessed ,mother and her holy ,child1 in a great carved frame of some black wood4 ,the chest had become an altar3 ,isabel could see the slight elevation in the middle of the long white linen cloth where the altar-stone lay1 and upon that again1 at the left corner1 a pile of linen and silk4 ,upon the altar at the back stood two slender silver candlesticks with burning tapers in them2 and a silver crucifix between them4 ,the carved wooden panels1 representing the sacrifice of ,isaac on the one half and the offering of ,melchisedech on the other1 served instead of an embroidered altar-frontal4 ,against the side wall stood a little white-covered folding table with the cruets and other necessaries upon it4 ,there were two or three benches across the rest of the lobby2 and at these were kneeling a dozen or more persons1 motionless1 their faces downcast4 ,there was a little wind such as blows before the dawn moaning gently outside2 and within was a slight draught that made the taper flames lean over now and then4 ,isabel took her place beside ,mistress ,margaret at the front bench2 and as she knelt forward she noticed a space left beyond her for ,lady ,maxwell4 ,a moment later there came slow and painful steps through the sitting-room1 and ,lady ,maxwell came in very slowly with her son leaning on her arm and on a stick4 ,there was a silence so profound that it seemed to ,isabel as if all had stopped breathing4 ,she could only hear the slow plunging pulse of her own heart4 ,james took his mother across the altar to her place1 and left her there1 bowing to her2 and then went up to the altar to vest4 ,as he reached it and paused1 a servant slipped out and received the stick from him4 ,the priest made the sign of the cross1 and took up the amice from the vestments that lay folded on the altar4 ,he was already in his cassock4 ,isabel watched each movement with a deep agonising interest2 he was so frail and broken1 so bent in his figure1 so slow and feeble in his movements4 ,he made an attempt to raise the amice but could not1 and turned slightly2 and the man from behind stepped up again and lifted it for him4 ,then he helped him with each of the vestments1 lifted the alb over his head and tenderly drew the bandaged hands through the sleeves2 knit the girdle round him2 gave him the stole to kiss and then placed it over his neck and crossed the ends beneath the girdle and adjusted the amice2 then he placed the maniple on his left arm1 but so tenderly6 and lastly1 lifted the great red chasuble and dropped it over his head and straightened it--and there stood the priest as he had stood last ,sunday1 in crimson vestments again2 but bowed and thin-faced now4 ,then he began the preparation with the servant who knelt beside him in his ordinary livery1 as server2 and ,isabel heard the murmur of the ,latin words for the first time4 ,then he stepped up to the altar1 bent slowly and kissed it and the mass began4 ,isabel had a missal1 lent to her by ,mistress ,margaret2 but she hardly looked at it2 so intent was she on that crimson figure and his strange movements and his low broken voice4 ,it was unlike anything that she had ever imagined worship to be4 ,public worship to her had meant hitherto one of two things--either sitting under a minister and having the word applied to her soul in the sacrament of the pulpit2 or else the saying of prayers by the minister aloud and distinctly and with expression1 so that the intellect could follow the words1 and assent with a hearty ,amen4 ,the minister was a minister to man of the ,word of ,god1 an interpreter of ,his gospel to man4 ,but here was a worship unlike all this in almost every detail4 ,the priest was addressing ,god1 not man2 therefore he did so in a low voice1 and in a tongue as ,campion had said on the scaffold that they both understood4 ,it was comparatively unimportant whether man followed it word for word1 for 7and here the second radical difference lay7 the point of the worship for the people lay1 not in an intellectual apprehension of the words1 but in a voluntary assent to and participation in the supreme act to which the words were indeed necessary but subordinate4 ,it was the thing that was done2 not the words that were said1 that was mighty with ,god4 ,here1 as these ,catholics round ,isabel at any rate understood it1 and as she too began to perceive it too1 though dimly and obscurely1 was the sublime mystery of the ,cross presented to ,god4 ,as ,he looked down well pleased into the silence and darkness of ,calvary1 and saw there the act accomplished by which the world was redeemed1 so here 7this handful of disciples believed71 ,he looked down into the silence and twilight of this little lobby1 and saw that same mystery accomplished at the hands of one who in virtue of his participation in the priesthood of the ,son of ,god was empowered to pronounce these heart-shaking words by which the ,body that hung on ,calvary1 and the ,blood that dripped from it there1 were again spread before ,his eyes1 under the forms of bread and wine4 ,much of this faith of course was still dark to ,isabel2 but yet she understood enough2 and when the murmur of the priest died to a throbbing silence1 and the worshippers sank in yet more profound adoration1 and then with terrible effort and a quick gasp or two of pain1 those wrenched bandaged hands rose trembling in the air with ,something that glimmered white between them2 the ,puritan girl too drooped her head1 and lifted up her heart1 and entreated the ,most ,high and most ,merciful to look down on the ,mystery of ,redemption accomplished on earth2 and for the sake of the ,well-,beloved to send down ,his ,grace on the ,catholic ,church2 to strengthen and save the living2 to give rest and peace to the dead2 and especially to remember her dear brother ,anthony1 and ,hubert whom she loved2 and ,mistress ,margaret and ,lady ,maxwell1 and this faithful household3 and the poor battered man before her1 who1 not only as a priest was made like to the ,eternal ,priest1 but as a victim too had hung upon a prostrate cross1 fastened by hands and feet2 thus bearing on his body for all to see the marks of the ,lord ,jesus4 99 99 99 99 ,lady ,maxwell and ,mistress ,margaret both rose and stepped forward after the ,priest's ,communion1 and received from those wounded hands the ,broken ,body of the ,lord4 ,and then the mass was presently over2 and the server stepped forward again to assist the priest to unvest1 himself lifting each vestment off1 for ,father ,maxwell was terribly exhausted by now1 and laying it on the altar4 ,then he helped him to a little footstool in front of him1 for him to kneel and make his thanksgiving4 ,isabel looked with an odd wonder at the server2 he was the man that she knew so well1 who opened the door for her1 and waited at table2 but now a strange dignity rested on him as he moved confidently and reverently about the awful altar1 and touched the vestments that even to her ,puritan eyes shone with new sanctity4 ,it startled her to think of the hidden ,catholic life of this house--of these servants who loved and were familiar with mysteries that she had been taught to dread and distrust1 but before which she too now was to bow her being in faith and adoration4 ,after a minute or two1 ,mistress ,margaret touched ,isabel on the arm and beckoned to her to come up to the altar1 which she began immediately to strip of its ornaments and cloth1 having first lit another candle on one of the benches4 ,isabel helped her in this with a trembling dread1 as all the others except ,lady ,maxwell and her son were now gone out silently2 and presently the picture was down1 and leaning against the wall2 the ornaments and sacred vessels packed away in their box1 with the vestments and linen in another4 ,then together they lifted off the heavy altar stone4 ,mistress ,margaret next laid back the lid of the chest2 and put her hands within1 and presently ,isabel saw the back of the chest fall back1 apparently into the wall4 ,mistress ,margaret then beckoned to ,isabel to climb into the chest and go through2 she did so without much difficulty1 and found herself in the little room behind4 ,there was a stool or two and some shelves against the wall1 with a plate or two upon them and one or two tools4 ,she received the boxes handed through1 and followed ,mistress ,margaret's instructions as to where to place them2 and when all was done1 she slipped back again through the chest into the lobby4 ,the priest and his mother were still in their places1 motionless4 ,mistress ,margaret closed the chest inside and out1 beckoned ,isabel into the sitting-room and closed the door behind them4 ,then she threw her arms round the girl and kissed her again and again4 ,my own darling1 said the nun1 with tears in her eyes4 ,god bless you--your first mass4 ,oh6 ,i have prayed for this4 ,and you know all our secrets now4 ,now go to your room1 and to bed again4 ,it is only a little after five4 ,you shall see him--,james--before he goes4 ,god bless you1 my dear6 ,she watched ,isabel down the passage2 and then turned back again to where the other two were still kneeling1 to make her own thanksgiving4 ,isabel went to her room as one in a dream4 ,she was soon in bed again1 but could not sleep2 the vision of that strange worship she had assisted at2 the pictorial details of it1 the glow of the two candles on the shoulders of the crimson chasuble as the priest bent to kiss the altar or to adore2 the bowed head of the server at his side2 the picture overhead with the ,mother and her downcast eyes1 and the radiant ,child stepping from her knees to bless the world--all this burned on the darkness4 ,with the least effort of imagination too she could recall the steady murmur of the unfamiliar words2 hear the rustle of the silken vestment2 the stirrings and breathings of the worshippers in the little room4 ,then in endless course the intellectual side of it all began to present itself4 ,she had assisted at what the ,government called a crime2 it was for that--that collection of strange but surely at least innocent things--actions1 words1 material objects--that men and women of the same flesh and blood as herself were ready to die2 and for which others equally of one nature with herself were ready to put them to death4 ,it was the mass--the mass--she had seen--she repeated the word to herself1 so sinister1 so suggestive1 so mighty4 ,then she began to think again--if indeed it is possible to say that she had ever ceased to think of him--of ,anthony1 who would be so much horrified if he knew2 of ,hubert1 who had renounced this wonderful worship1 and all1 she feared1 for love of her--and above all of her father1 who had regarded it with such repugnance3--yes1 thought ,isabel1 but he knows all now4 ,then she thought of ,mistress ,margaret again4 ,after all1 the nun had a spiritual life which in intensity and purity surpassed any she had ever experienced or even imagined2 and yet the heart of it all was the mass4 ,she thought of the old wrinkled quiet face when she came back to breakfast at the ,dower ,house3 she had soon learnt to read from that face whether mass had been said that morning or not at the ,hall4 ,and ,mistress ,margaret was only one of thousands to whom this little set of actions half seen and words half heard1 wrought and said by a man in a curious dress1 were more precious than all meditation and prayer put together4 ,could the vast superstructure of prayer and effort and aspiration rest upon a piece of empty folly such as children or savages might invent8 ,then very naturally1 as she began now to get quieter and less excited1 she passed on to the spiritual side of it4 ,had that indeed happened that ,mistress ,margaret believed--that the very ,body and ,blood of her own dear ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ1 had in virtue of ,his own clear promise--,his own clear promise6--become present there under the hands of ,his priest8 ,was it1 indeed1--this half-hour action1--the most august mystery of time1 the ,lamb eternally slain1 presenting ,himself and ,his ,death before the ,throne in a tremendous and bloodless ,sacrifice--so august that the very angels can only worship it afar off and cannot perform it2 or was it all a merely childish piece of blasphemous mummery1 as she had been brought up to believe8 ,and then this ,puritan girl1 who was beginning to taste the joys of release from her misery now that she had taken this step1 and united a whole-hearted offering of herself to the perfect ,offering of her ,lord--now her soul made its first trembling movement towards a real external authority4 ,i believe1 she rehearsed to herself1 not because my spiritual experience tells me that the ,mass is true1 for it does not2 not because the ,bible says so1 because it is possible to interpret that in more than one way2 but because that ,society which ,i now propose to treat as ,divine--the ,representative of the ,incarnate ,word--nay1 ,his very mystical ,body--tells me so3 and ,i rely upon that1 and rest in her arms1 which are the ,arms of the ,everlasting1 and hang upon her lips1 through which the ,infallible ,word speaks4 ,and so ,isabel1 in a timid peace at last1 from her first act of ,catholic faith1 fell asleep4 ,she awoke to find the winter sun streaming into her room1 and ,mistress ,margaret by her bedside4 ,dear child1 said the old lady1 ,i would not wake you earlier2 you have had such a short night2 but ,james leaves in an hour's time2 and it is just nine o'clock1 and ,i know you wish to see him4 ,when she came down half an hour later she found ,mistress ,margaret waiting for her outside ,lady ,maxwell's room4 ,he is in there1 she said4 ,i will tell ,mary2 and she slipped in4 ,isabel outside heard the murmur of voices1 and in a moment more was beckoned in by the nun4 ,james ,maxwell was sitting back in a great chair1 looking exhausted and white4 ,his mother1 with something of the same look of supreme suffering and triumph1 was standing behind his chair4 ,she smiled gravely and sweetly at ,isabel1 as if to encourage her2 and went out at the further door1 followed by her sister4 ,mistress ,isabel1 said the priest1 without any introductory words1 in his broken voice1 and motioning her to a seat1 ,i cannot tell you what joy it was to see you at mass4 ,is it too much to hope that you will seek admission presently to the ,catholic ,church8 ,isabel sat with downcast eyes4 ,his tone was a little startling to her4 ,it was as courteous as ever1 but less courtly3 there was just the faintest ring in it1 in spite of its weakness1 as of one who spoke with authority4 ,i--,i thank you1 ,mr4 ,james1 she said4 ,i wish to hear more at any rate4 ,yes1 ,mistress ,isabel2 and ,i thank ,god for it4 ,mr4 ,barnes will be the proper person4 ,my mother will let him know2 and ,i have no doubt that he will receive you by ,easter1 and that you can make your ,first ,communion on that day4 ,she bowed her head1 wondering a little at his assurance4 ,you will forgive me1 ,i know1 if ,i seem discourteous1 went on the priest1 but ,i trust you understand the terms on which you come4 ,you come as a little child1 to learn2 is it not so8 ,simply that8 ,she bowed her head again4 ,then ,i need not keep you4 ,if you will kneel1 ,i will give you my blessing4 ,she knelt down at once before him1 and he blessed her1 lifting his wrenched hand with difficulty and letting it sink quickly down again4 ,by an impulse she could not resist she leaned forward on her knees and took it gently into her two soft hands and kissed it4 ,oh6 forgive him1 ,mr4 ,maxwell2 ,i am sure he did not know4 ,and then her tears poured down4 ,my child1 said his voice tenderly1 in any case ,i not only forgive him1 but ,i thank him4 ,how could ,i not8 ,he has brought me love-tokens from my ,lord4 ,she kissed his hand again1 and stood up2 her eyes were blinded with tears2 but they were not all for grief4 ,then ,mistress ,margaret came in from the inner room1 and led the girl out2 and the mother came in once more to her son for the ten minutes before he was to leave her4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,a ,,strife ,,of ,,tongues ,anthony now settled down rather drearily to the study of religious controversy4 ,the continual contrasts that seemed forced upon him by the rival systems of ,england and ,rome 7so far as ,england might be said to have a coherent system at this time71 all tended to show him that there were these two sharply-divided schemes1 each claiming to represent ,christ's ,institution1 and each exclusive of the other4 ,was it of ,christ's institution that ,his ,church should be a department of the ,national ,life2 and that the civil prince should be its final arbiter and ruler1 however little he might interfere in its ordinary administration8 ,this was ,elizabeth's idea4 ,or was the ,church1 as ,mr4 ,buxton had explained it1 a huge unnational ,society1 dependent1 it must of course be1 to some extent on local circumstances1 but essentially unrestricted by limit of nationality or of racial tendencies8 ,this was the claim of ,rome4 ,of course an immense number of other arguments circled round this--in fact1 most of the arguments that are familiar to controversialists at the present day2 but the centre of all1 to ,anthony's mind1 as indeed it was to the mind of the civil and religious authorities of the time1 was the question of supremacy--,elizabeth or ,gregory8 ,he read a certain number of books2 and it will be remembered that he had followed1 with a good deal of intelligence1 ,campion's arguments4 ,anthony was no theologian1 and therefore missed perhaps the deep1 subtle arguments2 but he had a normal mind1 and was able to appreciate and remember some salient points4 ,for example1 he was impressed greatly by the negative character of ,protestantism in such books as ,nicholl's ,pilgrimage4 ,in this work a man was held up as a type to be imitated whose whole religion to all appearances consisted of holding the ,pope to be ,antichrist1 and his ,church the synagogue of ,satan1 of disliking the doctrines of merit and of justification by works1 of denying the ,real ,presence1 and of holding nothing but what could be proved to his own satisfaction by the ,scriptures4 ,then he read as much as he could of the great ,jewell controversy4 ,this ,bishop of ,salisbury1 who had1 however1 recanted his ,protestant opinions under ,mary1 and resumed them under ,elizabeth1 had published in #aefb his ,apology of the ,church of ,england1 a work of vast research and learning4 ,mr4 ,harding1 who had also had the advantage of having been on both sides1 had answered it2 and then the battle was arrayed4 ,it was of course mostly above ,anthony's head2 but he gained from what he was able to read of it a very fair estimate of the conflicting theses1 though he probably could not have stated them intelligibly4 ,he also made acquaintance with another writer against ,jewell1--,rastall2 and with one or two of ,mr4 ,willet's books1 the author of ,synopsis ,papismi and ,tretrastylon ,papisticum4 ,even more than by paper controversy1 however1 he was influenced by history that was so rapidly forming before his eyes4 ,the fact and the significance of the supremacy of the ,queen in religion was impressed upon him more vividly by her suspension of ,grindal than by all the books he ever read3 here was the first ecclesiastic of the realm1 a devout1 humble and earnest man1 restrained from exercising his great qualities as ruler and shepherd of his people1 by a woman whose religious character certainly commanded no one's respect1 even if her moral life were free from scandal2 and that1 not because the ,archbishop had been guilty of any crime or heresy1 or was obviously unfitted for his post1 but because his conscientious judgment on a point of ,church discipline and liberty differed from hers2 and this state of things was made possible not by an usurpation of power1 but by the deliberately ordered system of the ,church of ,england4 ,anthony had at least sufficient penetration to see that this1 as a fundamental principle of religion1 however obscured it might be by subsequent developments1 was yet fraught with dangers compared with which those of papal interference were comparatively trifling--dangers that is1 not so much to earthly peace and prosperity1 as to the whole spiritual nature of the nation's ,christianity4 ,yet another argument had begun to suggest itself1 bearing upon the same point1 of the relative advantages and dangers of ,nationalism4 ,when he had first entered the ,archbishop's service he had been inspired by the thought that the ,church would share in the rising splendour of ,england2 now he began to wonder whether she could have strength to resist the rising worldliness that was bound to accompany it4 ,it is scarcely likely that men on fire with success1 whether military or commercial1 will be patient of the restraints of religion4 ,if the ,church is independent of the nation1 she can protest and denounce freely2 if she is knit closely to the nation1 such rebuke is almost impossible4 ,a conversation that ,anthony had on this subject at the beginning of ,february helped somewhat to clear up this point4 ,he was astonished after dinner one day to hear that ,mr4 ,henry ,buxton was at the porter's lodge desiring to see him1 and on going out he found that it was indeed his old acquaintance1 the prisoner4 ,good-day1 ,master ,norris1 said the gentleman1 with his eyes twinkling2 you see the mouse has escaped1 and is come to call upon the cat4 ,anthony inquired further as to the details of his release4 ,well1 you see1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 they grew a-weary of me4 ,i talked so loud at them all for one thing2 and then you see ,i was neither priest nor agent nor conspirator1 but only a plain country gentleman3 so they took some hundred or two pounds off me1 to make me still plainer2 and let me go4 ,now1 ,mr4 ,norris1 will you come and dine with me1 and resume our conversation that was so rudely interrupted by my journey last time8 ,but then you see her ,majesty would take no denial4 ,i have just dined1 said ,anthony1 but---- ,well1 ,i will not ask you to see me dine again1 as you did last time2 but will you then sup with me8 ,i am at the ',running ,horse1' ,fleet ,street1 until to-morrow4 ,anthony accepted gladly2 for he had been greatly taken with ,mr4 ,buxton2 and at six o'clock that evening presented himself at the ,running ,horse1 and was shown up to a private parlour4 ,he found ,mr4 ,buxton in the highest good-humour2 he was even now on his way from ,wisbeach1 home again to ,tonbridge1 and was only staying in ,london to finish a little business he had4 ,before supper was over1 ,anthony had laid his difficulties before him4 ,my dear friend1 said the other1 and his manner became at once sober and tender1 ,i thank you deeply for your confidence4 ,after being thought midway between a knave and a fool for over a year1 it is a comfort to be treated as an honest gentleman again4 ,i hold very strongly with what you say2 it is that1 under ,god1 that has kept me steady4 ,as ,i said to you last time1 ,christ's ,kingdom is not of this world4 ,can you imagine1 for example1 ,saint ,peter preaching religious obedience to ,nero to be a ,christian's duty8 ,i do not say 7,god forbid7 that her ,grace is a ,nero1 or even a ,poppa2 but there is no particular reason why some successor of hers should not be4 ,however1 ,nero or not1 the principle is the same4 ,i do not deny that a ,national ,church may be immensely powerful1 may convert thousands1 may number zealous and holy men among her ministers and adherents--but yet her foundation is insecure4 ,what when the tempest of ,god's searching judgments begins to blow8 ,or1 to put it plainer1 in a parable1 you have seen1 ,i doubt not1 a gallant and his mistress together4 ,so long as she is being wooed by him1 she can command2 he sighs and yearns and runs on errands--in short1 she rules him4 ,but when they are wedded--ah me6 ,it is she--if he turns out a brute1 that is--she that stands while my lord plucks off his boots--she who runs to fetch the tobacco-pipe and lights it and kneels by him4 ,now ,i hold that to wed the body spiritual to the body civil1 is to wed a delicate dame to a brute4 ,he may dress her well1 give her jewels1 clap her kindly on the head--but she is under him and no free woman4 ,ah6--and then ,mr4 ,buxton's eyes began to shine as ,anthony remembered they had done before1 and his voice to grow solemn1--and when the spouse is the ,bride of ,christ1 purchased by ,his death1 what then would be the sin to wed her to a carnal nation1 who shall favour her1 it may be1 while she looks young and fair2 but when his mood changes1 or her appearance1 then she is his slave and his drudge6 ,his will and his whims are her laws2 as he changes1 so must she4 ,she has to do his foul work2 as she had to do for ,king ,henry1 as she is doing it now for ,queen ,bess2 and as she will always have to do1 ,god help her1 so long as she is wedded to the nation1 instead of being free as the handmaiden and spouse of ,christ alone4 ,my faith would be lost1 ,mr4 ,norris1 and my heart broken quite1 if ,i were forced to think the ,church of ,england to be the ,church of ,christ4 ,they talked late that evening in the private baize-curtained parlour on the third floor4 ,anthony produced his difficulties one by one1 and ,mr4 ,buxton did his best to deal with them4 ,for example1 ,anthony remarked on the fact that there had been no breach of succession as to the edifices and endowments of the ,church2 that the sees had been canonically filled1 and even the benefices2 and that therefore1 like it or not1 the ,church of ,england now was identical with the ,pre-,reformation ,church4 ,distinguo1 said his friend4 ,of course she is the successor in one sense3 what you say is very true4 ,it is impossible to put your finger all along the line of separation4 ,it is a serrated line4 ,the affairs of a ,church and a nation are so vast that that is sure to be so2 although if you insist1 ,i will point to the ,supremacy ,act of #aeei and the ,uniformity ,act of the same year as very clear evidences of a breach with the ancient order2 in the former the governance is shifted from its original owner1 the ,vicar of ,christ1 and placed on ,elizabeth2 it was that that the ,carthusian ,fathers and ,sir ,thomas ,more and many others died sooner than allow3 and the latter ,act sweeps away all the ancient forms of worship in favour of a modern one4 ,but ,i am not careful to insist upon those points2 if you deny or disprove them1--though ,i do not envy any who attempts that--yet even then my principle remains1 that all that to which the ,church of ,england has succeeded is the edifices and the endowments2 but that her spirit is wholly new4 ,if a highwayman knocks me down to-morrow1 strips me1 clothes himself with my clothes1 and rides my horse1 he is certainly my successor in one sense2 yet he will be rash if he presents himself to my wife and sons--though ,i have none1 by the way--as the proper owner of my house and name4 ,but there is no knocking down in the question1 said ,anthony4 ,the bishops and clergy1 or the greater part of them1 consented to the change4 ,mr4 ,buxton smiled4 ,very well1 he said2 yet the case is not greatly different if the gentleman threatens me with torture instead1 if ,i do not voluntarily give him my clothes and my horse4 ,if ,i were weak and yielded to him1 yes1 and made promises of all kinds in my cowardice--yet he would be no nearer being the true successor of my name and fortune4 ,and if you read her ,grace's ,acts1 and ,king ,henry's too1 you will find that that was precisely what took place4 ,my dear sir1 ,mr4 ,buxton went on1 if you will pardon my saying it1 ,i am astounded at the effrontery of your authorities who claim that there was no breach4 ,your ,puritans are wiser2 they at least frankly say that the old was ,anti-,christian2 that ,his ,holiness 7,god forgive me for saying it671 was an usurper3 and that the new ,genevan theology is the old gospel brought to light again4 ,that ,i can understand2 and indeed most of your churchmen think so too2 and that there was a new beginning made with ,protestantism4 ,but when her ,grace calls herself a ,catholic1 and tells the poor ,frenchmen that it is the old religion here still3 and your bishops1 or one or two of them rather1 like ,cheyney1 ,i suppose1 say so too--then ,i am rendered dumb--7if that were possible74 ,if it is the same1 then why1 a-,god's name1 were the altars dragged down1 and the screens burned1 and the vestments and the images and the stoups and the pictures and the ornaments1 all swept out8 ,why1 a-,god's name1 was the old mass blotted out and this new mingle-mangle brought in1 if it be all one8 ,and for the last time1 a-,god's name1 why is it death to say mass now1 if it be all one8 ,go1 go3 ,such talk is foolishness1 and worse4 ,mr4 ,buxton was silent for a moment as ,anthony eyed him2 and then burst out again4 ,ah6 but worse than all are the folks that stand with one leg on either stool4 ,we are the old ,church1 say they2--standing with the ,protestant leg in the air1--therefore let us have the money and the buildings3 they are our right4 ,and then when a poor ,catholic says1 ,then let us have the old mass1 and the old penance and the old images3 ,nay1 nay1 nay1 they say1 lifting up the ,catholic leg and standing on the other1 those are ,popery2 and we are ,protestants2 we have made away with all such mummery and muniments of superstition4 ,and so they go see-sawing to and fro4 ,when you run at one leg they rest them on the other1 and you know not where to take them4 ,and so the talk went on4 ,when the evening was over1 and ,anthony was rising to return to ,lambeth1 ,mr4 ,buxton put his hand on his arm4 ,good ,mr4 ,norris1 he said1 you have been very patient with me4 ,i have clacked this night like an old wife1 and you have borne with me3 and now ,i ask your pardon again4 ,but ,i do pray ,god that ,he may show you light and bring you to the true ,church2 for there is no rest elsewhere4 ,anthony thanked him for his good wishes4 ,indeed1 he said1 too1 ,i am grateful for all that you have said4 ,you have shown me light1 ,i think1 on some things1 and ,i ask your prayers4 ,i go to ,stanfield to-morrow1 said ,mr4 ,buxton2 it is a pleasant house1 though its master says so1 not far from ,sir ,philip ,sidney's3 if you would but come and see me there6 ,i am getting greatly perplexed1 said ,anthony1 and ,i think that in good faith ,i cannot stay long with the ,archbishop2 and if ,i leave him how gladly will ,i come to you for a few days2 but it must not be till then4 ,ah6 if you would but make the ,spiritual ,exercises in my house2 ,i will provide a conductor2 and there is nothing that would resolve your doubts so quickly4 ,anthony was interested in this2 and asked further details as to what these were4 ,it is too late1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 to tell you to-night4 ,i will write from ,stanfield4 ,mr4 ,buxton came downstairs with ,anthony to see him on to his horse1 and they parted with much good-will2 and ,anthony rode home with a heavy and perplexed heart to ,lambeth4 99 99 99 99 ,he spent a few days more pondering2 and then determined to lay his difficulties before the ,archbishop2 and resign his position if ,grindal thought it well4 ,he asked for an interview1 and the ,archbishop appointed an hour in the afternoon at which he would see him in ,cranmer's parlour1 the room above the vestry which formed part of the tower that ,archbishop ,cranmer had added to ,lambeth ,house4 ,anthony1 walking up and down in the little tiled cloisters by the creek1 a few minutes before the hour fixed1 heard organ-music rolling out of the chapel windows2 and went in to see who was playing4 ,he came in through the vestry1 and looking to the west end gallery saw there the back of old ,dr4 ,tallis1 seated at the little positive organ that the late ,archbishop had left in his chapel1 and which the present ,archbishop had gladly retained1 for he was a great patron of music1 and befriended many musicians when they needed help--,dr4 ,tallis1 as well as ,byrd1 ,morley and ,tye4 ,there were a few persons in the chapel listening1 the ,reverend ,mr4 ,wilson1 one of the chaplains1 being among them2 and ,anthony thought that he could not do better than sit here a little and quiet his thoughts1 which were nervous and distracted at the prospect of his coming interview4 ,he heard voices from overhead1 which showed that the ,archbishop was engaged2 so he spoke to an usher stationed in the vestry1 telling him that he was ready as soon as the ,archbishop could receive him1 and that he would wait in the chapel2 and then made his way down to one of the return stalls at the west end1 against the screen1 and took his seat there4 ,this ,february afternoon was growing dark1 and the only lights in the chapel were those in the organ loft2 but there was still enough daylight outside to make the windows visible--those famous windows of ,morton's1 which1 like those in ,king's ,chapel1 ,cambridge1 combined and interpreted the ,old and ,new ,testaments by an ingenious system of types and antitypes1 in the manner of the ,biblia ,pauperum4 ,there was then only a single subject in each light2 and ,anthony let his eyes wander musingly to and fro in the east window from the central figure of the ,crucified to the types on either side1 especially to a touching group of the unconscious ,isaac carrying the wood for his own death1 as ,christ ,his ,cross4 ,beneath1 instead of the old stately altar glowing with stuffs and precious metals and jewels which had once been the heart of this beautiful shrine1 there stood now a plain solid wooden table that the ,archbishop used for the ,communion4 ,anthony looked at it1 and sighed a little to himself4 ,did the altar and the table then mean the same thing8 ,meanwhile the glorious music was rolling overhead in the high vaulted roof4 ,the old man was extemporising2 but his manner was evident even in that2 there was a simple solemn phrase that formed his theme1 and round this adorning and enriching it moved the grave chords4 ,on and on travelled the melody1 like the flow of a broad river2 now sliding steadily through a smiling land of simple harmonies1 where dwelt a people of plain tastes and solid virtues2 now passing over shallows where the sun glanced and played in the brown water among the stones1 as light arpeggio chords rippled up and vanished round about the melody2 now entering a land of mighty stones and caverns where the echoes rang hollow and resonant1 as the counterpoint began to rumble and trip like boulders far down out of sight1 in subaqueous gloom2 now rolling out again and widening1 fuller and deeper as it went1 moving in great masses towards the edge of the cataract that lies like a line across the landscape3 it is inevitable now1 the crash must come2--a chord or two pausing1--pausing2--and then the crash1 stupendous and sonorous4 ,then on again through elaborate cities where the wits and courtiers dwell1 and stately palaces slide past upon the banks1 and barges move upon its breast1 on to the sea--that final full close that embraces and engulfs all music1 all effort1 all doubts and questionings1 whether in art or theology1 all life of intellect1 heart or will--that fathomless eternal deep from which all comes and to which all returns1 that men call the ,love of ,god4 99 99 99 99 ,anthony stirred in his seat2 he had been here ten minutes1 proposing to take his restless thoughts in hand and quiet them2 and1 lo6 it had been done for him by the master who sat overhead4 ,here he1 for the moment1 remained1 ready for anything--glad to take up the wood and bear it to the ,mount of ,sacrifice--content to be carried on in that river of ,god's ,will to the repose of ,god's ,heart--content to dwell meantime in the echoing caverns of doubt--in the glancing shadows and lights of an active life--in his own simple sunlit life in the country--or even to plunge over the cataract down into the fierce tormented pools in the dark--for after all the sea lay beyond2 and he who commits himself to the river is bound to reach it4 ,he heard a step1 and the usher stood by him4 ,his ,grace is ready1 ,master ,norris4 ,anthony rose and followed him4 ,the ,archbishop received him with the greatest kindness4 ,as ,anthony came in he half rose1 peering with his half-blind eyes1 and smiling and holding out his hands4 ,come1 ,master ,norris1 he said1 you are always welcome4 ,sit down2 and he placed him in a chair at the table close by his own4 ,now1 what is it8 he said kindly2 for the old man's heart was a little anxious at this formal interview that had been requested by this favourite young officer of his4 ,then ,anthony1 without any reserve1 told him all2 tracing out the long tale of doubt by landmarks that he remembered2 mentioning the effect produced on his mind by the ,queen's suspension of the ,archbishop1 especially dwelling on the arrest1 the examination and the death of ,campion1 that had made such a profound impression upon him2 upon his own reading and trains of thought1 and the conversations with ,mr4 ,buxton1 though of course he did not mention his name2 he ended by saying that he had little doubt that sooner or later he would be compelled to leave the communion of the ,church of ,england for that of ,rome2 and by placing his resignation in the ,archbishop's hands1 with many expressions of gratitude for the unceasing kindness and consideration that he had always received at his hands4 ,there was silence when he had finished4 ,a sliding panel in the wall near the chapel had been pushed back1 and the mellow music of ,dr4 ,tallis pealed softly in1 giving a sweet and melodious background1 scarcely perceived consciously by either of them1 and yet probably mellowing and softening their modes of expression during the whole of the interview4 ,mr4 ,norris1 said the ,archbishop at last1 ,i first thank you for the generous confidence you have shown towards me3 and ,i shall put myself under a further obligation to you by accepting your resignation3 and this ,i do for both our sakes4 ,for yours1 because1 as you confess1 this action of the ,queen's--7,i neither condemn nor excuse it myself7--this action has influenced your thoughts3 therefore you had best be removed from it to a place where you can judge more quietly4 ,and ,i accept it for my own sake too2 for several reasons that ,i need not trouble you with4 ,but in doing this1 ,i desire you1 ,mr4 ,norris1 to continue to draw your salary until ,midsummer3--nay1 nay1 you must let me have my say4 ,you are at liberty to withdraw as soon as you have wound up your arrangements with ,mr4 ,somerdine2 he will now1 as ,yeoman of the ,horse1 have your duties as well as his own2 for ,i do not intend to have another ,gentleman of the ,horse4 ,as regards an increase of salary for him1 that can wait until ,i see him myself4 ,in any case1 ,mr4 ,norris1 ,i think you had better withdraw before ,mid-,lent ,sunday4 ,and now for your trouble4 ,i know very well that ,i cannot be of much service to you4 ,i am no controversialist4 ,but ,i must bear my witness4 ,this ,papist with whom you have had talk seems a very plausible fellow4 ,his arguments sound very plain and good2 and yet ,i think you could prove anything by them4 ,they seem to me like that openwork embroidery such as you see on ,communion linen sometimes1 in which the pattern is formed by withdrawing certain threads4 ,he has cleverly omitted just those points that would ruin his argument2 and he has made a pretty design4 ,but any skilful advocate could make any other design by the same methods4 ,he has not thought fit to deal with such words of our ,saviour as what ,he says on ,tradition2 with what the ,scriptures say against the worshipping of angels2 with what ,st4 ,paul says in his ,epistle to the ,colossians1 in the second chapter1 concerning all those carnal ordinances which were done away by ,christ1 but which have been restored by the ,pope in his despite2 he does not deal with those terrible words concerning the man of sin and the mystery of iniquity4 ,in fact1 he takes just one word that ,christ let fall about ,his ,kingdom1 and builds this great edifice upon it4 ,you might retort to him in a thousand ways such as these4 ,bishop ,jewell1 in his book1 as you know1 deals with these questions and many more2 far more fully than it is possible for you and me even to dream of doing4 ,nay1 ,mr4 ,norris2 the only argument ,i can lay before you is this4 ,there are difficulties and troubles everywhere2 that there are such in the ,church of ,england1 who would care to deny8 that there are equally such1 aye1 and far more1 in the ,church of ,rome1 who would care to deny1 either8 ,meanwhile1 the ,providence of ,god has set you here and not there4 ,whatever your difficulties are here1 are not of your choosing2 but if you fly there 7and ,i pray ,god you will not7 there they will be4 ,be content1 ,master ,norris2 indeed you have a goodly heritage2 be content with it2 lest losing that you lose all4 ,anthony was greatly touched by this moderate and courteous line that the ,archbishop was taking4 ,he knew well in his heart that the ,church of ,rome was1 in the eyes of this old man1 a false and deceitful body1 for whom there was really nothing to be said4 ,grindal1 in his travels abroad during the ,marian troubles1 had been deeply attracted by the ,genevan theology1 with whose professors he had never wholly lost touch2 and ,anthony guessed what an effort it was costing him1 and what a strain it was on his conscience1 thus to combine courtesy with faithfulness to what he believed to be true4 ,grindal apparently feared he had sacrificed his convictions1 for he presently added3 ,you know1 ,mr4 ,norris1 that ,i think very much worse of ,papistry than ,i have expressed2 but ,i have refrained because ,i think that would not help you2 and ,i desire to do that more than to relieve myself4 ,anthony thanked him for his gentleness2 saying that he quite understood his motives in speaking as he had done1 and was deeply obliged to him for it4 ,the ,archbishop1 however1 as indeed were most of the ,english ,divines of the time1 was far more deeply versed in destructive than constructive theology2 and1 to ,anthony's regret1 was presently beginning in that direction4 ,it is beyond my imagination1 ,mr4 ,norris1 he said1 that any who have known the simple ,gospel should return to the darkness4 ,see here1 he went on1 rising1 and fumbling among his books1 ,i have somewhere here what they call an ,indulgence4 ,he searched for a few minutes1 and presently shook out of the leaves of ,jewell's book a paper which he peered at1 and then pushed over to ,anthony4 ,it was a little rectangular paper1 some four or five inches long2 bearing a figure of ,christ1 wounded1 with ,his hands bound together before ,him1 and the ,cross with the superscription rising behind4 ,in compartments on either side were instruments of the ,passion1 the spear1 and the reed with the sponge1 with other figures and emblems4 ,anthony spelt out the inscription4 ,read it aloud1 ,mr4 ,norris1 said the ,archbishop4 ',to them1' read ,anthony1 'that before this image of pity devoutly say five paternosters1 five aves and a credo1 piteously beholding these arms of ,christ's ,passion1 are granted thirty-two thousand seven hundred and fifty-five years of pardon4' ,now1 ,mr4 ,norris1 said the ,archbishop1 have you considered that it is to that kind of religion that you are attracted8 ,i will not comment on it2 there is no need4 ,your ,grace1 said ,anthony slowly1 laying the paper down1 ,i need not say1 ,i think1 that this kind of thing is deeply distasteful to me too4 ,your ,grace cannot dislike it more than ,i do4 ,but then ,i do not understand it2 ,i do not know what indulgences mean2 ,i only know that were they as mad and foolish as we ,protestants think them1 no truthful or good man could remain a ,papist for a day2 but then there are many thoughtful and good men ,papists2 and ,i conclude from that that what we think the indulgences to be1 cannot be what they really are4 ,there must be some other explanation4 ,and again1 my lord1 may ,i add this8 ,if ,i were a ,turk ,i should find many things in the ,christian religion quite as repellent to me2 for example1 how can it be just1 ,i should ask1 that the death of an innocent man1 such as ,christ was1 should be my salvation8 ,how1 again1 is it just that faith should save8 ,surely one who has sinned greatly ought to do something towards his forgiveness1 and not merely trust to another4 ,but you1 my lord1 would tell me that there are explanations of these difficulties1 and of many more too1 of which ,i should gradually understand more and more after ,i was a ,christian4 ,or again1 it appears to me even now1 ,christian as ,i am1 judging as a plain man1 that predestination contradicts free-will2 and no explanation can make them both reasonable4 ,yet1 by the grace of ,god1 ,i believe all these doctrines and many more1 not because ,i understand them1 for ,i do not2 but because ,i believe that they are part of the ,revelation of ,god4 ,it is just so1 too1 with the ,roman ,catholic ,church4 ,i must not take this or that doctrine by itself2 but ,i must make up my mind whether or no it is the one only ,catholic ,church1 and then ,i shall believe all that she teaches1 because she teaches it1 and not because ,i understand it4 ,you must forgive my dulness1 my lord2 but ,i am but a layman1 and can only say what ,i think in simple words4 ,but we must judge of a ,christian body by what that body teaches1 said the ,archbishop4 ,on what other grounds are you drawn to the ,papists1 except by what they teach8 ,yes1 your ,grace1 said ,anthony1 ,i do judge of the general body of doctrine1 and of the effect upon the soul as a whole2 but that is not the same as taking each small part1 and making all hang upon that4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,norris1 said the ,archbishop1 ,i do not think we can talk much more now4 ,it is new to me that these difficulties are upon you4 ,but ,i entreat you to talk to me again as often as you will2 and to others also--,dr4 ,redmayn1 ,mr4 ,chambers and others will be happy if they can be of any service to you in these matters3 for few things indeed would grieve me more than that you should turn ,papist4 ,anthony thanked the ,archbishop very cordially for his kindness1 and1 after receiving his blessing1 left his presence4 ,he had two or three more talks with him before he left1 but his difficulties were in no way resolved4 ,the ,archbishop had an essentially ,puritan mind1 and could not enter into ,anthony's point of view at all4 ,it may be roughly said that from ,grindal's standpoint all turned on the position and responsibility of the individual towards the body to which he belonged3 and that ,anthony rather looked at the corporate side first and the individual second4 ,grindal considered1 for example1 the details of the ,catholic religion in reference to the individual1 asking whether he could accept this or that3 ,anthony's tendency was rather to consider the general question first1 and to take the difficulties in his stride afterwards4 ,anthony also had interviews with the ,archdeacon and chaplain whom ,grindal had recommended2 but these were of even less service to him1 as ,dr4 ,redmayn was so frankly contemptuous1 and ,mr4 ,chambers so ignorant1 of the ,romish religion that ,anthony felt he could not trust their judgment at all4 ,in the meanwhile1 during this last fortnight of ,anthony's ,lambeth life1 he received a letter from ,mr4 ,buxton1 explaining what were the ,spiritual ,exercises to which he had referred1 and entreating ,anthony to come and stay with him at ,stanfield4 ,now come1 dear ,mr4 ,norris1 he wrote1 as soon as you leave the ,archbishop's service2 ,i will place three or four rooms at your disposal1 if you wish for quiet2 for ,i have more rooms than ,i know what to do with2 and you shall make the ,exercises if you will with some good priest4 ,they are a wonderful method of meditation and prayer1 designed by ,ignatius ,loyola 7one day doubtless to be declared saint71 for the bringing about a resolution of all doubts and scruples1 and so clearing the eye of the soul that she discerns ,god's ,will1 and so strengthening her that she gladly embraces it4 ,and that surely is what you need just now in your perplexity4 ,the letter went on to describe briefly the method followed1 and ended by entreating him again to come and see him4 ,anthony answered this by telling him of his resignation of his post at ,lambeth1 and accepting his invitation2 and he arranged to spend the last three weeks before ,easter at ,stanfield1 and to go down there immediately upon leaving ,lambeth4 ,he determined not to go to ,great ,keynes first1 or to see ,isabel1 lest his resolution should be weakened4 ,already1 he thought1 his motives were sufficiently mixed and perverted without his further aggravating their earthly constituents4 ,he wrote to his sister1 however1 telling her of his decision to leave ,lambeth2 and adding that he was going to stay with a friend until ,easter1 when he hoped to return to the ,dower ,house1 and take up his abode there for the present4 ,he received what he thought a very strange letter in return1 written apparently under excitement strongly restrained4 ,he read in it a very real affection for himself1 but a certain reserve in it too1 and even something of compassion2 and there was a sentence in it that above all others astonished him4 ,j4 ,m4 has been here1 and is now gone to ,douai4 ,oh6 dear brother1 some time no doubt you will tell us all4 ,i feel so certain that there is much to explain4 ,had she then guessed his part in the priest's release8 ,anthony wondered2 but at any rate he knew1 after his promise to the ,queen1 that he must not give her any clue4 ,he was also surprised to hear that ,james had been to ,great ,keynes4 ,he had inquired for him at the ,tower on the ,monday after his visit to ,greenwich1 and had heard that ,mr4 ,maxwell was already gone out of ,england4 ,he had not then troubled to write again1 as he had no doubt but that his message to ,lady ,maxwell1 which he had sent in his note to ,isabel1 had reached her2 and that certainly she1 and probably ,james too1 now knew that he had been an entirely unconscious and innocent instrument in the priest's arrest4 ,but that note1 as has been seen1 never reached its destination4 ,lady ,maxwell did not care to write to the betrayer of her son2 and ,isabel on the one hand hoped and believed now that there was some explanation1 but on the other did not wish to ask for it again1 since her first request had been met by silence4 ,as the last days of his life at ,lambeth were coming to an end1 ,anthony began to send off his belongings on pack-horses to ,great ,keynes2 and by the time that the ,saturday before ,mid-,lent ,sunday arrived1 on which he was to leave1 all had gone except his own couple of horses and the bags containing his personal luggage4 ,his last interview with the ,archbishop affected him very greatly4 ,he found the old man waiting for him1 walking up and down ,cranmer's parlour in an empty part of the room1 where there was no danger of his falling4 ,he peered anxiously at ,anthony as he entered4 ,mr4 ,norris1 he said1 you are greatly on my mind4 ,i fear ,i have not done my duty to you4 ,my ,god has taken away the great charge he called me to years ago1 to see if ,i were fit or not for the smaller charge of mine own household1 and not even that have ,i ruled well4 ,anthony was deeply moved4 ,my lord1 he said1 if ,i may speak plainly to you1 ,i would say that to my mind the strongest argument for the ,church of ,england is that she brings forth piety and goodness such as ,i have seen here4 ,if it were not for that1 ,i should no longer be perplexed4 ,grindal held up a deprecating hand4 ,do not speak so1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,that grieves me4 ,however1 ,i beseech you to forgive me for all my remissness towards you1 and ,i wish to tell you that1 whatever happens1 you shall never cease to have an old man's prayers4 ,you have been a good and courteous servant to me always--more than that1 you have been my loving friend--,i might almost say my son3 and that1 in a world that has cast me off and forgotten me1 ,i shall not easily forget4 ,god bless you1 my dear son1 and give you ,his light and grace4 ,when ,anthony rode out of the gateway half an hour later1 with his servant and luggage behind him1 it was only with the greatest difficulty that he could keep from tears as he thought of the blind old man1 living in loneliness and undeserved disgrace1 whom he was leaving behind him4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,the ,,spiritual ,,exercises ,anthony found that ,mr4 ,buxton had seriously underestimated himself in describing his position as that of a plain country gentleman4 ,stanfield was one of the most beautiful houses that he had ever seen4 ,on the day after his arrival1 his host took him all over the house1 at his earnest request1 and told him its story2 and as they passed from room to room1 again and again ,anthony found himself involuntarily exclaiming at the new and extraordinary beauties of architecture and furniture that revealed themselves4 ,the house itself had been all built in the present reign1 before its owner had got into trouble2 and had been fitted throughout on the most lavish scale1 with furniture of ,german as well as of ,english manufacture4 ,mr4 ,buxton was a collector of pictures and other objects of art2 and his house contained some of the very finest specimens of painting1 bronzes1 enamels1 plate and woodwork procurable from the ,continent4 ,the house was divided into two sections2 the chief living rooms were in a long suite looking to the south on to the gardens1 with a corridor on the north side running the whole length of the house on the ground-floor1 from which a staircase rose to a similar corridor or gallery on the first floor4 ,the second section of the house was a block of some half-dozen smallish rooms1 with a private staircase of their own1 and a private entrance and little walled garden as well in front4 ,the house was mostly panelled throughout1 and here and there hung pieces of magnificent tapestry and cloth of arras4 ,all was kept1 too1 with a care that was unusual in those days--the finest woodwork was brought to a high polish1 as well as all the brass utensils and steel fire-plates and dogs and such things4 ,no two rooms were alike2 each possessed some marked characteristic of its own--one bedroom1 for example1 was distinguished by its fourpost bed with its paintings on the canopy and head--another1 by its little two-light high window with ,adam and ,eve in stained glass2 another with a little square-window containing a crucifix1 which was generally concealed by a sliding panel2 another by two secret cupboards over the fire-place1 and its recess fitted as an oratory2 another by a magnificent piece of tapestry representing ,saint ,clara and ,saint ,thomas of ,aquin1 each holding a monstrance1 with a third great monstrance in the centre1 supported by angels4 ,downstairs the rooms were on the same scale of magnificence4 ,the drawing-room had an exquisite wooden ceiling with great pendants elaborately carved2 the dining-room was distinguished by its glass1 containing a collection of coats-of-arms of many of ,mr4 ,buxton's friends who had paid him visits2 the hall by its vast fire-place and the tapestries that hung round it4 ,the exterior premises were scarcely less remarkable2 a fine row of stables1 and kennels where greyhounds were kept1 stood to the north and the east of the house2 but the wonder of the country was the gardens to the south4 ,anthony hardly knew what to say for admiration as he went slowly through these with his host1 on the bright spring morning1 after visiting the house4 ,these were elaborately laid out1 and under ,mr4 ,buxton's personal direction1 for he was one of the few people in ,england at this time who really understood or cared for the art4 ,his avenue of small clipped limes running down the main walk of the garden1 his yew-hedges fashioned with battlements and towers2 his great garden house with its vane2 his fantastic dial in the fashion of a tall striped pole surmounted by a dragon2--these were the astonishment of visitors2 and it was freely said that had not ,mr4 ,buxton been exceedingly adroit he would have paid the penalty of his magnificence and originality by being forced to receive a royal visit--a favour that would have gone far to impoverish1 if not to ruin him4 ,the chancel of the parish-church overlooked the west end of his lime-avenue1 while the east end of the garden terminated in a great gateway1 of stone posts and wrought iron gates that looked out to the meadows and farm buildings of the estate1 and up to which some day no doubt a broad carriage drive would be laid down4 ,but at present the sweep of the meadows was unbroken4 ,it was to this beautiful place that ,anthony found himself welcomed4 ,his host took him at once on the evening of his arrival to the west block1 and showed him his bedroom--that with the little cupboards and the oratory recess2 and then1 taking him downstairs again1 showed him a charming little oak parlour1 which he told him would be altogether at his private service4 ,and you see1 added ,mr4 ,buxton1 in this walled garden in front you can have complete privacy1 and thus can take the air without ever coming to the rest of the house2 to which there is this one entrance on the ground floor4 ,and then he showed him how the lower end of the long corridor communicated with the block4 ,the only partners of this west block1 he added1 will be the two priests--,mr4 ,blake1 my chaplain1 and ,mr4 ,robert1 who is staying with me a week or two2 and who1 ,i hope1 will conduct you through the ,exercises1 as he is very familiar with them4 ,you will meet them both at supper3 of course they will be both dressed as laymen4 ,the ,protestants blamed poor ,campion for that1 you know2 but had he not gone in disguise1 they would only have hanged him all the sooner4 ,i like not hypocrisy4 ,anthony was greatly impressed by ,father ,robert when he met him at supper4 ,he was a tall and big man1 who seemed about forty years of age1 with a long square-jawed face1 a pointed beard and moustache1 and shrewd penetrating eyes4 ,he seemed to be a man in advance of his time2 he was full of reforms and schemes that seemed to ,anthony remarkably to the point2 and they were reforms too quite apart from ecclesiasticism1 but rather such as would be classed in our days under the title of ,christian ,socialism4 ,for example1 he showed a great sympathy for the condition of the poor and outcast and criminals2 and had a number of very practical schemes for their benefit4 ,two things1 he said1 in answer to a question of ,anthony's1 ,i would do to-morrow if ,i had the power4 ,first ,i would allow of long leases for fifty and a hundred years4 ,everywhere the soil is becoming impoverished2 each man squeezes out of it as much as he can1 and troubles not to feed the land or to care for it beyond his time4 ,long leases1 ,i hold1 would remedy this4 ,it would encourage the farmer to look before him and think of his sons and his sons' sons4 ,and second1 ,i would establish banks for poor men4 ,there is many a man now a-begging who would be living still in his own house1 if there had been some honest man whom he could have trusted to keep his money for him1 and1 maybe1 give him something for the loan of it3 for in these days1 when there is so much enterprise1 money has become1 as it were1 a living thing that grows2 or at the least a tool that can be used2 and therefore1 when it is lent1 it is right that the borrower should pay a little for it4 ,this is not the same as the usury that ,holy ,church so rightly condemns3 at least1 ,i hold not1 though some1 ,i know1 differ from me4 ,after supper the talk turned on education3 here1 too1 the priest had his views4 ,but you are weary of hearing me6 he said1 in smiling apology4 ,you will think me a schoolmaster4 ,and ,i pray you to consider me your pupil1 said ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,the priest made a little deprecating gesture4 ,first1 then1 he said1 ,i would have a great increase of grammar schools4 ,it is grievous to think of ,england as she will be when this generation grows up3 the schooling was not much before2 but now she has lost first the schools that were kept by ,religious1 and now the teaching that the chantry-priests used to give4 ,but this perhaps may turn to advantage2 for when the ,catholic ,religion is re-established in these realms1 she will find how sad her condition is2 and1 ,i hope1 will remedy it by a better state of things than before--first1 by a great number of grammar schools where the lads can be well taught for small fees1 and where many scholarships will be endowed2 and then1 so great will be the increase of learning1 as ,i hope1 that we shall need to have a third university1 to which ,i should join a third ,archbishoprick1 for the greater dignity of both2 and all this ,i should set in the north somewhere1 ,durham or ,newcastle1 maybe4 ,he spoke1 too1 with a good deal of shrewdness of the increase of highway robbery1 and the remedies for it2 remarking that1 although in other respects the laws were too severe1 in this matter their administration was too lax2 since robbers of gentle birth could generally rely on pardon4 ,he spoke of the ,holy ,brotherhood in ,spain 7with which country he seemed familiar71 and its good results in the putting down of violence4 ,anthony grew more and more impressed by this man's practical sense and ability2 but less drawn to him in consequence as his spiritual guide4 ,he fancied that true spirituality could scarcely exist in this intensely practical nature4 ,when supper was over1 and the priests had gone back to their rooms1 and his host and he were seated before a wide blazing hearth in ,mr4 ,buxton's own little room downstairs1 he hinted something of the sort4 ,mr4 ,buxton laughed outright4 ,my dear friend1 he said1 you do not know these ,jesuits 7for of course you have guessed that he is one72 their training and efficiency is beyond all imagining4 ,in a week from now you will be considering how ever ,father ,robert can have the heart to eat his dinner or say 'good-day' with such a spiritual vision and insight as he has4 ,you need not fear4 ,like the angel in the ,revelation1 he will call you up to heaven1 hale you to the abyss and show you things to come4 ,and1 though you may not believe it1 it is the man's intense and simple piety that makes him so clear-sighted and practical2 he lives so close to ,god that ,god's works and methods1 so perplexing to you and me1 are plain to him4 ,they went on talking together for a while4 ,mr4 ,buxton said that ,father ,robert had thought it best for ,anthony not to enter ,retreat until the ,monday evening2 by which time he could have sufficiently familiarised himself with his new surroundings1 so as not to find them a distraction during his spiritual treatment4 ,anthony agreed to this4 ,then they talked of all kinds of things4 ,his host told him of his neighbours2 and explained how it was that he enjoyed such liberty as he did4 ,you noticed the church1 ,mr4 ,norris1 did you not1 at your arrival1 overlooking the garden8 ,it is a great advantage to me to have it so close4 ,i can sit in my own garden and hear the ,genevan thunders from within4 ,he preaches so loud that ,i might1 if ,i wished1 hear sermons1 and thus satisfy the law and his ,reverence2 and at the same time not go inside an heretical meeting-house1 and thus satisfy my own conscience and ,his ,holiness4 ,but ,i fear that would not have saved me1 had ,i not the ear of his ,reverence4 ,i will tell you how it was4 ,when the laws began to be enforced hereabouts1 his ,reverence came to see me2 and sat in that very chair that you now occupy4 ',i hear1' said he1 cocking his eye at me1 'that her ,grace is becoming strict1 and more careful for the souls of her subjects4' ,i agreed with him1 and said ,i had heard as much4 ',the fine is twenty pounds a month1' says he1 'for recusancy1' and then he looks at me again4 ,at first ,i did not catch his meaning2 for1 as you have noticed1 ,mr4 ,norris1 ,i am but a dull man in dealing with these sharp and subtle ,protestants3 and then all at once it flashed across me4 ',yes1 your ,reverence1' ,i said1 'and it will be the end of poor gentlemen like me1 unless some kind friend has pity on them4 ,how happy ,i am in having you6' ,i said1 ',i have never yet shown my appreciation as ,i should3 and ,i propose now to give you1 to be applied to what purposes you will1 whether the sustenance of the minister or anything else1 the sum of ten pounds a month2 so long as ,i am not troubled by the ,council4 ,of course1 if ,i should be fined by the ,council1 ,i shall have to drop my appreciation for six months or so4' ,well1 ,mr4 ,norris1 you will hardly believe it1 but the old doctor opened his mouth and gulped and rolled his eyes1 like a trout taking a fly2 and ,i was never troubled until fifteen months ago1 when they got at me in spite of him4 ,but he has lost1 you see1 a matter of one hundred and fifty pounds while ,i have been at ,wisbeach2 and ,i shall not begin to appreciate him again for another six months2 so ,i do not think ,i shall be troubled again4 ,anthony was amazed1 and said so4 ,well1 said the other1 ,i was astonished too2 and should never have dreamt of appreciating him in such a manner unless he had proposed it4 ,i had a little difficulty with ,mr4 ,blake1 who told me that it was a libellum1 and that ,i should be ashamed to pay hush money4 ,but ,i told him that he might call it what he pleased1 but that ,i would sooner pay ten pounds a month and be in peace1 than twenty pounds a month and be perpetually harassed3 and ,father ,robert agrees with me1 and so the other is content now4 ,the next day1 which was ,sunday1 passed quietly4 ,mass was no doubt said somewhere in the house2 though ,anthony saw no signs of it4 ,he himself attended the reverend doctor's ministrations in the morning2 and found him to be what he had been led to expect4 ,in the afternoon he walked up and down the lime avenue with ,father ,robert1 while the evening prayer and sermon rumbled forth through the broken chancel window2 and they talked of the ,retreat and the arrangements4 ,you no doubt think1 ,mr4 ,norris1 said the priest1 that ,i shall preach at you in this ,retreat1 and endeavour to force you into the ,catholic ,church2 but ,i shall do nothing of the kind4 ,the whole object of the ,exercises is to clear away the false motives that darken the soul2 to place the ,figure of our ,redeemer before the soul as her dear and adorable ,lover and ,king2 and then to kindle and inspire the soul to choose her course through the grace of ,god1 for the only true final motive of all perfect action1--that is1 the pure ,love of ,god4 ,of course ,i believe1 with the consent of my whole being1 that the ,catholic ,church is in the right2 but ,i shall not for a moment attempt to compel you to accept her4 ,the final choice1 as indeed the ,retreat too1 must be your free action1 not mine4 ,they arranged too the details of the ,retreat2 and ,anthony was shown the little room beyond ,father ,robert's bedroom1 where the ,exercises would be given2 and informed that another gentleman who lived in the neighbourhood would come in every day for them too1 but that he would have his meals separately1 and that ,anthony himself would have his own room and the room beneath entirely at his private disposal1 as well as the little walled garden to walk in4 ,the next day ,mr4 ,buxton took ,anthony a long ride1 to invigorate him for the ,retreat that would begin after supper4 ,anthony learned to his astonishment and delight that ,mary ,corbet was a great friend of ,mr4 ,buxton's4 ,why1 of course ,i know her1 he said4 ,i have known her since she was a tiny girl1 and threw her mass-book at the minister's face the first time he read the morning prayer4 ,god only knows why she was so wroth with the man for differing from herself on a point that has perplexed the wisest heads3 but at any rate1 wroth she was1 and bang went her book4 ,i had to take her out1 and she was spitting like a kitten all down the aisle when the dog puts his head into the basket4 ',what's that man doing here8' she screamed out2 'where's the altar and the priest8' ,and then at the door1 as luck would have had it1 she saw that ,saint ,christopher was gone2 and she began bewailing and bemoaning him until you'd have thought he'd have been bound to come down from heaven1 as he did once across the dark river1 and see what in the world the crying child wanted with him4 99 99 99 99 ,they came about half-way in their ride through the village of ,penshurst2 and on reaching the ,park turned off under the beeches towards the house4 ,we have not time to go in1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 but ,i hope you will see the house sometime2 it is a pattern of what a house should be2 and has a pattern master4 ,as they came up to the ,edwardine ,gate-house1 a pleasant-faced1 quietly-dressed gentleman came riding out alone4 ,why1 here he is6 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 and greeted him with great warmth1 and made ,anthony known to him4 ,i am delighted to know ,mr4 ,norris1 said ,sidney1 with that keen friendly look that was so characteristic of him4 ,i have heard of him from many quarters4 ,he entreated them to come in2 but ,mr4 ,buxton said they had not time2 but would if they might just glance into the great court4 ,so ,sidney took them through the gate-house and pointed out one or two things of interest from the entrance1 the roof of the ,great ,hall built by ,sir ,john de ,pulteney1 the rare tracery in its windows and the fine living-rooms at one side4 ,i thank ,god for it every day1 said ,sidney gravely4 ,i cannot imagine why ,he should have given it me4 ,i hope ,i am not fool enough to disparage ,his gifts1 and pretend they are nothing3 indeed1 ,i love it with all my heart4 ,i would as soon think of calling my wife ugly or a shrew4 ,that is a good man and a gentleman1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 as they rode away at last in the direction of ,leigh after leaving ,sidney to branch off towards ,charket1 and ,i do not know why he is not a ,catholic4 ,and he is a critic and a poet1 men say1 too4 ,have you read anything of his8 asked ,anthony4 ,well1 said the other1 to tell the truth1 ,i have tried to read some sheets of his that he wrote for his sister1 ,lady ,pembroke4 ,he calls it ',arcadia'2 ,i do not know whether it is finished or ever will be4 ,but it seemed to me wondrous dull4 ,it was full of shepherds and swains and nymphs1 who are perpetually eating collations which ,phoebus or sunburnt ,autumn1 and the like1 provides of his bounty2 or any one but ,god ,almighty2 or else they are bathing and surprising one another all day long4 ,it is all very sweet and exquisite1 ,i know2 and the ,greece1 where they all live and love one another1 must be a very delightful country1 as unlike this world as it is possible to imagine2 but it wearies me4 ,i like plain ,england and plain folk and plain religion and plain fare2 but then ,i am a plain man1 as ,i tell you so often4 ,as the afternoon sun drew near setting1 they came through ,tonbridge4 ,now1 what can a man ask more1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 as they rode through it1 than a good town like this8 ,it is not a great place1 ,i know1 with solemn buildings and wide streets2 neither is it a glade or a dell2 but it is a good clean ,english town2 and ,i would not exchange it for ,arcadia or ,athens either4 ,stanfield lay about two miles to the west2 and on their way out1 ,mr4 ,buxton talked on about the country and its joys and its usefulness4 ,over there1 he said1 pointing towards ,eridge1 was the first cannon made in ,england4 ,i do not know if that is altogether to its credit1 but it at least shows that we are not quite idle and loutish in the country4 ,then all about here is the iron2 the very stirrups you ride in1 ,mr4 ,norris1 most likely came from the ground beneath your feet2 but it is sad to see all the woods cut down for the smelting of it4 ,all these places for miles about here1 and about ,great ,keynes too1 are all named after the things of forestry and hunting4 ,buckhurst1 ,hartfield1 ,sevenoaks1 ,forest ,row1 and the like1 all tell of the country1 and will do so long after we are dead and gone4 ,they reached ,stanfield1 rode past the green and the large piece of water there1 and up the long village street1 and turned into the iron gates beyond the church1 just as the dusk fell4 ,that evening after supper the ,retreat began4 ,the conduct of the ,spiritual ,exercises had not reached the elaboration to which they have been perfected since2 nor1 in ,anthony's case1 a layman and a young man1 did ,father ,robert think fit to apply it even in all the details in which it would be used for a priest or for one far advanced in the spiritual life2 but it was severe enough4 ,every evening ,father ,robert indicated the subject of the following day's meditation2 and then after private prayer ,anthony retired to his room4 ,he rose about seven o'clock in the morning1 and took a little food at eight2 then shortly before nine the first meditation was given elaborately4 ,the first examination of conscience was made at eleven2 followed by dinner at half-past4 ,from half-past twelve to half-past one ,anthony rested in his room2 then until three he was encouraged to walk in the garden2 at three the meditation was to be recalled point by point in the chapel1 followed by spiritual reading2 at five o'clock supper was served2 and at half-past six the meditation was repeated with tremendous emphasis and fervent acts of devotion2 at half-past eight a slight collation was laid in his room2 and at half-past nine the meditation for the following day was given4 ,father ,robert in his previous talks with ,anthony had given him instructions as to how to occupy his own time1 to keep his thoughts fixed and so forth4 ,he had thought it wise too not to extend the ,retreat for longer than a fortnight2 so that it was proposed to end it on ,palm ,sunday4 ,two or three times in the week ,anthony rode out by himself2 and ,father ,robert was always at his service1 besides himself coming sometimes to talk to him when he thought the strain or the monotony was getting too heavy4 ,as for the ,exercises themselves1 the effect of them on ,anthony was beyond all description4 ,first the circumstances under which they were given were of the greatest assistance to their effectiveness4 ,there was every aid that romance and mystery could give4 ,then it was in a strange and beautiful house where everything tended to caress the mind out of all self-consciousness4 ,the little panelled room in which the exercises were given looked out over the quiet garden1 and no sound penetrated there but the far-off muffled noises of the peaceful village life1 the rustle of the wind in the evergreens1 and the occasional coo or soft flapping flight of a pigeon from the cote in the garden4 ,the room itself was furnished with two or three faldstools and upright wooden arm-chairs of tolerable comfort2 a table was placed at the further end1 on which stood a realistic ,spanish crucifix with two tapers always burning before it2 and a little jar of fragrant herbs4 ,then there was the continual sense of slight personal danger that is such a spur to refined natures2 here was a ,catholic house1 of which every member was strictly subject to penalties1 and above all one of that mysterious ,society of ,jesus1 the very vanguard of the ,catholic army1 and of which every member was a picked and trained champion4 ,then there was the amazing enthusiasm1 experience1 and skill of ,father ,robert1 as he called himself2 who knew human nature as an anatomist knows the structure of the human body2 to whom the bewildering tangle of motives1 good1 bad and indifferent1 in the soul1 was as plain as paths in a garden2 who knew what human nature needed1 what it could dispense with1 what was its power of resistance2 and who had at his disposal for the storming of the soul an armoury of weapons and engines1 every specimen of which he had tested and wielded over and over again4 ,little as ,anthony knew it1 ,father ,robert1 during the first two days after his arrival1 had occupied himself with sounding and probing the lad's soul1 trying his intellect by questions that scarcely seemed to be so1 taking the temperature of his emotional nature by tales and adroit remarks1 and watching the effect of them2 in short1 with studying the soul who had come for his treatment as a careful doctor examines the health of a new patient before he issues his prescription4 ,and then1 lastly1 there were the ,exercises themselves1 a mighty weapon in any hands2 and all but irresistible when directed by the skill1 and inspired by the enthusiasm and sincere piety of such a man as ,father ,robert4 ,the ,exercises fell into three parts1 each averaging in ,anthony's case about five days4 ,first came the ,purgative ,exercises3 the object of these was to cleanse and search out the very recesses of the soul2 as fire separates gold from alloy4 ,as ,anthony knelt in the little room before the ,crucifix day by day1 it seemed to him as if the old conventional limitations and motives of action and control were rolling back1 revealing the realities of the spiritual world4 ,the ,exercises began with an elaborate exposition of the ,end of man--which may be roughly defined as the ,glory of ,god attained through the saving and sanctifying of the individual4 ,every creature of ,god1 then1 that the soul encounters must be tested by this rule1 ,how far does the use of it serve for the final end8 ,for it must be used so far1 and no farther4 ,here then was a diagram of the ,exercises1 given in miniature at the beginning4 ,then the great facts that practically all men acknowledge1 and upon which so few act1 were brought into play4 ,hell1 ,judgment and ,death in turn began to work upon the lad's soul--these monstrous elemental ,truths that underlie all things4 ,as ,father ,robert's deep vibrating voice spoke1 it appeared to ,anthony as if the room1 the walls1 the house1 the world1 all shrank to filmy nothingness before the appalling realities of these things4 ,in that strange and profound ,exercise of the senses he heard the moaning and the blasphemies of the damned1 of those rebellious free wills that have enslaved themselves into eternal bondage by a deliberate rejection of ,god--he put out his finger and tasted the bitterness of their furious tears--the very reek of sin came to his nostrils1 of that corruption that is in existence through sin2 nay1 he saw the very flaming hells red with man's wrath against his ,maker4 ,then he traced back1 under the priest's direction1 the ,judgment through which every soul must pass2 he saw the dead1 great and small1 stand before ,god2 the books1 black with blotted shame1 were borne forth by the recording angels and spread before the tribunal4 ,his ears tingled with that condemning silence of the ,judge beyond ,whom there is no appeal1 from whose sentence there is no respite1 and from whose prison there is no discharge2 and rang with that pealing death-sentence at which the angels hide their faces1 but to which the conscience of the criminal assents that it is just4 ,his soul looked out at those whirling hosts on either side1 that black cloud going down to despair1 that radiant company hastening to rise to the ,uncreated ,light in whom there is no darkness at all--and cried in piteous suspense to know on which side she herself one day would be4 ,then he came yet one step further back still1 and told himself the story of his death4 ,he saw the little room where he would lie1 his bed in one corner2 he saw ,isabel beside the bed2 he saw himself1 white1 gasping1 convulsed1 upon it--the shadows of the doctor and the priest were upon the wall--he heard his own quick sobbing breath1 he put out his finger and touched his own forehead wet with the death-dew--he tasted and smelt the faint sickly atmosphere that hangs about a death chamber2 and he watched the grey shadow of ,azrael's wing creep across his face4 ,then he saw the sheet and the stiff form beneath it2 and knew that they were his features that were hidden2 and that they were his feet that stood up stark below the covering4 ,then he visited his own grave1 and saw the month-old grass blowing upon it1 and the little cross at the head2 then he dug down through the soil1 swept away the earth from his coffin-plate2 drew the screws and lifted the lid4444 ,then he placed sin beneath the white light2 dissected it1 analysed it1 weighed it and calculated its worth1 watched its development in the congenial surroundings of an innocent soul1 that is rich in grace and leisure and gifts1 and saw the astonishing reversal of ,god's primal law illustrated in the process of corruption--the fair1 sweet1 fragrant creature passing into foulness4 ,he looked carefully at the stages and modes of sin--venial sins1 those tiny ulcers that weaken1 poison and spoil the soul1 even if they do not slay it--lukewarmness1 that deathly slumber that engulfs the living thing into gradual death--and1 finally1 mortal sin1 that one and only wholly hideous thing4 ,he saw the indescribable sight of a naked soul in mortal sin2 he saw how the earth shrank from it1 how nature grew silent at it1 how the sun darkened at it1 how hell yelled at it1 and the ,love of ,god sickened at it4 ,and so1 as the purgative days went by1 these tempests poured over his soul1 sifted through it1 as the sea through a hanging weed1 till all that was not organically part of his life was swept away1 and he was left a simple soul alone with ,god4 ,then the second process began4 ,to change the metaphor1 the canvas was now prepared1 scoured1 bleached and stretched4 ,what is the image to be painted upon it8 ,it is the image of ,christ4 ,now ,father ,robert laid aside his knives and his hammer1 and took up his soft brushes1 and began stroke by stroke1 with colours beyond imagining1 to lay upon the eager canvas the likeness of an adorable ,lover and ,king4 ,anthony watched the portrait grow day by day with increasing wonder4 ,was this indeed the ,jesus of ,nazareth of whom he had read in the ,gospels8 he rubbed his eyes and looked2 and yet there was no possibility of mistake1--line for line it was the same4 ,but this portrait grew and breathed and moved1 and passed through all the stages of man's life4 ,first it was the ,eternal ,word in the bosom of the ,father1 the ,beloved ,son who looked in compassion upon the warring world beneath2 and offered ,himself to the ,father who gave ,him through the ,energy of the ,blessed ,spirit4 ,then it was a silent ,maid that he saw waiting upon ,god1 offering herself with her lily beside her2 and in answer on a sudden came the lightning of ,gabriel's appearing1 and1 lo6 the ,eternal ,word stole upon her down a ray of glory4 ,and then at last he saw the dear ,child born2 and as he looked he was invited to enter the stable2 and again he put out his hand and touched the coarse straw that lay in the manger1 and fingered the rough brown cord that hung from ,mary's waist1 and smelled the sweet breath of the cattle1 and the burning oil of ,joseph's lantern hung against the wall1 and shivered as the night wind shrilled under the ill-fitting door and awoke the tender ,child4 ,then he watched ,him grow to boyhood1 increasing in wisdom and stature1 ,him who was uncreated ,wisdom1 and in whose ,hands are the worlds--followed ,him1 loving ,him more at every step1 to and from the well at ,nazareth with the pitcher on ,his head3 saw ,him with blistered hands and aching back in the carpenter's shop2 then at last went south with ,him to ,jordan2 listened with ,him1 hungering1 to the jackals in the wilderness2 rocked with ,him on the high ,temple spire2 stared with ,him at the ,empires of all time1 and refused them as a gift4 ,then he went with ,him from miracle to miracle1 laughed with joy at the leper's new skin2 wept in sorrow and joy with the mother at ,nain1 and the two sisters at ,bethany2 knelt with ,mary and kissed ,his feet2 went home with ,matthew and ,zaccheus1 and sat at meat with the merry sinners2 and at last began to follow silent and amazed with face set towards ,jerusalem1 up the long lonely road from ,jericho4 ,then1 with love that almost burned his heart1 he crouched at the moonlit door outside and watched the ,supper begin4 ,judas pushed by him1 muttering1 and vanished in the shadows of the street4 ,he heard the hush fall as the ,bread was broken and the ,red ,wine uplifted2 and he hid his face1 for he dared not yet look with ,john upon a glory whose veils were so thin4 ,then he followed the silent company through the overhung streets to the ,temple ,courts1 and down across the white bridge to the garden door4 ,then1 bolder1 he drew near1 left the eight and the three and knelt close to the single ,figure1 who sobbed and trembled and sweated blood4 ,then he heard the clash of weapons and saw the glare of the torches1 and longed to warn ,him but could not2 saw the bitter shame of the kiss and the arrest and the flight2 and followed to ,caiaphas' house2 heard the stinging slap2 ran to ,pilate's house2 saw that polished gentleman yawn and sneer2 saw the clinging thongs and the splashed floor when the scourging was over2 followed on to ,calvary2 saw the great ,cross rise up at last over the heads of the crowd1 and heard the storm of hoots and laughter and the dry sobs of the few women4 ,then over his head the sun grew dull1 and the earth rocked and split1 as the crosses reeled with their swinging burdens4 ,then1 as the light came back1 and the earth ended her long shudder1 he saw in the evening glow that his ,lord was dead4 ,then he followed to the tomb2 saw the stone set and sealed and the watch appointed2 and went home with ,mary and ,john1 and waited4 ,then on ,easter morning1 wherever his ,lord was1 he was there too2 with ,mary in that unrecorded visit2 with the women1 with the ,apostles2 on the road to ,emmaus2 on the lake of ,galilee2 and his heart burned with ,christ at his side1 on lake and road and mountain4 ,then at last he stood with the ,twelve and saw that end that was so glorious a beginning2 saw that tender sky overhead generate its strange cloud that was the door of heaven2 heard far away the trumpets cry1 and the harps begin to ripple for the new song that the harpers had learned at last2 and then followed with his eyes the ,lord whom he had now learned to know and love as never before1 as ,he passed smiling and blessing into the heaven from which one day ,he will return4444 99 99 99 99 ,there1 then1 as ,anthony looked on the canvas1 was that living1 moving face and figure4 ,what more could ,he have done that ,he did not do8 ,what perfection could be dreamed of that was not already a thousand times ,his8 ,and when the likeness was finished1 and ,father ,robert stepped aside from the portrait that he had painted with such tender skill and love1 it is little wonder that this lad threw himself down before that eloquent vision and cried with ,thomas1 ,my ,lord and my ,god6 99 99 99 99 ,then1 very gently1 ,father ,robert led him through those last steps2 up from the ,illuminative to the ,unitive2 from the ,incarnate ,life with its warm human interests to that ,ineffable ,light that seems so chill and unreal to those who only see it through the clouds of earth1 into that keen icy stillness1 where only favoured and long-trained souls can breathe1 up the piercing air of the slopes that lead to the ,throne1 and there in the listening silence of heaven1 where the voice of adoration itself is silent through sheer intensity1 where all colours return to whiteness and all sounds to stillness1 all forms to essence and all creation to the ,creator1 there he let him fall in self-forgetting love and wonder1 breathe out his soul in one ardent all-containing act1 and make his choice4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,easter ,,day ,holy ,week passed for ,anthony like one of those strange dreams in which the sleeper awakes to find tears on his face1 and does not know whether they are for joy or sorrow4 ,at the end of the ,retreat that closed on ,palm ,sunday evening1 ,anthony had made his choice1 and told ,father ,robert4 ,it was not the ,exercises themselves that were the direct agent1 any more than were the books he had read3 the books had cleared away intellectual difficulties1 and the ,retreat moral obstacles1 and left his soul desiring the highest1 keen to see it1 and free to embrace it4 ,the thought that he would have to tell ,isabel appeared to him of course painful and difficult2 but it was swallowed up in the joy of his conversion4 ,he made an arrangement with ,father ,robert to be received at ,cuckfield on ,easter ,eve2 so that he might have an opportunity of telling ,isabel before he took the actual step4 ,the priest told him he would give him a letter to ,mr4 ,barnes1 so that he might be received immediately upon his arrival4 ,holy ,week1 then1 was occupied for ,anthony in receiving instruction each morning in the little oak parlour from ,father ,robert2 and in attending the devotions in the evening with the rest of the household4 ,he also heard mass each day4 ,it was impossible1 of course1 to carry out the special devotions of the season with the splendour and elaboration that belonged to them2 but ,anthony was greatly impressed by what he saw4 ,the tender reverence with which the ,catholics loved to linger over the details of the ,passion1 and to set them like precious jewels in magnificent liturgical settings1 and then to perform these stately heart-broken approaches to ,god with all the dignity and solemnity possible1 appealed to him in strong contrast to the cold and loveless services1 as he now thought them1 of the ,established ,church that he had left4 ,on the ,good ,friday evening he was long in the parlour with ,father ,robert4 ,i am deeply thankful1 my son1 he said kindly1 that you have been able to come to a decision4 ,of course ,i could have wished you to enter the ,society2 but ,god has not given you a vocation to that apparently4 ,however1 you can do great work for ,him as a seminary priest2 and ,i am exceedingly glad that you will be going to ,douai so soon4 ,i must just put my affairs in order at home1 he said1 and see what arrangements my sister will wish to make2 and by ,midsummer at the latest ,i shall hope to be gone4 ,i must be off early to-morrow1 said the priest4 ,i have to be far from here by to-morrow night1 in a house where ,i shall hope to stay until ,i1 too1 go abroad again4 ,possibly we may meet at ,douai in the autumn4 ,well1 my son1 pray for me4 ,anthony knelt for his blessing1 and the priest was gone4 ,presently ,mr4 ,buxton came in and sat down4 ,he was full of delight at the result of his scheme2 and said so again and again4 ,who could have predicted it8 he cried4 ,to think that you were visiting me in prison fifteen months ago2 and now this has come about in my house6 ,truly the ,gospel blessing on your action has not been long on the way6 ,and that you will be a priest1 too6 ,you must come and be my chaplain some day2 if we are both alive and escape the gallows so long4 ,old ,mr4 ,blake is sore displeased with me4 ,i am a trial to him1 ,i know4 ,he will hardly speak to me in my own house2 ,i declare ,i tremble when ,i meet him in the gallery2 for fear he will rate me before my servants4 ,i forget what his last grievance is2 but ,i think it is something to do with a saint that he wishes me to be devout to2 and ,i do not like her4 ,of course ,i do not doubt her sanctity2 but ,mr4 ,blake always confuses veneration and liking4 ,i yield to none in my veneration for ,saint ,what's-her-name2 but ,i do not like her2 and that is an end of the matter4 ,after a little more talk1 ,mr4 ,buxton looked at ,anthony curiously a moment or two2 and then said3 ,i wonder you have not guessed yet who ,father ,robert is2 for ,i am sure you know that that cannot be his real name4 ,anthony looked at him wonderingly4 ,well1 he is in bed now2 and will be off early to-morrow2 and ,i have his leave to tell you4 ,he is ,father ,persons1 of whom you may have heard4 ,anthony stared4 ,yes1 said his host1 the companion of ,campion4 ,all the world supposes him to be in ,rome2 and ,i think that not half-a-dozen persons besides ourselves know where he is2 but at this moment1 ,i assure you1 ,father ,robert ,persons1 of the ,society of ,jesus1 is asleep 7or awake1 as the case may be7 in the little tapestry chamber overhead4 ,now1 went on ,mr4 ,buxton1 that you are one of us1 ,i will tell you quite plainly that ,father ,robert1 as we will continue to call him1 is in my opinion one of the most devout priests that ever said mass2 and also one of the most shrewd men that ever drew breath2 but ,i cannot follow him everywhere4 ,you will find1 ,mr4 ,anthony1 that the ,catholics in ,england are of two kinds3 those who seem to have as their motto the text ,i quoted to you in ,lambeth prison2 and who count their duty to ,csar as scarcely less important than their direct duty to ,god4 ,i am one of these3 ,i sincerely desire above all things to serve her ,grace1 and ,i would not1 for all the world1 join in any confederacy to dethrone her1 for ,i hold she is my lawful and true ,prince4 ,then there is another party who would not hesitate for a moment to take part against their ,prince1 though ,i do not say to the slaying of her1 if thereby the ,catholic ,religion could be established again in these realms4 ,it is an exceedingly difficult point2 and ,i understand well how honest and good men can hold that view3 for they say1 and rightly1 that the ,kingdom of ,god is the first thing in the world1 and while they may not commit sin of course to further it1 yet in things indifferent they must sacrifice all for it2 and1 they add1 it is indifferent as to who sits on the throne of ,england2 therefore one ,prince may be pushed off it1 so long as no crime is committed in the doing of it1 and another seated there2 if thereby the ,religion may be so established again4 ,you see the point1 ,mr4 ,anthony1 no doubt2 and how fine and delicate it is4 ,well1 ,father ,robert is1 ,i think1 of that party2 and so are many of the authorities abroad4 ,now ,i tell you all this1 and on this sacred day too1 because ,i may have no other opportunity2 and ,i do not wish you to be startled or offended after you have become a ,catholic4 ,and ,i entreat you to be warm and kindly to those who take other views than your own2 for ,i fear that many troubles lie in front of us of our own causing3 for there are divisions amongst us already3 although not at all of course 7for which ,i thank ,god7 on any of the saving truths of the ,faith4 ,anthony's excitement on hearing ,father ,robert's real name was very great4 ,as he lay in bed that night the thought of it all would hardly let him sleep4 ,he turned to and fro1 trying to realise that there1 within a dozen yards of him1 lay the famous ,jesuit for whose blood all ,protestant ,england was clamouring4 ,the name of ,persons was still sinister and terrible even to this convert2 and he could scarcely associate in his thoughts all its suggestiveness with that kindly fervent lover of ,jesus ,christ who had led him with such skill and tenderness along the way of the ,gospel4 ,others in ,england were similarly astonished in later years to learn that a famous ,puritan book of devotions was scarcely other than a reprint of ,father ,persons' ,christian ,directory4 ,the following day about noon1 after an affectionate good-bye to his host and ,mr4 ,blake1 ,anthony rode out of the iron-wrought gates and down the village street in the direction of ,great ,keynes4 ,it was a perfect spring-day4 ,overhead there was a soft blue sky with translucent clouds floating in it2 underfoot and on all sides the mystery of life was beginning to stir and manifest itself4 ,the last touch of bitterness had passed from the breeze1 and all living growth was making haste out into the air4 ,the hedges were green with open buds1 and bubbling with the laughter and ecstasy of the birds2 the high sloping overhung ,sussex lanes were sweet with violets and primroses2 and here and there under the boughs ,anthony saw the blue carpet of bell-flowers spread4 ,rabbits whisked in and out of the roots1 superintending and provisioning the crowded nurseries underground2 and as ,anthony came out1 now and again on the higher and open spaces larks vanished up their airy spirals of song into the illimitable blue2 or hung1 visible musical specks against a fleecy cloud1 pouring down their thin cataract of melody4 ,and as he rode1 for every note of music and every glimpse of colour round him1 his own heart poured out pulse after pulse of that spiritual essence that lies beneath all beauty1 and from which all beauty is formed1 to the ,maker of all this and the ,saviour of himself4 ,there were set wide before him now the gates of a kingdom1 compared to which this realm of material life round about was but a cramped and wintry prison after all4 ,how long he had lived in the cold and the dark6 he thought2 kept alive by the refracted light that stole down the steps to where he sat in the shadow of death2 saved from freezing by the warmth of grace that managed to survive the chill about him2 and all the while the ,catholic ,church was glowing and pulsating with grace1 close to him and yet unseen2 that great realm full of heavenly sunlight1 that was the life of all its members--that sunlight that had poured down so steadily ever since the winter had rolled away on ,calvary2 and that ever since then had been elaborating and developing into a thousand intricate forms all that was capable of absorbing it4 ,one by one the great arts had been drawn into that ,kingdom1 transformed and immortalised by the vital and miraculous sap of grace2 philosophies1 languages1 sciences1 all in turn were taken up and sanctified2 and now this ,puritan soul1 thirsty for knowledge and grace1 and so long starved and imprisoned1 was entering at last into her heritage4 ,all this was of course but dimly felt in the direct perceptions of ,anthony2 but ,father ,robert had said enough to open something of the vision1 and he himself had sufficient apprehension to make him feel that the old meagre life was passing away1 and a new life of unfathomed possibilities beginning4 ,as he rode the wilderness appeared to rejoice and blossom like the rose1 as the spring of nature and grace stirred about and within him2 and only an hour or two's ride away lay the very hills and streams of the ,promised ,land4 99 99 99 99 ,about half-past three he crossed the ,london road1 and before four o'clock he rode round to the door of the ,dower ,house1 dismounted1 telling the groom to keep his horse saddled4 ,he went straight through the hall1 calling ,isabel as he went1 and into the garden1 carrying his flat cap and whip and gloves3 and as he came out beneath the holly tree1 there she stood before him on the top of the old stone garden steps1 that rose up between earthen flower-jars to the yew-walk on the north of the house4 ,he went across the grass smiling1 and as he came saw her face grow whiter and whiter4 ,she was in a dark serge dress with a plain ruff1 and a hood behind it1 and her hair was coiled in great masses on her head4 ,she stood trembling1 and he came up and took her in his arms tenderly and kissed her1 for his news would be heavy presently4 ,why1 ,isabel1 he said1 you look astonished to see me4 ,but ,i could not well send a man1 as ,i had only ,geoffrey with me4 ,she tried to speak1 but could not2 and looked so overwhelmed and terrified that ,anthony grew frightened2 he saw he must be very gentle4 ,sit down1 he said1 drawing her to a seat beside the path at the head of the steps3 and tell me the news4 ,by a great effort she regained her self-control4 ,i did not know when you were coming1 she said tremulously4 ,i was startled4 ,he talked of his journey for a few minutes2 and of the kindness of the friend with whom he had been staying1 and the beauty of the house and grounds1 and so on2 until she seemed herself again2 and the piteous startled look had died out of her eyes3 and then he forced himself to approach his point2 for the horse was waiting saddled2 and he must get to ,cuckfield and back by supper if possible4 ,he took her hand and played with it gently as he spoke1 turning over her rings4 ,isabel1 he said1 ,i have news to tell you4 ,it is not bad news--at least ,i think not--it is the best thing that has ever come to me yet1 by the grace of ,god1 and so you need not be anxious or frightened4 ,but ,i am afraid you may think it bad news4 ,it--it is about religion1 ,isabel4 ,he glanced at her1 and saw that terrified look again in her face3 she was staring at him1 and her hand in his began to twitch and tremble4 ,nay1 nay1 he said1 there is no need to look like that4 ,i have not lost my faith in ,god4 ,rather1 ,i have gained it4 ,isabel1 ,i am going to be a ,catholic4 ,a curious sound broke from her lips2 and a look so strange came into her face that he threw his arm round her1 thinking she was going to faint3 and he spoke sharply4 ,isabel1 ,isabel1 what is there to fear8 ,look at me6 ,then a cry broke from her white lips1 and she struggled to stand up4 ,no1 no1 no6 you are mocking me4 ,oh6 ,anthony1 what have ,i done1 that you should treat me like this8 ,mocking6 he said1 before ,god ,i am not4 ,my horse is waiting to take me to the priest4 ,but--but-- she began again4 ,oh6 then what have you done to ,james ,maxwell8 ,james ,maxwell6 ,why8 ,what do you mean8 ,you got my note6 ,no--no4 ,there was no answer1 he said4 ,anthony stared4 ,why1 ,i wrote--and then ,lady ,maxwell6 ,does she not know1 and ,james himself8 ,isabel shook her head and looked at him wildly4 ,well1 well1 that must wait2 one thing at a time1 he said4 ,i cannot wait now4 ,i must go to ,cuckfield4 ,ah6 ,isabel1 say you understand4 ,once or twice she began to speak1 but failed2 and sat panting and staring at him4 ,my darling1 he said1 do not look like that3 we are both ,christians still3 we at least serve the same ,god4 ,surely you will not cast me off for this8 ,cast you off8 she said2 and she laughed piteously and sharply2 and then was grave again4 ,then she suddenly cried1 ,oh1 ,anthony1 swear to me you are not mocking me4 ,my darling1 he said1 why should ,i mock you8 ,i have made the ,exercises1 and have been instructed2 and ,i have here a letter to ,mr4 ,barnes from the priest who has taught me2 so that ,i may be received to-night1 and make my ,easter duties3 and ,geoffrey is still at the door holding ,roland to take me to ,cuckfield to-night4 ,to ,cuckfield6 she said4 ,you will not find ,mr4 ,barnes there4 ,not there6 why not8 ,where shall ,i find him8 ,how do you know8 ,because he is here1 she went on in the same strange voice1 at the ,hall4 ,well1 said ,anthony1 that saves me a journey4 ,why is he here8 ,he is here to say mass to-morrow4 ,ah6 ,and--and---- ,what is it1 ,isabel8 ,and--to receive me into the ,church to-night4 99 99 99 99 ,the brother and sister walked up and down that soft spring evening after supper1 on the yew-walk2 with the whispers and caresses of the scented breeze about them1 the shy dewy eyes of the stars looking down at them between the tall spires of the evergreens overhead2 and in their hearts the joy of lovers on a wedding-night4 ,anthony had soon told the tale of ,james ,maxwell and ,isabel had nearly knelt to ask her brother's pardon for having ever allowed even the shadow of a suspicion to darken her heart4 ,lady ,maxwell1 too1 who had come down with her sister to see ,isabel about some small arrangement1 was told2 and she too had been nearly overwhelmed with the joy of knowing that the lad was innocent1 and the grief of having dreamed he could be otherwise1 and at the wholly unexpected news of his conversion2 but she had gone at last back to the ,hall to make all ready for the double ceremony of that night1 and the ,paschal ,feast on the next day4 ,mistress ,margaret was in ,isabel's room1 moving about with a candle1 and every time that the two reached the turn at the top of the steps they saw her light glimmering4 ,then ,anthony1 as they walked under the stars1 told ,isabel of his great hope that he1 too1 one day would be a priest1 and serve ,god and his countrymen that way4 ,oh1 ,anthony1 she whispered1 and clung to that dear arm that held her own2 terrified for the moment at the memory of what had been the price of priesthood to ,james ,maxwell4 ,and where shall you be trained for it8 she asked4 ,at ,douai3 and--,isabel--,i think ,i must go this summer4 ,this summer6 she said4 ,why---- and she was silent4 ,anthony1 she went on1 ,i would like to tell you about ,hubert4 ,and then the story of the past months came out2 she turned away her face as she talked2 and at last she told him how ,hubert had come for his answer1 a week before his time4 ,it was on ,monday1 she said4 ,i heard him on the stairs1 and stood up as he came in2 and he stopped at the door in silence1 and ,i could not bear to look at him4 ,i could hear him breathing quickly2 and then ,i could not bear to--think of it all2 and ,i dropped down into my chair again1 and hid my face in my arm and burst into crying4 ,and still he said nothing1 but ,i felt him come close up to me and kneel down by me2 and he put his hand over mine1 and held them tight2 and then he whispered in a kind of quick way3 ',i will be what you please2 ,catholic or ,protestant1 or what you will'2 and ,i lifted my head and looked at him1 because it was dreadful to hear him--,hubert--say that3 and he was whiter than ,i had ever seen him2 and then--then he began to wrinkle his mouth--you know the way he does when his horse is pulling or kicking3 and then he began to say all kinds of things3 and oh6 ,i was so sorry2 because he had behaved so well till then4 ,what did he say8 asked ,anthony quickly4 ,ah6 ,i have tried to forget1 said ,isabel4 ,i do not want to think of him as he was when he was angry and disappointed4 ,at last he flung out of the room and down the stairs1 and ,i have not seen him since4 ,but ,lady ,maxwell sent for me the same evening an hour later2 and told me that she could not live there any longer4 ,she said that ,hubert had ridden off to ,london2 and would not be down again till ,whitsuntide2 but that she must be gone before then4 ,so ,i am afraid that he said things he ought not2 but of course she did not tell me one word4 ,and she asked me to go with her4 ,and1 and--,anthony1 ,i did not know what to say2 because ,i did not know what you would do when you heard that ,i was a ,catholic2 ,i was waiting to tell you when you came home--but now--but now----,oh1 ,anthony1 my darling6 ,at last the two came indoors4 ,mistress ,margaret met them in the hall4 ,she looked for a moment at the two2 at ,anthony in his satin and lace and his smiling face over his ruff and his steady brown eyes2 and ,isabel on his arm1 with her clear pale face and bosom and black high-piled hair1 and her velvet and lace1 and a rope of pearls4 ,why1 said the old nun1 smiling1 you look a pair of lovers4 ,then presently the three went together up to the ,hall4 99 99 99 99 ,an hour or two passed away2 the ,paschal moon was rising high over the tall yew hedge behind the ,italian garden2 and the ,hall lay beneath it with silver roofs and vane2 and black shadows under the eaves and in the angles4 ,the tall oriel window of the ,hall looking on to the terrace shone out with candlelight2 and the armorial coats of the ,maxwells and the families they had married with glimmered in the upper panes4 ,from the cloister wing there shone out above the curtains lines of light in ,lady ,maxwell's suite of rooms1 and the little oak parlour beneath1 as well as from one or two other rooms2 but the rest of the house1 with the exception of the great hall and the servants' quarters1 was all dark4 ,it was as if the interior life had shifted westwards1 leaving the remainder desolate4 ,the gardens to the south were silent1 for the night breeze had dropped2 and the faint ripple of the fountain within the cloister-court was the only sound that broke the stillness4 ,and once or twice the sleepy chirp of a bird nestling by his mate in the deep shrubberies showed that the life of the spring was beating out of sight4 ,and then at last the door in the west angle of the terrace1 between the cloister wing and the front of the house1 opened1 and a flood of mellow light poured out on to the flat pavement4 ,a group stood within the little oaken red-tiled lobby2 ,lady ,maxwell and her sister1 slender and dignified in their dark evening dresses and ruffs2 ,anthony holding his cap1 and ,isabel with a lace shawl over her head1 and at the back the white hair and ruddy face of old ,mr4 ,barnes in his cassock at the bottom of the stairs4 ,as ,mistress ,margaret opened the door and looked out1 ,lady ,maxwell took ,isabel in her arms and kissed her again and again4 ,then ,anthony took the old lady's hand and kissed it1 but she threw her other hand round him and kissed him too on the forehead4 ,then without another word the brother and sister came out into the moonlight1 passed down the side of the cloister wing1 and turning once to salute the group who waited1 framed and bathed in golden light1 they turned the corner to the ,dower ,house4 ,then the door closed2 the oriel window suddenly darkened1 and an hour after the lights in the wing went out1 and ,maxwell ,hall lay silver and grey again in the moonlight4 ,the night passed on4 ,once ,isabel awoke1 and saw her windows blue and mystical and her room full of a dim radiance from the bright night outside4 ,it was irresistible1 and she sprang out of bed and went to the window across the cool polished oak floor1 and leaned with her elbows on the sill1 looking out at the square of lawn and the low ivied wall beneath1 and the tall trees rising beyond ashen-grey and olive-black in the brilliant glory that poured down from almost directly overhead1 for the ,paschal moon was at its height above the house4 ,and then suddenly the breathing silence was broken by a ripple of melody1 and another joined and another2 and ,isabel looked and wondered and listened1 for she had never heard before the music of the mysterious night-flight of the larks all soaring and singing together when the rest of the world is asleep4 ,and she listened and wondered as the stream of song poured down from the wonderful spaces of the sky1 rising to far-off ecstasies as the wheeling world sank yet further with its sleeping meadows and woods beneath the whirling singers2 and then the earth for a moment turned in its sleep as ,isabel listened1 and the trees stirred as one deep breath came across the woods1 and a thrush murmured a note or two beside the drive1 and a rabbit suddenly awoke in the field and ran on to the lawn and sat up and looked at the white figure at the window2 and far away from the direction of ,lindfield a stag brayed4 ,so longeth my soul1 whispered ,isabel to herself4 ,then all grew still again2 the trees hushed2 the torrent of music1 more tumultuous as it neared the earth1 suddenly ceased2 and ,isabel at the window leaned further out and held her hands in the bath of light2 and spoke softly into the night3 ,oh1 ,lord ,jesus1 how kind ,thou art to me6 99 99 99 99 ,then at last the morning came1 and ,christ was risen beyond a doubt4 ,just before the sun came up1 when all the sky was luminous to meet him1 the two again passed up and round the corner1 and into the little door in the angle4 ,there was the same shaded candle or two1 for the house was yet dark within2 and they passed up and on together through the sitting-room into the chapel where each had made a ,first ,confession the night before1 and had together been received into the ,catholic ,church4 ,now it was all fragrant with flowers and herbs2 a pair of tall lilies leaned their delicate heads towards the altar1 as if to listen for the soundless ,coming in the ,name of the ,lord2 underfoot all about the altar lay sprigs of sweet herbs1 rosemary1 thyme1 lavender1 bay-leaves2 with white blossoms scattered over them--a soft carpet for the ,pierced ,feet2 not like those rustling palm-swords over which ,he rode to death last week4 ,the black oak chest that supported the altar-stone was glorious in its vesture of cloth-of-gold2 and against the white-hung wall at the back1 behind the silver candlesticks1 leaned the gold plate of the house1 to do honour to the ,king4 ,and presently there stood there the radiant rustling figure of the ,priest1 his personality sheathed and obliterated beneath the splendid symbolism of his vestments1 stiff and chinking with jewels as he moved4 ,the glorious ,mass of ,easter ,day began4 ,immolatus est ,christus4 ,itaque epulemur1 ,saint ,paul cried from the south corner of the altar to the two converts4 ,christ our ,passover is sacrificed for us2 therefore let us keep the feast1 but not with the old leaven4 ,quis revolvet nobis lapidem8 wailed the women4 ,who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre8 ,and when they looked1 cried the triumphant ,evangelist1 they saw that the stone was rolled away2 for it was very great--erat quippe magnus valde4 ,here then they knelt at last1 these two come home together1 these who had followed their several paths so resolutely in the dark1 not knowing that the other was near1 yet each seeking a hidden ,lord1 and finding both ,him and one another now in the full and visible glory of ,his ,face--orto jam sole--for the ,sun of ,righteousness had dawned1 and there was healing for all sorrows in ,his ,wings4 ,et credo in unam sanctam ,catholicam et ,apostolicam ,ecclesiam--their hearts cried all together4 ,i believe at last in a ,catholic ,church2 one1 for it is built on one and its faith is one2 holy1 for it is the ,daughter of ,god and the ,mother of ,saints2 ,apostolic1 for it is guided by the ,prince of ,apostles and very ,vicar of ,christ4 ,et exspecto vitam venturi saeculi4 ,i look for the life of the world to come2 and ,i count all things but loss1 houses and brethren and sisters and father and mother and wife and children and lands1 when ,i look to that everlasting life1 and ,him ,who is the ,way to it4 ,amen4 ,so from step to step the liturgy moved on with its sonorous and exultant tramp1 and the crowding thoughts forgot themselves1 and watched as the splendid heralds went by2 the triumphant trumpets of ,gloria in excelsis had long died away2 the proclamation of the names and titles of the ,prince had been made4 ,unum ,dominum ,jesum ,christum2 ,filium ,dei ,unigenitum2 ,ex ,patre natum ante omnia saecula2 ,deum de ,deo2 ,lumen de ,lumine2 ,deum ,verum de ,deo ,vero2 ,genitum non factum2 ,consubstantialem ,patri4 ,then ,his first achievement had been declared2 ,per quem omnia facta sunt4 ,then his great and later triumphs2 how ,he had ridden out alone from the ,palace and come down the steep of heaven in quest of ,his ,love2 how ,he had disguised ,himself for her sake2 and by the crowning miracle of love1 the mightiest work that ,almighty ,god has ever wrought1 ,he was made man2 and the herald hushed his voice in awe as he declared it1 and the people threw themselves prostrate in honour of this high and lowly ,prince2 then was recounted the tale of those victories that looked so bitterly like failures1 and the people held their breath and whispered it too2 then in rising step after step ,his last conquests were told2 how the ,black ,knight was overthrown1 his castle stormed and his prison burst2 and the story of the triumph of the return and of the ,coronation and the ,enthronement at the ,father's ,right ,hand on high4 ,the heralds passed on2 and mysterious figures came next1 bearing ,melchisedech's gifts2 shadowing the tremendous event that follows on behind4 ,after a space or two came the first lines of the bodyguard1 the heavenly creatures dimly seen moving through clouds of glory1 ,angels1 ,dominations1 ,powers1 ,heavens1 ,virtues1 and blessed ,seraphim1 all crying out together to heaven and earth to welcome ,him ,who comes after in the bright shadow of the ,name of the ,lord2 and the trumpets peal out for the last time1 ,hosanna in the highest4 ,then a hush fell1 and presently in the stillness came riding the great ,personages who stand in heaven about the ,throne2 first1 the ,queen ,mother herself1 glorious within and without1 moving in clothing of wrought gold1 high above all others2 then1 the great ,princes of the ,blood ,royal1 who are admitted to drink of the ,king's own ,cup1 and sit beside ,him on their thrones1 ,peter and ,paul and the rest1 with rugged faces and scarred hands2 and with them great mitred figures1 ,linus1 ,cletus and ,clement1 with their companions4 ,and then another space and a tingling silence2 the crowds bow down like corn before the wind1 the far-off trumpets are silent2 and ,he comes--,he comes6 ,on ,he moves1 treading under foot the laws ,he has made1 yet borne up by them as on the ,sea of ,galilee2 ,he ,who inhabits eternity at an instant is made present2 ,he ,who transcends space is immanent in material kind2 ,he ,who never leaves the ,father's side rests on ,his white linen carpet1 held yet unconfined2 in the midst of the little gold things and embroidery and candle-flames and lilies1 while the fragrance of the herbs rises about ,him4 ,there rests the gracious ,king1 before this bending group2 the rest of the pageant dies into silence and nothingness outside the radiant circle of ,his ,presence4 ,there is ,his immediate priest-herald1 who has marked out this halting-place for the ,prince1 bowing before ,him1 striving by gestures to interpret and fulfil the silence that words must always leave empty2 here behind are the adoring human hearts1 each looking with closed eyes into the ,face of the ,fairest of the children of men1 each crying silently words of adoration1 welcome and utter love4 ,the moments pass2 the court ceremonies are performed4 ,the ,virgins that follow the ,lamb1 ,felicitas1 ,perpetua1 ,agatha and the rest step forward smiling1 and take their part2 the ,eternal ,father is invoked again in the ,son's own words2 and at length the ,king1 descending yet one further step of infinite humility1 flings back the last vesture of ,his outward ,royalty and casts ,himself in a passion of haste and desire into the still and invisible depths of these two quivering hearts1 made in ,his own ,image1 that lift themselves in an agony of love to meet ,him4444 99 99 99 99 ,meanwhile the ,easter morning is deepening outside2 the sun is rising above the yew hedge1 and the dew flashes drop by drop into a diamond and vanishes2 the thrush that stirred and murmured last night is pouring out his song2 and the larks that rose into the moonlight are running to and fro in the long meadow grass4 ,the tall slender lilies that have not been chosen to grace the sacramental ,presence-,chamber1 are at least in the ,king's own garden1 where ,he walks morning and evening in the cool of the day2 and waiting for those who will have seen ,him face to face4444 ,and presently they come1 the tall lad and his sister1 silent and together1 out into the radiant sunlight2 and the joy of the morning and the singing thrush and the jewels of dew and the sweet swaying lilies are shamed and put to silence by the joy upon their faces and in their hearts4 ,,part ,,iii ,,chapter ,i ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,spain ,the conflict between the ,old ,faith and the lusty young ,nation went steadily forward after the ,jesuit invasion2 more and more priests poured into ,england2 more and more were banished1 imprisoned and put to death4 ,the advent of ,father ,holt1 the ,jesuit1 to ,scotland in #aehc was a signal for a new outburst of ,catholic feeling1 which manifested itself not only in greater devotion to ,religion1 but1 among the ill-instructed and impatient1 in very questionable proceedings4 ,in fact1 from this time onward the ,catholic cause suffered greatly from the division of its supporters into two groups2 the religious and the political1 as they may be named4 ,the former entirely repudiated any desire or willingness to meddle with civil matters2 its members desired to be both ,catholics and ,englishmen2 serving the ,pope in matters of ,faith and ,elizabeth in matters of civil life2 but they suffered greatly from the indiscretions and fanaticism of the political group4 ,the members of that party frankly regarded themselves as at war with an usurper and an heretic2 and used warlike methods to gain their ends2 plots against the ,queen's life were set on foot2 and their promoters were willing enough to die in defence of the cause4 ,but the civil ,government made the fatal mistake of not distinguishing between the two groups2 again and again loyal ,englishmen were tortured and hanged as traitors1 because they shared their faith with conspirators4 ,there was one question1 however1 that was indeed on the borderline1 exceedingly difficult to answer in words1 especially for scrupulous consciences2 and that was whether they believed in the ,pope's deposing power2 and this question was adroitly and deliberately used by the ,government in doubtful cases to ensure a conviction4 ,but whether or not it was possible to frame a satisfactory answer in words1 yet the accused were plain enough in their deeds2 and when the ,armada at length was launched in '#hh1 there were no more loyal defenders of ,england than the persecuted ,catholics4 ,even before this1 however1 there had appeared signs of reaction among the ,protestants1 especially against the torture and death of ,campion and his fellows2 and ,lord ,burghley in '#hc attempted to quiet the people's resentment by his anonymous pamphlet1 ,execution of ,justice in ,england1 to which ,cardinal ,allen presently replied4 ,ireland1 which had been profoundly stirred by the military expedition from the continent in '#hj1 at length was beaten and slashed into submission again2 and the torture and execution of ,hurley by martial law1 which ,elizabeth directed on account of his appointment to the ,see of ,cashel1 when the judges had pronounced there to be no case against him2 and a massacre on the banks of the ,moy in '#hf of ,scots who had come across as reinforcements to the ,irish2--these were incidents in the black list of barbarities by which at last a sort of temporary quiet was brought to ,ireland4 ,in ,scottish affairs1 the tangle1 unravelled even still1 of which ,mary ,stuart was the centre1 led at last to her death4 ,walsingham1 with extraordinary skill1 managed to tempt her into a dangerous correspondence1 all of which he tapped on the way3 he supplied to her in fact the very instrument--an ingeniously made beer-barrel--through which the correspondence was made possible1 and1 after reading all the letters1 forwarded them to their several destinations4 ,when all was ripe he brought his hand down on a group of zealots1 to whose designs ,mary was supposed to be privy2 and after their execution1 finally succeeded1 in '#hg1 in obtaining ,elizabeth's signature to her cousin's death-warrant4 ,the storm already raging against ,elizabeth on the ,continent1 but fanned to fury by this execution1 ultimately broke in the ,spanish ,armada in the following year4 ,meanwhile1 at home1 the affairs of the ,church of ,england were far from prosperous4 ,puritanism was rampant2 and a wail of dismay was evoked by the new demands of a ,commission under ,whitgift's guidance1 in '#hb1 whereby the ,puritan divines were now called upon to assent to the ,queen's ,supremacy1 the ,thirty-nine ,articles and the ,prayer ,book4 ,in spite of the opposition1 however1 of ,burghley and the ,commons1 ,whitgift1 who had by this time succeeded to ,canterbury upon ,grindal's death1 remained firm2 and a long and dreary dispute began1 embittered further by the execution of ,mr4 ,copping and ,mr4 ,thacker in '#hc for issuing seditious books in the ,puritan cause4 ,a characteristic action in this campaign was the issuing of a ,puritan manifesto in '#hd1 consisting of a brief1 well-written pamphlet of a hundred and fifty pages under the title ,a ,learned ,discourse of ,ecclesiastical ,government1 making the inconsistent claim of desiring a return to the ,primitive and ,scriptural model1 and at the same time of advocating an original scheme1 one not yet handled4 ,it was practically a demand for the ,presbyterian system of pastorate and government4 ,to this ,dr4 ,bridges replies with a tremendous tome of over fourteen hundred pages1 discharged after three years of laborious toil2 and dealing1 as the custom then was1 line by line1 with the ,puritan attack4 ,to this in the following year an anonymous ,puritan1 under the name of ,martin ,marprelate1 retorts with a brilliant and sparkling riposte addressed to ,the right puissant and terrible priests1 my clergy-masters of the ,convocation-house1 in which he mocks bitterly at the prelates1 accusing them of ,sabbath-breaking1 time-serving1 and popery1--calling one dumb and duncetical1 another the veriest coxcomb that ever wore velvet cap1 and summing them up generally as wainscot-faced bishops1 proud1 popish1 presumptuous1 profane paltry1 pestilent1 and pernicious prelates4 ,the ,archbishop had indeed a difficult team to drive2 especially as his coadjutors were not wholly proof against ,martin's jibes4 ,in '#hd his brother of ,york had been mixed up in a shocking scandal2 in '#he the ,bishop of ,lichfield was accused of simony2 ,bishop ,aylmer was continually under suspicion of avarice1 dishonesty1 vanity and swearing2 and the ,bench as a whole was universally reprobated as covetous1 stingy and weak4 99 99 99 99 ,in civil matters1 ,england's relation with ,spain was her most important concern4 ,bitter feeling had been growing steadily between the two countries ever since ,drake's piracies in the ,spanish dominions in ,america2 and a gradually increasing fleet at ,cadiz was the outward sign of it4 ,now the bitterness was deepened by the arrest of ,english ships in the ,spanish ports in the early summer of '#he1 and the swift reprisals of ,drake in the autumn2 who intimidated and robbed important towns on the coast1 such as ,vigo1 where his men behaved with revolting irreverence in the churches1 and ,santiago2 and then proceeded to visit and spoil ,s4 ,domingo and ,carthagena in the ,indies4 ,again in '#hg ,drake obtained the leave of the ,queen to harass ,spain once more1 and after robbing and burning all the vessels in ,cadiz harbour1 he stormed the forts at ,faro1 destroyed ,armada stores at ,corunna1 and captured the great treasure-ship ,san ,felipe4 ,elizabeth was no doubt encouraged in her apparent recklessness by the belief that with the ,netherlands1 which she had been compelled at last to assist1 in a state of revolt1 ,spain would have little energy for reprisals upon ,england2 but she grew more and more uneasy when news continued to arrive in ,england of the growing preparations for the ,armada2 ,france1 too1 was now so much involved with internal struggles1 as the ,protestant ,henry of ,navarre was now the heir to her ,catholic throne1 that efficacious intervention could no longer be looked for from that quarter1 and it seemed at last as if the gigantic ,southern power was about to inflict punishment upon the little northern kingdom which had insulted her with impunity so long4 ,in the ,october of '#hg certain news arrived in ,england of the gigantic preparations being made in ,spain and elsewhere3 and hearts began to beat1 and tongues to clack1 and couriers to gallop4 ,then as the months went by1 and tidings sifted in1 there was something very like consternation in the country4 ,men told one another of the huge armament that was on its way1 the vast ships and guns--all bearing down on tiny ,england1 like a bull on a terrier4 ,they spoke of the religious fervour1 like that of a crusade1 that inspired the invasion1 and was bringing the flower of the ,spanish nobility against them3 the superstitious contrasted their own ,lion1 ,revenge1 and ,elizabeth ,jonas with the ,spanish ,san ,felipe1 ,san ,matteo1 and ,our ,lady of the ,rosary3 the more practical thought with even deeper gloom of the dismal parsimony of the ,queen1 who dribbled out stores and powder so reluctantly1 and dismissed her seamen at the least hint of delay4 ,yet1 little by little1 as midsummer came and went1 beacons were gathering on every hill1 ships were approaching efficiency1 and troops assembling at ,tilbury under the supremely incompetent command of ,lord ,leicester4 ,among the smaller seaports on the south coast1 ,rye was one of the most active and enthusiastic2 the broad shallow bay was alive with fishing-boats1 and the steep cobbled streets of the town were filled all day with a chattering exultant crowd1 cheering every group of seamen that passed1 and that spent long hours at the quay watching the busy life of the ships1 and predicting the great things that should fall when the ,spaniards encountered the townsfolk1 should the ,armada survive ,drake's onslaught further west4 ,about ,july the twentieth more definite news began to arrive4 ,at least once a day a courier dashed in through the south-west gate1 with news that all must hold themselves ready to meet the enemy by the end of the month2 labour grew more incessant and excitement more feverish4 ,about six o'clock on the evening of the twenty-ninth1 as a long row of powder barrels was in process of shipping down on the quay1 the men who were rolling them suddenly stopped and listened2 the line of onlookers paused in their comments1 and turned round4 ,from the town above came an outburst of cries1 followed by the crash of the alarm from the church-tower4 ,in two minutes the quay was empty4 ,out of every passage that gave on to the main street poured excited men and women1 some hysterically laughing1 some swearing1 some silent and white as they ran4 ,for across the bay westwards1 on a point beyond ,winchelsea1 in the still evening air rose up a stream of smoke shaped like a pine-tree1 with a red smouldering root2 and immediately afterwards in answer the ,ypres tower behind the town was pouring out a thick drifting cloud that told to the watchers on ,folkestone cliffs that the dreaded and longed-for foe was in sight of ,england4 ,then the solemn hours of waiting began to pass4 ,every day and night there were watchers1 straining their eyes westwards in case the ,armada should attempt to coast along ,england to force a landing anywhere1 and southwards in case they should pass nearer the ,french coast on their way to join the ,prince of ,parma2 but there was little to be seen over that wide ring of blue sea except single vessels1 or now and again half-a-dozen in company1 appearing and fading again on some unknown quest4 ,the couriers that came in daily could not tell them much2 only that there had been indecisive engagements2 that the ,spaniards had not yet attempted a landing anywhere2 and that it was supposed that they would not do so until a union with the force in ,flanders had been effected4 ,and so four days of the following week passed2 then on ,thursday1 ,august the fourth1 within an hour or two after sunrise1 the solemn booming of guns began far away to the south-west2 but the hours passed2 and before nightfall all was silent again4 ,the suspense was terrible2 all night long there were groups parading the streets1 anxiously conjecturing1 now despondently1 now cheerfully4 ,then once again on the ,friday morning a sudden clamour broke out in the town1 and almost simultaneously a pinnace slipped out1 spreading her wings and making for the open sea4 ,a squadron of ,english ships had been sighted flying eastwards2 and the pinnace was gone to get news4 ,the ships were watched anxiously by thousands of eyes1 and boats put out all along the coast to inquire2 and within two or three hours the pinnace was back again in ,rye harbour1 with news that set bells ringing and men shouting4 ,on ,wednesday1 the skipper reported1 there had been an indecisive engagement during the dead calm that had prevailed in the ,channel2 a couple of ,spanish store-vessels had been taken on the following morning1 and a general action had followed1 which again had been indecisive2 but in which the ,english had hardly suffered at all1 while it was supposed that great havoc had been wrought upon the enemy4 ,but the best of the news was that the ,rye contingent was to set sail at once1 and unite with the ,english fleet westward of ,calais by mid-day on ,saturday4 ,the squadron that had passed was under the command of the ,admiral himself1 who was going to ,dover for provisions and ammunition1 and would return to his fleet before evening4 ,before many hours were passed1 ,rye harbour was almost empty1 and hundreds of eyes were watching the ships that carried their husbands and sons and lovers out into the pale summer haze that hung over the coast of ,france2 while a few sharp-eyed old mariners on points of vantage muttered to one another that in the haze there was a patch of white specks to be seen which betokened the presence of some vast fleet4 ,that night the sun set yellow and stormy1 and by morning the cobble-stones of ,rye were wet and dripping with storm-showers1 and a swell was beginning to lap and sob against the harbour walls4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,men ,,of ,,war ,,and ,,peace ,the following days passed in terrible suspense for all left behind at ,rye4 ,every morning all the points of vantage were crowded2 the ,ypres tower itself was never deserted day or night2 and all the sharpest eyes in the town were bent continually out over that leaden rolling sea that faded into haze and storm-cloud in the direction of the ,french coast4 ,but there was nothing to be seen on that waste of waters but the single boats that flew up channel or laboured down it against the squally west wind1 far out at sea4 ,once or twice fishing-boats put in at ,rye2 but their reports were so contradictory and uncertain that they increased rather than allayed the suspense and misery4 ,now it was a ,french boat that reported the destruction of the ,triumph2 now an ,englishman that swore to having seen ,drake kill ,medina-,sidonia with his own hand on his poop2 but whatever the news might be1 the unrest and excitement ran higher and higher4 ,st4 ,clare's chapel in the old parish church of ,st4 ,nicholas was crowded every morning at five o'clock by an excited congregation of women1 who came to beg ,god's protection on their dear ones struggling out there somewhere towards the dawn with those cruel ,southern monsters4 ,especially great was the crowd on the ,tuesday morning following the departure of the ships2 for all day on ,monday from time to time came a far-off rolling noise from the direction of ,calais2 which many declared to be thunder1 with an angry emphasis that betrayed their real opinion4 ,when they came out of church that morning1 and were streaming down to the quay as usual to see if any news had come in during the night1 a seaman called to them from a window that a ,french vessel was just entering the harbour4 ,when the women arrived at the water's edge they found a good crowd already assembled on the quay1 watching the ship beat in against the north-west wind1 which had now set in2 but she aroused no particular comment as she was a well-known boat plying between ,boulogne and ,rye2 and by seven o'clock she was made fast to the quay4 ,there were the usual formalities1 stricter than usual during war1 to be gone through before the few passengers were allowed to land3 but all was in order2 the officers left the boat1 and the passengers came up the plank1 the crowd pressing forward as they came1 and questioning them eagerly4 ,no1 there was no certain news1 said an ,englishman at last1 who looked like a lawyer2 it was said at ,boulogne the night before that there had been an engagement further up beyond the ,straits2 they had all heard guns2 and it was reported by the last cruiser who came in before the boat left that a ,spanish galleasse had run aground and had been claimed by ,m4 ,gourdain1 the governor of ,calais2 but probably1 added the shrewd-eyed man1 that was just a piece of their dirty ,french pride4 ,the crowd smiled ruefully2 and a ,french officer of the boat who was standing by the gangway scowled savagely1 as the lawyer passed on with a demure face4 ,then there was a pause in the little stream of passengers2 and then1 out of the tiny door that led below decks1 walking swiftly1 and carrying a long cloak over her arm1 came ,isabel ,norris1 in a grey travelling dress1 followed by ,anthony and a couple of servants4 ,the crowd fell back for the lady1 who passed straight up through them2 but one or two of the men called out for news to ,anthony4 ,he shook his head cheerfully at them4 ,i know no more than that gentleman1 he said1 nodding towards the lawyer2 and then followed ,isabel2 and together they made their way up to the inn4 99 99 99 99 ,anthony was a good deal changed in the last six years2 his beard and moustache were well grown2 and he had a new look of gravity in his brown eyes2 when he had smiled and shaken his head at the eager crowd just now1 showing his white regular teeth1 he looked as young as ever2 but the serious look fell on his face again1 as he followed ,isabel up the steep little cobbled slope in his buff dress and plumed hat4 ,there was not so much apparent change in ,isabel2 she was a shade graver too1 her walk a little slower and more dignified1 and her lips1 a little thinner1 had a line of strength in them that was new2 and even now as she was treading ,english ground again for the first time for six years1 the look of slight abstraction in her eyes that is often the sign of a strong inner life1 was just a touch deeper than it used to be4 ,they went up together with scarcely a word2 and asked for a private room and dinner in two hours' time2 and a carriage and horses for the servants to be ready at noon4 ,the landlord1 who had met them at the door1 shook his head4 ,the private room1 sir1 and the dinner--yes1 sir--but the horses---- and he spread his hands out deprecatingly4 ,there is not one in the stall1 he added4 ,anthony considered a moment4 ,well1 what do you propose8 ,we are willing to stay a day or two1 if you think that by then---- ,ah1 said the landlord1 to-morrow is another matter4 ,i expect two of my carriages home to-night1 sir1 from ,london2 but the horses will not be able to travel till noon to-morrow4 ,that will do1 said ,anthony2 and he followed ,isabel upstairs4 ,it was very strange to them both to be back in ,england after so long4 ,they had settled down at ,douai with the ,maxwells2 but1 almost immediately on their arrival1 ,mistress ,margaret was sent for by her ,superior to the house of her ,order at ,brussels2 and ,lady ,maxwell was left alone with ,isabel in a house in the town2 for ,anthony was in the seminary4 ,then1 in '#hf ,lady ,maxwell had died1 quite suddenly4 ,isabel herself had found her at her prie-dieu in the morning1 still in her evening dress2 she was leaning partly against the wall2 her wrinkled old hands were clasped tightly together on a little ivory crucifix1 on the top of the desk2 and her snow-white head1 with the lace drooping from it like a bridal veil1 was bowed below them4 ,isabel1 who had not dared to move her1 had sent instantly for a little ,french doctor1 who had thrown up his hands in a kind of devout ecstasy at that wonderful old figure1 rigid in an eternal prayer4 ,the two tall tapers she had lighted eight hours before were still just alight beside her1 and looked strange in the morning sunshine4 ,pendant ses oraisons6 pendant ses oraisons6 he murmured over and over again2 and then had fallen on his knees and kissed the drooping lace of her sleeve4 ,priez pour moi1 madame1 he whispered to the motionless figure4 ,and so the old ,catholic who had suffered so much had gone to her rest4 ,the fact that her son ,james had been living in the ,college during her four years' stay at ,douai had been perhaps the greatest possible consolation to her for being obliged to be out of ,england2 for she saw him almost daily2 and it was he who sang her ,requiem4 ,isabel had then gone to live with other friends in ,douai1 until ,anthony had been ordained priest in the ,june of '#hh1 and was ready to take her to ,england2 and now the two were bound for ,stanfield1 where ,anthony was to act as chaplain for the present1 as ,mr4 ,buxton had predicted so long before4 ,old ,mr4 ,blake had died in the spring of the year1 still disapproving of his patron's liberal notions1 and ,mr4 ,buxton had immediately sent a special messenger all the way to ,douai to secure ,anthony's services2 and had insisted moreover that ,isabel should accompany her brother4 ,they intended however to call at the ,dower ,house on the way1 which had been left under the charge of old ,mrs4 ,carroll2 and renew the memories of their own dear home4 ,they talked little at dinner2 and only of general matters1 their journey1 the ,armada1 their joy at getting home again2 for they had been expressly warned by their friends abroad against any indiscreet talk even when they thought themselves alone1 and especially in the seaports1 where so constant a watch was kept for seminary priests4 ,the presence of ,isabel1 however1 was the greatest protection to ,anthony2 as it was almost unknown that a priest should travel with any but male companions4 ,then suddenly1 as they were ending dinner1 a great clamour broke out in the town below them2 a gun was fired somewhere2 and footsteps began to rush along the narrow street outside4 ,anthony ran to the window and called to know what was the matter2 but no one paid any attention to him2 and he presently sat down again in despair1 and with one or two wistful looks4 ,i will go immediately1 he said to ,isabel1 and bring you word4 ,a moment after a servant burst into the room4 ,it is a ,spanish ship1 sir1 he said1 a prize--rounding ,dungeness4 ,in the afternoon1 when the first fierce excitement was over1 ,anthony went down to the quay4 ,he did not particularly wish to attract attention1 and so he kept himself in the background somewhat2 but he had a good view of her as she lay moored just off the quay1 especially when one of the town guard who had charge of the ropes that kept the crowd back1 seeing a gentleman in the crowd1 beckoned him through4 ,your honour will wish to see the prize8 he said1 in hopes of a trifle for himself2 make way there for the gentleman4 ,anthony thought it better under these circumstances to accept the invitation1 so he gave the man something1 and slipped through4 ,on the quay was a pile of plunder from the ship3 a dozen chests carved and steel-clamped stood together2 half-a-dozen barrels of powder2 the ship's bell rested amid a heap of rich clothes and hangings2 a silver crucifix and a couple of lamps with their chains lay tumbled on one side2 and a parson was examining a finely carved mahogany table that stood near4 ,he looked up at ,anthony4 ,for the church1 sir1 he said cheerfully4 ,i shall make application to her ,grace4 ,anthony smiled at him4 ,a holy revenge1 sir1 he said4 ,the ship herself had once been a merchantman brig2 so much ,anthony could tell1 though he knew little of seamanship2 but she had been armed heavily with deep bulwarks of timber1 pierced for a dozen guns on each broadside4 ,now1 however1 she was in a terrible condition4 ,the solid bulwarks were rent and shattered1 as indeed was her whole hull2 near the waterline were nailed sheets of lead1 plainly in order to keep the water from entering the shot-holes2 she had only one mast2 and that was splintered in more than one place2 a spar had been rigged up on to the stump of the bowsprit4 ,the high poop such as distinguished the ,spanish vessels was in the same deplorable condition2 as well as the figure-head1 which represented a beardless man with a halo behind his head1 and which bore the marks of fierce hacks as well as of shot4 ,anthony read the name1--the ,san ,juan da ,cabellas4 ,from the high quay too he could see down on to the middle decks1 and there was the most shocking sight of all1 for the boards and the mast-stumps and the bulwarks and the ship's furniture were all alike splashed with blood1 some of the deeper pools not even yet dry4 ,it was evident that the ,san ,juan had not yielded easily4 ,presently ,anthony saw an officer approaching1 and not wishing to be led into conversation slipped away again through the crowd to take ,isabel the news4 ,the two remained quietly upstairs the rest of the afternoon1 listening to the singing and the shouting in the streets1 and watching from their window the groups that swung and danced to and fro in joy at ,rye's contribution to the defeat of the invaders4 ,when the dusk fell the noise was louder than ever as the men began to drink more deep1 and torches were continually tossing up and down the steep cobbled streets2 the din reached its climax about half-past nine1 when the main body of the revellers passed up towards the inn1 and1 as ,anthony saw from the window1 finally entered through the archway below2 and then all grew tolerably quiet4 ,presently ,isabel said that she would go to bed1 but just before she left the room1 the servant again came in4 ,if you please1 sir1 ,lieutenant ,raxham1 of the ,seahorse1 is telling the tale of the capture of the ,spanish ship2 and the landlord bid me come and tell you4 ,anthony glanced at ,isabel1 who nodded at him4 ,yes2 go1 she said1 and come up and tell me the news afterwards1 if it is not very late4 ,when ,anthony came downstairs he found to his annoyance that the place of honour had been reserved for him in a tall chair next to the landlord's at the head of the table4 ,the landlord rose to meet his guest4 ,sit here1 sir1 he said4 ,i am glad you have come4 ,and now1 ,mr4 ,raxham---- ,anthony looked about him with some dismay at this extreme publicity4 ,the room was full from end to end4 ,they were chiefly soldiers who sat at the table--heavy-looking rustics from ,hawkhurst1 ,cranbrook and ,appledore1 in brigantines and steel caps1 who had been sent in by the magistrates to the nearest seaport to assist in the defence of the coast--a few of them wore corselets with almain rivets and carried swords1 while the pike-heads of the others rose up here and there above the crowd4 ,the rest of the room was filled with the townsmen of ,rye--those who had been retained for the defence of the coast1 as well as others who for any physical reason could not serve by sea or land4 ,there was an air of extraordinary excitement in the room4 ,the faces of the most stolid were transfigured1 for they were gathered to hear of the struggle their own dear ,england was making2 the sickening pause of those months of waiting had ended at last2 the huge southern monster had risen up over the edge of the sea1 and the panting little country had flown at his throat and grappled him2 and now they were hearing the tale of how deep her fangs had sunk4 ,the crowd laughed and applauded and drew its breath sharply1 as one man2 and the silence now and then was startling as the young officer told his story2 although he had few gifts of rhetoric1 except a certain vivid vocabulary4 ,he himself was a lad of eighteen or so1 with a pleasant reckless face1 now flushed with drink and excitement1 and sparkling eyes2 he was seated in a chair upon the further end of the table1 so that all could hear his story2 and he had a cup of huff-cup in his left hand as he talked1 leaving his right hand free to emphasise his points and slap his leg in a clumsy sort of oratory4 ,his tale was full of little similes1 at which his audience nodded their heads now and then1 approvingly4 ,he had apparently already begun his story1 for when ,anthony had taken his seat and silence had been obtained1 he went straight on without any further introduction4 ,the landlord leaned over to ,anthony4 ,the ,san ,juan1 he whispered behind his hot hairy hand1 and nodded at him with meaning eyes4 ,and every time they fired over us1 went on the lieutenant1 and we fired into them2 and the only damage they did us was their muskets in the tops4 ,they killed ,tom ,dane like that--there was a swift hiss of breath from the room2 but the officer went straight on--shot him through the back as he bent over his gun2 and wounded old ,harry and a score more2 but all the while1 lads1 we were a-pounding at them with the broadsides as we came round1 and raking them with the demi-cannon in the poop1 until--well2 go you and see the craft as she lies at the quay if you would know what we did4 ,i tell you1 as we came at her once towards the end1 ,i saw that she was bleeding through her scuppers like a pig1 from the middle deck4 ,they were all packed up there together--sailors and soldiers and a priest or two2 and scarce a ball could pass between the poop and the forecastle without touching flesh4 ,the lad stopped a moment and took a pull at his cup1 and a murmur of talk broke out in the room4 ,anthony was surprised at his accent and manner of speaking1 and heard afterwards that he was the son of the parson at one of the inland villages1 and had had an education4 ,in a moment he went on4 ,well--it would be about noon1 just before the ,admiral came up from ,calais1 that the old ,seahorse was lost4 ,we came at the dons again as we had done before1 only closer than ever2 and just as the captain gave the word to put her about1 a ball from one of their guns which they had trained down on us1 cut old ,dick ,kemp in half at the helm1 and broke the tiller to splinters4 ,old ,dick8 said a man's voice out of the reeking crowd1 ,old ,dick8 ,there was a murmur round him1 bidding him hold his tongue2 and the lad went on4 ,well1 we drifted nearer and nearer4 ,there was nought to do but to bang at them2 and that we did1 by ,god--and to board her if we touched4 ,well1 ,i worked my saker1 and saw little else--for the smoke was like a black sea-fog2 and the noise fit to crack your ears4 ,mine sing yet with it2 the captain was bawling from the poop1 and there were a dozen pikemen ready below2 and then on a sudden came the crash2 and ,i looked up and there was the ,spaniards' decks above us1 and the poop like a tower1 with a grinning don or two looking down2 and there was ,i looking up the muzzle of a culverin4 ,i skipped towards the poop1 shouting to the men2 and the dons fired their broadside as ,i went4--,god save us from that din6 ,but ,i knew the old ,seahorse was done this time--the old ship lurched and shook as the balls tore through her and broke her back2 and there was such a yell as you'll never hear this side of hell4 ,well--,i was on the poop by now1 and the men after me2 for you see the poop of the ,seahorse was as high as the middle deck of the ,spaniard1 and we must board from there or not at all4 ,well1 lads1 there was the captain before me4 ,he had fought cool till then1 as cool as a parson among his roses1 with never an oath from his mouth--but now he was as scarlet as a poppy1 and his eyes were like blue fire1 and his mouth jabbered and foamed2 he was so hot1 you see1 at the loss of his ship4 ,he was dancing to and fro waiting while the poop swung round on the tide2 and the old craft plunged deeper in every wave that lifted her1 but he cared no more for that nor for the musket-balls from the tops1 nor for the brown grinning devils who shook their pikes at him from the decks1 than--than a mad dog cares for a shower of leaves2 but he stamped there and cursed them and damned them as they laughed at him2 and then in a moment the poop touched4 ,well1 lads-- and the lieutenant set his cup down on the table1 clapped his hands on his knees1 laughed shortly and nervously once or twice1 and looked round4 ,well1 lads1 ,i have never seen the like4 ,the captain went for them like a wild cat2 one step on the rail and the next among them2 and was gone like a stone into water--and the lad clapped his hand on his thigh4 ,i saw one face slit up from chin to eye2 and another split across like an apple2 and then we were after him4 ,the men were mad1 too--what was left of us2 and we poured up on to the decks and left the old ,seahorse to die4 ,well1 we had our work before us--but it was no good4 ,the dons could do nothing2 ,i was after the captain as he went through the pack and came out just behind him2 there were half a dozen of them down now2 and the noise and the foreign oaths went up like smoke2 and the captain himself was bleeding down one side of his face and grunting as he cut and stabbed2 and ,i had had a knife through the arm2 but he went up on to the poop2 and as ,i followed1 the ,spaniards broke and threw down their arms--they saw 'twas no use1 you see4 ,when we reached the poop-stairs an officer in a blue coat came forward jabbering some jargon2 but the captain would have no parley with him1 but flung his dag clean into the man's face1 and over he went backwards--with his damned high heels in the air4 ,there was a sudden murmur of laughter from the room2 ,anthony glanced off the lieutenant's grinning ruddy face for a moment1 and saw the rows of listening faces all wrinkled with mirth4 ,well1 went on the lad1 up went the captain1 and ,i after him4 ,then there came across the deck1 very slow and stately1 the ,spanish captain himself1 in a fine laced coat and a plumed hat1 and he was holding out his sword by the blade and bowed as we ran towards him1 and began some damned foreign nonsense1 with his ,seor--but the captain would have none o' that1 ,i tell you he was like ,tom o' ,bedlam now--so as the ,seor grinned at him with his monkey face and bowed and wagged1 the captain fetched him a slash across the cheek with his sword that cut up into his head2 and that don went spinning across the poop like a morris-man and brought up against the rail1 and then down he came1 and the lad dashed his hand on his thigh again--as dead as mutton4 ,again came a louder gust of laughter from the room4 ,anthony half rose in his chair1 and then sat down again4 ,well1 said the lad1 and that was not all4 ,down he raged again to the decks and ,i behind him--,i tell you1 it was like a butcher's shop--but it was quieter now--the fighting was over--and the ,spaniards were all run below1 except half-a-dozen in the tops2 looking down like young rooks at an archer4 ,there had been a popish priest too with his crucifix in one hand and his god-almighty in the other1 over a dying man as we came up2 but as we came down there he lay in his black gown with a hole through his heart and his crucifix gone4 ,one of the lads had got it no doubt4 ,well1 the captain brought up at the main mast4 ',god's blood1' he bawled1 'where are the brown devils got to8' ,some one told him1 and pointed down the hatch4 ,well1 then ,i turned sick with my wound and the smell of the place and all2 and ,i knew nothing more till ,i found myself sitting on a dead don1 with the captain holding me up and pouring a cordial down my throat4 ,then talk and laughter broke out in the audience2 but the landlord held up his hand for silence4 ,and what of the others8 he shouted4 ,dead meat too1 said the lad--the captain went down with a dozen or more and hunted them out and finished them4 ,there was one1 ,dick told me afterwards1 and the lieutenant gave a cackle of mirth1 that they hunted twice round the ship before he jumped over yelling to some popish saint to help him2 but it seems he was deaf1 like the old ,baal that parson tells of o' ,sundays4 ,the dirty swine to run like that6 ,well1 he's got his bellyful now of the salt water that he came so far to see4 ,and then the captain with his own hands trained a robinet that was on the poop on to the tops2 and down the birds came1 one by one2 for their powder up there was all shot off4 ,and the ,seahorse8 said the landlord again4 ,there fell a dead silence3 all in the room knew that the ship was lost1 but it was terrible to hear it again4 ,the lad's face broke into lines of grief1 and he spoke huskily4 ,gone down with the dead and wounded2 and the rest of the fleet a mile away4 ,then the lieutenant went on to describe how he himself had been deputed to bring the ,san ,juan into port with the wounded on board1 while the captain and the rest of the crew by ,drake's orders attached themselves to various vessels that were short-handed1 and how the ,english fleet had followed what was left of the ,spaniards when the fight ended at sunset1 up towards the ,north ,sea4 ,when he finished his story there was a tremendous outburst of cheering and hammering upon the table1 and the feet and the pike-butts thundered on the floor1 and a name was cried again and again as the cups were emptied4 ,god save her ,grace and old ,england6 yelled a slim smooth-faced archer from ,appledore4 ,god send the dons and all her foes to hell6 roared a burly pikeman with his cup in the air4 ,then the room shook again as the toasts were drunk with applauding feet and hands4 ,anthony turned to the landlord1 who had just ceased thumping with his great red fists on the table4 ,what was the captain's name8 he asked1 when a slight lull came4 ,maxwell1 said the crimson-faced man4 ,hubert ,maxwell--one of ,drake's own men4 99 99 99 99 ,when ,anthony came upstairs he heard his name called through the door1 and went in to ,isabel's room to find her sitting up in bed in the gloom of the summer night2 the party below had broken up1 and all was quiet except for the far-off shouts and hoots of cheerful laughter from the dispersing groups down among the narrow streets4 ,well8 she said1 as he came in and stood in the doorway4 ,it is just the story of the prize1 he said1 and it seems that ,hubert had the taking of it4 ,there was silence a moment4 ,anthony could see her face1 a motionless pale outline1 and her arms clasped round her knees as she sat up in bed4 ,hubert8 she asked in an even voice4 ,yes1 ,hubert4 ,there was silence a moment4 ,well8 she said again4 ,he is safe1 said ,anthony1 and fought gallantly4 ,i will tell you more to-morrow4 ,ah6 said ,isabel softly2 and then lay down again4 ,good-night1 ,anthony4 ,good-night4 ,but ,anthony dared not tell her the details next day1 after all4 99 99 99 99 ,there was still a difficulty about the horses2 they had not arrived until the ,wednesday morning1 and were greatly exhausted by a long and troublesome journey2 so the travellers consented to postpone their journey for yet one more day4 ,the weather1 which had been thickening1 grew heavier still in the afternoon1 and great banks of clouds were rising out of the west4 ,anthony started out about four o'clock for a walk along the coast2 and1 making a long round in the direction of ,lydd1 did not finally return until about seven4 ,as he came in at the north-east of the town he noticed how empty the streets were1 and passed on down in the direction of the quay4 ,as he turned down the steep street into the harbour groups began to pour up past him1 laughing and exclaiming2 and in a moment more came ,isabel walking alone4 ,he looked at her anxiously1 for he saw something had happened4 ,her quiet face was lit up with some interior emotion1 and her mouth was trembling4 ,the ,armada is routed1 she said2 and ,i have seen ,hubert4 ,the two turned back together and walked silently up to the inn4 ,there she told him the story4 ,she had been told that ,captain ,maxwell was come in the ,elizabeth1 for provisions for ,lord ,howard ,seymour's squadron1 to which his new command was attached2 and that he was even now in harbour4 ,at that she had gone straight down alone4 ,oh1 ,anthony6 she cried1 you know how it is with me4 ,i could not help it4 ,i am not ashamed of it4 ,god ,almighty knows all1 and is not wrath with me4 ,so ,i went down and was in the crowd as he came down again with the mayor1 ,mr4 ,hamon2 we all made way for them1 and the men cheered themselves scarlet2 but he came down cool and quiet2 you know his way--with his eyes half shut2 and--and--he was so brown2 and he looks sad--and he had a great plaister on the left temple4 ,and then he saw me4 ,isabel sprang up1 and came up to ,anthony and took his hands4 ,oh6 ,anthony2 ,i was very happy then2 because he took off his cap and bowed2 and his face was all lighted2 and he took my hand and kissed it--and then made ,mr4 ,hamon known to me4 ,the crowd laughed and said things--but ,i did not care2 and he soon silenced them1 he looked round so fiercely2 and then ,i went on board with him--he would have it so--and he showed us everything--and we sat a little in the cabin2 and he told me of his wife and child4 ,she is the daughter of a ,plymouth minister2 he knew her when he was with ,drake2 and he told me all about her1 so you see---- ,isabel broke off2 and sat down in the high window seat4 ,and then he asked me about you2 and ,i said you were here2 and that we were going to stay a little while with ,mr4 ,buxton of ,stanfield--you see ,i knew we could trust him2 and ,mr4 ,hamon was in the passage just then looking at the guns2 and then a sailor came in to say that all was ready2 and so we came away4 ,but it was so good to see him again2 and to know that he was so happy4 ,anthony looked at his sister in astonishment2 her quiet manner was gone1 and she was talking again almost like an excited child2 and so happily4 ,it was very strange1 he thought4 ,he sat down beside her4 ,oh1 ,anthony6 she said1 do you understand8 ,i love him dearly still2 and his wife and child too4 ,god bless them all and keep them6 ,the mystery was still deep to him2 and he feared to say what he should not2 so he kissed ,isabel silently2 and the two sat there together and looked out over the crowding red roofs to the glowing western sky across the bay below them4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,home-,,coming ,it was a stormy summer evening as the brother and sister rode up between the last long hills that led to ,great ,keynes4 ,a south-west wind had been rising all day1 that same wind that was now driving the ruined ,armada up into the fierce ,north ,sea1 with the fiercer men behind to bar the return4 ,but here1 twenty miles inland1 with the high south-downs to break the gale1 the riders were in comparative quiet1 though the great trees overhead tossed their heavy rustling heads as the gusts struck them now and again4 ,the party had turned off1 as the dusk was falling1 from the main-road into bridle-paths that they knew well1 and were now approaching the village through the water meadows on the south-east side along a ride that would bring them1 round the village1 direct to the ,dower ,house4 ,in the gloom ,anthony could make out the tall reeds1 and the loosestrife and willowherb against them1 that marked the course of the stream where he had caught trout1 as a boy2 and against the western sky1 as he turned in his saddle1 rose up the high windy hills where he had hawked with ,hubert so many years before4 ,it was a strange thought to him as he rode along that his very presence here in his own country was an act of high treason by the law lately passed1 and that every day he lived here must be a day of danger4 ,for ,isabel1 too1 it was strange to be riding up again towards the battlefield of her desires--that battlefield where she had lived for years in such childish faith and peace without a suspicion of the forces that were lurking beneath her own quiet nature4 ,but to both of them the sense of home-coming was stronger than all else--that strange passion for a particular set of inanimate things--or1 at the most1 for an association of ideas--that has no parallel in human emotions2 and as they rode up the darkening valley and the lights of the high windows of the ,hall began to show over the trees on their right1 ,anthony forgot his treason and ,isabel her conflicts1 and both felt a lump rise in the throat1 and their hearts begin to beat quicker with a strange pleasurable pulse1 and to ,isabel's eyes at least there rose up great tears of happiness and content2 neither dared speak1 but both looked eagerly about at the pool where the ,mayflies used to dance1 at the knoll where the pigeons nested1 at the little low bridge beneath which their inch-long boats used to slide sideways into darkness1 and the broad marshy flats where the gorgeous irises grew4 ,how the trees have grown6 said ,anthony at last1 with an effort2 ,i cannot see the lights from the house4 ,mrs4 ,carroll will have made ready the first-floor rooms then1 on the south4 ,i am sorry they are not our own1 said ,anthony4 ,ah1 look6 there is the dovecote1 cried ,isabel4 ,they were passing up now behind the farm buildings2 and directly afterwards came round in front of the little walled garden to the west of the house4 ,there was a sudden exclamation from ,anthony2 and ,isabel stared in silent dismay4 ,the old house rose up before them with its rows of square windows against the night sky1 dark4 ,there was not a glimmer anywhere2 even ,mrs4 ,carroll's own room on the south was dark4 ,they reined their horses in and stood a moment4 ,oh1 ,anthony1 ,anthony6 cried ,isabel suddenly1 what is it8 ,is there no one there8 ,anthony shook his head2 and then put his tired beast to a shambling trot with ,isabel silent again with weariness and disappointment behind him4 ,they passed along outside the low wall1 turned the corner of the house and drew up at the odd little doorway in the angle at the back of the house4 ,the servants had drawn up behind them1 and now pressed up to hold their horses2 and the brother and sister slipped off and went towards the door4 ,anthony passed under the little open porch and put his hand out to the door2 it was quite dark underneath the porch1 and he felt further and further1 and yet there was no door2 his foot struck the step4 ,he felt his way to the doorposts and groped for the door2 but still there was none2 he could feel the panelling of the lobby inside the doorway1 and that was all4 ,he drew back1 as one would draw back from a dead face on which one had laid a hand in the dark4 ,oh1 ,anthony6 said ,isabel again1 what is it8 ,she was still outside4 ,have you a light8 said ,anthony hoarsely to the servants4 ,the man nearest him bent and fumbled in the saddle-bags1 and after what seemed an interminable while kindled a little bent taper and handed it to him4 ,as he went towards the porch shading it with his hand1 ,isabel sprang past him and went before2 and then1 as the light fell through the doorway1 stopped in dead and bewildered silence4 ,the door was lying on the floor within1 shattered and splintered4 ,anthony stepped beside her1 and she turned and clung to his arm1 and a sob or two made itself heard4 ,then they looked about them4 ,the banisters above them were smashed1 and like a cataract1 down the stairs lay a confused heap of crockery1 torn embroidery and clothes1 books1 and broken furniture4 ,anthony's hand shook so much that the shadows of the broken banisters waved on the wall above like thin exulting dancers4 ,suddenly ,anthony started4 ,mrs4 ,carroll1 he exclaimed1 and he darted upstairs past the ruins into her two rooms halfway up the flight2 and in a minute or two was back with ,isabel4 ,she has escaped1 he said in a low voice2 and then the two stood looking about them silently again4 ,the door leading to the cellars on the left was broken too2 and fragments of casks and bottles lay about the steps2 the white wall was splashed with drink1 and there was a smell of spirits in the air4 ,evidently the stormers had thought themselves worthy of their hire4 ,come1 he said again2 and leaving the entrance lobby1 the two passed to the hall-door and pushed that open and looked4 ,there was the same furious confusion there2 the tapestry was lying tumbled and rent on the floor--the high oak mantelpiece was shattered1 and doleful cracks and splinters in the panelling all round showed how mad the attack had been2 one of the pillars of the further archway was broken clean off1 and the brickwork showed behind2 the pictures had been smashed and added to the heap of wrecked furniture and broken glass in the middle4 ,come1 he said once more2 and the two passed silently through the broken archway1 and going up the other flight of stairs1 gradually made the round of the house4 ,everywhere it was the same1 except in the servants' attics1 where1 apparently1 the mob had not thought it worth while to go4 ,isabel's own room was the most pitiable of all2 the windows had only the leaden frames left1 and those bent and battered2 the delicate panelling was scarred and split by the shower of stones that had poured in through the window and that now lay in all parts of the room4 ,a painting of her mother that had hung over her bed was now lying face downwards on the floor4 ,isabel turned it over silently2 a stone had gone through the face2 and it had been apparently slit too by some sharp instrument4 ,even the slender oak bed was smashed in the centre1 as if half a dozen men had jumped upon it at once2 and the little prie-dieu near the window had been deliberately hacked in half4 ,isabel looked at it all with wide startled eyes and parted lips2 and then suddenly sank down on the wrecked bed where she had hoped to sleep that night1 and began to sob like a child4 ,ah6 ,i did think--,i did think---- she began4 ,anthony stooped and tried to lift her4 ,come1 my darling1 he said1 is not this a high honour8 ,qui relinquit domos6 ,oh6 why have they done it8 sobbed ,isabel4 ,what harm have we done them8 and she began to wail4 ,she was thoroughly over-tired and over-wrought2 and ,anthony could not find it in his heart to blame her2 but he spoke again bravely4 ,we are ,catholics1 he said2 that is why they have done it4 ,do not throw away this grace that our ,lord has given us2 embrace it and make it yours4 ,it was the priest that was speaking now2 and ,isabel turned her face and looked at him2 and then got up and hid her face on his shoulder4 ,oh1 ,anthony1 help me6 she said2 and so stood there1 quiet4 99 99 99 99 ,he came down presently to the servants1 while ,isabel went upstairs to prepare the rooms in the attics2 for it was impossible for them to ride further that night2 so they settled to sleep there1 and stable the horses2 and to ride on early the next day1 and be out of the village before the folks were about4 ,anthony gave directions to the servants1 who were ,catholics too1 and explained in a word or two what had happened2 and bade them come up to the house as soon as they had fed and watered the beasts2 meanwhile he took the saddle-bags indoors and spread out their remaining provisions in one of the downstairs rooms2 and soon ,isabel joined him4 ,i have made up five beds1 she said1 and her voice and lips were steady1 and her eyes grave and serene again4 ,the five supped together in the wrecked kitchen1 a fine room on the east of the house1 supported by a great oak pillar to which the horses of guests were sometimes attached when the stable was full4 ,isabel managed to make a fire and to boil some soup2 but they hung thick curtains across the shattered windows1 and quenched the fire as soon as the soup was made1 for fear that either the light or the smoke from the chimney should arouse attention4 ,when supper was over1 and the two men-servants and ,isabel's ,french maid were washing up in the scullery1 ,isabel suddenly turned to ,anthony as they sat together near the fireplace4 ,i had forgotten1 she said1 what we arranged as we rode up4 ,i must go and tell her still4 ,anthony looked at her steadily a moment4 ,god keep you1 he said4 ,she kissed him and took her riding-cloak1 drew the hood over her head1 and went out into the dark4 99 99 99 99 ,it was with the keenest relief that1 half an hour later1 ,anthony heard her footstep again in the red-tiled hall outside4 ,the servants were gone upstairs by now1 and the house was quiet4 ,she came in1 and sat by him again and took his hand4 ,thank ,god ,i went1 she said4 ,i have left her so happy4 ,tell me all1 said ,anthony4 ,i went through the garden1 said ,isabel1 but came round to the front of the house so that they might not think ,i came from here4 ,when the servant came to the door--he was a stranger1 and a ,protestant no doubt--,i said at once that ,i brought news of ,mr4 ,maxwell from ,rye2 and he took me straight in and asked me to come in while he fetched her woman4 ,then her woman came out and took me upstairs1 up into ,lady ,maxwell's old room2 and there she was lying in bed under the great canopy4 ,oh1 ,anthony1 she is so pretty6 her golden hair was lying out all over the pillow1 and her face is so sweet4 ,she cried out when ,i came in1 and lifted herself on her elbow2 so ,i just said at once1 ',he is safe and well'2 and then she went off into sobs and laughter2 so that ,i had to go and soothe her--her woman was so foolish and helpless2 and very soon she was quiet3 and then she called me her darling1 and she kissed me again and again2 and told the woman to go and leave us together2 and then she lifted the sheet2 and showed me the face of a little child4 ,oh ,anthony2 ,hubert's child and hers1 the second1 born on ,tuesday--only think of that4 ',mercy1 ,i was going to call her1' she said1 'if ,i had not heard by to-morrow1 but now ,i shall call her ,victory4' ,anthony looked quickly at his sister1 with a faint smile in his eyes4 ,and what did you say8 he asked4 ,isabel smiled outright2 but her eyes were bright with tears too4 ',you have guessed1' she said4 ',yes1' ,i said1 'call her ,mercy all the same1' and she kissed me again1 and cried1 and said that she would4 ,and then ,i told her all about ,hubert2 and about his little wound2 and how well he looked2 and how all the fighting was most likely over2 and what his cabin looked like4 ,and then she suddenly guessed who ,i was1 and asked me2 and ,i could not deny it1 you know2 but she promised not to tell4 ,then she told me all about the house here2 and how she was afraid ,hubert had said something impatient about people who go to foreign parts and leave their country to be attacked1 ',but you know he did not really mean it1' she said2 and of course he did not4 ,well1 the people had remembered that1 and it spread and spread2 and when the news of the ,armada came last week1 a mob came over from ,east ,grinsted1 and they sat drinking and drinking in the village2 and of course ,grace could not go out to them2 and all the old people are gone1 and the ,catholics on the estate--and so at last they all came out roaring and shouting down the drive1 and ,mrs4 ,carroll was warned and slipped out to the ,hall2 and she is now gone to ,stanfield to wait for us--and then the crowd broke into the house--but1 oh ,anthony1 ,grace was so sorry1 and cried sore to think of us here2 and asked us to come and stay there2 but of course ,i told her we could not3 and then ,i said a prayer for her2 and we kissed one another again2 and then ,i came away4 ,anthony looked at his sister1 and there was honour and pride of her in his eyes4 99 99 99 99 ,the ride to ,stanfield next day was a long affair1 at a foot's-pace all the way3 the horses were thoroughly tired with their journey1 and they were obliged to start soon after three o'clock in the morning after a very insufficient rest2 they did not reach ,groombridge till nearly ten o'clock1 when they dined1 and then rode on towards ,tonbridge about noon4 ,there were heavy hearts to be carried as well4 ,the attempt to welcome the misery of their home-coming was a bitter effort2 all the more bitter for that it was an entirely unexpected call upon them4 ,during those six years abroad probably not a day had passed without visions of ,great ,keynes1 and the pleasant and familiar rooms and garden of their own house1 and mental rehearsals of their return4 ,the shock of the night before too had been emphasised by the horror of the cold morning light creeping through the empty windows on to the cruel heaps within4 ,the garden too1 seen in the dim morning1 with its trampled lawns and wrecked flower-beds heaped with withered sunflowers1 bell-blossoms and all the rich ,august growth1 with the earthen flower-bowls smashed1 the stone balls on the gate overturned1 and the laurels at the corner uprooted--all this was a horrible pain to ,isabel1 to whom the garden was very near as dear and familiar as her own room4 ,so it was a silent and sorrowful ride2 and ,anthony's heart rose in relief as at last up the grey village-street he saw the crowded roofs of ,stanfield ,place rise over the churchyard wall4 ,their welcome from ,mr4 ,buxton went far to compensate for all4 ,my dear boy1 he said1 or1 my dear father1 as ,i should call you in private1 you do not know what happiness is mine to-day4 ,it is a great thing to have a priest again2 but1 if you will allow me to say so1 it is a greater to have my friend--and what a sister you have upstairs6 ,they were in ,mr4 ,buxton's own little room on the ground-floor1 and ,isabel had gone to rest until supper4 ,anthony told him of the grim surprise that had awaited them at ,great ,keynes4 ,so you must forgive my sister if she is a little sad4 ,yes1 yes1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 ,i had heard from ,mrs4 ,carroll last night when she arrived here4 ,but there was no time to warn you4 ,i had expected you to-day1 though ,mrs4 ,carroll did not4 7,anthony had sent a man straight from ,rye to ,stanfield47 ,but ,mistress ,isabel1 as ,i shall venture to call her1 must do what she can with this house and garden4 ,i need not say how wholly it is hers4 ,and ,i shall call you ,anthony1 he added--in public1 at least4 ,and1 for strangers1 you are just here as my guest2 and you shall be called ,capell--a sound name2 and you shall be ,catholics too2 though you are no priest1 of course1 in public--and you have returned from the ,continent4 ,i hold it is no use to lie when you can be found out4 ,i do not know what your conscience is1 ,father ,anthony2 but1 for myself1 ,i count us ,catholics to be in statu belli now2 and therefore ,i shall lie frankly and fully when there is need2 and you may do as you please4 ,old ,mr4 ,blake used to bid me prevaricate instead2 but that always seemed to me two lies instead of one--one to the questioning party and the other to myself2 and so ,i always said to him1 but he would not have it so4 ,i wondered he did not tell me that two negatives made an affirmative2 but he was not clever enough1 the good father4 ,so my own custom is to tell one plain lie when needed1 and shame the devil4 ,it was pleasant to ,anthony to hear his friend talk again1 and he said so4 ,his host's face softened into a great tenderness4 ,dear lad1 ,i know what you mean4 ,please ,god you may find this a happy home4 ,a couple of hours later1 when ,anthony and ,isabel came down together from their rooms in the old wing1 they found ,mr4 ,buxton in his black satin and lace in the beautiful withdrawing-room on the ground-floor4 ,it was already past the supper-hour1 but their host showed no signs of going into the hall4 ,at last he apologised4 ,i ask your pardon1 ,mistress ,isabel2 but ,i have a guest come to stay with me1 who only arrived an hour ago2 and she is a great lady and must have her time4 ,ah6 here she is4 ,the door was flung open and a radiant vision appeared4 ,the door was a little way off1 and there were no candles near it2 but there swelled and rustled into the room a figure all in blue and gold1 with a white delicate ruff2 and diamond buckles shone beneath the rich brocaded petticoat4 ,above rose a white bosom and throat scintillating with diamonds1 and a flushed face with scarlet lips1 all crowned by piles of black hair1 with black dancing eyes beneath4 ,still a little in the shadow this splendid figure swept down with a great curtsey1 which ,isabel met by another1 while the two gentlemen bowed low2 and then1 as the stranger swayed up again into the full light of the sconces1 ,anthony recognised ,mary ,corbet4 ,he stood irresolute with happy hesitation2 and she came up smiling brilliantly2 and before he could stay her dropped down on one knee and took his hand and kissed it2 just as the man left the room4 ,god bless you1 ,father ,anthony6 she said2 and as he looked at her1 as she glanced up1 he could not tell whether her eyes shone with tears or laughter4 ,this is very charming and proper1 ,mistress ,corbet1 and like a true daughter of the ,church1 put in ,mr4 ,buxton1 but ,i shall be obliged to you if you will not in future kiss priests' hands nor call them ,father in the presence of the servants--at least not in my house4 ,ah6 she said1 you were always prudent4 ,have you seen his secret doors8 she went on to ,anthony4 ,the entire ,catholic ,church might play hare and hounds with the ,holy ,father as huntsman and the ,cardinals as the whips1 through ,mr4 ,buxton's secret labyrinths4 ,wait until you are hare1 and it is other than ,holy ,church that is a-hunting1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 and you will thank ,god for my labyrinths1 as you call them4 ,then she greeted ,isabel with great warmth4 ,why1 my dear1 she said1 you are not the little ,puritan maiden any longer4 ,we must have a long talk to-night2 and you shall tell me everything4 ,mistress ,mary is not so greatly changed1 said ,isabel1 smiling4 ,she always would be told everything4 ,it was strange to ,anthony to meet ,mary again after so long1 and to find her so little changed1 as ,isabel had said truly4 ,he himself had passed through so much since they had last met at ,greenwich over six years ago--his conversion1 his foreign sojourn1 and1 above all1 the bewildering and intoxicating sweetness of his ordination and priestly life4 ,and yet he felt as close to ,mary as ever1 knit in a bond of wonderful good fellowship and brotherhood such as he had never felt to any other in just that kind and degree4 ,he watched her1 warm and content1 as she talked across the polished oak and beneath the gleam of the candles2 and listened1 charmed by her air and her talk4 ,there is not so much news of her ,grace1 she said1 save that she is turning soldier in her old age4 ,she rode out to ,tilbury1 you know1 the other day1 in steel cuirass and scarlet2 out to see her dear ,robin and the army2 and her royal face was all smiles and becks1 and lord6 how the soldiers cheered6 ,but if you had seen her as ,i did1 in her room when she first buckled on her armour1 and the joints did not fit--yes1 and heard her6 there were no smiles to spare then4 ,she lodged at ,mr4 ,rich's1 you know1 two nights2 but he would be ,mr4 ,poor1 ,i should suppose1 by the time her ,grace left him2 for he will not see the worth of a shoelace again of all that he expended on her4 ,you see1 remarked ,mr4 ,buxton to ,isabel1 how fortunate we are in having such a friend of her ,grace's with us4 ,we hear all the cream of the news1 even though it be a trifle sour sometimes4 ,a lover of her ,grace1 said ,mary1 loves the truth about her1 however bitter4 ,but then ,i have no secret passages where ,i may hide from my sovereign6 ,the cream can scarce be but sour1 said ,anthony1 near her ,grace3 there is so much thunder in the air4 ,yes1 but the sun came out when you were there1 ,anthony1 put in ,isabel1 smiling4 ,but even the light of her glorious countenance is trying1 said ,mary4 ,she is overpowering in thunder and sunshine alike4 ,we have had enough of that metaphor1 observed ,mr4 ,buxton4 99 99 99 99 ,then ,anthony had to talk1 and tell all the foreign news of ,douai and ,rome and ,cardinal ,allen2 and of ,father ,persons' scheme for a college at ,valladolid4 ,father ,robert is a superb beggar--as he is superb in all things1 said ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,i dare not think how much he got from me for his college2 and then ,i do not even approve of his college4 ,his principles are too logical for me4 ,i have ever had a weakness for the non sequitur4 ,this led on to the ,armada2 ,anthony told his experience of it2 how he had seen at least the sails of ,lord ,howard's squadron far away against the dawn2 and this led on again to a sharp discussion when the servants had left the room4 ,i do not know1 said ,mary at last2 it is difficult--is not the choice between ,god and ,elizabeth8 ,if ,i were a man1 why should ,i not take up arms to defend my religion8 ,since ,i am a woman1 why should ,i not pray for ,philip's success8 ,it is a bitter hard choice1 ,i know2 but why need ,i prefer my country to my faith8 ,tell me that1 ,father ,anthony4 ,i can only tell you my private opinion1 said ,anthony1 and that is1 that both duties may be done4 ,as ,mr4 ,buxton here used to tell me1 the duty to ,csar is as real as the duty to ,god4 ,a man is bound to both2 for each has its proper bounds4 ,when either oversteps them it must be resisted4 ,when ,elizabeth bids me deny my faith1 ,i tell her ,i would sooner die4 ,when a priest bids me deny my country1 ,i tell him ,i would sooner be damned4 ,mary clapped her hands4 ,i like to hear a man talk like that1 she cried4 ,but what of the ,holy ,father and his excommunication of her ,grace8 ,anthony looked up at her sharply1 and then smiled2 ,isabel watched him with a troubled face4 ,aquinas holds1 he said1 that an excommunication of sovereign and people in a lump is invalid4 ,and until the ,holy ,father tells me himself that ,aquinas is wrong1 ,i shall continue to think he is right4 ,god-a-mercy6 burst in ,mr4 ,buxton1 what a to-do6 ,leave it alone until the choice must be made2 and meanwhile say your prayers for ,pope and ,queen too1 and hear mass and tell your beads and hold your tongue3 that is what ,i say to myself4 ,mistress ,mary1 ,i will not have my chaplain heckled2 here is his lady sister all a-tremble between heresy and treason4 ,they sat long over the supper-table1 talking over the last six years and the times generally4 ,more than once ,mary showed a strange bitterness against the ,queen4 ,at last ,mr4 ,buxton showed his astonishment plainly4 ,i do not understand you1 he said4 ,i know that at heart you are loyal2 and yet one might say you meditated her murder4 ,mary's face grew white with passion and her eyes blazed4 ,ah6 she hissed1 you do not understand1 you say8 ,then where is your heart8 ,but then you did not see ,mary ,stuart die4 ,anthony looked at her1 amazed4 ,and you did1 ,mistress ,mary8 he asked4 ,mary bowed1 with her lips set tight to check their trembling4 ,i will tell you1 she said1 if our host permits2 and she glanced at him4 ,then come this way1 he said1 and they rose from table4 ,they went back again to the withdrawing-room2 a little cedar-fire had been kindled under the wide chimney2 and the room was full of dancing shadows4 ,the great plaster-pendants1 the roses1 the crowns1 and the portcullises on the ceiling seemed to waver in the firelight1 for ,mr4 ,buxton at a sign from ,mary blew out the four tapers that were burning in the sconces4 ,they all sat down in the chairs that were set round the fire1 ,mary in a tall porter's chair with flaps that threw a shadow on her face when she leaned back2 and she took a fan in her hand to keep the fire1 or her friends' eyes1 from her face should she need it4 ,she first told them very briefly of the last months of ,mary's life1 of the web that was spun round her by ,walsingham's tactics1 and her own friends' efforts1 until it was difficult for her to stir hand or foot without treason1 real or pretended1 being set in motion somewhere4 ,then she described how at ,christmas '#hf ,elizabeth had sent her--,mary ,corbet--as a ,catholic1 up to the ,queen of the ,scots at ,fotheringay1 on a private mission to attempt to win the prisoner's confidence1 and to persuade her to confess to having been privy to ,babington's conspiracy2 and how the ,scottish ,queen had utterly denied it1 even in the most intimate conversations4 ,sentence had been already passed1 but the warrant had not been signed2 and it never would have been signed1 said ,mistress ,corbet1 if ,mary had owned to the crime of which she was accused4 ,ah6 how they insulted her6 cried ,mary ,corbet indignantly4 ,she showed me one day the room where her throne had stood4 ,now the cloth of state had been torn down by ,sir ,amyas ,paulet's men1 and he himself dared to sit with his hat on his head in the sovereign's presence6 ,the insolence of the hound6 ,but the ,queen showed me how she had hung a crucifix where her royal arms used to hang4 ',j'appelle1' she said to me1 'de la reine au roi des rois4' ,mistress ,corbet went on to tell of the arrival of ,walsingham's brother-in-law1 ,mr4 ,beale1 with the death-warrant on that ,february ,sunday evening4 ,i saw his foxy face look sideways up at the windows as he got off his horse in the courtyard2 and ,i knew that our foes had triumphed4 ,then the other bloodhounds began to arrive2 my lord of ,kent on the ,monday and ,shrewsbury on the ,tuesday4 ,then they came in to us after dinner2 and they told her ,grace it was to be for next day4 ,i was behind her chair and saw her hand on the boss of the arm1 and it did not stir nor clench2 she said it could not be4 ,she could not believe it of ,elizabeth4 ,when she did at last believe it1 there was no wild weeping or crying for mercy2 but she set her affairs in order1 queenly1 and yet sedately too4 ,she first thought of her soul1 and desired that ,m4 de ,preau might come to her and hear her confession2 but they would not permit it4 ,they offered her ,dr4 ,fletcher instead1 'a godly man1' as my lord of ,kent called him4 ',je ne m'en doute pas1' she said1 smiling4 ,but it was hard not to have a priest4 ,then she set her earthly affairs in order when she had examined her soul and made confession to ,god without the ,dean's assistance4 ,we all supped together when it was growing late2 and ,i thought1 ,father ,anthony--indeed ,i did--of another ,supper long ago4 ,then ,m4 ,gorion was sent for to arrange some messages and gifts2 and until two of the clock in the morning we watched with her or served her as she wrote and gave orders4 ,the court outside was full of comings and goings4 ,as ,i passed down the passage ,i saw the torches of the visitors that were come to see the end2 and once ,i heard a hammering from the great hall4 ,then she went to her bed2 and ,i think few lay as quiet as she in the castle that night4 ,i was with her ladies when they waked her before dawn2 and it was hard to see that sweet face on the pillow open its eyes again to what was before her4 ,then when she was dressed ,i went in again1 and we all went to the oratory1 where she received our ,saviour from the golden pyx which the ,holy ,father had sent her2 for1 you see1 they would allow no priest to come near her4444 ,presently the gentlemen knocked4 ,when we tried to follow we were prevented2 they wished her to die alone among her enemies2 but at last two of the ladies were allowed to go with her4 ,i ran out another way1 and sent a message to my ,lord ,shrewsbury1 who knew me at court4 ,as ,i waited in the courtyard1 the musicians there were playing ',the ,witches' ,dirge1' as is done at the burnings--and all to mock at my queen6 ,at last a halberdier was sent to bring me in4 ,mary ,corbet was silent a moment or two and leaned back in her chair2 and the others dared not speak4 ,the strange emotion of her voice and the stillness of that sparkling figure in the porter's chair affected them profoundly4 ,her face was now completely shaded by a fan4 ,it was in the hall1 where a great fire was burning on the hearth4 ,the stage stood at the upper end2 all was black4 ,the crowd of gentlemen filled the hall and all were still and reverent except--except a devil who laughed as my queen came in1 all in black4 ,she was smiling and brave1 and went up the steps and sat on her black throne and looked about her4 ,the--the things were just in front of her4 ,then the warrant was read by ,beale1 and ,i saw the lords glance at her as it ended2 but there was nought but joyous hope in her face4 ,she looked now and again gently on the ivory crucifix in her hand1 as she listened2 and her lips moved to--to--,him who was delivered to death for her4 ,mary ,corbet gave one quick sob1 and was silent again for an instant4 ,then she went on in a yet lower voice4 ,dr4 ,fletcher tried to address her1 but he stammered and paused three or four times2 and the queen smiled on him and bade him not trouble himself1 for that she lived and died a ,catholic4 ,but they would not let her be2 so she looked on her crucifix and was silent2 and even then my lord of ,kent badgered her and told her ,christ crucified in her hand would not save her1 except ,he was engraved on her heart4 ,then she knelt at her chair and tried to pray softly to herself2 but ,fletcher would not have that1 and prayed himself1 aloud1 and all the gentlemen in the hall began to pray aloud with him4 ,but ,mary prayed on in ,latin and ,english aloud1 and prevailed1 for all were silent at the end but she4 ,and at last she kissed the crucifix and cried in a sweet piercing voice1 ',as thine arms1 ,o ,jesus1 were spread upon the ,cross1 so receive me into ,thy mercy and forgive me my sins6' ,again ,mistress ,corbet was silent2 and ,anthony drew a long sobbing breath of pure pity1 and ,isabel was crying quietly to herself4 ,when the headsmen offered to assist her1 went on the low voice1 the queen smiled at the gentlemen and said that she had never had such grooms before2 and then they let the ladies come up4 ,when they began to help her with her dress ,i covered my face--,i could not help it4 ,there was such a stillness now that ,i could hear her beads chink at her girdle4 ,when ,i looked again1 she was ready1 with her sweet neck uncovered3 all round her was black but the headsman1 who wore a white apron over his velvet1 and she1 in her beauty1 and oh6 her face was so fair and delicate and her eyes so tender and joyous4 ,and as her ladies looked at her1 they sobbed piteously4 ',ne criez vous1' said she4 ,then she knelt down1 and ,mistress ,mowbray bound her eyes4 ,she smiled again under the handkerchief4 ',adieu1' she said1 and then1 ',au revoir4' ,then she said once more a ,latin psalm1 and then laid her head down1 as on a pillow4 ',in manus tuas1 ,domine1' she said4 99 99 99 99 ,mary ,corbet stopped1 and leaned forward a little1 putting her hand into her bosom2 ,anthony looked at her as she drew up a thin silk cord with a ruby ring attached to it4 ,this was hers1 she said simply1 and held it out4 ,each of the ,catholics took it and kissed it reverently1 and ,mary replaced it4 ,when they lifted her1 she added1 a little dog sprang out from her clothes and yelped4 ,and at that the man near me1 who had laughed as she came in1 wept4 99 99 99 99 ,then the four sat silent in the firelight4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,stanfield ,,place ,life at ,stanfield ,place was wonderfully sweet to ,anthony and ,isabel after their exile abroad1 for both of them had an intense love of ,england and of ,english ways4 ,the very sight of fair-faced children1 and the noise of their shrill familiar voices from the village street1 the depths of the ,august woods round them1 the ,english manners of living--all this was alive with a full deliberate joy to these two4 ,besides1 there was the unfailing tenderness and gaiety of ,mr4 ,buxton2 and at first there was the pleasant company of ,mary ,corbet as well4 ,there was little or no anxiety resting on any of them4 ,god was served1 as the celebration of mass was called1 each morning in the little room where ,anthony had made the exercises1 and the three others were always present4 ,it was seldom that the room was not filled to over-flowing on ,sundays and holy-days with the household and the neighbouring ,catholics4 ,everything was1 of course1 perfection in the little chapel when it was furnished2 as was all that ,mr4 ,buxton possessed4 ,there was a wonderful golden crucifix by an unknown artist1 that he had picked up in his travels1 that stood upon the altar1 with the bird-types of the ,saviour at each of the four ends2 a pelican at the top1 an eagle on the right supporting its young which were raising their wings for a flight1 on the left a phoenix amid flames1 and at the foot a hen gathering her chickens under her wings--all the birds had tiny emerald eyes2 the figure on the cross was beautifully wrought1 and had rubies in hands and feet and side4 ,there were also two silver altar-candlesticks designed by ,marrina for the ,piccolomini chapel in the church of ,st4 ,francis in ,siena2 and two more1 plainer1 for the ,elevation4 ,the vestments were exquisite2 those for high festivals were cloth of gold2 and the other white ones were beautifully worked with seed pearls1 and jewelled crosses on the stole and maniple4 ,the other colours1 too1 were well represented1 and were the work of a famous convent in the south of ,france4 ,all the other articles1 too1 were of silver3 the lavabo basin1 the bell1 the thurible1 the boat and spoon1 and the cruets4 ,it was a joy to all the ,catholics who came to see the worship of ,god carried on with such splendour1 when in so many places even necessaries were scarcely forthcoming4 ,there was a little hiding-hole between the chapel and the priest's room1 just of a size to hold the altar furniture and the priests in case of a sudden alarm2 and there were several others in the house too1 which ,mr4 ,buxton had showed to ,anthony with a good deal of satisfaction1 on the morning after his arrival4 ,i dared not show them to you the last time you were here1 he said1 and there was no need2 but now there must be no delay4 ,i have lately made some more1 too4 ,now here is one1 he said1 stopping before the great carved mantelpiece in the hall4 ,he looked round to see that no servant was in the room1 and then1 standing on a settee before the fire1 touched something above1 and a circular hole large enough for a man to clamber through appeared in the midst of the tracery4 ,there1 he said1 and you will find some cured ham and a candle1 with a few dates within1 should you ever have need to step up there--which1 pray ,god1 you may not4 ,what is the secret8 asked ,anthony1 as the tracery swung back into place1 and his host stepped down4 ,pull the third roebuck's ears in the coat of arms1 or rather push them4 ,it closes with a spring1 and is provided with a bolt4 ,but ,i do not recommend that refuge unless it is necessary4 ,in winter it is too hot1 for the chimney passes behind it2 and in summer it is too oppressive1 for there is not too much air4 ,at the end of the corridor that led in the direction of the little old rooms where ,anthony had slept in his visit1 ,mr4 ,buxton stopped before the portrait of a kindly-looking old gentleman that hung on the wall4 ,now there is an upright old man you would say2 and indeed he was1 for he was my own uncle1 and made a godly end of it last year4 ,but now see what a liar ,i have made of him6 ,mr4 ,buxton put his hand behind the frame1 and the whole picture opened like a door showing a space within where three or four could stand4 ,anthony stepped inside and his friend followed him1 and after showing him some clothes hanging against the wall closed the picture after them1 leaving them in the dark4 ,now see what a sharp-eyed old fellow he is too1 whispered his host4 ,anthony looked where he was guided1 and perceived two pinholes through which he could see the whole length of the corridor4 ,through the centre of each eye1 whispered his friend4 ,is he not shrewd and secret8 ,and now turn this way4 ,anthony turned round and saw the opposite wall slowly opening2 and in a moment more he stepped out and found himself in the lobby outside the little room where he had made the exercises six years ago4 ,he heard a door close softly as he looked about him in astonishment1 and on turning round saw only an innocent-looking set of shelves with a couple of books and a little pile of paper and packet of quills upon them4 ,there1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 who would suspect ,tacitus his history and ,juvenal his satires of guarding the passage of a ,christian ecclesiastic fleeing for his life8 ,then he showed him the secret1 how one shelf had to be drawn out steadily1 and the nail in another pressed simultaneously1 and how then the entire set of shelves swung open4 ,then they went back and he showed him the spring behind the frame of the picture4 ,you see the advantage of this1 he went on3 on the one side you may flee upstairs1 a treasonable skulking cassocked jack-priest with the lords and the commons and the ,queen's ,majesty barking at your heels2 and on the other side you may saunter down the gallery without your beard and in a murrey doublet1 a friend of ,mr4 ,buxton's1 taking the air and wondering what the devil all the clamouring be about4 ,then he took him downstairs again and showed him finally the escape of which he was most proud--the entrance1 designed in the cellar-staircase1 to an underground passage from the cellars1 which led1 he told him1 across to the garden-house beyond the lime-avenue4 ,that is the pride of my heart1 he said1 and maybe will be useful some day2 though ,i pray not4 ,ah6 her ,grace and her honest ,council are right4 ,we ,papists are a crafty and deceitful folk1 ,father ,anthony4 99 99 99 99 ,the four grew very intimate during those few weeks2 they had many memories and associations in common on which to build up friendship1 and the aid of a common faith and a common peril with which to cement it4 ,the gracious beauty of the house and the life at ,stanfield1 too1 gilded it all with a very charming romance4 ,they were all astonished at the easy intimacy with which they behaved1 one to another4 ,mary ,corbet was obliged to return to her duties at ,court at the beginning of ,september2 and she had something of an ache at her heart as the time drew on2 for she had fallen once more seriously in love with ,isabel4 ,she said a word of it to ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,they were walking in the lime-avenue together after dinner on the last day of ,mary's visit4 ,you have a good chaplain1 she said2 what an honest lad he is6 and how serious and recollected6 ,please ,god he at least may escape their claws6 ,it is often so1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 with those wholesome out-of-door boys2 they grow up into such simple men of ,god4 ,and ,isabel6 said ,mary1 rustling round upon him as she walked4 ,what a great dame she is become6 ,i used to lie on her bed and kick my heels and laugh at her2 but now ,i would like to say my prayers to her4 ,she is somewhat like our ,lady herself1 so grave and serious1 and yet so warm and tender4 ,mr4 ,buxton nodded sharply4 ,i felt sure you would feel it1 he said4 ,ah6 but ,i knew her when she was just a child2 so simple that ,i loved to startle her4 ,but now--but now--those two ladies have done wonders with her4 ,she has all the splendour of ,mary ,maxwell1 and all the softness of ,margaret4 ,yes1 said the other meditatively2 the two ladies have done it--or1 the grace of ,god4 ,mary looked at him sideways and her lips twitched a little4 ,yes--or the grace of ,god1 as you say4 ,the two laughed into each other's eyes1 for they understood one another well4 ,presently ,mary went on3 ,when you and ,i fence together at table1 she does not turn frigid like so many holy folk--or peevish and bewildered like stupid folk--but she just looks at us1 and laughs far down in those deep grey eyes of hers4 ,oh6 ,i love her6 ended ,mary4 ,they walked in silence a minute or two4 ,and ,i think ,i do1 said ,mr4 ,buxton softly4 ,eh8 exclaimed ,mary1 you do what8 ,she had quite forgotten her last sentence4 ,it is no matter1 he said yet more softly2 and would say no more4 ,presently the talk fell on the ,maxwells2 and came round to ,hubert4 ,they say he would be a favourite at ,court1 said ,mary1 had he not a wife4 ,but her ,grace likes not married men4 ,she looked kindly upon him at ,deptford1 ,i know2 and ,i have seen him at ,greenwich4 ,you know1 of course1 about ,isabel8 ,mr4 ,buxton shook his head4 ,why1 it was common talk that they would have been man and wife years ago1 had not the fool apostatised4 ,her companion questioned her further1 and soon had the whole story out of her4 ,but ,i am thankful1 ended ,mary1 that it has so ended4 ,the next day she went back to ,court2 and it was with real grief that the three watched her wonderful plumed riding-hat trot along behind the top of the churchyard wall1 with her woman beside her1 and her little liveried troop of men following at a distance4 ,the days passed by1 bringing strange tidings to ,stanfield4 ,news continued to reach the ,catholics of the good confessions witnessed here and there in ,england by priests and laity4 ,at the end of ,july1 three priests1 ,garlick1 ,ludlam and ,sympson1 had been executed at ,derby1 and at the end of ,august the defeat of the ,armada seemed to encourage ,elizabeth yet further1 and ,mr4 ,leigh1 a priest1 with four laymen and ,mistress ,margaret ,ward1 died for their religion at ,tyburn4 ,by the end of ,september the news of the hopeless defeat and disappearance of the ,armada had by now been certified over and over again4 ,terrible stories had come in during ,august of that northward flight of all that was left of the fleet over the plunging ,north ,sea up into the stormy coast of ,scotland2 then rumours began of the miseries that were falling on the ,spaniards off ,ireland--,catholic ,ireland from which they had hoped so much4 ,there was scarcely a bay or a cape along the west coast where some ship had not put in1 with piteous entreaties for water and aid--and scarcely a bay or a cape that was not blood-guilty4 ,along the straight coast from ,sligo ,bay westwards1 down the west coast1 ,clew ,bay1 ,connemara1 and haunted ,dingle itself1 where the ,catholic religion under arms had been so grievously chastened eight years ago--everywhere half-drowned or half-starved ,spaniards1 piteously entreating1 were stripped and put to the sword either by the ,irish savages or the ,english gentlemen4 ,the church-bells were rung in ,stanfield and in every ,english village1 and the flame of national pride and loyalty burned fiercer and higher than ever4 99 99 99 99 ,on the last day of ,september ,isabel1 just before dinner in her room1 heard the trot of a couple of horses coming up the short drive1 and on going downstairs almost ran against ,hubert as he came from the corridor into the hall1 as the servant ushered him in4 ,the two stopped and looked at one another in silence4 ,hubert was flushed with hard riding and looked excited2 ,isabel's face showed nothing but pleasure and surprise4 ,the servant too stopped1 hesitating4 ,then ,isabel put out her hand1 smiling2 and her voice was natural and controlled4 ,why1 ,mr4 ,hubert1 she said1 it is you6 ,come through this way2 and she nodded to the servant1 who went forward and opened the door of the little parlour and stood back1 as ,isabel swept by him4 ,when the door was closed1 and the servant's footsteps had died away1 ,hubert1 as he stood facing ,isabel1 spoke at last4 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said almost imploringly1 what can ,i say to you8 ,your home has been wrecked2 and partly through those wild and foolish words of mine2 and you repay it by that act of kindness to my wife6 ,i am come to ask your pardon1 and to thank you4 ,i only reached home last night4 ,ah6 that was nothing1 said ,isabel gently2 and as for the house---- ,as for the house1 he said1 ,i was not master of myself when ,i said those words that ,grace told you of2 and ,i entreat you to let me repair the damage4 ,no1 no1 she said1 ,anthony has given orders2 that will all be done4 ,but what can ,i do then8 he cried passionately2 if you but knew my sorrow--and--and--more than that1 my---- ,isabel had raised her grave eyes and was looking him full in the face now2 and he stopped abashed4 ,how is ,grace1 and ,mercy8 she asked in perfectly even tones4 ,oh6 ,isabel---- he began2 and again she looked at him1 and then went to the door4 ,i hear ,mr4 ,buxton1 she said2 and steps came along through the hall2 she opened the door as he came up4 ,mr4 ,buxton stopped abruptly1 and the two men drew themselves up and seemed to stiffen1 ever so slightly4 ,a shade of aggressive contempt came on ,hubert's keen brown face that towered up so near the low oak ceiling2 while ,mr4 ,buxton's eyelids just drooped1 and his features seemed to sharpen4 ,there was an unpleasant silence3 ,isabel broke it4 ,you remember ,master ,hubert ,maxwell8 she said almost entreatingly4 ,he smiled kindly at her1 but his face hardened again as he turned once more to ,hubert4 ,i remember the gentleman perfectly1 he said1 and he no doubt knows me1 and why ,i cannot ask him to remain and dine with us4 ,hubert smiled brutally4 ,it is the old story of course1 the ,faith6 ,i must ask your pardon1 sir1 for intruding4 ,the difficulty never came into my mind4 ,the truth is that ,i have lived so long now among ,protestants that ,i had quite forgotten what ,catholic charity is like6 ,he said this with such extreme bitterness and fury that ,isabel put out her hand instinctively to ,mr4 ,buxton1 who smiled at her once more1 and pressed it in his own4 ,hubert laughed again sharply2 his face grew white under the tan1 and his lips wrinkled back once or twice4 ,so1 if you can spare me room to pass1 he went on in the same tone1 ,i will begone to the inn4 ,mr4 ,buxton stepped aside from the door1 and ,hubert bowed to ,isabel so low that it was almost an insult in itself1 and strode out1 his spurs ringing on the oak boards4 ,when he half turned outside the front door to beckon to his groom to bring up the horses1 he became aware that ,isabel was beside him4 ,hubert1 she said1 ,hubert1 ,i cannot bear this4 ,there were tears in her voice1 and he could not help turning and looking at her4 ,her face1 more grave and transparent than ever1 was raised to his2 her red down-turned lips were trembling1 and her eyes were full of a great emotion4 ,he turned away again sharply4 ,hubert1 she said again1 ,i was not born a ,catholic1 and ,i do not feel like ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,and--and ,i do thank you for coming2 and for your desire to repair the house2 and--and will you give my love to ,grace8 ,then he suddenly turned to her with such passion in his eyes that she shrank back4 ,at the same moment the groom brought up the horses2 he turned and mounted without a word1 but his eyes were dim with love and anger and jealousy4 ,then he drove his spurs into his great grey mare1 and ,isabel watched him dash between the iron gates1 with his groom only half mounted holding back his own plunging horse4 ,then she went within doors again4 ,,chapter ,v ,,joseph ,,lackington ,it was a bitter ride back to ,great ,keynes for ,hubert4 ,he had just returned from watching the fifty vessels1 which were all that were left of the ,great ,armada1 pass the ,blaskets1 still under the nominal command of ,medina ,sidonia1 on their miserable return to ,spain2 and he had come back as fast as sails could carry him1 round the stormy ,land's-,end up along the south coast to ,rye1 where on his arrival he had been almost worshipped by the rejoicing townsfolk4 ,yet all through his voyage and adventures1 at any rate since his interview with her at ,rye1 it had been the face of ,isabel there1 and not of ,grace1 that had glimmered to him in the dark1 and led him from peril to peril4 ,then1 at last1 on his arrival at home1 he had heard of the disaster to the ,dower ,house1 and his own unintended share in it2 and of ,isabel's generous visit to his wife2 and at that he had ordered his horse abruptly over-night and ridden off without a word of explanation to ,grace on the following morning4 ,and he had been met by a sneering man who would not sit at table with him1 and who was the protector and friend of ,isabel4 99 99 99 99 ,he rode up through the village just after dark and in through the gatehouse up to the steps4 ,a man ran to open the door1 and as ,hubert came through told him that a stranger had ridden down from ,london and had arrived at mid-day1 and that he had been waiting ever since4 ,i gave the gentleman dinner in the cloister parlour1 sir2 and he is at supper now1 added the man4 ,hubert nodded and pushed through the hall4 ,he heard his name called timidly from upstairs1 and looking up saw his wife's golden head over the banisters4 ,well6 he said4 ,ah1 it is you4 ,i am so glad4 ,who else should it be8 said ,hubert1 and passed through towards the cloister wing1 and opened the door of the little parlour where ,isabel and ,mistress ,margaret had sat together years before1 the night of ,mr4 ,james' return1 and of the girl's decision4 ,a stranger rose up hastily as he came in1 and bowed with great deference4 ,hubert knew his face1 but could not remember his name4 ,i ask your pardon1 ,mr4 ,maxwell2 but your man would take no denial1 and he indicated the supper-table with a steaming dish and a glass jug of wine ruddy in the candlelight4 ,hubert looked at him curiously4 ,i know you1 sir1 he said1 but ,i cannot put a name to your face4 ,lackington1 said the man with a half smile2 ,joseph ,lackington4 ,hubert still stared2 and then suddenly burst into a short laugh4 ,why1 yes1 he said2 ,i know now4 ,my father's servant4 ,the man bowed4 ,formerly1 sir2 and now agent to ,sir ,francis ,walsingham1 he said1 with something of dignity in his manner4 ,hubert saw the hint1 but could not resist a small sneer4 ,why1 ,i am pleased to see you1 he said4 ,you have come to see your old--home8 and he threw himself into a chair and stretched his legs to the blaze1 for he was stiff with riding4 ,lackington instantly sat down too1 for his pride was touched4 ,it was not for that1 ,mr4 ,maxwell1 he said almost in the tone of an equal1 but on a mission for ,sir ,francis4 ,hubert looked at him a moment as he sat there in the candlelight1 with his arm resting easily on the table4 ,he was plainly prosperous1 and was even dressed with some distinction2 his reddish beard was trimmed to a point2 his high forehead was respectably white and bald2 and his seals hung from his belt beside his dagger with an air of ease and solidity4 ,perhaps he was of some importance2 at any rate1 ,sir ,francis ,walsingham was4 ,hubert sat up a little4 ,a mission to me8 he said4 ,lackington nodded4 ,a few questions on a matter of state4 ,he drew from his pouch a paper signed by ,sir ,francis authorising him as an agent1 for one month1 and dated three days back2 and handed it to ,hubert4 ,i obtained that from ,sir ,francis on ,monday1 as you will see4 ,you can trust me implicitly4 ,will the business take long8 asked ,hubert1 handing the paper back4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,maxwell2 and ,i must be gone in an hour in any case4 ,i have to be at ,rye at noon to-morrow2 and ,i must sleep at ,mayfield to-night4 ,at ,rye1 said ,hubert1 why ,i came from there yesterday4 ,lackington bowed again1 as if he were quite aware of this2 but said nothing4 ,then ,i will sup here1 went on ,hubert1 and we will talk meantime4 ,when a place had been laid for him1 he drew his chair round to the table and began to eat4 ,may ,i begin at once8 asked ,lackington1 who had finished4 ,hubert nodded4 ,then first ,i believe it to be a fact that you spoke with ,mistress ,isabel ,norris on board the ,elizabeth at ,rye on the tenth of ,august last4 ,hubert had started violently at her name2 but did his utmost to gain outward command of himself again immediately4 ,well8 he said4 --,and with ,master ,anthony ,norris1 lately made a priest beyond the seas4 ,that is a lie1 said ,hubert4 ,lackington politely lifted his eyebrows4 ,indeed8 he said4 ,that he was made a priest1 or that you spoke with him8 ,that ,i know aught of him1 said ,hubert4 ,his heart was beating furiously4 ,lackington made a note rather ostentatiously2 he could see that ,hubert was frightened1 and thought that it was because of a possible accusation of having dealings with a traitor4 ,and as regards ,mistress ,norris1 he said judicially1 with his pencil raised1 you deny having spoken with her8 ,hubert was thinking furiously4 ,then he saw that ,lackington knew too much for its being worth his own while to deny it4 ,no1 ,i never denied that1 he said1 lifting his fork to his mouth2 and he went on eating with a deliberate ease as ,lackington again made a note4 ,the next question was a home-thrust4 ,where are they both now8 asked ,lackington1 looking at him4 ,hubert's mind laboured like a mill4 ,i do not know1 he said4 ,you swear it8 ,i swear it4 ,then ,mistress ,norris has changed her plans8 said ,lackington swiftly4 ,what do you mean by that8 ,why she told you where they were going when you met8 said the other in a remonstrating tone4 ,hubert suddenly saw the game4 ,if the authorities really knew that1 it would have been a useless question4 ,he stared at ,lackington with an admirable vacancy4 ,indeed she did not1 he said4 ,for aught ,i know1 they--she is in ,france again4 ,they8 said ,lackington shrewdly4 ,then you do know somewhat of the priest8 ,but ,hubert was again too sharp4 ,only what you told me just now1 when you said he was at ,rye4 ,i supposed you were telling the truth4 ,lackington passed his hand smoothly over his mouth and beard1 and smiled4 ,either ,hubert was very sharp or else he had told everything2 and he did not believe him sharp4 ,thank you1 ,mr4 ,maxwell1 he said1 with a complete dropping of his judicial manner4 ,i will not pretend not to be disappointed2 but ,i believe what you say about ,france is true2 and that it is no use looking for him further4 ,hubert experienced an extraordinary relief4 ,he had saved ,isabel4 ,he drank off a glass of claret4 ,tell me everything1 he said4 ,well1 said ,lackington1 ,mr4 ,thomas ,hamon is my informant4 ,he sent up to ,sir ,francis the message that a lady of the name of ,norris had been introduced to him at ,rye2 because he thought he remembered some stir in the county several years ago about some reconciliations to ,rome connected with that name4 ,of course we knew everything about that3 and we have our agents at the seminaries too2 so we concluded that she was one of our birds2 the rest1 of course1 was guesswork4 ,mr4 ,norris has certainly left ,douai for ,england2 and he may possibly even now be in ,england2 but from your information and others'1 ,i now believe that ,mistress ,isabel came across first1 and that she found the country too hot1 what with the ,spaniards and all2 and that she returned to ,france at once4 ,of course during that dreadful week1 ,mr4 ,maxwell1 we could not be certain of all vessels that came and went2 so ,i think she just slipped across again2 and that they are both waiting in ,france4 ,we shall keep good watch now at the ports1 ,i can promise you4 ,hubert's emotions were varied during this speech4 ,first shame at having entirely forgotten the mayor of ,rye and his own introduction of ,isabel to him2 then astonishment at the methods of ,walsingham's agents2 and lastly intense triumph and relief at having put them off ,isabel's track4 ,for ,anthony1 too1 he had nothing but kindly feelings2 so1 on the whole1 he thought he had done well for his friends4 ,the two talked a little longer2 ,lackington was a stimulating companion from both his personality and his position2 and ,hubert found himself almost sorry when his companion said he must be riding on to ,mayfield4 ,as he walked out with him to the front door1 he suddenly thought of ,mr4 ,buxton again and his reception in the afternoon4 ,they had wandered in their conversation so far from the ,norrises by now that he felt sure he could speak of him without doing them any harm4 ,so1 as they stood on the steps together1 waiting for ,lackington's horse to come round1 he suddenly said3 ,do you know aught of one ,buxton1 who lives somewhere near ,tonbridge1 ,i think8 ,buxton1 ,buxton8 said the other4 ,i met him in town once1 went on ,hubert smoothly2 a little man1 dark1 with large eyes1 and looks somewhat like a ,frenchman4 ,buxton1 ,buxton8 said the other again4 ,a ,papist1 is he not8 ,yes1 said ,hubert1 hoping to get some information against him4 ,a friend8 asked ,lackington4 ,no1 said ,hubert with such vehemence that ,lackington looked at him4 ,i remember him1 he said in a moment2 he was imprisoned at ,wisbeach six or seven years ago4 ,but ,i do not think he has been in trouble since4 ,you wish1 you wish----8 he went on interrogatively4 ,nothing1 said ,hubert2 but ,lackington saw the hatred in his eyes4 ,the horses came round at this moment2 and ,lackington said good-bye to ,hubert with a touch of the old deference again1 and mounted4 ,hubert watched him out under the gatehouse-lamp into the night beyond1 and then he went in again1 pondering4 ,his wife was waiting for him in the hall now--a delicate golden-haired figure1 with pathetic blue eyes turned up to him4 ,she ran to him and took his arm timidly in her two hands4 ,oh6 ,i am glad that man has gone1 ,hubert4 ,he looked down at her almost contemptuously4 ,why1 you know nothing of him6 he said4 ,not much1 she said1 but he asked me so many questions4 ,hubert started and looked suddenly at her1 in terror4 ,oh1 ,hubert6 she said1 shrinking back frightened4 ,questions6 he said1 seizing her hands4 ,questions of whom8 ,of--of--,mistress ,isabel ,norris1 she said1 almost crying4 ,and--and--what did you say8 ,did you tell him8 ,oh1 ,hubert6--,i am so sorry--ah6 do not look like that4 ,what did you say8 ,what did you say8 he said between his teeth4 ,i--,i--told a lie1 ,hubert2 ,i said ,i had never seen her4 ,hubert took his wife suddenly in his two arms and kissed her three or four times4 ,you darling1 you darling6 he said2 and then stooped and picked her up1 and carried her upstairs1 with her head against his cheek1 and her tears running down because he was pleased with her1 instead of angry4 ,they went upstairs and he set her down softly outside the nursery door4 ,hush1 she said1 smiling up at him2 and then softly opened the door and listened1 her finger on her lip2 there was no sound from within2 then she pushed the door open gently1 and the wife and husband went in4 ,there was a shaded taper still burning in a high bracket where an image of the ,mother of ,god had stood in the ,catholic days of the house4 ,hubert glanced up at it and remembered it1 with just a touch at his heart4 ,beneath it was a little oak cot1 where his four-year-old boy lay sleeping2 the mother went across and bent over it1 and ,hubert leaned his brown sinewy hands on the end of the cot and watched him4 ,there his son lay1 with tangled curls on the pillow2 his finger was on his lips as if he bade silence even to thought4 ,hubert looked up1 and just above the bed1 where the crucifix used to hang when he himself had slept in this nursery1 probably on the very same nail1 he thought to himself1 was a rusty ,spanish spur that he himself had found in a sea-chest of the ,san ,juan4 ,the boy had hung up with a tarry bit of string this emblem of his father's victory1 as a protection while he slept4 ,the child stirred in his sleep and murmured as the two watched him4 ,father's home again1 whispered the mother4 ,it is all well4 ,go to sleep again4 ,when she looked up again to her husband1 he was gone4 99 99 99 99 ,it was not often that ,hubert had regrets for the ,faith he had lost2 but to-night things had conspired to prick him4 ,there was his rebuff from ,mr4 ,buxton2 there was the sight of ,isabel in the dignified grace that he had noticed so plainly before2 there had been the interview with the ex-,catholic servant1 now a spy of the ,government1 and a remorseless enemy of all ,catholics2 and lastly there were the two little external reminders of the niche and the nail over his son's bed4 ,he sat long before the fire in ,sir ,nicholas' old room1 now his own study4 ,as he lay back and looked about him1 how different this all was1 too6 ,the mantelpiece was almost unaltered2 the ,maxwell devices1 two-headed eagles1 hurcheons and saltires1 on crowded shields1 interlaced with the motto ,reviresco1 all newly gilded since his own accession to the estate1 rose up in deep shadow and relief2 but over it1 instead of the little old picture of the ,vernacle that he remembered as a child1 hung his own sword4 ,was that a sign of progress8 he wondered4 ,the tapestry on the east wall was the same1 a hawking scene with herons and ladies in immense headdresses that he had marvelled at as a boy4 ,but then the books on the shelves to the right of the door1 they were different2 there had been old devotional books in his father's time1 mingled strangely with small works on country life and sports2 now the latter only remained1 and the nearest to a devotional book was a volume of a mystical herbalist who identified plants with virtues1 strangely and ingeniously4 ,then the prie-dieu1 where the beads had hung and the little wooden shield with the ,five ,wounds painted upon it--that was gone2 and in its place hung a cupboard where he kept a crossbow and a few tools for it2 and old hawk-lures and jesses and the like4 ,then he lay back again1 and thought4 ,had he then behaved unworthily8 ,this old ,faith that had been handed down from father and son for generations2 that had been handed to him too as the most precious heirloom of all--for which his father had so gladly suffered fines and imprisonment1 and risked death--he had thrown it over1 and for what8 ,for ,isabel1 he confessed to himself2 and then the--the ,power that stands behind the visible had cheated him and withdrawn that for which he had paid over that great price4 ,was that a reckless and brutal bargain on his side--to throw over this strange delicate thing called the ,faith for which so many millions had lived and died1 all for a woman's love8 ,a curious kind of family pride in the ,faith began to prick him4 ,after all1 was not honour in a manner bound up with it too2 and most of all when such heavy penalties attached themselves to the profession of it8 ,was that the moment when he should be the first of his line to abandon it8 ,reviresco--,i renew my springtide4 ,but was not this a strange grafting--a spur for a crucifix1 a crossbow for a place of prayer8 ,reviresco--,there was sap indeed in the old tree2 but from what soil did it draw its strength8 ,his heart began to burn with something like shame1 as it had burned now and again at intervals during these past years4 ,here he lay back in his father's chair1 in his father's room1 the first ,protestant of the ,maxwells4 ,then he passed on to a memory4 ,as he closed his eyes1 he could see even now the chapel upstairs1 with the tapers alight and the stiff figure of the priest in the midst of the glow2 he could smell the flowers on the altar1 the ,june roses strewn on the floor in the old manner1 and their fresh dewy scent mingled with the fragrance of the rich incense in an intoxicating chord2 he could hear the rustle that emphasised the silence1 as his mother rose from his side and went up for communion1 and the breathing of the servants behind him4 ,then for contrast he remembered the whitewashed church where he attended now with his wife1 ,sunday by ,sunday1 the pulpit occupied by the black figure of the virtuous ,mr4 ,bodder pronouncing his discourse1 the great texts that stood out in their new paint from the walls1 the table that stood out unashamed and sideways in the midst of the chancel4 ,and which of the two worships was most like ,god8444 ,then he compared the worshippers in either mode4 ,well1 ,drake1 his hero1 was a convinced ,protestant2 the bravest man he had ever met or dreamed of--fiery1 pertinacious1 gloriously insolent4 ,he thought of his sailors1 on whom a portion of ,drake's spirit fell1 their gallantry1 their fearlessness of death and of all that comes after2 of ,mr4 ,bodder1 who was now growing middle-aged in the ,vicarage--yes1 indeed1 they were all admirable in various ways1 but were they like ,christ8 ,on the other hand1 his father1 in spite of his quick temper1 his mother1 brother1 aunt1 the priests who came and went by night1 ,isabel--and at that he stopped3 and like a deep voice in his ear rose up the last tremendous question1 ,what if the ,catholic ,religion be true after all8 ,and at that the supernatural began to assert itself4 ,it seemed as if the empty air were full of this question1 rising in intensity and emphasis4 ,what if it is true8 ,what if it is true8 ,what if it is true8 ,he sat bolt upright and looked sharply round the room2 the candles burned steadily in the sconce near the door4 ,the tapestry lifted and dropped noiselessly in the draught2 the dark corners beyond the press and in the window recesses suggested presences that waited2 the wide chimney sighed suddenly once4 ,was that a voice in his ear just now1 or only in his heart8 ,but in either case---- ,he made an effort to command himself1 and looked again steadily round the room2 but there seemed no one there4 ,but what if the old tale be true8 ,in that case he is not alone in this little oak room1 for there is no such thing as loneliness4 ,in that case he is sitting in full sight of ,almighty ,god1 whom he has insulted2 and of the saints whose power he has repudiated2 and of the angels good and bad who have---- ,ah6 what was that8 ,there had seemed to come a long sigh somewhere behind him2 on his left surely4--,what was it8 ,some wandering soul8 ,was it1 could it be the soul of one who had loved him and desired to warn him before it was too late8 ,could it have been----and then it came again2 and the hair prickled on his head4 ,how deathly still it is1 and how cold6 ,ah6 was that a rustle outside2 a tap8444 ,in ,god's name1 who can that be8444 ,and then ,hubert licked his dry lips and brought them together and smiled at ,grace1 who had come down1 opening the doors as she came1 to see why he had not come to bed4 ,bah6 what a superstitious fool he was1 after all6 ,,chapter ,,vi ,a ,,departure ,the months went by happily at ,stanfield2 and1 however ill went the fortunes of the ,church elsewhere1 here at least were peace and prosperity4 ,most discouraging news indeed did reach them from time to time4 ,the severe penalties now enacted against the practice of the ,catholic ,religion were being enforced with great vigour1 and the weak members of the body began to fail4 ,two priests had apostatised at ,chichester earlier in the year1 one of them actually at the scaffold on ,broyle ,heath2 and then in ,december there were two more recantations at ,paul's ,cross4 ,those ,catholics too who threw up the ,faith generally became the most aggressive among the persecutors1 to testify to their own consciences1 as well to the ,protestants1 of the sincerity of their conversion4 ,but in ,stanfield the ,church flourished1 and ,anthony had the great happiness of receiving his first convert in the person of ,mr4 ,rowe1 the young owner of a house called ,east ,maskells1 separated from ,stanfield ,place by a field-path of under a mile in length1 though the road round was over two2 and the comings and goings were frequent now between the two houses4 ,mr4 ,rowe was at present unmarried1 and had his aunt to keep house for him1 a tolerant old maiden lady who had conformed placidly to the ,reformed ,religion thirty years before1 and was now grown content with it4 ,several schismatics too--as those ,catholics were called who attended their parish church--had waxed bolder1 and given up their conformity to the ,establishment2 so it was a happy and courageous flock that gathered ,sunday by ,sunday at ,stanfield ,place4 99 99 99 99 ,just before ,christmas1 ,anthony received a long and affectionate letter from ,james ,maxwell1 who was still at ,douai4 ,the ,rector will still have me here1 he wrote1 and shows me to the young men as if ,i were a kind of warrior2 which is bad for pride2 but then he humbles me again by telling me ,i am of more use here as an example1 than ,i should be in ,england2 and that humbles me again4 ,so ,i am content to stay4 ,it is a humbling thing1 too1 to find young men who can tell me the history of my arms and legs better than ,i know it myself4 ,but the truth is1 ,i can never walk well again--yet laudetur ,jesus ,christus4 ,then ,james ,maxwell wrote a little about his grief for ,hubert2 gave a little news of foreign movements among the ,catholics2 and finally ended as follows3 ,at last ,i understand who your friend was behind ,bow ,church1 who stuttered and played the ,catholic so well4 ,it was our old servant ,lackington2 who turned ,protestant and entered ,walsingham's service4 ,i hear all this from one ,p4 lately in the same affairs1 but now turned to ,christ his service instead2 and who has entered here as a student4 ,so beware of him2 he has a pointed beard now1 and a bald forehead4 ,i hear1 too1 from the same source that he was on your track when you landed1 but now thinks you to be in ,france4 ,however1 he knows of you2 so ,i counsel you not to abide over long in one place4 ,perhaps you may go to ,lancashire2 that is like heaven itself for ,catholics4 ,their zeal and piety there are beyond praise2 but ,i hear they somewhat lack priests4 ,god keep you always1 my dear ,brother2 and may the ,queen of ,heaven intercede for you4 ,pray for me4 99 99 99 99 ,soon after the ,new ,year1 ,mary ,corbet was able to get away from ,court and come down again to her friends for a month or two at ,stanfield4 ,during her stay they all had an adventure together at ,east ,maskells4 ,they had been out a long expedition into the woods one clear frosty day and rode in just at sunset for an early supper with ,mr4 ,rowe and his aunt4 ,they had left their horses at the stable and come in round the back of the house2 so that they missed the servant ,miss ,rowe had placed at the front door to warn them1 and came straight into the winter-parlour1 where they found ,miss ,rowe in conversation with an ecclesiastic4 ,there was no time to retreat2 and ,anthony in a moment more found himself being introduced to a minister he had met at ,lambeth more than once--the ,reverend ,robert ,carr1 who had held the odd title of ,archbishop's ,curate and the position of minister in charge of the once collegiate church of ,all ,saints'1 ,maidstone1 ever since the year '#ei4 ,he had ridden up from ,maidstone for supper and lodging1 and was on his way to town4 ,anthony managed to interrupt ,miss ,rowe before she came to his assumed name ,capell1 and remarked rather loudly that he had met ,mr4 ,carr before2 who recognised him too1 and greeted him by his real name4 ,it was an uncomfortable situation1 as ,mr4 ,carr was quite unaware of the religion of five out of six of those present1 and very soon began to give voice to his views on ,papistry4 ,he was an oldish man by now1 and of some importance in ,maidstone1 where he had been appointed ,jurat by the ,corporation1 and was a very popular and influential man4 ,the voice of the people1 he said in the midst of a conversation on the national feeling towards ,spain1 that is what we must hearken to4 ,even sovereigns themselves must come to that some day4 ,they must rule by obeying2 as man does with ,god's laws in nature4 ,would you say that1 sir1 of her ,grace8 asked ,mary ,corbet meekly4 ,i should1 madam2 though ,i fear she has injured her power by her behaviour this year4 ,it was her people who saved her4--,hawkins1 who is now ruined as he says2 my lord ,howard1 who has paid from his own purse for the meat and drink of her ,grace's soldiers1 and those who fought with them2 and not her ,grace1 who saved them2 or ,leicester1 now gone to his account1 who sat at ,tilbury and did the bowing and the prancing and the talking while ,hawkins and the rest did the fighting4 ,no1 madam1 it is the voice of the people to which we must hearken4 ,this was rather confused and dangerous talking too2 but here was plainly a man to be humoured2 he looked round him with a suffused face and the eye of a cock1 and a little white plume on his forehead increased his appearance of pugnacity4 ,it is the same in religion1 he said1 when all preserved a deferential silence2 it is that that lies at the root of papist errors4 ,as you know very well1 he went on1 turning suddenly on ,anthony1 our bishops do nothing to guide men's minds2 they only seem to3 they ride atop like the figure on a cock-horse1 but it is the legs beneath that do the work and the guiding too3 now that is right and good2 and the ,church of ,england will prosper so long as she goes like that4 ,but if the bishops try to rule they will find their mistake4 ,now the ,popish ,church is not like that2 she holds that power comes from above1 that the ,pope guides the bishops1 the bishops the priests1 and the priests the people4 ,and the ,holy ,ghost the ,pope2 is it not so1 sir8 asked ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,mr4 ,carr turned an eye on him4 ,so they hold1 sir1 he said after a pause4 ,they think then1 sir1 that the shepherds guide the sheep8 asked ,anthony humbly4 ,mary ,corbet gave a yelp of laughter2 but when ,mr4 ,carr looked at her she was grave and deferential again4 ,miss ,rowe looked entreatingly from face to face4 ,the minister did not notice ,anthony's remark2 but swept on again on what was plainly his favourite theme1--the infallibility of the people4 ,it was a doctrine that was hardly held yet by any2 but the next century was to see its gradual rise until it reached its climax in the ,puritanism of the ,stuart times4 ,it was true1 as ,mr4 ,carr said1 that ,elizabeth had ruled by obeying2 and that the people of ,england1 encouraged by success in resisting foreign domination1 were about to pass on to the second position of resisting any domination at all4 ,presently he pulled out of his pocket a small printed sheet1 and was soon declaiming from it4 ,it was not very much to the point1 except as illustrating the national spirit which he believed so divine4 ,it was a ballad describing the tortures which the ,spaniards had intended to inflict upon the heretic ,english1 and began3 ,all you that list to look and see ,what profit comes from ,spain1 ,and what the ,pope and ,spaniards both ,prepared for our gain4 ,then turn your eyes and lend your ears ,and you shall hear and see ,what courteous minds1 what gentle hearts1 ,they bear to thee and me6 ,and it ended in the same spirit3 ,be these the men that are so mild ,whom some so holy call6 ,the ,lord defend our noble ,queen ,and country from them all6 ,there6 the minister cried when he had done1 that is what the ,papists are like6 ,trust me2 ,i know them4 ,i should know one in a moment if he ventured into this room1 by his crafty face4 ,but the ,lord will defend ,his own ,englishmen2 nay6 ,he has done so4 ',god blew and they were scattered1' he ended1 quoting from the ,armada medal4 99 99 99 99 ,as the four rode home by pairs across the field-path in the frosty moonlight ,mr4 ,buxton lamented to ,anthony the effect of the ,armada4 ,the national spirit is higher than ever1 he said1 and it will be the death of ,catholicism here for the present4 ,our country squires1 ,i fear1 faithful ,catholics to this time1 are beginning to wonder and question4 ,when will our ,catholic kings learn that ,christ ,his ,kingdom is not of this world8 ,philip has smitten the ,faith in ,england with the weapon which he drew in its defence1 as he thought4 ,i was once of that national spirit myself1 said ,anthony4 ,i remember you were1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 smiling2 and what grace has done to you it may do to others4 99 99 99 99 ,the spring went by1 and in the week after ,easter1 ,james' news about ,lancashire was verified by a letter from a friend of ,mr4 ,buxton's1 a ,mr4 ,norreys1 the owner of one of the staunch ,catholic houses1 ,speke ,hall1 on the bank of the ,mersey4 ,here1 he wrote1 by the mercy of ,god there is no lack of priests1 though there be none to spare2 my own chaplain says mass by dispensation thrice on ,sunday2 but on the moors the sheep look up and are not fed2 and such patient sheep6 ,i heard but last week of a church where the folk resort1 priest or no1 each ,sunday to the number of two hundred1 and are led by a lector in devotion1 ending with an act of spiritual communion made all together4 ,these damnable heresies of which the apostle wrote have not poisoned the springs of sound doctrine2 some of us here know naught yet of ,elizabeth and her supremacy1 or even of seven-wived ,harry his reformation4 ,send us then1 dear friend1 a priest1 or at least the promise of one2 lest we perish quite4 ,mr4 ,buxton had a sore struggle with himself over this letter2 but at last he carried it to ,anthony4 ,read that1 he said2 and stood waiting4 ,anthony looked up when he had done4 ,i am your chaplain1 he said1 but ,i am ,god's priest first4 ,yes1 dear lad1 said his friend1 ,i feared you would say so2 and ,i will say so to ,norreys2 and he left the room at once4 ,and so at last it came to be arranged that ,anthony should leave for ,lancashire at the end of ,july2 and that after his departure ,stanfield should be served occasionally by the priest who lived on the outskirts of ,tonbridge2 but the daily mass would have to cease1 and that was a sore trouble to ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,no definite decision could be made as to when ,anthony could return2 that must wait until he saw the needs of ,lancashire2 but he hoped to be able at least to pay a visit to ,stanfield again in the spring of the following year4 ,it was arranged also1 of course1 that ,isabel should accompany her brother4 ,they were both of large independent means1 and could travel in some dignity2 and her presence would be under these circumstances a protection as well as a comfort to ,anthony4 ,it would need very great sharpness to detect the seminary priest under ,anthony's disguise1 and amid the surroundings of his cavalcade of four or five armed servants1 a ,french maid1 and a distinguished-looking lady4 ,yet1 in spite of this1 ,mr4 ,buxton resolved to do his utmost to prevent ,isabel from going to ,lancashire2 partly1 of course1 he disliked the thought of the dangers and hardships that she was certain to encounter2 but the real motive was that he had fallen very deeply in love with her4 ,it was her exceptional serenity that seemed to him her greatest charm2 her movements1 her face1 her grey eyes1 the very folds of her dress seemed to breathe with it2 and to one of ,mr4 ,buxton's temperament such a presence was cool and sweet and strangely fascinating4 ,it was now ,april1 and he resolved to devote the next month or two to preparing her for his proposal2 and he wrote frankly to ,mary ,corbet telling her how matters stood1 entreating her to come down for ,july and counsel him4 ,mary wrote back at once1 rather briefly1 promising to come2 but not encouraging him greatly4 ,i would ,i could cheer you more1 she wrote2 of course ,i have not seen ,isabel since ,january2 but1 unless she has changed1 ,i do not think she will marry you4 ,i am writing plainly you see1 as you ask in your letter4 ,but ,i can still say1 ,god prosper you4 99 99 99 99 ,as the spring went by and the summer came on1 ,isabel grew yet more silent4 ,as the evenings began to lengthen out she used to spend much time before and after supper in walking up and down the clipped lime avenue between the east end of the church and the great gates that looked over the meadows across which the stream and the field-path ran towards ,east ,maskells4 ,mr4 ,buxton would watch her sometimes from an upstairs window1 himself unseen1 and occasionally would go out and talk with her2 but he found it harder than he used to get on to intimate relations2 and he began to suspect that he had displeased her in some way1 and that ,mary ,corbet was right4 ,in the afternoon she and ,anthony would generally ride out together1 once or twice going round by ,penshurst1 and their host would torture himself by his own indecision as regards accompanying them2 sometimes doing so1 sometimes refraining1 and regretting whichever he did4 ,more and more he began to look forward to ,mary's coming and the benefit of her advice2 and at last1 at the end of ,june1 she came4 ,their first evening together was delightful for them all4 ,she was happy at her escape from ,court2 her host was happy at the prospect of her counsel2 and all four were happy at being together again4 ,they did not meet till supper1 and even that was put off an hour1 because ,mary had not come1 and when she did arrive she was full of excitement4 ,i will tell you all at supper1 she said to her host1 whom she met in the hall4 ,oh6 how late ,i am6 and she whirled past him and upstairs without another word4 99 99 99 99 ,i will first give you the news in brief1 she said1 when ,anthony had said grace and they were seated1 all four of them as before2 and the trumpet-flourish was silent that had announced the approach of the venison4 ,mutton's new chaplain1 ,dr4 ,bancroft1 will be in trouble soon2 he hath been saying favourable things for some of us poor papists1 and hath rated the ,precisians soundly4 ,sir ,francis ,knollys is wroth with him2 but that is no matter4--,her ,grace played at cards till two of the clock this morning1 and that is why ,i am so desperate sleepy to-night1 for ,i had to sit up too2 and that is a great matter4--,drake and ,norris1 'tis said1 have whipped the dons again at ,corunna2 and the ,queen has sworn to pull my lord ,essex his ears for going with them and adventuring his precious self2 and that is no matter at all1 but will do him good4--,george ,luttrell hath put up a coat of arms in his hall at ,dunster1 which is a great matter to him1 but to none else2--and ,i have robbed a highwayman this day in the beech woods this side of ,groombridge4 ,dear lady1 said ,mr4 ,buxton resignedly1 as the others looked up startled1 you are too swift for our dull rustic ears2 we will begin at the end1 if you please4 ,is it true you have robbed an highwayman8 ,it is perfectly true1 she said1 and unlatched a ruby brooch1 made heart-shape1 from her dress4 ,there is the plunder1 and she held it out for inspection4 ,then tell us the tale1 said ,anthony4 ,it would be five of the clock1 said ,mary1 as we came through ,groombridge1 and then into the woods beyond4 ,i had bidden my knaves ride on before with my woman2 ,i came down into a dingle where there was a stream2 and1 to tell the truth1 ,i had my head down and was a-nodding1 when my horse stopped2 and ,i looked up of a sudden and there was a man on a bay mare1 with a mask to his mouth1 a gay green suit1 a brown beard turning grey1 and this ruby brooch at his throat2 and he had caught my bridle4 ,i saw him start when ,i lifted my head1 as if he were taken aback4 ,i said nothing1 but he led my horse off the road down among the trees with a deep little thicket where none could see us4 ,as we went ,i was thinking like a windmill2 for ,i knew ,i had seen the little red brooch before4 ,when we reached the little open space1 ,i asked him what he wished with me4 ',your purse1 madam1' said he4 ',my woman hath it1' said ,i4 ',your jewels then1 madam1' said he4 ',my woman hath them1' said ,i1 'save this paste buckle in my hat1 to which you are welcome4' ,it was diamonds1 you know2 but ,i knew he would not know that4 ',what a mistake1' ,i said1 'to stop the mistress and let the maid go free6' ',nay1' he said1 ',i am glad of it2 for at least ,i will have a dance with the mistress2 and ,i could not with the maid4' ',you are welcome to that1' ,i said1 and ,i slipped off my horse1 to humour him1 and even as ,i slipped off ,i knew who he was1 for although many have red brooches1 and many brown beards turning grey1 few have both together2 but ,i said nothing4 ,and there--will you believe it8--we danced under the beech-trees like ,phyllis and ,corydon1 or whoever they are that ,sidney is always prating of2 or like two fools1 ,i would sooner say4 ,then when we had done1 ,i made him a curtsey4 ',now you must help me up1' said ,i1 and he mounted me without a word1 for he was a stoutish gallant and somewhat out of breath4 ,and then what did the fool do but try to kiss me1 and as he lifted his arm ,i snatched the brooch and put spur to my horse1 and as we went up the bank ,i screamed at him1 ',claude1 you fool1 go home to your wife and take shame to yourself4' ,and when ,i was near the road ,i looked back1 and he still stood there all agape4 ,and what was his name8 asked ,anthony4 ,nay1 nay1 ,i have mocked him enough4 ,and ,i know four ,claudes1 so you need not try to guess4 99 99 99 99 ,when supper was over1 ,mr4 ,buxton and ,mary walked up and down the south path of the garden between the yews1 while the other two sat just outside the hall window on a seat placed on the tiled terrace that ran round the house4 ,how ,i have longed for you to come1 ,mistress ,mary1 he said1 and counsel me of the matter we wrote about4 ,tell me what to do4 ,mary looked meditatively out to the strip of moon that was rising out to the east in the ,june sky4 ,then she looked tenderly at her friend4 ,i hate to pain you1 she said1 but cannot you see that it is impossible8 ,i may be wrong2 but ,i think her heart is so given to our ,saviour that there is no love of that sort left4 ,ah1 how can you say that8 he cried2 the love of the ,saviour does not hinder earthly love2 it purifies and transfigures it4 ,yes1 said ,mary gravely1 it is often so--but the love of the true spouse of ,christ is different4 ,that leaves no room for an earthly bridegroom4 ,mr4 ,buxton was silent a moment or two4 ,you mean it is the love of the consecrated soul8 ,mary bowed her head4 ,but ,i cannot be sure1 she added4 ,then what shall ,i do8 he said again1 almost piteously2 and ,mary could see even in the faint moonlight that his pleasant face was all broken up and quivering4 ,she laid her hand gently on his arm1 and her rings flashed4 ,you must be very patient1 she said1 very full of deference--and grave4 ,you must not be ardent nor impetuous1 but speak slowly and reverently to her1 but at no great length2 be plain with her2 do not look in her face1 and do not show anxiety or despair or hope4 ,you need not fear that your love will not be plain to her4 ,indeed1 ,i think she knows it already4 ,why1 ,i have not---- he began4 ,i know you have not spoken to her2 but ,i saw that she only looked at you once during supper1 and that was when your face was turned from her2 she does not wish to look you in the eyes4 ,ah1 she hates me1 he sighed4 ,do not be foolish1 said ,mary1 she honours you1 and loves you1 and is grieved for your grief2 but ,i do not think she will marry you4 ,and when shall ,i speak8 he asked4 ,you must wait2 ,god will make the opportunity--in any case4 ,you must not attempt to make it4 ,that would terrify her4 ,and you will speak for me4 ,mary smiled at him4 ,dear friend1 she said1 sometimes ,i think you do not know us at all4 ,do you not see that ,isabel is greater than all that8 ,what she knows1 she knows4 ,i could tell her nothing4 99 99 99 99 ,the days passed on2 the days of the last month of the ,norrises' stay at ,stanfield4 ,half-way through the month came the news of the ,oxford executions4 ,ah6 listen to this1 cried ,mr4 ,buxton1 coming out to them one evening in the garden with a letter in his hand4 ',humphrey ,prichard1' he read1 'made a good end4 ,he protested he was condemned for the ,catholic ,faith2 that he willingly died for it2 that he was a ,catholic4 ,one of their ministers laughed at him1 saying he was a poor ignorant fellow who knew not what it was to be a ,catholic4 ',i know very well2' said ,humphrey1 'though ,i cannot say it in proper divinity language4' ,there is the ,religion for you6 went on ,mr4 ,buxton2 all meet there1 wise and simple alike4 ,there is no difference2 no scholarship is needed for faith4 ',i know what it is1' cried ,humphrey1 'though ,i cannot explain it6' ,the news came to ,anthony just when he needed it2 he felt he had done so little to teach his flock now he was to leave them2 but if he had only done something to keep alive the fire of faith1 he had not lost his time2 and so he went about his spiritual affairs with new heart1 encouraging the wavering1 whom he was to leave1 warning the over-confident1 urging the hesitating1 and saying good-bye to them all4 ,isabel went with him sometimes2 or sometimes walked or rode with ,mary1 and was silent for the most part in public4 ,the master of the house himself did his affairs1 and carried a heavier heart each day4 ,and at last the opportunity came which ,mary had predicted4 ,he had come in one evening after a hot ride alone over to ,tonbridge on some business with the priest there2 and had dressed for supper immediately on coming in4 ,as there was still nearly an hour before supper1 he went out to walk up and down the same yew-alley near the garden-house where he had walked with ,mary4 ,anthony and ,isabel had returned a little later from ,east ,maskells1 and they too had dressed early4 ,isabel threw a lace shawl over her head1 and betook herself too to the alley2 and there she turned a corner and almost ran into her host4 ,it was1 as ,mary had said1 a ,god-made opportunity4 ,neither time nor place could have been improved4 ,if externals were of any value to this courtship1 all that could have helped was there4 ,the setting of the picture was perfect2 a tall yew-hedge ran down the northern side of the walk1 cut1 as ,bacon recommended1 not fantastically but with some pretty pyramids2 a strip of turf separated it from the walk1 giving a sense both of privacy and space2 on the south side ran flower-beds in the turf1 with yews and cypresses planted here and there1 and an oak paling beyond2 to the east lay the fair mount1 again recommended by the same authority1 but not so high1 and with but one ascent2 to the west the path darkened under trees1 and over all rose up against the sunset sky the tall grotesque towers and vanes of the garden-house4 ,the flowers burned with that ember-like glow which may be seen on summer evenings1 and poured out their scent2 the air was sweet and cool1 and white moths were beginning to poise and stir among the blossoms4 ,the two actors on this scene too were not unworthy of it2 his dark velvet and lace with the glimmer of diamonds here and there1 and his delicate bearded clean-cut face1 a little tanned1 thrown into relief by the spotless crisp ruff beneath1 and above all his air of strength and refinement and self-possession--all combined to make him a formidable stormer of a girl's heart4 ,and as he looked on her--on her clear almost luminous face and great eyes1 shrined in the drooping lace shawl1 through which a jewel or two in her black hair glimmered1 her upright slender figure in its dark sheath1 and the hand1 white and cool1 that held her shawl together over her breast--he had a pang of hope and despair at once1 at the sudden sense of need of this splendid creature of ,god to be one with him1 and reign with him over these fair possessions2 and of hopelessness at the thought that anything so perfect could be accomplished in this imperfect world4 ,he turned immediately and walked beside her1 and they both knew1 in the silence that followed1 that the crisis had come4 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said1 still looking down as he spoke1 and his voice sounded odd to her ears1 ,i wonder if you know what ,i would say to you4 ,there came no sound from her1 but the rustle of her dress4 ,but ,i must say it1 he went on1 follow what may4 ,it is this4 ,i love you dearly4 ,her walk faltered beside him1 and it seemed as if she would stand still4 ,a moment1 he said1 and he lifted his white restrained face4 ,i ask you to be patient with me4 ,perhaps ,i need not say that ,i have never said this to any woman before2 but more1 ,i have never even thought it4 ,i do not know how to speak1 nor what ,i should say2 beyond this1 that since ,i first met you at the door across there1 a year ago1 you have taught me ever since what love means2 and now ,i am come to you1 as to my dear mistress1 with my lesson learnt4 ,they were standing together now2 he was still turned a little away from her1 and dared not lift his eyes to her face again4 ,then of a sudden he felt her hand on his arm for a moment1 and he looked up1 and saw her eyes all swimming with sorrow4 ,dear friend1 she said quite simply1 it is impossible--,ah6 what can ,i say8 ,give me a moment more1 he said2 and they walked on slowly4 ,i know what presumption this is2 but ,i will not spin phrases about that4 ,nor do ,i ask what is impossible2 but ,i will only ask leave to teach you in my turn what love means4 ,oh6 that is the hardest of all to say1 she said1 but ,i know already4 ,he did not quite understand1 and glanced at her a moment4 ,i once loved too1 she whispered4 ,he drew a sharp breath4 ,forgive me1 he said1 ,i forced that from you4 ,you are never anything but courteous and kind1 she said1 and that makes this harder than all4 ,they walked in silence half a dozen steps4 ,have ,i distressed you8 he asked1 glancing at her again4 ,then she looked full in his face1 and her eyes were overflowing4 ,i am grieved for your sorrow1 she said1 and at my own unworthiness1 you know that8 ,i know that you are now and always will be my dear mistress and queen4 ,his voice broke altogether as he ended1 and he bent and took her hand delicately in his own1 as if it were royal1 and kissed it4 ,then she gave a great sob and slipped away through the opening in the clipped hedge2 and he was left alone with the dusk and his sorrow4 99 99 99 99 ,a week later ,anthony and ,isabel were saying good-bye to him in the early summer morning3 the pack-horses had started on before1 and there were just the two saddle-horses at the low oak door1 with the servants' behind4 ,when ,mr4 ,buxton had put ,isabel into the saddle1 he held her hand for a moment2 ,anthony was mounting behind4 ,mistress ,isabel1 he whispered2 forgive me2 but ,i find ,i cannot take your answer2 you will remember that4 ,she shook her head without speaking1 but dared not even look into his eyes2 though she turned her head as she rode out of the gates for a last look at the peaked gables and low windows of the house where she had been so happy4 ,there was still the dark figure motionless against the pale oak door4 ,oh1 ,anthony6 she whispered brokenly1 our ,lord asks very much4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,northern ,,religion ,the ,northern counties were distinguished among all in ,england for their loyalty to the old ,faith2 and this was owing1 no doubt1 to the characters of both the country and the inhabitants2--it was difficult for the officers of justice to penetrate to the high moorland and deep ravines1 and yet more difficult to prevail with the persons who lived there4 ,twenty-two years before the famous ,lancashire ,league had been formed1 under the encouragement of ,dr4 ,allen1 afterwards the ,cardinal1 whose members pledged themselves to determined recusancy2 with the result that here and there church-doors were closed1 and the ,book of ,common ,prayer utterly refused4 ,owing partly to ,bishop ,downman's laxity towards the recusants1 the principles of the ,league had retained their hold throughout the county1 ever since '#fh1 when ten obstinate ,lancastrians had been haled before the ,council1 of whom one1 the famous ,sir ,john ,southworth himself1 suffered imprisonment more than once4 ,anthony and ,isabel then found their life in the ,north very different to that which they had been living at ,stanfield4 ,near the towns1 of course1 precaution was as necessary as anywhere else in ,england1 but once they had passed up on to the higher moorlands they were able to throw off all anxiety1 as much as if the penal laws of ,england were not in force there4 ,it was pleasant1 too1 to go1 as they did1 from great house to great house1 and find the old pre-,reformation life of ,england in full vigour2 the whole family present at mass so often as it was said1 desirous of the sacraments1 and thankful for the opportunities of grace that the arrival of the priest afforded4 ,isabel would often stay at such houses a week or two together1 while ,anthony made rounds into the valleys and to the moorland villages round-about2 and then the two would travel on together with their servants to the next village4 ,anthony's ecclesiastical outfit was very simple4 ,among ,isabel's dresses lay a brocade vestment that might easily pass notice if the luggage was searched2 and ,anthony carried in his own luggage a little altar-stone1 a case with the holy oils1 a tiny chalice and paten1 singing-cakes1 and a thin vellum-bound ,missal and ,ritual in one volume1 containing the order of mass1 a few votive masses1 and the usual benedictions for holy-water1 rue and the like1 and the occasional offices4 ,in this manner they first visited many of the famous old ,lancashire houses1 some of which still stand1 ,borwick ,hall1 ,hall-i'-the-,wood1 ,lydiate ,hall1 ,thurnham1 ,blainscow1 where ,campion had once been so nearly taken1 and others1 all of which were provided with secret hiding-places for the escape of the priest1 should a sudden alarm be raised4 ,in none of them1 however1 did he find the same elaboration of device as at ,stanfield ,place4 ,first1 however1 they went to ,speke ,hall1 the home of ,mr4 ,norreys1 on the banks of the ,mersey1 a beautiful house of magpie architecture1 and furnished with a remarkable underground passage to the shore of the ,mersey1 the scene of ,richard ,brittain's escape4 ,here they received a very warm welcome4 ,it is as ,i wrote to ,mr4 ,buxton1 said his host on the evening of their arrival1 in many places in this country any religion other than the ,catholic is unknown4 ,the belief of the ,protestant is as strange as that of the ,turk1 both utterly detested4 ,i was in ,cumberland a few months back2 there in more than one village the old worship goes on as it has done since ,christianity first came to this island4 ,but ,i hope you will go up there1 now that you have come so far4 ,you would do a great work for ,christ his ,church4 ,he told him1 too1 a number of stories of the zeal and constancy shown on behalf of the ,religion2 of small squires who were completely ruined by the fines laid upon them2 of old halls that were falling to pieces through the ruin brought upon their staunch owners2 and above all of the priests that ,lancashire had added to the roll of the martyrs--,anderton1 ,marsden1 and ,thompson among others--and of the joy shown when the glorious news of their victory over death reached the place where they had been born or where they had ministered4 ,at ,preston1 he said1 when the news of ,mr4 ,greenaway's death reached them1 they tolled the bells for sorrow4 ,but his old mother ran from her house to the street when they had broken the news to her3 ',peal them1 peal them6' she cried1 'for ,i have borne a martyr to ,god4' ,he talked1 too1 of ,campion1 of his sermons on ,the ,king who went a journey1 and the ,hail1 ,mary2 and told him of the escape at ,blainscow ,hall1 where the servant-girl1 seeing the pursuivants at hand1 pushed the ,jesuit1 with quick wit and courage1 into the duck-pond1 so that he came out disguised indeed--in green mud--and was mocked at by the very officers as a clumsy suitor of maidens4 ,anthony's heart warmed within him as he sat and listened to these tales of patience and gallantry4 ,i would lay down my life to serve such folk1 he said2 and ,isabel looked with deep-kindled eyes from the one to the other4 ,they did not stay more than a day or two at ,speke ,hall1 for1 as ,mr4 ,norreys said1 the necessaries of salvation were to be had there already2 but they moved on almost at once northwards1 always arriving at some central point for ,saturdays and ,sundays1 so that the ,catholics round could come in for shrift and housel4 ,in this manner they passed up through ,lancashire1 and pushed still northwards1 hearing that a priest was sorely needed1 through the corner of ,westmoreland1 up the ,lake country1 through into ,cumberland itself4 ,at ,kendal1 where they stayed two nights1 ,anthony received a message that determined him1 after consultation with ,isabel1 to push on as far as ,skiddaw1 and to make that the extreme limit of his journey4 ,he sent the messenger1 a wild-looking ,north-countryman1 back with a verbal answer to that effect1 and named a date when they would arrive4 ,it was already dark1 two weeks later1 when they arrived at the point where the guide was to meet them1 as they had lost their way more than once already4 ,here were a couple of men with torches1 waiting for them behind a rock1 who had come down from the village1 a mile farther on1 to bring them up the difficult stony path that was the only means of access to it4 ,the track went up a ravine1 with a rock-wall rising on their left1 on which the light of the torches shone1 and tumbled ground1 covered with heather1 falling rapidly away on their right down to a gulf of darkness whence they could hear the sound of the torrent far below2 the path was uneven1 with great stones here and there1 and sharp corners in it1 and as they went it was all they could do to keep their tired horses from stumbling1 for a slip would have been dangerous under the circumstances4 ,the men who led them said little1 as it was impossible for a horse and a man to walk abreast1 but ,anthony was astonished to see again and again1 as they turned a corner1 another man with a torch and some weapon1 a pike1 or a sword1 start up and salute him1 or sometimes a group1 with barefooted boys1 and then attach themselves to the procession either before or behind2 until in a short while there was an escort of some thirty or forty accompanying the cavalcade4 ,at last1 as they turned a corner1 the lighted windows of a belfry showed against the dark moor beyond1 and in a moment more1 as if there were a watcher set there to look out for the torches1 a peal of five bells clashed out from the tower2 then1 as they rose yet higher1 the path took a sudden turn and a dip between two towering rocks1 and the whole village lay beneath them1 with lights in every window to welcome the priest1 the first that they had seen for eight months1 when the old ,marian rector1 the elder brother of the squire1 had died4 ,it was now late1 so ,anthony and ,isabel were conducted immediately to the ,hall1 an old house immediately adjoining the churchyard2 and here1 too1 the windows were blazing with welcome1 and the tall squire1 ,mr4 ,brian1 with his wife and children behind1 was standing before the bright hall-door at the top of the steps4 ,the men and boys that had brought them so far1 and were standing in the little court with their torches uplifted1 now threw themselves on their knees to receive the priest's blessing1 before they went home2 and ,anthony blessed them and thanked them1 and went indoors with his sister1 strangely moved and uplifted4 99 99 99 99 ,the two following days were full of hard work and delight for ,anthony4 ,he was to say mass at half-past six next morning1 and came out of the house a little after six o'clock2 the sun was just rising to his right over a shoulder of ,skiddaw1 which dominated the eastern horizon2 and all round him1 stretched against the sky in all directions1 were the high purple moors in the strange dawn-light4 ,immediately in front of him1 not thirty yards away1 stood the church1 with its tower1 two aisles1 and a chapel on a little promontory of rock which jutted out over the bed of the torrent along which he had climbed the night before2 and to his left lay the straggling street of the village4 ,all was perfectly still except for the dash of the stream over the rocks2 but from one or two houses a thin skein of smoke was rising straight into the air4 ,anthony stood rapt in delight1 and drew long breaths of the cool morning air1 laden with freshness and fragrant with the mellow scent of the heather and the autumnal smells4 ,he was completely taken by surprise when he entered the church1 for1 for the first time since he could remember1 he saw an ,english church in its true glory4 ,it had been built for a priory-church of ,holm-,cultram1 but for some reason had never been used as that1 and had become simply the parish church of the village4 ,across the centre and the northern aisle ran an elaborate screen1 painted in rich colours1 and the southern chapel1 which ran eastwards of the porch1 was separated in a similar way from the rest of the church4 ,over the central screen was the great rood1 with its attendant figures1 exquisitely carved and painted2 in every direction1 as ,anthony looked beyond the screens1 gleamed rich windows1 with figures and armorial bearings2 here and there tattered banners hung on the walls2 ,st4 ,christopher stood on the north wall opposite the door1 to guard from violence all who looked upon him day by day2 a little painting of the ,baptist hung on a pillar over against the font1 and a ,vernacle by the pulpit2 and all round the walls hung little pictures1 that the poor and unlearned might read the story of redemption there4 ,but the chief glory of all was the solemn high altar1 with its riddells surmounted by taper-bearing gilded angels1 with its brocade cloth1 and its painted halpas behind2 and above it1 before the rich window which smouldered against the dawn1 hung the awful pyx1 covered by the white silk cloth1 but empty2 waiting for the priest to come and bid the ,shechinah of the ,lord to brood there again over this gorgeous throne beneath1 against the brilliant halo of the painted glass behind4 ,anthony knelt a moment and thanked ,god for bringing him here1 and then passed up into the north aisle1 where the image of the ,mother of ,god presided1 as she had done for three hundred years1 over her little altar against the wall4 ,anthony said his preparation and vested at the altar2 and was astonished to find at least thirty people to hear mass3 none1 of course1 made their communion1 but ,anthony1 when he had ended1 placed the ,body of the ,lord once more in the hanging pyx and lit the lamp before it4 ,then all day he sat in the north chapel1 with the dash and loud thunder of the mountain stream entering through the opened panes of the east window1 and the stained sunlight1 in gorgeous colours1 creeping across the red tiles at his feet1 glowing and fading as the clouds moved over the sun1 while the people came and were shriven2 with the exception of an hour in the middle of the day and half an hour for supper in the evening1 he was incessantly occupied until nine o'clock at night4 ,from the upland dales all round they streamed in1 at news of the priest1 and those who had come from far and were fasting he communicated at once from the ,reserved ,sacrament4 ,at last1 tired out1 but intensely happy1 he went back to the ,hall4 ,but the next morning was yet more startling4 ,mass was at eight o'clock1 and by the time ,anthony entered the church he found a congregation of nearly two hundred souls2 the village itself did not number above seventy1 but many came in from the country round1 and some had stayed all night in the church-porch4 ,then1 too1 he heard the ,north-country singing in the old way2 all the mass music was sung in three parts1 except the unchanging melody of the creed1 which1 like the tremendous and unchanging words themselves1 at one time had united the whole of ,england2 but what stirred ,anthony more than all were the ancient hymns sung here and there during the service1 some in ,latin1 which a few picked voices rendered1 and some in ,english1 to the old lilting tunes which were as much the growth of the north-country as the heather itself4 ,the ,ave ,verum ,corpus was sung after the ,elevation1 and ,anthony felt that his heart would break for very joy2 as he bent before the ,body of his ,lord1 and the voices behind him rose and exulted up the aisles1 the women's and children's voices soaring passionately up in the melody1 the mellow men's voices establishing1 as it seemed1 these ecstatic pinnacles of song on mighty and immovable foundations4 ,vespers were said at three o'clock1 after baptisms and more confessions2 and ,anthony was astonished at the number of folk who could answer the priest4 ,after vespers he made a short sermon1 and told the people something of what he had seen in the ,south1 of the martyrdoms at ,tyburn1 and of the constancy of the confessors4 ',be thou faithful unto death1' he said4 ,so our ,saviour bids us1 and ,he gives us a promise too3 ',i will give thee a crown of life4' ,beloved1 some day the tide of heresy will creep up these valleys too2 and it will bear many things with it1 the scaffold and the gallows and the knife maybe4 ,and then our ,lord will see which are ,his2 then will be the time that grace will triumph--that those who have used the sacraments with devotion2 that have been careful and penitent with their sins1 that have hungered for the ,bread of ,life--the ,lord shall stand by them and save them1 as ,he stood by ,mr4 ,sherwin on the rack1 and ,father ,campion on the scaffold1 and ,mistress ,ward and many more1 of whom ,i have not had time to tell you4 ,he who bids us be faithful1 ,himself will be faithful2 and ,he who wore the crown of thorns will bestow upon us the crown of life4 ,then they sang a hymn to our ,lady3 ,hail be thou1 ,mary1 the mother of ,christ1 and the old swaying tune rocked like a cradle1 and the people looked up towards their ,mother's altar as they sang--their ,mother who had ruled them so sweetly and so long--and entreated her in their hearts1 who stood by her ,son's ,cross1 to stand by theirs too should ,god ever call them to die upon one4 ,the next day ,mr4 ,brian took ,anthony a long walk as soon as dinner was over1 across the moors towards the north side of ,skiddaw4 ,anthony found the old man a delightful and garrulous companion1 full of tales of the countryside1 historical1 religious1 naturalistic1 and supernatural4 ,as they stood on a little eminence and looked back to where the church-tower pricked out of the deep crack in the moors where it stood1 he told him the tale of the coming of the pursuivants4 ,they first troubled us in '#gb1 he said2 they had not thought it worth while before to disturb themselves for one old man like my brother1 who was like to die soon2 but in ,april of that year they first sent up their men4 ,but it was only a pair of pursuivants1 for they knew nothing of the people2 they came up1 the poor men1 to take my brother down to ,cockermouth to answer on his religion to some bench of ministers that sat there4 ,well1 they met him1 in his cassock and square cap1 coming out of the church1 where he had just replaced the ,most ,holy ,sacrament after giving communion to a dying body4 ',heh6 are you the minister8' say they4 ',heh6 ,i am the priest1 if that is what you mean1' he answers back4 7,he was a large man1 like myself1 was my brother47 ',well1 come1 old man1' say they1 'we must help you down to ,cockermouth4' ,well1 a few words passed2 and the end was that he called out to ,tim1 who lived just against the church2 and told them what was forward4 ,well1 the pursuivants got back to ,cockermouth with their lives1 but not much else2 and reported to the magistrates that the wild ,irish themselves were little piminy maids compared to the folk they had visited that day4 ,so there was a great to-do1 and a deal of talk2 and in the next month they sent up thirty pikemen with an officer and a dozen pursuivants1 and all to take one old priest and his brother4 ,i had been in ,kendal in ,april when they first came--but they put it all down to me4 ,well1 we were ready for them this time2 the bells had been ringing to call in the folk since six of the clock in the morning2 and by dinner-time1 when the soldiers were expected1 there was a matter of two hundred men1 ,i should say1 some with scythes and sickles1 and some with staves or shepherds' crooks2 the children had been sent down sooner to stone the men all the way up the path2 and by the time that they had reached the churchyard gate there was not a man of them but had a cut or a bruise upon him4 ,then1 when they turned the corner1 black with wrath1 there were the lads gathered about the church-porch each with his weapon1 and each white and silent1 waiting for what should fall4 ,now you wonder where we were4 ,we were in the church1 my brother and ,i2 for our people had put us there against our will1 to keep us safe1 they said4 ,eh6 but ,i was wroth when ,olroyd and the rest pushed me through the door4 ,however1 there we were1 locked in2 ,i was up in one window1 and my brother was in the belfry as ,i thought1 each trying to see what was forward4 ,i saw the two crowds of them1 silent and wrathful1 with not twenty yards between them1 and a few stones still sailing among the soldiers now and again2 the pikes were being set in array1 and our lads were opening out to let the scythes have free play1 when on a sudden ,i heard the tinkle of a bell round the outside of the tower1 and ,i climbed down from my place1 and up again to one of the west windows2 there was a fearsome hush outside now1 and ,i could see some of the soldiers in front were uneasy2 they had their eyes off the lads and round the side of the tower4 ,and then ,i saw little ,dickie ,olroyd in his surplice ringing a bell and bearing a candle1 and behind him came my brother1 in a purple cope ,i had never set eyes on before1 with his square cap and a great book1 and his eyes shining out of his head1 and his lips opening and mouthing out ,latin2 and then he stopped1 laid the book reverently on a tombstone1 lifted both hands1 and brought them down with the fingers out1 and his eyes larger than ever4 ,i could see the soldiers were ready to break and scatter1 for some were ,catholics no doubt1 and many more feared the priest2 and then on a sudden my brother caught the candle out of ,dickie's hand1 blew it out with a great puff1 while ,dickie rattled upon the bell1 and then he dashed the smoking candle among the soldiers4 ,the soldiers broke and fled like hares1 out of the churchyard1 down the street and down the path to ,cockermouth2 the officer tried to stay them1 but 'twas no use2 the fear of the ,church was upon them1 and her ,grace herself could not have prevailed with them4 ,well1 when they let us out1 the lads were all a-trembling too2 for my brother's face1 they said1 was like the destroying angel2 and ,i was somewhat queer myself1 and ,i was astonished too2 for he was kind-hearted1 was my brother1 and would not hurt a fly's body2 much less damn his soul2 and1 after all1 the poor soldiers were not to blame2 and 'twas a queer cursing1 ,i thought too1 to be done like that2 but maybe 'twas a new papal method4 ,i went round to the north chapel1 and there he was taking off his cope4 ',well1' he said to me1 'how did ,i do it8' ',do it8' ,i said2 'do it8 ,why1 you've damned those poor lads' souls eternally4 ,the hand of the ,lord was with you1' ,i said4 ',damned them8' said he2 'nonsense6 ',twas only your old herbal that ,i read at them2 and the cope too1 'twas inside out4' 99 99 99 99 ,then the old man told ,anthony other stories of his earlier life1 how he had been educated at the university and been at ,court in ,king ,henry's reign and ,queen ,mary's1 but that he had lost heart at ,elizabeth's accession1 and retired to his hills1 where he could serve ,god according to his conscience1 and study ,god's works too1 for he was a keen naturalist4 ,he told ,anthony many stories about the deer1 and the herds of wild white hornless cattle that were now practically extinct on the hills1 and of a curious breed of four-horned sheep1 skulls of all of which species hung in his hall1 and of the odd drinking-horns that ,anthony had admired the day before4 ,there was one especially that he talked much of1 a buffalo horn on three silver feet fashioned like the legs of an armed man2 round the centre was a filleting inscribed1 ,qui pugnat contra tres perdet duos1 and there was a cross pate on the horn1 and two other inscriptions1 ,nolite extollere cornu in altu' and ,qui bibat me adhuc siti'4 ,mr4 ,brian told him it had been brought from ,italy by his grandfather4 ,they put up a quantity of grouse and several hares as they walked across the moor2 one of the hares1 which had a curious patch of white between his ears like a little night-cap1 startled ,mr4 ,brian so much that he exclaimed aloud1 crossed himself1 and stood1 a little pale1 watching the hare's head as it bobbed and swerved among the heather4 ,i like it not1 he said to ,anthony1 who inquired what was the matter4 ,satan hath appeared under some such form to many in history4 ,joachimus ,camerarius1 who wrote de natura dmonum1 tells1 ,i think1 a story of a hare followed by a fox that ran across the path of a young man who was riding on a horse1 and who started in pursuit4 ,up and down hills and dales they went1 and soon the fox was no longer there1 and the hare grew larger and blacker as it went2 and the young man presently saw that he was in a country that he knew not2 it was all barren and desolate round him1 and the sky grew dark4 ,then he spurred his horse more furiously1 and he drew nearer and nearer to the great hare that now skipped along like a stag before him2 and then1 as he put out his hand to cut the hare down1 the creature sprang into the air and vanished1 and the horse fell dead2 and the man was found in his own meadow by his friends1 in a swound1 with his horse dead beside him1 and trampled marks round and round the field1 and the pug-marks of what seemed like a great tiger beside him1 where the beast had sprung into the air4 ,when ,mr4 ,brian found that ,anthony was interested in such stories1 he told him plenty of them2 especially tales that seemed to join in a strange unity of life1 demons1 beasts and men4 ,it was partly1 no doubt1 his studies as a naturalist that led him to insist upon points that united rather than divided the orders of creation2 and he told him stories first from such writers as ,michael ,verdunus and ,petrus ,burgottus1 who relate among other marvels how there are ointments by the use of which shepherds have been known to change themselves into wolves and tear the sheep that they should have protected2 and he quoted to him ,st4 ,augustine's own testimony1 to the belief that in ,italy certain women were able to change themselves into heifers through the power of witchcraft4 ,finally1 he told him one or two tales of his own experience4 ,in the year '#fc1 he said1 before my marriage1 ,i was living alone in the ,hall2 ,i was a young man1 and did my best to fear nought but deadly sin4 ,i was coming back late from ,threlkeld1 round the south of ,skiddaw that you see over there2 and was going with a lantern1 for it would be ten o'clock at night1 and the time of year was autumn4 ,i was still a mile or two from the house1 and was saying my beads as ,i came1 for ,i hold that is a great protection2 when ,i heard a strange whistling noise1 with a murmur in it1 high up overhead in the night4 ',it is the birds going south1' ,i said to myself1 for you know that great flocks fly by night when the cold begins to set in2 but the sound grew louder and more distinct1 and at last ,i could hear the sound as of words gabbled in a foreign tongue2 and ,i knew they were no birds1 though maybe they had wings like them4 ,but ,i knew that a ,christened soul in grace has nought to fear from hell2 so ,i crossed myself and said my beads1 and kept my eyes on the ground1 and presently ,i saw my lights burning in the house1 and heard the roar of the stream1 and the gabbling above me ceased1 as the sound of the running water began4 ,but that night ,i awoke again and again2 and the night seemed hot and close each time1 as if a storm was near1 but there was no thunder4 ,each time ,i heard the roar of the stream below the house1 and no more4 ,at last1 towards the morning1 ,i set my window wide that looks towards the stream1 and leaned out2 and there beneath me1 crowded against the wall of the house1 as ,i could see in the growing light1 was a great flock of sheep1 with all their heads together towards the house1 as close as a score of dogs could pack them1 and they were all still as death1 and their backs were dripping wet2 for they had come down the hills and swum the stream1 in order to be near a ,christened man and away from what was abroad that night4 ,my shepherds told me the same that day1 that everywhere the sheep had come down to the houses1 as if terrified near to death2 and at ,keswick1 whither ,i went the next market-day1 they told me the same tale1 and that two men had each found a sheep that could not travel2 one had a broken leg1 and the other had been cast2 but neither had another mark or wound or any disease upon him1 but that both were lying dead upon ,skiddaw2 and the look in the dead eyes1 they said1 was fit to make a man forget his manhood4 ,anthony found the old man the most interesting companion possible1 and he persuaded him to accompany him on several of the expeditions that he had to make to the hamlets and outlying cottages round1 in his spiritual ministrations2 and both he and ,isabel were sincerely sorry when two ,sundays had passed away1 and they had to begin to move south again in their journeyings4 99 99 99 99 ,and so the autumn passed and winter began1 and ,anthony was slowly moving down again1 supplying the place of priests who had fallen sick or had died1 visiting many almost inaccessible hamlets1 and everywhere encouraging the waverers and seeking the wanderers1 and rejoicing over the courageous1 and bringing opportunities of grace to many who longed for them4 ,he met many other well-known priests from time to time1 and took counsel with them1 but did not have time to become very intimate with any of them1 so great were the demands upon his services4 ,in this manner he met ,john ,colleton1 the canonist1 who had returned from his banishment in '#hg1 but found him a little dull and melancholy1 though his devotion was beyond praise4 ,he met1 too1 the ,jesuit ,fathers ,edward ,oldcorne and ,richard ,holtby1 the former of whom had lately come from ,hindlip4 ,he spent ,christmas near ,cartmel-in-,furness1 and after the new year had opened1 crossed the ,ken once more near ,beetham1 and began to return slowly down the coast4 ,everywhere he was deeply touched by the devotion of the people1 who1 in spite of long months without a priest1 had yet clung to the observance of their religion so far as was possible1 and now welcomed him like an angel of ,god2 and he had the great happiness too of reconciling some who1 yielding to loneliness and pressure1 had conformed to the ,establishment4 ,in these latter cases he was almost startled by the depth of ,catholic convictions that had survived4 ,i never believed it1 father1 said a young squire to him1 near ,garstang4 ,i knew that it was but a human invention1 and not the ,gospel that my fathers held1 and that ,christ our ,saviour brought on earth2 but ,i lost heart1 for that no priest came near us1 and ,i had not had the sacraments for nearly two years2 and ,i thought that it were better to have some religion than none at all1 so at last ,i went to church4 ,but there is no need to talk to me1 father1 now ,i have made my confession1 for ,i know with my whole soul that the ,catholic ,religion is the true one--and ,i have known it all the while1 and ,i thank ,god and ,his ,blessed ,mother1 and you1 father1 too1 for helping me to say so again1 and to come back to grace4 ,at last1 at the beginning of ,march1 ,anthony and ,isabel found themselves back again at ,speke ,hall1 warmly welcomed by ,mr4 ,norreys4 ,you have done a good work for the ,church1 ,mr4 ,capell1 said his host1 and ,god will reward you and thank you for it ,himself1 for we cannot4 ,and ,i thank ,god1 said ,anthony1 for the encouragement to faith that the sight of the faithful ,north has given to me2 and pray ,him that ,i may carry something of her spirit back with me to the south4 ,there were letters waiting for him at ,speke ,hall1 one from ,mr4 ,buxton1 urging them to come back1 at least for the present1 to ,stanfield ,place1 so soon as the winter work in the north was over2 and another from the ,rector of the ,college at ,douai to the same effect4 ,there was also one more1 written from a little parish in ,kent1 from a ,catholic lady who was altogether a stranger to him1 but who plainly knew all about him1 entreating him to call at her house when he was in the south again2 her husband1 she said1 had met him once at ,stanfield and had been strongly attracted by him to the ,catholic ,church1 and she believed that if ,anthony would but pay them a visit her husband's conversion would be brought about4 ,anthony could not remember the man's name1 but ,isabel thought that she did remember some such person at a small private conference that ,anthony had given in ,mr4 ,buxton's house1 for the benefit of ,catholics and those who were being drawn towards the ,religion4 ,the lady1 too1 gave him instructions as to how he should come from ,london to her house1 recommending him to cross the ,thames at a certain spot that she described near ,greenhithe1 and to come on southwards along a route that she marked for him1 to the parish of ,stanstead1 where she lived4 ,this1 then1 was soon arranged1 and after letters had been sent off announcing ,anthony's movements1 he left ,speke ,hall with ,isabel1 about a fortnight later4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,in ,,stanstead ,,woods ,on the first day of ,june1 ,anthony and ,isabel1 with their three armed servants and the ,french maid behind them1 were riding down through ,thurrock to the north bank of the ,thames opposite ,greenhithe4 ,as they went ,anthony pulled out and studied the letter and the little map that ,mrs4 ,kirke had sent to guide them4 ,on the right-hand side1 she wrote1 when you come to the ferry1 stands a little inn1 the ',sloop1' among trees1 with a yard behind it4 ,mr4 ,bender1 the host1 is one of us2 and he will get your horses on board1 and do all things to forward you without attracting attention4 ,give him some sign that he may know you for a ,catholic1 and when you are alone with him tell him where you are bound4 ,there were one or two houses standing near the bank1 as they rode down the lane that led to the river1 but they had little difficulty in identifying the ,sloop1 and presently they rode into the yard1 and1 leaving their horses with the servants1 stepped round into the little smoky front room of the inn4 ,a man1 dressed somewhat like a sailor1 was sitting behind a table1 who looked up with a dull kind of expectancy and whom ,anthony took as the host2 and1 in order to identify him and show who he himself was1 he took up a little cake of bread that was lying on a platter on the table1 and broke it as if he would eat4 ,this was one of ,father ,persons' devices1 and was used among ,catholics to signify their religion when they were with strangers1 since it was an action that could rouse no suspicion among others4 ,the man looked in an unintelligent way at ,anthony1 who turned away and rapped upon the door1 and as a large heavily-built man came out1 broke it again1 and put a piece into his mouth4 ,the man lifted his eyebrows slightly1 and just smiled1 and ,anthony knew he had found his friend4 ,come this way1 sir1 he said1 and your good lady1 too4 ,they followed him into the inner room of the house1 a kind of little kitchen1 with a fire burning and a pot over it1 and one or two barrels of drink against the wall4 ,a woman was stirring the pot1 for it was near dinner-time1 and turned round as the strangers came in4 ,it was plainly an inn that was of the poorest kind1 and that was used almost entirely by watermen or by travellers who were on their way to cross the ferry4 ,the less said the better1 said the man1 when he had shut the door4 ,how can ,i serve you1 sir8 ,we wish to take our horses and ourselves across to ,greenhithe1 said ,anthony1 and ,mrs4 ,kirke1 to whom we are going1 bade us make ourselves known to you4 ,the man nodded and smiled4 ,yes1 sir1 that can be managed directly4 ,the ferry is at the other bank now1 sir2 and ,i will call it across4 ,shall we say in half an hour1 sir2 and1 meanwhile1 will you and your lady take something8 ,anthony accepted gladly1 as the time was getting on1 and ordered dinner for the servants too1 in the outer room4 ,as the landlord was going to the door1 he stopped him4 ,who is that man in the other room8 he asked4 ,the landlord gave a glance at the door1 and came back towards ,anthony4 ,to tell the truth1 sir1 ,i do not know4 ,he is a sailor by appearance1 and he knows the talk2 but none of the watermen know him2 and he seems to do nothing4 ,however1 sir1 there's no harm in him that ,i can see4 ,anthony told him that he had broken the bread before him1 thinking he was the landlord4 ,the real landlord smiled broadly4 ,thank ,god1 ,i am somewhat more of a man than that1 for the sailor was lean and sun-dried4 ,then once more ,mr4 ,bender went to the door to call the servants in4 ,why1 the man's gone1 he said1 and disappeared4 ,then they heard his voice again4 ,but he's left his groat behind him for his drink1 so all's well2 and presently his voice was heard singing as he got the table ready for the servants4 ,in a little more than half an hour the party and the horses were safely on the broad bargelike ferry1 and ,mr4 ,bender was bowing on the bank and wishing them a prosperous journey1 as they began to move out on to the wide river towards the chalk cliffs and red roofs of ,greenhithe that nestled among the mass of trees on the opposite bank4 ,in less than ten minutes they were at the pier1 and after a little struggle to get the horses to land1 they were mounted and riding up the straight little street that led up to the higher ground4 ,just before they turned the corner they heard far away across the river the horn blown to summon the ferry-boat once more4 99 99 99 99 ,there were two routes from ,greenhithe to ,stanstead1 the one to the right through ,longfield and ,ash1 the other to the left through ,southfleet and ,nursted4 ,there was very little to choose between them as regards distance1 and ,mrs4 ,kirke had drawn a careful sketch-map with a few notes as to the characteristics of each route4 ,there were besides1 particularly through the thick woods about ,stanstead itself1 innumerable cross-paths intersecting one another in all directions4 ,the travellers had decided at the inn to take the road through ,longfield2 since1 in spite of other disadvantages1 it was the less frequented of the two1 and they were anxious above all things to avoid attention4 ,their horses were tired2 and as they had plenty of time before them they proposed to go at a foot's-pace all the way1 and to take between two and three hours to cover the nine or ten miles between ,greenhithe and ,stanstead4 ,it was a hot afternoon as they passed through ,fawkham1 and it was delightful to pass from the white road in under the thick arching trees just beyond the village4 ,there everything was cool shadow1 the insects sang in the air about them1 an early rabbit or two cantered across the road and disappeared into the thick undergrowth2 once the song of the birds about them suddenly ceased1 and through an opening in the green rustling vault overhead they saw a cruel shape with motionless wings glide steadily across4 ,they did not talk much1 but let the reins lie loose2 and enjoyed the cool shadow and the green lights and the fragrant mellow scents of the woods about them2 while their horses slouched along on the turf1 switching their tails and even stopping sometimes for a second in a kind of desperate greediness to snatch a green juicy mouthful at the side4 ,isabel was thinking of ,stanfield1 and wondering how the situation would adjust itself2 ,mary ,corbet would be there1 she knew1 to meet them2 and it was a comfort to think she could consult her2 but what1 she asked herself1 would be her relations with the master of the house8 ,suddenly ,anthony's horse stepped off the turf on the opposite side of the road and began to come towards her1 and she moved her beast a little to let him come on the turf beside her4 ,isabel1 said ,anthony1 tell me if you hear anything4 ,she looked at him1 suddenly startled4 ,no1 no1 he said1 there is nothing to fear2 it is probably my fancy2 but listen and tell me4 ,she listened intently4 ,there was the creaking of her own saddle1 the soft footfalls of the horses1 the hum of the summer woods1 and the sound of the servants' horses behind4 ,no1 she said1 there is nothing beyond---- ,there6 he said suddenly2 now do you hear it8 ,then she heard plainly the sound either of a man running1 or of a horse walking1 somewhere behind them4 ,yes1 she said1 ,i hear something2 but what of it8 ,it is the third time ,i have heard it1 he said3 once in the woods behind ,longfield1 and once just before the little village with the steepled church4 ,the sound had ceased again4 ,it is some one who has come nearly all the way from ,greenhithe behind us4 ,perhaps they are not following--but again---- ,they8 she said2 there is only one4 ,there are three1 he answered2 at least2 the other two are on the turf at the side--but just before the village ,i heard all three of them--or rather certainly more than two--when they were between those two walls where there was no turf4 ,isabel was staring at him with great frightened eyes4 ,he smiled back at her tranquilly4 ,ah1 ,isabel6 he said1 there is nothing really to fear1 in any case4 ,what shall you do8 she asked1 making a great effort to control herself4 ,i think we must find out first of all whether they are after us4 ,we must certainly not ride straight to the ,manor ,lodge if it is so4 ,then he explained his plan4 ,see here1 he said1 holding the map before her as he rode1 we shall come to ,fawkham ,green in five minutes4 ,then our proper road leads straight on to ,ash1 but we will take the right instead1 towards ,eynsford4 ,meanwhile1 ,i will leave ,robert here1 hidden by the side of the road1 to see who these men are1 and what they look like2 and we will ride on slowly4 ,when they have passed1 he will come out and take the road we should have taken1 and he then will turn off to the right too before he reaches ,ash2 and by trotting he will easily come up with us at this corner1 and he pointed to it on the map--and so he will tell us what kind of men they are2 and they will never know that they have been spied upon2 for1 by this plan1 he will not have to pass them4 ,is that a good plot8 and he smiled at her4 ,isabel assented1 feeling dazed and overwhelmed4 ,she could hardly bring her thoughts to a focus1 for the fears that had hovered about her ever since they had left ,lancashire and come down to the treacherous south1 had now darted upon her1 tearing her heart with terror and blinding her eyes1 and bewildering her with the beating of their wings4 ,anthony quietly called up ,robert1 and explained the plan4 ,he was a lad of a ,catholic family at ,great ,keynes1 perfectly fearless and perfectly devoted to the ,church and to the priest he served4 ,he nodded his head briskly with approval as the plan was explained4 ,of course it may all be nothing1 ended ,anthony1 and then you will think me a poor fool8 ,the lad grinned cheerfully4 ,no1 sir1 he said4 ,all this while they had been riding slowly on together1 and now the wood showed signs of coming to an end2 so ,anthony told the groom to ride fifty yards into the undergrowth at once1 to bandage his horse's eyes1 and to tie him to a tree2 and then to creep back himself near the road1 so as to see without being seen4 ,the men who seemed to be following were at least half a mile behind1 so he would have plenty of time4 ,then they all rode on together again1 leaving ,robert to find his way into the wood4 ,as they went1 ,isabel began to question her brother1 and ,anthony gave her his views4 ,they have not come up with us1 because they know we are four men to three--if1 as ,i think1 they are not more than three--that is one reason2 and another is that they love to track us home before they take us2 and thus take our hosts too as priests' harbourers4 ,now plainly these men do not know where we are bound1 or they would not follow us so closely4 ,best of all1 too1 they love to catch us at mass for then they have no trouble in proving their case4 ,i think then that they will not try to take us till we reach the ,manor ,lodge2 and we must do our best to shake them off before that4 ,now the plot ,i have thought of is this1 that--should it prove as ,i think it will--we should ride slower than ever1 as if our horses were weary1 down the road along which ,robert will have come after he has joined us1 and turn down as if to go to ,kingsdown1 and when we have gone half a mile1 and are well round that sharp corner1 double back to it1 and hide all in the wood at the side4 ,they will follow our tracks1 and there are no houses at which they can ask1 and there seem no travellers either on these by-roads1 and when they have passed us we double back at the gallop1 and down the next turning1 which will bring us in a couple of miles to ,stanstead4 ,there is a maze of roads thereabouts1 and it will be hard if we do not shake them off2 for there is not a house1 marked upon the map1 at which they can ask after us4 ,isabel did her utmost to understand1 but the horror of the pursuit had overwhelmed her4 ,the quiet woods into which they had passed again after leaving ,fawkham ,green now seemed full of menace2 the rough road1 with the deep powdery ruts and the grass and fir-needles at the side1 no longer seemed a pleasant path leading home1 but a treacherous device to lead them deeper into danger4 ,the creatures round them1 the rabbits1 the pigeons that flapped suddenly out of all the tall trees1 the tits that fluttered on and chirped and fluttered again1 all seemed united against ,anthony in some dreadful league4 ,anthony himself felt all his powers of observation and device quickened and established4 ,he had lived so long in the expectation of a time like this1 and had rehearsed and mastered the emotions of terror and suspense so often1 that he was ready to meet them2 and gradually his entire self-control and the unmoved tones of his voice and his serene alert face prevailed upon ,isabel2 and by the time that they slowly turned the last curve and saw ,robert on his black horse waiting for them at the corner1 her sense of terror and bewilderment had passed1 her heart had ceased that sick thumping1 and she1 too1 was tranquil and capable4 ,robert wheeled his horse and rode beside ,anthony round the sharp corner to the left up the road along which he had trotted just now4 ,there are three of them1 sir1 he said in an even1 businesslike voice2 one of them1 sir1 on a brown mare1 but ,i couldn't see aught of him1 sir2 he was on the far side of the track2 the second is like a groom on a grey horse1 and the third is dressed like a sailor1 sir1 on a brown horse4 ,a sailor8 said ,anthony2 a lean man1 and sunburnt1 with a whistle8 ,i did not see the whistle1 sir2 but he is as you say4 ,this made it certain that it was the man they had seen in the inn opposite ,greenhithe2 and also practically certain that he was a spy2 for nothing that ,anthony had done could have roused his suspicions except the breaking of the bread2 and that would only be known to one who was deep in the counsels of the ,catholics4 ,all this made the pursuit the more formidable4 ,so ,anthony meditated2 and presently1 calling up the servants behind1 explained the situation and his plan4 ,the ,french maid showed signs of hysteria and ,isabel had to take her aside and quiet her1 while the men consulted4 ,then it was arranged1 and the servants presently dropped behind again a few yards1 though the maid still rode with ,isabel4 ,then they came to the road on the right that would have led them to ,kingsdown1 and down this they turned4 ,as they went1 ,anthony kept a good look-out for a place to turn aside2 and a hundred yards from the turning saw what he wanted4 ,on the left-hand side a little path led into the wood2 it was overgrown with brambles1 and looked as if it were now disused4 ,anthony gave the word and turned his horse down the entrance1 and was followed in single file by the others4 ,there were thick trees about them on every side1 and1 what was far more important1 the road they had left at this point ran higher than usual1 and was hard and dry2 so the horses' hoofs as they turned off left no mark that would be noticed4 ,after riding thirty or forty yards1 ,anthony stopped1 turned his horse again1 and forced him through the hazels with some difficulty1 and the others again followed in silence through the passage he had made4 ,presently ,anthony stopped2 the branches that had swished their faces as they rode through now seemed a little higher2 and it was possible to sit here on horseback without any great discomfort4 ,i must see them myself1 he whispered to ,isabel2 and slipped off his horse1 giving the bridle to ,robert4 ,oh6 mon ,dieu6 moaned the maid2 mon ,dieu6 ,ne partez pas6 ,anthony looked at her severely4 ,you must be quiet and brave1 he said sternly4 ,you are a ,catholic too2 pray1 instead of crying4 ,then ,isabel saw him slip noiselessly towards the road1 which was some fifty yards away1 through the thick growth4 99 99 99 99 ,it was now a breathless afternoon4 ,high overhead the sun blazed in a cloudless sky1 but down here all was cool1 green shadow4 ,there was not a sound to be heard from the woods1 beyond the mellow hum of the flies2 ,anthony's faint rustlings had ceased2 now and then a saddle creaked1 or a horse blew out his nostrils or tossed his head4 ,one of the men wound his handkerchief silently round a piece of his horse's head-harness that jingled a little4 ,the maid drew a soft sobbing breath now and then1 but she dared not speak after the priest's rebuke4 ,then suddenly there came another sound to ,isabel's ears2 she could not distinguish at first what it was1 but it grew nearer1 and presently resolved itself into the fumbling noise of several horses' feet walking together1 twice or three times a stirrup chinked1 once she heard a muffled cough2 but no word was spoken4 ,nearer and nearer it came1 until she could not believe that it was not within five yards of her4 ,her heart began again that sick thumping2 a fly that she had brushed away again and again now crawled unheeded over her face1 and even on her white parted lips2 but a sob of fear from the maid recalled her1 and she turned a sharp look of warning on her4 ,then the fumbling noise began to die away3 the men were passing4 ,there was something in their silence that was more terrible than all else2 it reminded her of hounds running on a hot scent4 ,then at last there was silence2 then gentle rustlings again over last year's leaves2 and ,anthony came back through the hazels4 ,he nodded at her sharply4 ,now1 quickly1 he said1 and took his horse by the bridle and began to lead him out again the way they had come4 ,at the entrance he looked out first2 the road was empty and silent4 ,then he led his horse clear1 and mounted as the others came out one by one in single file4 ,now follow close2 and watch my hand1 he said2 and he put his horse to a quick walk on the soft wayside turf4 ,as the distance widened between them and the men who were now riding away from them1 the walk became a trot1 and then quickly a canter1 as the danger of the sound being carried to their pursuers decreased4 ,it seemed to ,isabel like some breathless dream as she followed ,anthony's back1 watching the motions of his hand as he signed in which direction he was going to turn next4 ,what was happening1 she half wondered to herself1 that she should be riding like this on a spent horse1 as if in some dreadful game1 turning abruptly down lanes and rides1 out across the high road1 and down again another turn1 with the breathing and creaking and jingling of others behind her8 ,years ago the two had played ,follow-my-leader on horseback in the woods above ,great ,keynes4 ,she remembered this now2 and a flood of memories poured across her mind and diluted the bitterness of this shocking reality4 ,dear ,god1 what a game6 ,anthony steered with skill and decision4 ,he had been studying the map with great attention1 and even now carried it loose in his hand and glanced at it from time to time4 ,above all else he wished to avoid passing a house1 for fear that the searchers might afterwards inquire at it2 and he succeeded perfectly in this1 though once or twice he was obliged to retrace his steps4 ,there was little danger1 he knew now1 of the noise of the horses' feet being any guide to those who were searching1 for the high table-land on which they rode was a labyrinth of lanes and rides1 and the trees too served to echo and confuse the noise they could not altogether avoid making4 ,twice they passed travellers1 one a farmer on an old grey horse1 who stared at this strange hurrying party2 and once a pedlar1 laden with his pack1 who trudged past1 head down4 ,isabel's horse was beginning to strain and pant1 and she herself to grow giddy with heat and weariness1 when she saw through the trees an old farmhouse with latticed windows and a great external chimney1 standing in a square of cultivated ground2 and in a moment more the path they were following turned a corner1 and the party drew up at the back of the house4 ,at the noise of the horses' footsteps a door at the back had opened1 and a woman's face looked out and drew back again2 and presently from the front ,mrs4 ,kirke came quickly round4 ,she was tall and slender and middle-aged1 with a somewhat anxious face2 but a look of great relief came over it as she saw ,anthony4 ,thank ,god you are come1 she said2 ,i feared something had happened4 ,anthony explained the circumstances in a few words4 ,i will ride on gladly1 madam1 if you think right2 but ,i will ask you in any case to take my sister in4 ,why1 how can you say that8 she said2 ,i am a ,catholic4 ,come in1 father4 ,but ,i fear there is but poor accommodation for the servants4 ,and the horses8 asked ,anthony4 ,the barn at the back is got ready for them1 she said2 perhaps it would be well to take them there at once4 ,she called a woman1 and sent her to show the men where to stable the horses1 while ,anthony and ,isabel and the maid dismounted and came in with her to the house4 ,there1 they talked over the situation and what was best to be done4 ,her husband had ridden over to ,wrotham1 and she expected him back for supper2 nothing then could be finally settled till he came4 ,in the meantime the ,manor ,lodge was probably the safest place in all the woods1 ,mrs4 ,kirke declared2 the nearest house was half a mile away1 and that was the ,rectory2 and the ,rector himself was a personal friend and favourable to ,catholics4 ,the ,manor ,lodge1 too1 stood well off the road to ,wrotham1 and not five strangers appeared there in the year4 ,fifty men might hunt the woods for a month and not find it2 in fact1 ,mr4 ,kirke had taken the house on account of its privacy1 for he was weary1 his wife said1 of paying her fines for recusancy2 and still more unwilling to pay his own1 when that happy necessity should arrive2 for he had now practically made up his mind to be a ,catholic1 and only needed a little instruction before being received4 ,he is a good man1 father1 she said to ,anthony1 and will make a good ,catholic4 ,then she explained about the accommodation4 ,isabel and the maid would have to sleep together in the spare room1 and ,anthony would have the little dressing-room opening out of it2 and the men1 she feared1 would have to shake down as well as they could in the loft over the stable in the barn4 ,at seven o'clock ,mr4 ,kirke arrived2 and when the situation had been explained to him1 he acquiesced in the plan4 ,he seemed confident that there was but little danger2 and he and ,anthony were soon deep in theological talk4 ,anthony found him excellently instructed already2 he had1 in fact1 even prepared for his confession2 his wife had taught him well2 and it was the prospect of this one good opportunity of being reconciled to the ,church that had precipitated matters and decided him to take the step4 ,he was a delightful companion1 too1 intelligent1 courageous1 humorous and modest1 and ,anthony thought his own labour and danger well repaid when1 a little after midnight1 he heard his confession and received him into the ,church4 ,it was impossible for ,mr4 ,kirke to receive communion1 as he had wished1 for there were wanting some of the necessaries for saying mass2 so he promised to ride across to ,stanfield in a week or so1 stay the night and communicate in the morning4 ,then early the next morning a council was held as to the best way for the party to leave for ,stanfield4 ,the men were called up1 and their opinions asked2 and gradually step by step a plan was evolved4 ,the first requirement was that1 if possible1 the party should not be recognisable2 the second that they should keep together for mutual protection2 for to separate would very possibly mean the apprehension of some one of them2 the third was that they should avoid so far as was possible villages and houses and frequented roads4 ,then the first practical suggestion was made by ,isabel that the maid should be left behind1 and that ,mr4 ,kirke should bring her on with him to ,stanfield when he came a week later4 ,this he eagerly accepted1 and further offered to keep all the luggage they could spare1 take charge of the men's liveries1 and lend them old garments and hats of his own--to one a cloak1 and to another a doublet4 ,in this way1 he said1 it would appear to be a pleasure party rather than one of travellers1 and1 should they be followed1 this would serve to cover their traces4 ,the travelling by unfrequented roads was more difficult2 for that in itself might attract attention should they actually meet any one4 ,anthony1 who had been thinking in silence a moment or two1 now broke in4 ,have you any hawks1 ,mr4 ,kirke8 he asked4 ,only one old peregrine1 he said1 past sport4 ,she will do1 said ,anthony2 and can you borrow another8 ,there is a merlin at the ,rectory1 said ,mr4 ,kirke4 ,then ,anthony explained his plan1 that they should pose as a hawking-party4 ,isabel and ,robert should each carry a hawk1 while he himself would carry on his wrist an empty leash and hood as if a hawk had escaped2 that they should then all ride together over the open country1 avoiding every road1 and that1 if they should see any one on the way1 they should inquire whether he had seen an escaped falcon or heard the tinkle of the bells2 and this would enable them to ask the way1 should it be necessary1 without arousing suspicion4 ,this plan was accepted1 and the maid was informed to her great relief that she might remain behind for a week or so1 and then return with ,mr4 ,kirke after the searchers had left the woods4 ,it was a twenty-mile ride to ,stanfield2 and it was thought safer on the whole not to remain any longer where they were1 as it was impossible to know whether a shrewd man might not1 with the help of a little luck1 stumble upon the house2 so1 when dinner was over1 and the servants had changed into ,mr4 ,kirke's old suits1 and the merlin had been borrowed from the ,rectory for a week's hawking1 the horses were brought round and the party mounted4 ,mr4 ,kirke and ,anthony had spent a long morning together discussing the route1 and it had been decided that it would be best to keep along the high ridge due west until they were a little beyond ,kemsing1 which they would be able to see below them in the valley2 and then to strike across between that village and ,otford1 and keeping almost due south ride up through ,knole ,park2 then straight down on the other side into the ,weald1 and so past ,tonbridge home4 ,mr4 ,kirke himself insisted on accompanying them on his cob until he had seen them clear of the woods on the high ground4 ,both he and his wife were full of gratitude to ,anthony for the risk and trouble he had undergone1 and did their utmost to provide them with all that was necessary for their disguise4 ,at last1 about two o'clock1 the five men and ,isabel rode out of the little yard at the back of the ,manor ,lodge and plunged into the woods again4 ,the afternoon hush rested on the country as they followed ,mr4 ,kirke along a narrow seldom-used path that led almost straight to the point where it was decided that they should strike south4 ,in half a dozen places it cut across lanes1 and once across the great high road from ,farningham to ,wrotham4 ,as they drew near this1 ,mr4 ,kirke1 who was riding in front1 checked them4 ,i will go first1 he said1 and see if there is danger4 ,in a minute he returned4 ,there is a man about a hundred yards up the road asleep on a bank2 and there is a cart coming up from ,wrotham3 that is all ,i can see4 ,perhaps we had better wait till the cart is gone4 ,and what is the man like8 asked ,anthony4 ,he is a beggar1 ,i should say2 but has his hat over his eyes4 ,they waited till the cart had passed4 ,anthony dismounted and went to the entrance of the path and peered out at the man2 he was lying1 as ,mr4 ,kirke had said1 with his hat over his eyes1 perfectly still4 ,anthony examined him a minute or two2 he was in tattered clothes1 and a great stick and a bundle lay beside him4 ,it is a vagabond1 he said1 we can go on4 ,the whole party crossed the road1 pushing on towards the edge of the high downs over ,kemsing2 and presently came to the ,ightam road where it began to run steeply down hill2 here1 too1 ,mr4 ,kirke looked this way and that1 but no one was in sight1 and then the whole party crossed2 they kept inside the edge of the wood all the way along the downs for another mile or so1 with the rich sunlit valley seen in glimpses through the trees here and there1 and the ,pilgrim's ,way lying like a white ribbon a couple of hundred feet below them1 until at last ,kemsing ,church1 with ,st4 ,edith's ,chantry at the side1 lay below and behind them1 and they came out on to the edge of a great scoop in the hill1 like a theatre1 and the blue woods and hills of ,surrey showed opposite beyond ,otford and ,brasted4 ,here they stopped1 a little back from the edge1 and ,mr4 ,kirke gave them their last instructions1 pointing out ,seal across the valley1 which they must leave on their left1 skirting the meadows to the west of the church1 and passing up towards ,knole beyond4 ,let the sun be a little on your right1 he said1 all the way2 and you will strike the country above ,tonbridge4 ,then they said good-bye to one another2 ,mr4 ,kirke kissed the priest's hand in gratitude for what he had done for him1 and then turned back along the edge of the downs1 riding this time outside the woods1 while the party led their horses carefully down the steep slope1 across the ,pilgrim's ,way1 and then struck straight out over the meadows to ,seal4 ,their plan seemed supremely successful2 they met a few countrymen and lads at their work1 who looked a little astonished at first at this great party riding across country1 but more satisfied when ,anthony had inquired of them whether they had seen a falcon or heard his bells4 ,no1 they had not1 they said2 and went on with their curiosity satisfied4 ,once1 as they were passing down through a wood on to the ,weald1 ,isabel1 who had turned in her saddle1 and was looking back1 gave a low cry of alarm4 ,ah6 the man1 the man6 she said4 ,the others turned quickly1 but there was nothing to be seen but the long straight ride stretching up to against the sky-line three or four hundred yards behind them4 ,isabel said she thought she saw a rider pass across this little opening at the end1 framed in leaves2 but there were stags everywhere in the woods here1 and it would have been easy to mistake one for the other at that distance1 and with such a momentary glance4 ,once again1 nearer ,tonbridge1 they had a fright4 ,they had followed up a grass ride into a copse1 thinking it would bring them out somewhere1 but it led only to the brink of a deep little stream1 where the plank bridge had been removed1 so they were obliged to retrace their steps4 ,as they re-emerged into the field from the copse1 a large heavily-built man on a brown mare almost rode into them4 ,he was out of breath1 and his horse seemed distressed4 ,anthony1 as usual1 immediately asked if he had seen or heard anything of a falcon4 ,no1 indeed1 gentlemen1 he said1 and have you seen aught of a bitch who bolted after a hare some half mile back4 ,a greyhound ,i should be loath to lose4 ,they had not1 and said so2 and the man1 still panting and mopping his head1 thanked them1 and asked whether he could be of any service in directing them1 if they were strange to the country2 but they thought it better not to give him any hint of where they were going1 so he rode off presently up the slope across their route and disappeared1 whistling for his dog4 ,and so at last1 about four o'clock in the afternoon1 they saw the church spire of ,stanfield above them on the hill1 and knew that they were near the end of their troubles4 ,another hundred yards1 and there were the roofs of the old house1 and the great iron gates1 and the vanes of the garden-house seen over the clipped limes2 and then ,mary ,corbet and ,mr4 ,buxton hurrying in from the garden1 as they came through the low oak door1 into the dear tapestried hall4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,the ,,alarm ,a very happy party sat down to supper that evening in ,stanfield ,place4 ,anthony had taken ,mr4 ,buxton aside privately when the first greetings were over1 and told him all that happened3 the alarm at ,stanstead2 his device1 and the entire peace they had enjoyed ever since4 ,isabel1 he ended1 certainly thought she saw a man behind us once2 but we were among the deer1 and it was dusky in the woods2 and1 for myself1 ,i think it was but a stag4 ,but1 if you think there is danger anywhere1 ,i will gladly ride on4 ,mr4 ,buxton clapped him on the shoulder4 ,my dear friend1 he said1 take care you do not offend me4 ,i am a slow fellow1 as you know2 but even my coarse hide is pricked sometimes4 ,do not suggest again that ,i could permit any priest--and much less my own dear friend--to leave me when there was danger4 ,but there is none in this case--you have shaken the rogues off1 ,i make no doubt2 and you will just stay here for the rest of the summer at the very least4 ,anthony said that he agreed with him as to the complete baffling of the pursuers1 but added that ,isabel was still a little shaken1 and would ,mr4 ,buxton say a word to her4 ,why1 ,i will take her round the hiding-holes myself after supper1 and show her how strong and safe we are4 ,we will all go round4 ,in the withdrawing-room he said a word or two of reassurance to her before the others were down4 ,anthony has told me everything1 ,mistress ,isabel2 and ,i warrant that the knaves are cursing their stars still on ,stanstead hills1 twenty miles from here4 ,you are as safe here as in ,greenwich palace4 ,but after supper1 to satisfy you1 we will look to our defences4 ,but1 believe me1 there is nothing to fear4 ,he spoke with such confidence and cheerfulness that ,isabel felt her fears melting1 and before supper was over she was ashamed of them1 and said so4 ,nay1 nay1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 you shall not escape4 ,you shall see every one of them for yourself4 ,mistress ,corbet1 do you not think that just8 ,you need a little more honest worldliness1 ,isabel1 said ,mary4 ,i do not hesitate to say that ,i believe ,god saves the priests that have the best hiding-holes4 ,now that is not profane1 so do not look at me like that4 ,it is the plainest sense1 said ,anthony1 smiling at them both4 ,they went the round of them all with candles1 and ,anthony refreshed his memory2 they visited the little one in the chapel first1 then the cupboard and portrait-door at the top of the corridor1 the chamber over the fireplace in the hall1 and lastly1 in the wooden cellar-steps they lifted the edge of the fifth stair from the bottom1 so that its front and the top of the stair below it turned on a hinge and dropped open1 leaving a black space behind3 this was the entrance to the passage that led beneath the garden to the garden-house on the far side of the avenue4 ,mistress ,corbet wrinkled her nose at the damp earthy smell that breathed out of the dark4 ,i am glad ,i am not a priest1 she said4 ,and ,i would sooner be buried dead than alive4 ,and there is a rat there that sorely needs burying4 ,my dear lady6 cried the contriver of the passage indignantly1 her ,grace might sleep there herself and take no harm4 ,there is not even the whisker of a rat4 ,it is not the whisker that ,i mind1 said ,mary1 it is the rest of him4 ,mr4 ,buxton immediately set his taper down and climbed in4 ,you shall see1 he said1 and ,i in my best satin too6 ,he was inside the stairs now and lying on his back on the smooth board that backed them4 ,he sidled himself slowly along towards the wall4 ,press the fourth brick of the fourth row1 he said4 ,you remember1 ,father ,anthony8 ,he had reached now what seemed to be the brick wall against which the ends of the stairs rested2 and that closed that end of the cellars altogether4 ,anthony leaned in with a candle1 and saw how that part of the wall against his friend's right side slowly turned into the dark as the fourth brick was pressed1 and a little brick-lined passage appeared beyond4 ,mr4 ,buxton edged himself sideways into the passage1 and then stood nearly upright4 ,it was an excellent contrivance4 ,even if the searchers should find the chamber beneath the stairs1 which was unlikely1 they would never suspect that it was only a blind to a passage beyond4 ,the door into the passage consisted of a strong oaken door disguised on the outside by a facing of brick-slabs2 all the hinges were within4 ,as sweet as a flower1 said the architect1 looking about him4 ,his voice rang muffled and hollow4 ,then the friends have removed the corpse1 said ,mary1 putting her head in1 while you were opening the door4 ,there6 come out2 you will take cold4 ,i believe you4 ,are you satisfied8 said ,mr4 ,buxton to ,isabel1 as they went upstairs again4 ,what are your outer defences8 asked ,mary1 before ,isabel could answer4 ,you shall see the plan in the hall1 said ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,he took down the frame that held the plan of the house1 and showed them the outer doors4 ,there was first the low oak front door on the north1 opening on to the little court2 this was immensely strong and would stand battering4 ,then on the same side farther east1 within the stable-court1 there was the servants' door1 protected by chains1 and an oak bolt that ran across4 ,on the extreme east end of the house there was a door opening into the garden from the withdrawing-room1 the least strong of all2 there was another on the south side1 opposite the front door--that gave on to the garden2 and lastly there was an entrance into the priests' end of the house1 at the extreme west1 from the little walled garden where ,anthony had meditated years ago4 ,this walled garden had a very strong door of its own opening on to the lane between the church and the house4 ,but there are only three ways out1 really1 said ,mr4 ,buxton1 for the garden walls are high and strong4 ,there is the way of the walled garden2 the iron-gates across the drive2 and through the stable-yard on to the field-path to ,east ,maskells4 ,all the other gates are kept barred2 and indeed ,i scarcely know where the keys are4 ,i am bewildered1 said ,mary4 ,shall we go round8 he asked4 ,to-morrow1 said ,mary2 ,i am tired to-night1 and so is this poor child4 ,come1 we will go to bed4 ,anthony soon went too4 ,both he and ,isabel were tired with the journey and the strain of anxiety1 and it was a keen joy to him to be back again in his own dear room1 with the tapestry of ,st4 ,thomas of ,aquin and ,st4 ,clare opposite the bed1 and the wide curtained bow-window which looked out on the little walled garden4 99 99 99 99 ,mr4 ,buxton was left alone in the great hall below with the two tapers burning1 and the starlight with all the suffused glow of a summer night making the arms glimmer in the tall windows that looked south4 ,lower1 the windows were open1 and the mellow scents of the ,june roses1 and of the sweet-satyrian and lavender poured in2 the night was very still1 but the faintest breath came from time to time across the meadows and rustled in the stiff leaves with the noise of a stealthy movement4 ,i will look round1 said ,mr4 ,buxton to himself4 ,he stepped out immediately into the garden by the hall door1 and turned to the east1 passing along the lighted windows4 ,his step sounded on the tiles1 and a face looked out swiftly from ,isabel's room overhead2 but his figure was plain in the light from the windows as he came out round the corner2 and the face drew back4 ,he crossed the east end of the house1 and went through a little door into the stable-yard1 locking it after him4 ,in the kennels in the corner came a movement1 and a ,danish hound came out silently into the cage before her house1 and stood up1 like a slender grey ghost1 paws high up in the bars1 and whimpered softly to her lord4 ,he quieted her1 and went to the door in the yard that opened on to the field-path to ,east ,maskells1 unbarred it and stepped through4 ,there was a dry ditch on his left1 where nettles quivered in the stirring air2 and a heavy clump of bushes rose beyond1 dark and impenetrable4 ,mr4 ,buxton stared straight at these a moment or two1 and then out towards ,east ,maskells4 ,there lay his own meadows1 and the cattle and horses secure and sleeping4 ,then he stepped back again2 barred the door and walked up through the stable-yard into the front court4 ,there the great iron gates rose before him1 diaphanous-looking and flimsy in the starlight4 ,he went up to them and shook them2 and a loose shield jangled fiercely overhead4 ,then he peered through1 holding the bars1 and saw the familiar patch of grass beyond the gravel sweep1 and the dark cottages over the way4 ,then he made his way back to the front door1 unlocked it with his private key1 passed through the hall1 through a parlour or two into the lower floor of the priests' quarters2 unlocked softly the little door into the walled garden1 and went out on tip-toe once more4 ,even as he went1 ,anthony's light overhead went out4 ,mr4 ,buxton went to the garden door1 unfastened it1 and stepped out into the road4 ,above him on his left rose up the chancel of the parish church1 the roofs crowded behind2 and immediately in front was the high-raised churchyard1 with the tall irregular wall and the trees above all1 blotting out the stars4 ,then he came back the same way1 fastening the doors as he passed1 and reached the hall1 where the tapers still burned4 ,he blew out one and took the other4 ,i suppose ,i am a fool1 he said2 the lad is as safe as in his mother's arms4 ,and he went upstairs to bed4 99 99 99 99 ,mary ,corbet rose late next morning1 and when she came down at last found the others in the garden4 ,she joined them as they walked in the little avenue4 ,have not the priest-hunters arrived8 she asked4 ,what are they about8 ,and you1 dear ,isabel1 how did you sleep8 ,isabel looked a little heavy-eyed4 ,i did not sleep well1 she said4 ,i fear ,i disturbed her1 said ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,she heard me as ,i went round the house4 ,why did you go round the house8 asked ,anthony4 ,i often do1 he said shortly4 ,and there was no one8 asked ,mary4 ,there was no one4 ,and what would you have done if there had been8 ,yes1 said ,anthony1 what would you have done to warn us all8 ,mr4 ,buxton considered4 ,i should have rung the alarm1 ,i think1 he said4 ,but ,i did not know you had one1 said ,mary4 ,mr4 ,buxton pointed to a turret peeping between two high gables1 above his own room4 ,and what does it sound like8 ,it is deep1 and has a dash of sourness or shrillness in it4 ,i cannot describe it4 ,above all1 it is marvellous loud4 ,then1 if we hear it1 we shall know the priest-hunters are on us8 asked ,mary4 ,mr4 ,buxton bowed4 ,or that the house is afire1 he said1 or that the ,french or ,spanish are landed4 ,to tell the truth1 he was just slightly uneasy4 ,isabel had been far more silent than he had ever known her1 and her nerves were plainly at an acute tension2 she started violently even now1 when a servant came out between two yew-hedges to call ,mr4 ,buxton in4 ,her alarm had affected him1 and besides1 he knew something of the extraordinary skill and patience of ,walsingham's agents1 and even the story of the ferry had startled him4 ,could it really be1 he had wondered as he tossed to and fro in the hot night1 that this innocent priest had thrown off his pursuers so completely as had appeared8 ,in the morning he had sent down a servant to the inn to inquire whether anything had been seen or heard of a disquieting nature2 now the servant had come to tell him1 as he had ordered1 privately4 ,he went with the man in through the hall-door1 leaving the others to walk in the avenue1 and then faced him4 ,well8 he said sharply4 ,no1 sir1 there is nothing4 ,there is a party there travelling on to ,brighthelmstone this afternoon1 and four drovers who came in last night1 sir2 and two gentlemen travelling across country2 but they left early this morning4 ,they left1 you say8 ,they left at eight o'clock1 sir4 ,mr4 ,buxton's attention was attracted to these two gentlemen4 ,go and find out where they came from1 he said1 and let me know after dinner4 ,the man bowed and left the room1 and almost immediately the dinner-bell rang4 ,mary was frankly happy2 she loved to be down here in this superb weather with her friends2 she enjoyed this beautiful house with its furniture and pictures1 and even took a certain pleasure in the hiding-holes themselves2 although in this case she was satisfied they would not be needed4 ,she had heard the tale of the ,stanstead woods1 and had no shadow of doubt but that the searchers1 if1 indeed1 they were searchers at all1 were baffled4 ,so at dinner she talked exactly as usual2 and the cloud of slight discomfort that still hung over ,isabel grew lighter and lighter as she listened4 ,the windows of the hall were flung wide1 and the warm summer air poured from the garden into the cool room with its polished floor1 and table decked with roses in silver bowls1 with its grave tapestries stirring on the walls behind the grim visors and pikes that hung against them4 ,the talk turned on music4 ,ah6 ,i would ,i had my lute1 sighed ,mary1 but my woman forgot to bring it4 ,what a garden to sing in1 in the shade of the yews1 with the garden-house behind to make the voice sound better than it is6 ,mr4 ,buxton made a complimentary murmur4 ,thank you1 she said1 ,master ,anthony1 you are wool-gathering4 ,indeed not1 he said1 but ,i was thinking where ,i had seen a lute4 ,ah6 it is in the little west parlour4 ,a lute6 cried ,mary4 ,ah6 but ,i have no music2 and ,i have not the courage to sing the only song ,i know1 over and over again4 ,but there is music too1 said ,anthony4 ,mary clapped her hands4 ,when dinner is over1 she said1 you and ,i will go to find it4 ,dinner was over at last1 and the four rose4 ,come1 said ,mary2 while ,isabel turned into the garden and ,mr4 ,buxton went to his room4 ,we will be with you presently1 she cried after ,isabel4 ,then the two went together to the little west parlour1 oak-panelled1 with a wide fireplace with the logs in their places1 and the latticed windows with their bottle-end glass1 looking upon the walled garden4 ,anthony stood on a chair and opened the top window1 letting a flood of summer noises into the room4 ,they found the lute music1 written over its six lines with the queer ,f's and double ,f's and numerals--all ,hebrew to ,anthony1 but bursting and blossoming with delicate melodies to ,mary's eyes4 ,then she took up the lute1 and tuned it on her knee1 still sitting in a deep lounging-chair1 with her buckled feet before her2 while ,anthony sat opposite and watched her supple flashing fingers busy among the strings1 and her grave abstracted look as she listened critically4 ,then she sounded the strings in little rippling chords4 ,ah6 it is a sweet old lute1 she said4 ,put the music before me4 ,anthony propped it on a chair4 ,is that the right side up8 he asked4 ,mary smiled and nodded1 still looking at the music4 ,now then1 she said1 and began the prelude4 99 99 99 99 ,anthony threw himself back in his chair as the delicate tinkling began to pour out and overscore the soft cooing of a pigeon on the roofs somewhere and the murmur of bees through the open window4 ,it was an old precise little love-song from ,italy1 with a long prelude1 suggesting by its tender minor chords true and restrained love1 not passionate but tender1 not despairing but melancholy2 it was a love that had for its symbols not the rose and the lily1 but the lavender and thyme--acrid in its sweetness4 ,the prelude had climbed up by melodious steps to the keynote1 and was now rippling down again after its aspirations4 ,mary stirred herself4 ,ah6 now the voice would come in the last chord----when all the music was first drowned and then ceased1 as with crash after crash a great bell1 sonorous and piercing1 began to sound from overhead4 ,,chapter ,x ,,the ,,passage ,,to ,,the ,,garden-,,house ,the two looked at one another with parted lips1 but without a word4 ,then both rose simultaneously4 ,then the bell jangled and ceased2 and a crowd of other noises began2 there were shouts1 tramplings of hoofs in the court2 shrill voices came over the wall2 then a scream or two4 ,mary sprang to the door and opened it1 and stood there listening4 ,then from the interior of the house came an indescribable din1 tramplings of feet and shouts of anger2 then violent blows on woodwork4 ,it came nearer in a moment of time1 as a tide comes in over flat sands1 remorselessly swift4 ,then ,mary with one movement was inside again1 and had locked the door and drawn the bolt4 ,up there1 she said1 it is the only way--they are outside1 and she pointed to the chimney4 ,anthony began to remonstrate4 ,it was intolerable1 he felt1 to climb up the chimney like a hunted cat1 and he began a word or two4 ,but ,mary seized his arm4 ,you must not be caught1 she said1 there are others2 and there came a confused battering and trampling outside4 ,she pushed him towards the chimney4 ,then decision came to him1 and he bent his head and stepped upon the logs laid upon the ashes1 crushing them down4 ,ah6 go1 said ,mary's voice behind him1 as the door began to bulge and creak4 ,there was plainly a tremendous struggle in the little passage outside4 ,anthony threw his hands up and felt a high ledge in the darkness1 gripped it with his hands and made a huge effort combined of a tug and a spring2 his feet rapped sharply for a moment or two on the iron fire-plate2 and then his knee reached the ledge and he was up4 ,he straightened himself on the ledge1 stood upright and looked down2 two white hands with rings on them were lifting the logs and drawing them out from the ashes1 shaking them and replacing them by others from the wood-basket2 and all deliberately1 as if laying a fire4 ,then her voice came up to him1 hushed but distinct4 ,go up quickly4 ,i will feign to be burning papers2 there will be smoke1 but no sparks4 ,it is green wood4 ,anthony again felt above him1 and found two iron half-rings in the chimney1 one above the other2 he was in semi-darkness here1 but far above there was a patch of pale smoky light2 and all the chimney seemed full of a murmurous sound4 ,he tugged at the rings and found them secure1 and drew himself up steadily by the higher one1 until his knee struck the lower2 then with a great effort he got his knee upon it1 then his left foot1 and again straightened himself4 ,then1 as he felt in the darkness once more1 he found a system of rings1 one above the other1 up the side of the chimney1 by which it was not hard to climb4 ,as he went up he began to perceive a sharp acrid smell1 his eyes smarted and he closed them1 but his throat burned2 he climbed fiercely2 and then suddenly saw immediately below him another hearth2 he was looking over the fireplate of some other room4 ,in a moment more he thrust his head over1 and drew a long breath of clear air2 then he listened intently4 ,from below still came a murmur of confusion2 but in this room all was quiet4 ,he began to think frantically4 ,he could not remain in the chimney1 it was hopeless2 they would soon light fires1 he knew1 in all the chimneys1 and bring him down4 ,what room was this8 ,he was bewildered and could not remember4 ,but at least he would climb into it and try to escape4 ,in a moment more he had lifted himself over the fireplate and dropped safely on to the hearth of his own bedroom4 ,the fresh air and the familiarity of the room1 as he looked round1 swept the confusion out of his brain like a breeze4 ,the thundering and shouting continued below4 ,then he went on tip-toe to the door and opened it4 ,round to the right was the head of the stairs which led straight into the little passage where the struggle was going on4 ,he could hear ,robert's voice in the din2 plainly there was no way down the stairs4 ,to the left was the passage that ended in a window1 with the chapel door at the left and the false shelves on the right4 ,he hesitated a moment between the two hiding-places1 and then decided for the cupboard2 there was a clean doublet there2 his own was one black smear of soot1 and as he thought of it1 he drew off his sooty shoes4 ,his hose were fortunately dark4 ,he stepped straight out of the door1 leaving it just ajar4 ,even as he left it there was a thunder of footsteps on the stairs1 and he was at the shelves in a moment1 catching a glimpse through the window on his left of the front court crowded with men and horses4 ,he had opened and shut the secret door three or four times the evening before1 and his hands closed almost instinctively on the two springs that must be worked simultaneously4 ,he made the necessary movement1 and the shelves with the wall behind it softly slid open and he sprang in4 ,but as he closed it he heard one of the two books drop1 and an exclamation from the passage he had just left2 then quick steps from the head of the stairs2 the steps clattered past the door and into the chapel opposite and stopped4 ,anthony felt about him in the darkness1 found the doublet and lifted it off the nail2 slipped off his own1 tearing his ruff as he did so2 and then quickly put on the other4 ,he had no shoes2 but that would not be so noticeable4 ,he had not seriously thought of the possibility of escaping through the portrait-door1 as he felt sure the house would be overrun by now2 but he put his eyes to the pinholes and looked out2 and to his astonishment saw that the gallery was empty4 ,there it lay1 with its ,flemish furniture on the right and its row of windows on the left1 and all as tranquil as if there were no fierce tragedy of terror and wrath raging below4 ,again decision came to him2 by a process of thought so swift that it was an intuition1 he remembered that the fall of the book outside would concentrate attention on that corner2 it could not be long before the shelves were broken in1 and if he did not escape now there would be no possibility later4 ,then he unslid the inside bolt1 and the portrait swung open2 he closed it behind1 and sped on silent shoeless feet down the polished floor of the gallery4 ,of course the great staircase was hopeless4 ,the hall would be seething with men4 ,but there was just a chance through the servants' quarters4 ,he dashed past the head of the stairs1 catching a glimpse of heads and sparkles of steel over the banisters1 and through the half-opened door at the end1 finding himself in the men's corridor that was a continuation of the gallery he had left4 ,on his left rose the head of the back-stairs1 that led first with a double flight to the offices1 the pantry1 the buttery and the kitchen1 and than1 lower still1 a single third flight down to the cellar4 ,he looked down the stairs2 at the bottom of the first double flight were a couple of maids1 screaming and white-faced1 leaning and pressing against the door1 immediately below the one he had just come through himself4 ,the door was plainly barred as well1 for it was now thudding and cracking with blows that were being showered upon it from the other side4 ,the maids1 it seemed to him1 in a panic had locked the door2 but that panic might be his salvation4 ,he dashed down the stairs2 the maids screamed louder than ever when they saw this man1 whom they did not recognise1 with blackened face and hands come in noiseless leaps down towards them2 but ,anthony put his finger on his lips as he flew past them2 then he dashed open the little door that shut off the cellar-flight1 closed it behind him1 and was immediately in the dark4 ,then he groped his way down1 feeling the rough brick wall as he went1 till he reached the floor of the cellar4 ,the air was cool and damp here1 and it refreshed him1 for he was pouring with sweat4 ,the noise1 too1 and confusion which1 during his flight1 had been reverberating through the house with a formidable din1 now only reached him as a far-away murmur4 ,as he counted the four steps up1 and then lifted the overhanging edge1 there came upon him irresistibly the contrast between the serene party here last night1 with their tapers and their delicate dresses and ,mary's cool clear-clipped voice--and his own soot-stained person1 his desperate energy and his quick panting and heart-beating4 ,then the steps dropped and he slid in2 lifted them again as he lay on his back1 and heard the spring catch as they closed4 ,then he was in silence1 too1 and comparative safety4 ,but he dared not rest yet1 and edged himself along as he had seen ,mr4 ,buxton do last night4 ,which brick was it8 ,the fourth of the fourth1 he murmured1 and counted1 and pressed it4 ,again the door pushed back1 and with a little struggle he was first on his knees1 and then on his feet4 ,then he swung the door to again behind him4 ,then for the first time he rested2 he leaned against the brick-lined side of the tunnel and passed his blackened hands over his face4 ,five minutes ago--yes--certainly not five minutes ago he was lounging in the west parlour1 at the other end of the house1 while ,mary played the prelude to an ,italian love-song4--,what was she doing now8 ,god bless her for her quick courage6--,and ,isabel and ,buxton--where were they all8 ,how deadly sick and tired he felt6--,again he passed his hands over his face in the pitch darkness4--,well1 he must push on4 ,he turned and began to grope patiently through the blackness--step by step--feeling the roughness of the bricks beneath with his shoeless feet before he set them down2 once or twice he stepped into a little icy pool1 which had collected through some crack in the vaulting overhead2 once1 too1 he slipped on a lump of something wet and shapeless2 and thought even then of ,mary's suspicions the night before4 ,he pushed on1 shivering now with cold and excitement1 through what seemed the interminable tunnel1 until at last his outstretched hands touched wood before him4 ,he had not seen this end of the passage for nearly two years1 and he wondered if he could remember the method of opening1 and gave a gulp of horror at the thought that he might not4 ,but there had been no reason to make a secret of the inside of the door1 and he presently found a button and drew it2 it creaked rustily1 but gave1 and the door with another pull opened inwards1 and there was a faint glimmer of light4 ,then he remembered that the entrances to the tunnel at either end were exactly on the same system2 and putting out his hands felt the slope of the underside of the staircase1 cutting diagonally across the opening of the passage4 ,he slid himself on to the boarding sideways1 and drew the brickwork towards him till the spring snapped1 and lay there to consider before he went farther4 ,first he ran over in his mind the construction of the garden-house4 ,the basement in which he was lying corresponded to the cellar under the house from which he had come1 and ran the whole length of the building1 about forty feet by twenty4 ,it was a large empty chamber1 where nothing of any value was kept4 ,he remembered last time he was here seeing a heap of tiles in one corner1 with a pile of disused poles2 pieces of rope1 and old iron in another4 ,the stairs led up through an ordinary trap-door into what was the ground-floor of the house4 ,this1 too1 was one immense room1 with four latticed windows looking on to the garden1 and one with opaque glass on to the lane at the back2 and a great door1 generally kept locked1 for rather more valuable things were kept here1 such as the garden-roller1 flower-pots1 and the targets for archery4 ,then a light staircase led straight up from this room to the next floor1 which was divided into two1 both of which1 so far as ,anthony remembered1 were empty4 ,mr4 ,buxton had thought of letting his gardeners sleep there when he had at first built this immense useless summer-house2 but he had ultimately built a little gardener's cottage adjoining it4 ,the two fantastic towers that flanked the building held nothing but staircases1 which could be entered by either of the two floors1 and which ascended to tiny rooms with windows on all four sides4 ,when ,anthony had run over these details as he lay on his back1 he pushed up the stair over his face and let the front of it with the step of the next swing inwards2 the light was stronger now1 and poured in1 though still dim1 through three half-moon windows1 glazed and wired1 that just rose above the level of the ground outside4 ,then he extricated himself1 closed the steps behind him1 and went up the stairs4 ,the trap-door at the top was a little stiff1 but he soon raised it1 and in a moment more was standing in the ground-floor room of the garden-house4 ,all round him was much as he remembered it2 he first went to the door and found it securely fastened1 as it often was for days together2 he glanced at the windows to assure himself that they were bottle-glass too1 and then went to them to look out4 ,he was fortunate enough to find the corner of one pane broken away2 he put his eye to this1 and there lay a little lawn1 with a yew-hedge beyond blotting out all of the great house opposite except the chimneys1--the house which even across the whole space of garden hummed like a hive4 ,on the lawn was a chair1 and an orange-bound book lay face down on the grass beside it4 ,anthony stared at it2 it was the book that he had seen in ,isabel's hand not half an hour ago1 as she had gone out into the garden from the hall to wait until he and ,mary joined her with the lute4 ,and at that the priest knelt down before the window1 covered his face with his hands1 and began to stammer and cry to ,god3 ,o ,god6 ,god6 ,god6 he said4 99 99 99 99 ,when ,mary ,corbet had seen ,anthony's feet disappear1 she already had the outline of a plan in her mind4 ,to light a fire and pretend to be burning important papers would serve as an excuse for keeping the door fast2 it would also suggest at least that no one was in the chimney4 ,the ordinary wood1 however1 sent up sparks2 but she had noticed before a little green wood in the basket1 and knew that this did not do so to the same extent2 so she pulled out the dry wood that ,anthony had trodden into the ashes and substituted the other4 ,then she had looked round for paper2--the lute music1 that was all4 ,meantime the door was giving2 the noise outside was terrible2 and it was evident that one or two of the servants were obstructing the passage of the pursuivants4 ,when at last the door flew in1 there was a fire cracking furiously on the hearth1 and a magnificently dressed lady kneeling before it1 crushing paper into the flames4 ,half a dozen men now streamed in and more began to follow1 and stood irresolute for a moment1 staring at her4 ,from the resistance they had met with they had been certain that the priest was here1 and this sight perplexed them4 ,a big ruddy man1 however1 who led them1 sprang across the room1 seized ,mary ,corbet by the shoulders and whisked her away against the wall1 and then dashed the half-burnt paper out of the grate and began to beat out the flames4 ,mary struggled violently for a moment2 but the others were upon her and held her1 and she presently stood quiet4 ,then she began upon them4 ,you insolent hounds6 she cried1 do you know who ,i am8 ,her cheeks were scarlet and her eyes blazing2 she seemed in a superb fury4 ,burning treasonable papers1 growled the big man from his knees on the hearth1 that is enough for me4 ,who are you1 sir1 that dare to speak to me like that8 ,the man got up2 the flames were out now1 and he slipped the papers into a pocket4 ,mary went on immediately4 ,if ,i may not burn my own lute music1 or keep my door locked1 without a riotous mob of knaves breaking upon me---- ,ah6 how dare you8 and she stamped furiously4 ,the pursuivant came up close to her1 insolently4 ,see here1 my lady---- he began4 ,the men had fallen back from her a little now that the papers were safe1 and she lifted her ringed hand and struck his ruddy face with all her might4 ,there was a moment of confusion and laughter as he recoiled4 ,now will you remember that her ,grace's ladies are not to be trifled with8 ,there was a murmur from the crowded room1 and a voice near the door cried3 ,she says truth1 ,mr4 ,nichol4 ,it is ,mistress ,corbet4 ,nichol had recovered himself1 but was furiously angry4 ,very good1 madam1 but ,i have these papers now1 he said1 they can still be read4 ,you blind idiot1 hissed ,mary1 do you not know lute music when you see it8 ,i know that ladies do not burn lute music with locked doors1 observed ,nichol bitterly4 ,the more fool you6 screamed ,mary1 when you have caught one at it4 ,that will be seen1 sneered ,mr4 ,nichol4 ,not by a damned blind scarlet-faced porpoise6 screamed ,mary1 apparently more in a passion than ever1 and a burst of laughter came from the men4 ,this was too much for ,mr4 ,nichol4 ,this coarse abuse stung him cruelly4 ,god's blood1 he bellowed at the room2 take this vixen out and search the place4 ,and a torrent of oaths drove the crowd about the door out into the passage again4 ,a couple of men took ,mary by the fierce ringed hands of hers that still twitched and clenched1 and led her out2 she spat insults over her shoulders as she went4 ,but she had held him in talk as she intended4 ,now then1 roared ,nichol again1 search1 you dogs6 ,he himself went outside too1 and seeing the stairs stamped up them4 ,he was just in time to see the ,tacitus settle down with crumpled pages2 stopped for a moment1 bewildered1 for it lay in the middle of the passage2 and then rushed at the open door on the left1 dashed it open1 and found a little empty room1 with a chair or two1 and a table--but no sign of the priest4 ,it was like magic4 ,then out he came once more1 and went into ,anthony's own room4 ,the great bed was on his right1 the window opposite1 the fireplace to the left1 and in the middle lay two sooty shoes4 ,instinctively he bent and touched them1 and found them warm2 then he sprang to the door1 still keeping his face to the room1 and shouted for help4 ,he is here1 he is here6 he cried4 ,and a thunder of footsteps on the stairs answered him4 99 99 99 99 ,meanwhile the men that held ,mary followed the others along the passage1 but while the leaders went on and round into the lower corridor1 the two men-at-arms with their prisoner turned aside into the parlour that served as an ante-chamber to the hall beyond1 where they released her4 ,here1 though it was empty of people1 all was in confusion2 the table had been overturned in the struggle that had raged along here between ,lackington's men1 who had entered from the front door1 and the servants of the house1 who had rushed in from their quarters at the first alarm and intercepted them4 ,one chair lay on its side1 with its splintered carved arm beside it4 ,as ,mary stood a moment looking about her1 the door from the hall that had been closed1 again opened1 and ,isabel came through2 and a man's voice said3 ,you must wait here1 madam2 then the door closed behind her4 ,isabel1 said ,mary4 ,the two looked at one another a moment1 but before either spoke again the door again half-opened1 and a voice began to speak1 as if its owner still held the handle4 ,very well1 ,lackington1 keep him in his room4 ,i will go through here to ,nichol4 ,isabel had drawn a sharp breath as the voice began1 and as the door opened wider she turned and faced it4 ,then ,hubert came in1 and recoiled on the threshold4 ,there fell a complete silence in the room4 ,hubert1 said ,isabel after a moment1 what are you doing here8 ,hubert shut the door abruptly and leaned against it1 staring at her2 his face had gone white under the tan4 ,isabel still looked at him steadily1 and her eyes were eloquent4 ,then she spoke again1 and something in her voice quickened the beating of ,mary's heart as she listened4 ,hubert1 have you forgotten us8 ,still ,hubert stared2 then he stood upright4 ,the two men-at-arms were watching in astonishment4 ,i will see to the ladies1 he said abruptly1 and waved his hand4 ,they still hesitated a moment4 ,go1 he said again sharply1 and pointed to the door4 ,he was a magistrate1 and responsible2 and they turned and went4 ,then ,hubert looked at ,isabel again4 ,isabel1 he said1 if ,i had known---- ,stay1 she interrupted1 there is no time for explanations except mine4 ,anthony is in the house2 ,i do not know where4 ,you must save him4 ,there was no entreaty or anxiety in her voice2 nothing but a supreme dignity and an assurance that she would be obeyed4 ,but---- he began4 ,the door was opened from the hall1 and a little party of searchers appeared1 but halted when the magistrate turned round4 ,come with me1 he said to the two women1 you must have a room kept for you upstairs1 and he held back the door for them to pass4 ,isabel put out her hand to ,mary1 and the two went out together into the hall past the men1 who stood back to let them through1 and ,hubert followed4 ,they turned to the left to the stairs1 looking as they went upon the wild confusion4 ,above them rose the carved ceiling1 and in the centre of the floor1 untouched1 by a strange chance1 stood the dinner-table1 still laid with silver and fruit and flowers4 ,but all else was in disarray4 ,the leather screen that had stood by the door into the entrance hall had been overthrown1 and had carried with it a tall flowering plant that now lay trampled and broken before the hearth4 ,a couple of chairs lay on their backs between the windows2 the rug under the window was huddled in a heap1 and all over the polished boards were scratches and dents2 a broken sword-hilt lay on the floor with a feathered cap beside it4 ,there were half a dozen men guarding the four doors2 but the rest were gone2 and from overhead came tramplings and shouts as the hunt swept to and fro in the upper floors4 ,at the top of the stairs was ,mary's room2 the two ladies1 who had gone silently upstairs with ,hubert behind them1 stopped at the door of it4 ,here1 if you please1 said ,mary4 ,before ,hubert could answer1 ,lackington came down the passage1 hurrying with a drawn sword1 and his hat on his head4 ,isabel did not recognise him as he stopped and tapped ,hubert on the arm familiarly4 ,the prisoners must not be together1 he said4 ,hubert drew back his arm and looked the man in the face4 ,they are not prisoners2 and they shall be together4 ,take off your hat1 sir4 ,then1 as ,lackington drew back astonished1 he opened the door4 ,you shall not be disturbed here1 he said1 and the two went in1 and the door closed behind them4 ,there was a murmur of voices outside the door1 and they heard a name called once or twice1 and the sound of footsteps4 ,then came a tap1 and ,hubert stepped in quietly and closed the door4 ,i have placed my own man outside1 he said1 and none shall trouble you--and--,mistress ,isabel--,i will do my best4 ,then he bowed and went out4 99 99 99 99 ,the long miserable afternoon began4 ,they watched through the windows the sentries going up and down the broad paths between the glowing flower-beds2 and out1 over the high iron fence that separated the garden from the meadows1 the crowd of villagers and children watching4 ,but the real terror for them both lay in the sounds that came from the interior of the house4 ,there was a continual tramp of the sentries placed in every corridor and lobby1 and of the messengers that went to and fro4 ,then from room after room came the sounds of blows1 the rending of woodwork1 and once or twice the crash of glass1 as the searchers went about their work2 and at every shout the women shuddered or drew their breath sharply1 for any one of the noises might be the sign of ,anthony's arrest4 ,the two had soon talked out every theory in low voices1 but they both agreed that he was still in the house somewhere1 and on the upper floor4 ,it was impossible1 they thought1 for him to have made his way down4 ,there were four possibilities1 therefore3 either he might still be in the chimney--in that case it was no use hoping2 or he was in the chapel-hole2 or in that behind the portrait2 or in one last one1 in the room next to their own4 ,the searchers had been there early in the afternoon1 but perhaps had not found it2 its entrance was behind the window shutter1 and was contrived in the thickness of the wall4 ,so they talked1 these two1 and conjectured and prayed1 as the evening drew on2 and the sun began to sink behind the church1 and the garden to lie in cool shadow4 ,about eight there was a tap at the door1 and ,hubert came in with a tray of food in his hands1 which he set down4 ,all is in confusion1 he said1 but this is the best ,i can do4--,he broke off4 ,mistress ,isabel1 he said1 coming nearer to the two as they sat together in the window-seat1 ,i can do little2 they have found three hiding-holes2 but so far he has escaped4 ,i do what ,i can to draw them off1 but they are too clever and zealous4 ,if you can tell me more1 perhaps ,i can do more4 ,the two were looking at him with startled eyes4 ,three8 ,mary said4 ,yes1 three--and indeed---- ,he stopped as ,isabel got up and came towards him4 ,hubert1 she said resolutely1 ,i must tell you4 ,he must be still in the chimney of the little west parlour4 ,do what you can4 ,the west parlour6 he said4 ,that was where ,mistress ,corbet was burning the papers8 ,yes1 said ,mary4 ,he is not there1 said ,hubert2 we have sent a boy up and down it already4 ,ah6 dear ,god6 said ,mary from the window-seat1 then he has escaped4 ,isabel looked from one to the other and shook her head4 ,it cannot be1 she said4 ,the guards were all round the house before the alarm rang4 ,hubert nodded1 and ,mary's face fell4 ,then is there no way out8 he asked4 ,mary sprang up with shining eyes4 ,he has done it1 she said1 and threw her arms round ,isabel and kissed her4 ,well1 said ,hubert1 what can ,i do8 ,you must leave us1 said ,isabel2 come back later4 ,then when we have searched the garden-house--why1 what is it8 ,a look of such anguish had come into their faces that he stopped amazed4 ,the garden-house6 cried ,mary2 no1 no1 no6 ,no1 no1 ,hubert1 ,hubert6 cried ,isabel1 you must not go there4 ,why1 he said1 it was ,i that proposed it2 to draw them from the house4 ,there came from beneath the windows a sudden tramp of footsteps1 and then ,nichol's voice1 distinctly heard through the open panes4 ,we cannot wait for him4 ,come1 men4 ,they are going without me1 said ,hubert2 and turned and ran through the door4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,the ,,garden-,,house ,during that long afternoon the master of the house had sat in his own room1 before his table1 hearing the ceaseless footsteps and the voices overhead1 and the ring of feet on the tiles outside his window1 knowing that his friend and priest was somewhere in the house1 crouching in some dark little space1 listening to the same footsteps and voices as they came and went by his hiding-place1 and that he himself was absolutely powerless to help4 ,he had been overpowered in the first rush as he pealed on the alarm-bell1 to which he had rushed when the groom burst in from the stable-yard crying that the outer court was full of men4 ,lackington had then sent him under guard to his own room1 where he had been locked in with an armed constable to prevent any possibility of escape4 ,in the struggle he had received a blow on the head which had completely dazed him2 all his resource left him2 and he had no desire even to move from his chair4 ,now he sat1 with his head on his breast1 and his mind going the ceaseless round of all the possible places where ,anthony might be4 ,little scenes1 too1 of startling vividness moved before him1 as he sat there with half-closed eyes--scenes of the imagined arrest--the scuffle as the portrait was torn away and ,anthony burst out in one last desperate attempt to escape4 ,he saw him under every kind of circumstance--dashing up stairs and being met at the top by a man with a pike--running and crouching through the withdrawing-room itself next door--gliding with burning eyes past the yew-hedges in a rush for the iron gates1 only to find them barred--on horseback with his hands bound and a despairing uplifted face with pike-heads about him4--,so his friend dreamed miserably on1 open-eyed1 but between waking and the sleep of exhaustion1 until the crowning vision flashed momentarily before his eyes of the scaffold and the cauldron with the fire burning and the low gallows over the heads of the crowd1 and the butcher's block and knife2 and then he moaned and sat up and stared about him1 and the young pursuivant looked at him half-apprehensively4 ,towards evening the house grew quieter2 once1 about six o'clock1 there were voices outside1 the door from the hall was unlocked1 and a heavily-built1 ruddy man came in with two pikemen1 locking the door behind him4 ,they paid no attention to the prisoner1 and he watched them mechanically as they went round the room1 running their eyes up and down the panelling1 and tapping here and there4 ,the room has been searched1 sir1 already1 said the young constable to the ruddy-faced man1 who glanced at him and nodded1 and then continued the scrutiny4 ,they reached the fireplace and the officer reached up and tapped the wood over the mantelpiece half-a-dozen times4 ,here1 he called1 pointing to a spot4 ,a pikeman came up1 placed the end of his pike into the oak1 and leaned suddenly and heavily upon it3 the steel crashed in an inch1 and stopped as it met the stonework behind4 ,the officer made a motion1 the pike was withdrawn1 and he stood on tip-toe and put his finger into the splintered panel4 ,then he was satisfied and they passed on1 still tapping the walls1 and went out of the other door1 locking it again behind them4 ,an hour later there were voices and steps again1 and a door was unlocked and opened1 and ,mr4 ,graves1 the ,tonbridge magistrate stepped in alone4 ,he was a pale scholarly-looking man with large eyes1 and a weak mouth only partly covered by his beard4 ,you can go1 he said nervously to the constable1 but remain outside4 ,the young man saluted him and passed out4 ,the magistrate looked quickly and sideways at ,mr4 ,buxton as he sat and looked at him4 ,i am come to tell you1 he said1 that we cannot find the priest4 ,he hesitated and stopped4 ,we have found several hiding-holes1 he went on1 and they are all empty4 ,i--,i hope there is no mistake4 ,a little thrill ran through the man who sat in the chair2 the lethargy began to clear from his brain1 like a morning mist when a breeze rises2 he sat a little more upright and gripped the arms of his chair2 he said nothing yet1 but he felt power and resource flowing back to his brain1 and the pulse in his temples quieted4 ,why1 if the lad had not been taken yet1 he must surely be out of the house4 ,i trust there is no mistake1 said the magistrate again nervously4 ,you may well trust so1 said the other2 it will be a grievous thing for you1 sir1 otherwise4 ,indeed1 ,mr4 ,buxton1 ,i think you know ,i am no bigot4 ,i was sent for by ,mr4 ,lackington last night4 ,i could not refuse4 ,it was not my wish---- ,yet you have issued your warrant1 and are here in person to execute it4 ,may ,i inquire how many of my cupboards you have broken into8 ,and ,i hope your men are satisfied with my plate4 ,indeed1 sir1 said the magistrate1 there has been nothing of that kind4 ,and as for the cupboards1 there were but three---- ,three6--then the lad is out of the house1 thought the other4 ,but where8 ,and ,i trust you have not spared to break down my servants' rooms1 and the stables as well as pierce all my panelling4 ,there was no need to search the stables1 ,mr4 ,buxton2 our men were round the house before we entered4 ,they have been watching the entrances since eight o'clock last night4 ,mr4 ,buxton felt bewildered4 ,his instinct had been right1 then1 the night before4 ,the party was followed from near ,wrotham1 went on the magistrate4 ,the priest was with them then2 and1 we suppose1 entered the house4 ,you suppose6 snapped the other4 ,what the devil do you mean by supposing8 ,you have looked everywhere and cannot find him8 ,the magistrate shrugged his shoulders deprecatingly1 as he stood and stared at the angry man4 ,and the roofs8 added ,mr4 ,buxton sneeringly4 ,they have been thoroughly searched4 ,then there is but one possible theory1 he reflected4 ,the lad is in the garden-house4 ,and what if they search that8 ,then may ,i ask what you propose to destroy next1 ,mr4 ,graves8 ,he saw that this tone was having its effect on the magistrate1 who was but a half-hearted persecutor1 with but feeble convictions and will1 as he knew of old4 ,i--,i entreat you not to speak to me like that1 sir1 he said4 ,i have but done my duty4 ,then the other rose from his chair1 and his eyes were stern and bright again and his lips tight4 ,your duty1 sir1 seems a strange matter1 when it leads you to break into a friend's house1 assault him and his servants and his guests1 and destroy his furniture1 in search of a supposed priest whom you have never even seen4 ,now1 sir1 if this matter comes to her ,grace's ears1 ,i will not answer for the consequences2 for you know ,mistress ,corbet1 her lady-in-waiting1 is one of my guests4--,and1 speaking of that1 where are my guests8 ,the two ladies1 ,mr4 ,buxton1 are safe and sound upstairs1 ,i assure you4 ,the magistrate's voice was trembling4 ,well1 sir1 ,i have one condition to offer you4 ,either you and your men withdraw within half an hour from my house and grounds1 and leave me and my two guests to ourselves1 or else ,i lay the whole matter1 through ,mistress ,corbet1 before her ,grace4 ,mr4 ,buxton beat his hand once on the table as he ended1 and looked with a contemptuous inquiry at the magistrate4 ,but the worm writhed up at the heel4 ,how can you talk like this1 sir1 he burst out1 as if you had but two guests8 ,two guests8 ,i do not understand you4 ,how should there be more8 ,then for whom are the four places laid at table8 he answered indignantly4 ,mr4 ,buxton felt a sudden desperate sinking1 and he could not answer for a moment4 ,the magistrate passed his shaking hand over his mouth and beard once or twice2 but the thrust had gone home1 and there was no parry or riposte4 ,he followed it up4 ,now1 sir1 be reasonable4 ,i came in here to make terms4 ,we know the priest has been here4 ,it is certain beyond all question4 ,all that is uncertain is whether he is here now or escaped4 ,we have searched thoroughly2 we must search again to-morrow2 but in the meanwhile1 while you yourself must be under restraint1 your guests shall have what liberty they wish2 and you yourself shall have all reasonable comfort and ease4 ,so--so1 if we do not find the priest1 ,i trust that you and--and--,mistress ,corbet will agree to overlook any rashness on my part--and--and let her ,grace remain in ignorance4 ,mr4 ,buxton had been thinking furiously during this little speech4 ,he saw the mistake he had made in taking the high line1 and his wretched forgetfulness of the fourth place at table4 ,he must make terms1 though it tasted bitter4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,graves1 he said1 ,i have no wish to be hard upon you4 ,all ,i ask is to be out of the house when the search is made1 and that the ladies shall come and go as they please4 ,the magistrate leapt at the lure like a trout4 ,yes1 yes1 ,mr4 ,buxton1 it shall be as you say4 ,and to what house will you retire8 ,mr4 ,buxton appeared to reflect2 he tapped on the table with a meditative finger and looked at the ceiling4 ,it must not be too far away1 he said slowly1 and--and the ,rector would scarce like to receive me4 ,perhaps in--or----,why not my summer-house8 he added suddenly4 ,mr4 ,graves' face was irradiated with smiles4 ,thank you1 ,mr4 ,buxton1 certainly1 it shall be as you say4 ,and where is the summer-house8 ,it is across the garden1 said the other carelessly4 ,i wonder you have not searched it in your zeal4 ,shall ,i send a man to prepare it8 asked the magistrate eagerly4 ,will you go there to-night8 ,well1 shall we go across there together now8 ,i give you my parole1 he added1 smiling1 and standing up4 ,indeed1--as you wish4 ,i cannot tell you1 sir1 how grateful ,i am4 ,you have made my duty almost a pleasure1 sir4 ,they went out together into the hall1 ,mr4 ,buxton carrying the key of the garden-house that he had taken from the drawer of his table2 he glanced ruefully at the wrecked furniture and floor1 and his eyes twinkled for a moment as they rested on the four places at table still undisturbed1 and then met the magistrate's sidelong look4 ,the men were still at the doors1 resting now on chairs or leaning against the wall1 with their weapons beside them2 it was weary work this mounting sentry and losing the hunt1 and their faces showed it4 ,the two passed out together into the garden1 and began to walk up the path that led straight across the avenue to where the high vanes of the garden-house stood up grotesque and towering against the evening sky1 above the black yew-hedges4 ,all the while they went ,mr4 ,buxton was thinking out his plan4 ,it was still incoherent2 but1 at any rate1 it was a step gained to be able to communicate with ,anthony again2 and at least the poor lad should have some supper4 ,and then he smiled to himself with relief as he saw what an improvement there had been in the situation as it had appeared to him an hour ago4 ,why1 they would search the house again next day2 find no one1 and retire apologising4 ,his occupancy of the garden-house with the magistrate's full consent would surely secure it from search2 and he was not so well satisfied with the disguised entrance to the passage at this end as with that in the cellar4 ,they reached the door at last4 ,there were three steps going up to it1 and ,mr4 ,buxton went up them1 making a good deal of noise as he did so1 to ensure ,anthony's hearing him should he be above ground4 ,then1 as if with great difficulty1 he unlocked the door1 rattling it1 and clicking sharply with his tongue at its stiffness4 ,you see1 ,mr4 ,graves1 he said1 rather loud1 as he opened the door a little1 my prison will not be a narrow one4 ,he threw the door open1 gave a glance round1 and was satisfied4 ,the targets leaned against one wall1 and two rows of flower-pots stood in the corner near where the window opened into the lane1 but there was no sign of occupation4 ,mr4 ,buxton went across1 threw the window open and looked out4 ,there was a steel cap three or four feet below1 and a pike-head2 and at the sound of the latch a bearded face looked up4 ,i see you have a sentry there1 said ,mr4 ,buxton carelessly4 ,ah6 that is one of ,mr4 ,maxwell's men4 ,mr4 ,maxwell's6 said the other1 startled4 ,is he in this affair too8 ,yes2 have you not heard8 ,he came from ,great ,keynes this morning4 ,mr4 ,lackington sent for him4 ,mr4 ,buxton's face grew dark4 ,ah yes1 ,i see--a pretty revenge4 ,the magistrate was on the point of asking an explanation1 for he felt on the best of terms again now with his prisoner1 when there were footsteps outside and voices2 and there stood four constables1 with ,nichol1 ,hubert ,maxwell and ,lackington in furious debate coming up the path behind4 ,they looked up suddenly1 and saw the door open and the magistrate and his prisoner standing in the opening4 ,the four constables stood waiting for further orders while their three chiefs came up4 ,now1 now1 now6 said ,mr4 ,graves peevishly1 what is all this8 ,we have come to search this house1 sir1 said ,nichol cheerfully4 ,see here1 sir1 said ,hubert1 have you given orders for this8 ,enough1 enough1 said ,lackington coolly4 ,search1 men4 ,the pursuivants advanced to the steps4 ,then ,mr4 ,buxton turned fiercely on them all4 ,see here6 he cried1 and his voice rang out across the garden4 ,you bring me here1 ,mr4 ,graves1 promising me a little peace and quietness1 after your violent and unwarranted attack upon my house to-day4 ,i have been patient and submissive to all suggestions2 ,i leave my entire house at your disposal2 ,i promise to lay no complaints before her ,grace1 so long as you will let me retire here till it is over--and now your men persecute me even here4 ,have you no mind of your own1 sir8 he shouted4 ,really1 sir---- began ,hubert4 ,and as for you1 ,mr4 ,maxwell1 went on the other fiercely1 are you not content with your triumph so far8 ,cannot you leave me one corner to myself1 or would your revenge be not full enough for you1 then8 ,you mistake me1 sir1 said ,hubert1 making a violent effort to control himself2 ,i am on your side in this matter4 ,that is what ,i am beginning to think1 said ,lackington insolently4 ,you think6 roared ,mr4 ,buxton2 and who the devil are you8 ,see here1 gentlemen1 said ,mr4 ,nichol1 what is the dispute8 ,here is an empty house1 ,mr4 ,buxton tells us2 and ,mr4 ,maxwell tells us the same4 ,well1 then1 let these honest fellows run through the empty house2 it will not take ten minutes1 and ,mr4 ,buxton and his friend can take the air meanwhile4 ,a-,god's name1 let us not dispute over a trifle4 ,then1 a-,god's name1 let me go to my own house1 bellowed ,mr4 ,buxton1 and these gentlemen can have the empty house to disport themselves in till doomsday--or till her ,grace looks into the matter2 and he made a motion to run down the steps1 but his heart sank4 ,mr4 ,graves put out a deprecating hand and touched his arm2 and ,mr4 ,buxton very readily turned at once with a choleric face6 ,no1 no1 no6 cried the magistrate4 ,these gentlemen are here on my warrant1 and they shall not search the place4 ,mr4 ,buxton1 ,i entreat you not to be hasty4 ,come back1 sir4 ,mr4 ,buxton briskly reascended4 ,well1 then1 ,mr4 ,graves1 ,i entreat you to give your orders1 and let your will be known4 ,i am getting hungry for my supper1 too1 sir4 ,it is already an hour past my time4 ,sup in the house1 sir1 said ,mr4 ,nichol smoothly1 and we shall have done by then4 ,then ,hubert blazed up2 he took a step forward4 ,now1 you fellow1 he said to ,nichol1 hold your damned tongue4 ,mr4 ,graves and ,i are the magistrates here1 and we say that this gentleman shall sup and sleep here in peace1 so you may take your pursuivants elsewhere4 ,lackington looked up with a smile4 ,no1 ,mr4 ,maxwell1 ,i cannot do that4 ,these men are under my orders1 and ,i shall leave two of them here and send another to keep your fellow company at the back4 ,we will not disturb ,mr4 ,buxton further to-night2 but to-morrow we shall see4 ,mr4 ,buxton paid no sort of further attention to him1 but turned to the magistrates4 ,well1 gentlemen1 what is your decision8 ,you shall sleep here in peace1 sir1 said ,mr4 ,graves resolutely4 ,i can promise nothing for to-morrow4 ,then will you kindly allow one of my men to bring me supper and a couch of some kind1 and ,i shall be obliged if the ladies may sup with me4 ,that they shall1 assented ,mr4 ,graves4 ,mr4 ,maxwell1 will you escort them here8 ,hubert1 who was turning away1 nodded and disappeared round the yew-hedge4 ,lackington1 who had been talking in an undertone to the pursuivants1 now went up another alley with one of them and ,mr4 ,nichol1 and disappeared too in the gathering gloom of the garden4 ,the other two pursuivants separated and each moved a few steps off and remained just out of sight4 ,plainly they were to remain on guard4 ,mr4 ,buxton and the magistrate sat down on a couple of garden-chairs4 ,that is an obstinate fellow1 sir1 said ,mr4 ,graves4 ,they are certainly both of them very offensive fellows1 sir4 ,i was astonished at your indulgence towards them4 ,the magistrate was charmed by this view of the case1 and remained talking with ,mr4 ,buxton until footsteps again were heard1 and the two ladies appeared1 with ,hubert with them1 and a couple of men carrying each a tray and the other necessaries he had asked for4 ,mr4 ,buxton and the magistrate rose to meet the ladies and bowed4 ,i cannot tell you1 began their host elaborately1 what distress all this affair has given me4 ,i trust you will forgive any inconvenience you may have suffered4 ,both ,isabel and ,mary looked white and strained1 but they responded gallantly2 and as the table was being prepared the four talked almost as if there were no bitter suspense at three of their hearts at least4 ,mr4 ,graves was nervous and uneasy1 but did his utmost to propitiate ,mary4 ,at last he was on the point of withdrawing1 when ,mr4 ,buxton entreated him to sup with them4 ,i must not1 he said2 ,i am responsible for your property1 ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,then ,i understand that these ladies may come and go as they please8 he asked carelessly4 ,certainly1 sir4 ,then may ,i ask too the favour that you will place one of your own men at the door who can conduct them to the house when they wish to go1 and who can remain and protect me too from any disturbance from either of the two officious persons who were here just now8 ,mr4 ,graves1 delighted at this restored confidence1 promised to do so1 and took an elaborate leave2 and the three sat down to supper2 the door was left open1 and they could see through it the garden1 over which veil after veil of darkness was beginning to fall4 ,the servants had lighted two tapers1 and the inside of the great room with its queer furniture of targets and flower-pots was plainly visible to any walking outside4 ,once or twice the figure of a man crossed the strip of light that lay across the gravel4 ,it was a strange supper4 ,they said innocent things to one another in a tone loud enough for any to hear who cared to be listening1 about the annoyance of it all1 the useless damage that had been done1 the warmth of the summer night1 and the like1 and spoke in low soundless sentences of what was in all their hearts4 ,that red-faced fellow1 said ,mary1 would be the better of some manners4 7,he is in the passage below1 ,i suppose47 ,it is scarce an ennobling life--that of a manhunter1 said ,mr4 ,buxton4 7,yes4 ,i am sure of it47 ,they have broken your little cupboard1 ,i fear1 said ,mary again4 7,tell me your plan1 if you have one47 ,and so step by step a plan was built up4 ,it had been maturing in ,mr4 ,buxton's mind gradually after he had learnt the ladies might sup with him2 and little by little he conveyed it to them4 ,he managed to write down the outline of it as he sat at table1 and then passed it to each to read1 and commented on it and answered their questions about it1 all in the same noiseless undertone1 with his lips indeed scarcely moving4 ,there were many additions and alterations made in it as the two ladies worked upon it too1 but by the time supper was over it was tolerably complete4 ,it seemed1 indeed1 almost desperate1 but the case was desperate4 ,it was certain that the garden-house would be searched next day2 ,lackington's suspicions were plainly roused1 and it was too much to hope that searchers who had found three hiding-places in one afternoon would fail to find a fourth4 ,it appeared then that it was this plan or none4 ,they supped slowly1 in order to give time to think out and work out the scheme1 and to foresee any difficulties beyond those they had already counted on2 and it was fully half-past nine before the two ladies rose4 ,their host went with them to the door1 called up ,mr4 ,graves' man1 and watched them pass down the path out of sight4 ,he stood a minute or two longer looking across towards the house at the dusky shapes in the garden and the strip of gravel1 grass1 and yew that was illuminated from his open door4 ,then he spoke to the men that he knew were just out of sight4 ,i am going to bed presently4 ,kindly do not disturb me4 ,there was no answer2 and he closed the two high doors and bolted them securely4 ,he dared not yet do what he wished1 for fear of arousing suspicion1 so he went to the other window and looked out into the lane4 ,he could just make out the glimmer of steel on the opposite bank4 ,good-night1 my man1 he called out cheerfully4 ,again there was no answer4 ,there was something sinister in these watching presences that would not speak1 and his heart sank a little as he put-to the window without closing it4 ,he went next to the pile of rugs and pillows that his men had brought across1 and arranged them in the corner1 just clear of the trap-door4 ,then he knelt and said his evening prayers1 and here at least was no acting4 ,then he rose again and took off his doublet and ruff and shoes so that he was dressed only in a shirt1 trunks and hose4 ,then he went across to the supper-table1 where the tapers still burned1 and blew them out1 leaving the room in complete darkness4 ,then he went back to his bed1 and sat and listened4 ,up to this point he had been aware that probably at least one pair of eyes had been watching him2 for1 although the windows were of bottle-end glass1 yet it was exceedingly likely that there would be some clear glass in them2 and1 with the tapers burning inside1 his movements would all have been visible to either of ,lackington's men who cared to put his eye to the window4 ,but now he was invisible4 ,yet1 as he thought of it1 he slipped on his doublet again to hide the possible glimmer of his white shirt4 ,there was the silence of the summer night about him--the silence only emphasised by its faint sounds4 ,the house was quiet across the garden1 though once or twice he thought he heard a horse stamp4 ,once there came a little stifled cough from outside his window2 there was the silky rustle of the faint breeze in the trees outside2 and now and again came the snoring of a young owl in the ivy somewhere overhead4 ,he counted five hundred deliberately1 to compel himself to wait2 and meanwhile his sub-conscious self laboured at the scheme4 ,then he glanced this way and that with wide eyes2 his ears sang with intentness of listening4 ,then1 very softly he shifted his position1 and found with his fingers the ring that lifted the trap-door above the stairs4 ,there was no concealment about this1 and without any difficulty he lifted the door with his right hand and leaned it against the wall2 then he looked round again and listened4 ,from below came up the damp earthy breath of the basement1 and he heard a rat scamper suddenly to shelter4 ,then he lifted his feet from the rugs and dropped them noiselessly on the stairs1 and supporting himself by his hands on the floor went down a step or two4 ,then a stair creaked under his weight2 and he stopped in an agony1 hearing only the mad throbbing in his own ears4 ,but all was silent outside4 ,and so step by step he descended into the cool darkness4 ,he hesitated as to whether he should close the trap-door or not1 there was a risk either way2 but he decided to do so1 as he would be obliged to make some noise in opening the secret doors and communicating with ,anthony4 ,at last his feet touched the earth floor1 and he turned as he sat and counted the steps--the fourth1 the fifth1 and tapped upon it4 ,there was no answer2 he put his lips to it and whispered sharply3 ,anthony1 ,anthony1 dear lad4 ,still there was no answer4 ,then he lifted the lid1 and managed to hold the woodwork below1 as he knelt on the third step1 so that it descended noiselessly4 ,he put out his other hand and felt the boards4 ,anthony had retired into the passage then1 he told himself1 as he found the space empty4 ,he climbed into the hole1 pushed himself along and counted the bricks--the fourth of the fourth--pressed it1 and pushed at the door2 and it was fast4 ,for the first time a horrible spasm of terror seized him4 ,had he forgotten8 or was it all a mistake1 and ,anthony not there8 ,he turned in his place1 put his shoulders against the door and his feet against the woodwork of the stairs1 and pushed steadily2 there were one or two loud creaks1 and the door began to yield4 ,then he knew ,anthony was there2 a rush of relief came into his heart--and he turned and whispered again4 ,anthony1 dear lad1 ,anthony1 open quickly2 it is ,i4 ,the brickwork slid back and a hand touched his face out of the pitch darkness of the tunnel4 ,who is it8 ,is it you8 came a whisper4 ,it is ,i1 yes4 ,thank ,god you are here4 ,i feared---- ,how could ,i tell8 came the whisper again4 ,but what is the news8 ,are you escaped8 ,no1 ,i am a prisoner1 and on parole4 ,but there is no time for that4 ,you must escape--we have a plan--but there is not much time4 ,why should ,i not remain here8 ,they will search to-morrow--and--and this end of the tunnel is not so well concealed as the other4 ,they would find you4 ,they suspect you are here1 and there are guards round this place4 ,there was a movement in the dark4 ,then why think---- began the whisper4 ,no1 no1 we have a plan4 ,mary and ,isabel approve4 ,listen carefully4 ,there is but one guard at the back here1 in the lane4 ,mary has leave to come and go now as she pleases--they are afraid of her2 she will leave the house in a few minutes now to ride to ,east ,maskells1 with two grooms and a maid behind one of them4 ,she will ride her own horse4 ,when she has passed the inn she will bid the groom who has the maid to wait for her1 while she rides down the lane with the other1 ,robert1 to speak to me through the window4 ,the pursuivant1 we suppose1 will not forbid that1 as he knows they have supped with me just now4 ,as we talk1 ,robert will watch his chance and spring on the pursuivant4 ,as soon as the struggle begins you will drop from the window2 it is but eight feet2 and help him to secure the man and gag him4 ,however much din they make the others cannot reach the man in time to help1 for they will have to come round from the house1 and you will have mounted ,robert's horse2 and you and ,mary together will gallop down the lane into the road1 and then where you will4 ,we advise ,east ,maskells4 ,i do not suppose there will be any pursuit4 ,they will have no horses ready4 ,do you understand it8 ,there was silence a moment2 ,mr4 ,buxton could hear ,anthony breathing in the darkness4 ,i do not like it1 came the whisper at last2 it seems desperate4 ,a hundred things may happen4 ,and what of ,isabel and you8 ,dear friend2 ,i know it is desperate1 but not so desperate as your remaining here would be for us all4 ,again there was silence4 ,what of ,robert8 ,how will he escape8 ,if you escape they will have nothing against ,robert2 for they can prove nothing as to your priesthood4 ,but if they catch you here--and they certainly will1 if you remain here--they will probably hang him1 for he fought for you gallantly in the house4 ,and he too will have time to run4 ,he can run through the door into the meadows4 ,but they will not care for him if they know you are off4 ,again silence4 ,well8 whispered ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,do you wish it8 ,i think it is the only hope4 ,then ,i will do it4 ,thank ,god6 ,and now you must come up with me4 ,put off your shoes4 ,i have none4 ,then follow1 and do not make a sound4 99 99 99 99 ,very cautiously ,mr4 ,buxton extricated himself2 for he had been lying on his side while he whispered to ,anthony2 and presently was crouched on the stairs above1 as he heard the stirrings of his friend in the dark below him4 ,there came the click of the brickwork door2 then slow shufflings2 once a thump on the hollow boards that made his heart leap2 then after what seemed an interminable while1 came the sound of latching the fifth stair into its place2 and he felt his foot grasped4 ,then he turned and ascended slowly on hands and knees1 feeling now and again for the trap-door over him--touched it--raised it1 and crawled out on to the rugs4 ,the room seemed to him comparatively light after the heavy darkness of the basement1 and passage below1 and he could make out the supper-table and the outline of the targets on the opposite wall4 ,then he saw a head follow him2 then shoulders and body2 and ,anthony crept out and sat on the rugs beside him4 ,their hands met in a trembling grip4 ,supper1 dear lad8 whispered ,mr4 ,buxton1 with his mouth to the other's ear4 ,yes1 ,i am hungry1 came the faintest whisper back4 ,mr4 ,buxton rose and went on tip-toe to the table1 took off some food and a glass of wine that he had left purposely filled and came back with them4 ,there the two friends sat2 ,mr4 ,buxton could just hear the movement of ,anthony's mouth as he ate4 ,the four windows glimmered palely before them1 and once or twice the tall doors rattled faintly as the breeze stirred them4 ,then suddenly came a sound that made ,anthony's hand pause on the way to his mouth2 ,mr4 ,buxton drew a sharp breath2 it was the noise of three or four horses on the road beyond the church4 ,then they both stood up without a word1 and ,mr4 ,buxton went noiselessly across to the window that looked on to the lane and remained there1 listening4 ,the horses were now passing down the street1 and the noise of their hoofs grew fainter behind the houses4 ,anthony saw his friend in the twilight beckon1 and he went across and stood by him4 ,suddenly the hoofs sounded loud and near2 and they heard the pursuivant below stand up from the bank opposite4 ,then ,mary's voice came distinct and cheerful4 ,how dark it is6 ,the horses were coming down the lane4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,the ,,night-,,ride ,the sound of hoofs came nearer2 ,anthony's heart1 as he crouched below the window1 ready to spring up and over when the signal was given1 beat in sick thumpings at the base of his throat1 but with a fierce excitement and no fear4 ,his hands clenched and unclenched4 ,mr4 ,buxton stood back a little1 waiting2 he must feign to be asleep at first4 ,then came suddenly a sharp challenge from the sentry4 ,it is ,mistress ,corbet1 came ,mary's cool high tones1 and ,i desire to speak with ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,the man hesitated4 ,you cannot1 he said4 ,cannot6 she cried2 why1 fellow1 do you know who ,i am8 ,and ,i have just supped with him4 ,there came a sudden sound from the other side of the summer-house1 and both men in the room knew that the guards in the garden were listening4 ,i am sorry1 madam1 but ,i have no orders4 ,then do not presume1 you hound1 came ,mary's voice again1 with a ring of anger4 ,ho1 there1 ,mr4 ,buxton1 come to the window4 ,be ready1 he whispered to ,anthony4 ,stand back1 madam1 said the pursuivant1 or ,i shall call for help4 ,then ,mr4 ,buxton threw back the window4 ,who is there8 he asked coolly4 7,stand up ,anthony47 ,it is ,i1 ,mr4 ,buxton1 but this insolent dog---- ,stand back1 madam1 ,i say1 cried the voice of the guard4 ,then from the garden behind came running footsteps and voices2 and a red light shone through the windows behind4 ,now1 whispered the voice over ,anthony's head sharply4 ,there came a loud shout from the guard1 ,help there1 help6 ,anthony put his hands on to the sill and lifted himself easily4 ,the groom had slipped from his horse while ,mary held the bridle1 and was advancing at the guard1 and there was something in his hand4 ,the sentry1 who was standing immediately under the window1 now dropped his pike point forward2 and as a furious rattling began at the doors on the garden side1 ,anthony dropped1 and came down astride of the man's neck1 who crashed to the ground4 ,then the groom was on him too4 ,leave him to me1 sir4 ,mount4 ,the groom's hands were busy with something about the struggling man's neck3 the shouts choked and ceased4 ,you will strangle the man1 said ,anthony sharply4 ,nonsense1 said ,mary2 mount1 mount4 ,they are coming4 ,anthony ran to the horse1 that was beginning to scurry and plunge2 threw himself across the saddle and caught the reins4 ,up8 said ,mary4 ,up2 and he slung his right leg over the flank and sat up1 as ,mary released the bridle1 and dashed off1 scattering gravel4 ,from the direction of the church came cries and the quick rattle of a galloping horse4 ,anthony dashed his shoeless heels into the horse's sides and leaned forward1 and in a moment more was flying down the lane after ,mary4 ,from in front came a shout of warning1 with one or two screams1 and then ,anthony turned the corner1 checking his horse slightly at the angle1 saw a torch somewhere to his right1 a group of scared faces1 a groom and woman clinging to him on a plunging horse1 and the white road2 and then found himself with loose reins1 and flying stirrups1 thundering down the village street1 with ,mary on her horse not two lengths in front4 ,the roar of the hoofs behind1 and of the little shouting crowd1 with the screaming woman on the horse1 died behind him as the wind began to boom in his ears4 ,mary was looking round now1 and slightly checking her horse as they neared the bottom of the long village street4 ,in half a dozen strides ,anthony came up on her right4 ,then the pool gleamed before them just beyond the fork of the road4 ,left6 screamed ,mary through the roar of the racing air1 and turned her horse off up the road that led round in a wide sweep of two miles to ,east ,maskells and the woods beyond1 and ,anthony followed4 ,he had settled down in the saddle now1 and had brought his maddened horse under control2 his feet were in the stirrups1 but there was no lessening of the speed4 ,they had left the last house now1 and on either side the black bushes and heatherland streamed past1 with the sudden gleam of water here and there under the starlight that showed the ditches and holes with which the ground on either side of the road was honeycombed4 ,then ,mary turned her head again1 and the words came detached and sharp4 ,they are after us--could not help--horses saddled4 ,anthony turned his head to release one ear from the roar of the air1 and heard the thundering rattle of hoofs in the distance1 but even as he listened it grew fainter4 ,we are gaining6 he shouted4 ,mary nodded1 and her teeth gleamed white in a smile4 ,ours are fresh1 she screamed4 ,then there was silence between them again2 they had reached a little hill and eased their horses up it2 a heavy fringe of trees crowned it on their right1 black against the stars1 and a gleam of light showed the presence of a house among them4 ,farther and farther behind them sounded the hoofs2 then they were swaying and rocking again down the slope that led to the long flat piece of road that ended in the slope up to ,east ,maskells4 ,it was softer going now and darker too1 as there were trees overhead2 pollared willows streamed past them as they went2 and twice there was a snort and a hollow thunder of hoofs as a young sleeping horse awoke and raced them a few yards in the meadows at the side4 ,once ,anthony's horse shied at a white post1 and drew in front a yard or two2 and he heard for a moment under the rattle the cool gush of the stream that flowed beneath the road and the scream of a water-fowl as she burst from the reeds4 ,a great exultation began to fill ,anthony's heart4 ,what a ride this was1 in the glorious summer night--reckless and intoxicating6 ,what a contrast1 this sweet night air streaming past him1 this dear world of living things1 his throbbing horse beneath him1 the birds and beasts round him1 and this gallant girl swaying and rejoicing too beside him6 ,what a contrast was all this to that terrible afternoon1 only a few hours away--of suspense and skulking like a rat in a sewer2 in a dark1 close passage underground breathing death and silence round him6 ,an escape with the fresh air in the face and the glorious galloping music of hoofs is another matter to an escape contrived by holding the breath and fearing to move in a mean hiding-hole4 ,and as all this flooded in upon him1 incoherently but overpoweringly1 he turned and laughed loud with joy4 ,they had nearly come to an end of the flat by now4 ,in front of them rose the high black mass of trees where safety lay2 somewhere to the right1 not a quarter of a mile in front1 just off the road1 lay ,east ,maskells4 ,they would draw rein1 he reflected1 when they reached the outer gates1 and listen2 and if all was quiet behind them1 ,mary at least should ask for shelter4 ,for himself1 perhaps it would be safer to ride on into the woods for the present4 ,he began to move his head as he rode to see if there were any light in the house before him2 it seemed dark2 but perhaps he could not see the house from here4 ,gradually his horse slackened a little1 as the rise in the ground began1 and he tossed the reins once or twice4 ,then there was a sharp hiss and blow behind him2 his horse snorted and leapt forward1 almost unseating him1 and then1 still snorting with head raised and jerking1 dashed at the slope4 ,there was a cry and a loud report2 he tugged at the reins1 but the horse was beside himself1 and he rode fifty yards before he could stop him4 ,even as he wrenched him into submission another horse with head up and flying stirrup and reins thundered past him and disappeared into the woods beyond the house4 ,then1 trembling so that he could hardly hold the reins1 he urged his horse back again at a stumbling trot towards what he knew lay at the foot of the slope1 and to meet the tumult that grew in nearness and intensity up the road along which he had just galloped4 ,there was a dark group on the pale road in front of him1 twenty yards this side of the field-path that led from ,stanfield ,place2 he took his feet from the stirrups as he got near1 and in a moment more threw his right leg forward over the saddle and slipped to the ground4 ,he said no word but pushed away the two men1 and knelt by ,mary1 taking her head on his knee4 ,the men rose and stood looking down at them4 ,mary1 he said1 can you hear me8 ,he bent close over the white face2 her hand rose to her breast1 and came away dark4 ,she was shot through the body4 ,then she pushed him sharply4 ,go1 she whispered1 go4 ,mary1 he said again1 make your confession--quickly4 ,stand back1 you men4 ,they obeyed him2 and he bent his ear towards the mouth he could so dimly see4 ,there was a sob or two--a long moaning breath--and then the murmur of words1 very faint and broken by gulps for breath4 ,he noticed nothing of the hoofs that dashed up the road and stopped abruptly1 and of the murmur of voices that grew round him2 he only heard the gasping whisper1 the words that rose one by one1 with pauses and sighs1 into his ear4444 ,is that all8 he said1 and a silence fell on all who stood round1 now a complete circle about the priest and the penitent4 ,the pale face moved slightly in assent2 he could see the lips were open1 and the breath was coming short and agonised4 444 ,in nomine ,patris--his hand rose above her and moved cross-ways in the air--et ,filii et ,spiritus ,sancti4 ,amen4 ,then he bent low again and looked2 the bosom was still rising and falling1 the shut eyes lifted once and looked at him4 ,then the lids fell again4 ,benedictio ,dei omnipotentis1 ,patris et ,filii et ,spiritus sancti1 descendat super te et maneat semper4 ,amen4 ,then there fell a silence4 ,a horse blew out its nostrils somewhere behind and stamped2 then a man's voice cried brutally3 ,now then1 is that popish mummery done yet8 ,there was a murmur and stir in the group4 ,but ,anthony had risen4 ,that is all1 he said4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,in ,,prison ,anthony found several friends in the ,clink prison in ,southwark1 whither he was brought up from ,stanfield ,place after his arrest4 ,life there was very strange1 a combination of suffering and extraordinary relaxation4 ,he had a tiny cell1 nine feet by five1 with one little window high up1 and for the first month of his imprisonment wore irons2 at the same time his gaoler was so much open to bribery that he always found his door open on ,sunday morning1 and was able to shuffle upstairs and say mass in the cell of ,ralph ,emerson1 once the companion of ,campion1 and a lay-brother of the ,society of ,jesus4 ,there he met a large number of ,catholics--some of whom he had come across in his travels--and he even ministered the sacraments to others who managed to come in from the outside4 ,his chief sorrow was that his friend and host had been taken to the ,counter in ,wood ,street4 ,it was a month before he heard all that had happened on the night of his arrest1 and on the previous days3 he had been separated at once from his friends2 and although he had heard his guards talking both in the hall where he had been kept the rest of the night1 and during the long hot ride to ,london the next day1 yet at first he was so bewildered by ,mary's death that what they said made little impression on him4 ,but after he had been examined both by magistrates and the ,commissioners1 and very little evidence was forthcoming1 his irons were struck off and he was allowed much more liberty than before2 and at last1 to his great joy1 ,isabel was admitted to see him4 ,she herself had come straight up to the ,marretts' house1 both of whom still lived on in ,wharf ,street1 though old and infirm2 and day by day she attempted to get access to her brother2 until at last1 by dint of bribery1 she was successful4 ,then she told him the whole story4 99 99 99 99 ,when we left the garden-house1 she said1 we went straight back1 and ,mary found ,mr4 ,graves in the parlour off the hall4 ,oh1 ,anthony1 how she ordered him about6 ,and how frightened he was of her6 ,the end was that he sent a message to the stables for her horses to be got ready1 as she said4 ,i went up with her to help her to make ready1 and we kissed one another up there1 for1 you know1 we dared not make as if we said good-bye downstairs4 ,then we came down for her to mount2 and then we saw what we had not known before1 that all the stable-yard was filled with the men's horses saddled and bridled4 ,however1 we said nothing1 except that ,mary asked a man what--what the devil he was looking at1 when he stared up at her as she stood on the block drawing on her gloves before she mounted4 ,there were one or two torches burning in cressets1 and ,i saw her so plainly turn the corner down towards the church4 ,then ,i went upstairs again1 but ,i could not go to my room1 but stood at the gallery window outside looking down at the court1 for ,i knew that if there was any danger it would come from there4 ,then presently ,i heard a noise1 and a shouting1 and a man ran in through the gates to the stable-yard2 and1 almost directly it seemed1 three or four rode out1 at full gallop across the court and down by the church4 ,the window was open and ,i could hear the noise down towards the village4 ,then more and more came pouring out1 and all turned the corner and galloped2 all but one1 whose horse slipped and came down with a crash4 ,oh1 ,anthony6 how ,i prayed6 ,then ,i saw ,mr4 ,lackington--,isabel stopped a moment at the name1 and then went on again--and he was on horseback too in the court2 but he was shouting to two or three more who were just mounting4 ',across the field--across the field--cut them off6' ,i could hear it so plainly2 and ,i saw the stable-gate was open1 and they went through1 and ,i could hear them galloping on the grass4 ,and then ,i knew what was happening2 and ,i went back to my room and shut the door4 ,isabel stopped again2 and ,anthony took her hand softly in his own and stroked it4 ,then she went on4 ,well1 ,i saw them bring you back1 from the gallery window--and ran to the top of the stairs and saw you go through into the hall where the magistrates were waiting1 and the door was shut2 and then ,i went back to my place at the window--and then presently they brought in ,mary4 ,i reached the bottom of the stairs just as they set her down4 ,and ,i told them to bring her upstairs2 and they did1 and laid her on the bed where we had sat together all the afternoon4444 ,and ,i would let no one in3 ,i did it all myself2 and then ,i set the tapers round her1 and put the crucifix that was round my neck into her fingers1 which ,i had laid on her breast 444 and there she lay on the great bed 444 and her face was like a child's1 fast asleep--smiling3 and then ,i kissed her again1 and whispered1 ',thank you1 ,mary'2 for1 though ,i did not know all1 ,i knew enough1 and that it was for you4 ,anthony had thrown his arms on the table and his face was buried in them4 ,isabel put out her hand and stroked his curly head gently as she went on1 and told him in the same quiet voice of how ,mary had tried to save him by lashing his horse1 as she caught sight of the man waiting at the entrance of the field-path1 and riding in between him and ,anthony4 ,the man had declared in his panic of fear before the magistrates that he had never dreamt of doing ,mistress ,corbet an injury1 but that she had ridden across just as he drew the trigger to shoot the priest's horse and stop him that way4 ,when ,isabel had finished ,anthony still lay with his head on his arms4 ,why1 ,anthony1 my darling1 she said1 what could be more perfect8 ,how proud ,i am of you both6 ,she told him1 too1 how they had been tracked to ,stanfield--,lackington had let it out in his exultation4 ,the sailor at ,greenhithe was one of his agents--an apostate1 like his master4 ,he had recognised that the party consisted of ,catholics by ,anthony's breaking of the bread4 ,he had been placed there to watch the ferry2 and had sent messages at once to ,nichol and ,lackington4 ,then the party had been followed1 but had been lost sight of1 thanks to ,anthony's ruse4 ,nichol had then flung out a cordon along the principal roads that bounded ,stanstead ,woods on the south2 and ,lackington1 when he arrived a few hours later1 had kept them there all night4 ,the cordon consisted of idlers and children picked up at ,wrotham2 and the tramp who feigned to be asleep had been one of them4 ,when they had passed1 he had given the signal to his nearest neighbour1 and had followed them up4 ,nichol was soon at the place1 and after them2 and had followed to ,stanfield with ,lackington behind4 ,then watchers had been set round the house2 the magistrates communicated with2 and as soon as ,hubert and ,mr4 ,graves had arrived the assault had been made4 ,hubert had not been told who the priest was2 but he had leapt at an opportunity to harass ,mr4 ,buxton3 he had been given to understand that ,anthony and ,isabel were still in the north4 ,he did not know2 indeed he did not1 cried ,isabel piteously4 ,at another time1 when she had gained admittance to him1 she gave him messages from the ,marretts1 who had kept a great affection for the lad1 who had told them tales of ,college that ,christmas time2 and she told him too of the coming of an old friend to see her there4 ,it was poor ,mr4 ,dent1 she said2 he looks so old now4 ,his wife died three years ago2 you know he has a city-living and does chaplain's work at the ,tower sometimes2 and he is coming to see you1 ,anthony1 and talk to you4 ,three or four days later he came4 ,anthony was greatly touched at his kindness in coming4 ,he looked considerably older than his age2 his hair had grown thin and grey about his temples1 and the sharp birdlike outline of his face and features seemed blurred and indeterminate4 ,his creed too1 and his whole manner of looking at things of faith1 seemed to have undergone a similar process4 ,the two had a long talk4 ,i am not going to argue with you1 ,mr4 ,norris1 he said1 though ,i still think your religion wrong4 ,but ,i have learnt this at least1 that the greatest of all is charity1 and if we love the same ,god1 and ,his ,blessed ,son1 and one another1 ,i think that is best of all4 ,i have learnt that from my wife--my dear wife1 he added softly4 ,i used to hold much with doctrine at one time1 and loved to chop arguments2 but our ,saviour did not1 and so ,i will not4 ,anthony was delighted that he took this line1 for he knew there are some minds that apparently cannot be loyal to both charity and truth at the same time1 and ,mr4 ,dent's seemed to be one of them2 so the two talked of old times at ,great ,keynes1 and of the folks there1 and at last of ,hubert4 ,i saw him in the ,city last week1 said ,mr4 ,dent1 and he is a changed man4 ,he looks ten years older than this time last year2 ,i scarcely know what has come to him4 ,i know he has thrown up his magistracy1 and the ,lindfield parson tells me that the talk is that ,mr4 ,maxwell is going on another voyage1 and leaving his wife and children behind him again4 ,anthony told him gently of ,hubert's share in the events at ,stanfield1 adding what real and earnest attempts he had made to repair the injury he had done as soon as he had learnt that it was his friend that was in hiding4 ,there was no treachery against me1 ,mr4 ,dent1 you see1 he added4 ,mr4 ,dent pecked a little in the air with pursed lips and eyes fixed on the ground2 and a vision of the pulpit at ,great ,keynes moved before ,anthony's eyes4 ,yes1 yes1 yes1 he said2 ,i understand--,i quite understand4 ,before ,mr4 ,dent took his leave he unburdened himself of what he had really come to say4 ,master ,anthony1 he said1 standing up and fingering his hat round and round1 ,i said ,i talked no doctrine now2 but ,i must unsay that2 and--you will not think me impertinent if ,i ask you something8 ,my dear ,mr4 ,dent---- began the other1 standing and smiling too4 ,thank you1 thank you--,i felt sure--then it is this3 ,i do not know much about the ,popish religion1 though ,i used to once1 and ,i may be very mistaken2 but ,i would like you to satisfy me before ,i go on one point2 and he fixed his anxious peering eyes on ,anthony's face4 ,can you say1 ,master ,anthony1 from a full heart1 that you fix all your hope and confidence for salvation in ,christ's merits alone8 ,anthony smiled frankly in his face4 ,indeed1 in none other1 he said1 and from a full heart4 ,ah well1 and the birdlike face began to beam and twitch1 and--and there is nothing of confidence in yourself and your works--and--and there is no talk of ,holy ,mary in the matter8 ,anthony smiled again4 ,he wished to avoid useless controversy4 ,briefly1 he said1 my belief is that ,i am a very great sinner1 that ,i deserve eternal hell2 but ,i humbly place all my trust in the ,precious ,blood of my ,saviour1 and in that alone4 ,does that satisfy you8 ,mr4 ,dent's face was breaking into smiles1 and at the end he took the priest's face in his hands and kissed him gently twice on the cheeks4 ,then1 my dear boy1 ,i fear nothing for you4 ,may that salvation you hope for be yours4 ,and then without a word he was gone4 ,anthony's conscience reproached him a little that he had said nothing of the ,church to the minister2 but ,mr4 ,dent had been so peremptory about doctrine that it was hard for the younger man to say what he would have wished4 ,he told him1 however1 plainly on his next visit that he held whole-heartedly too that the ,catholic ,church was the treasury of ,grace that ,christ had instituted1 and added a little speech about his longing to see his old friend a ,catholic too2 but ,mr4 ,dent shook his head4 ,the corners of his eyes wrinkled a little1 and a shade of his old fretfulness passed over his face4 ,nay1 if you talk like that1 he said1 ,i must be gone4 ,i am no theologian4 ,you must let me alone4 ,he gave him news this time of ,mr4 ,buxton4 ,he is in the ,counter1 as you know1 he said1 and is a very bright and cheerful person1 it seems to me4 ,mistress ,isabel asked me to see him and give her news of him1 for she cannot get admittance4 ,he is in a cell1 little and nasty2 but he said to me that a ,protestant prison was a ,papist's pleasaunce--in fact he said it twice4 ,and he asked very eagerly after you and ,mistress ,isabel4 ,he tried1 too1 to inveigle me into talk of ,peter his prerogative1 but ,i would not have it4 ,it was ,lammas ,day when ,i saw him1 and he spoke much of it4 ,anthony asked whether there was anything said of what punishment ,mr4 ,buxton would suffer4 ,well1 said ,mr4 ,dent1 the ,lieutenant of the ,tower told me that her ,grace was so sad at the death of ,mistress ,corbet that she was determined that no more blood should be shed than was obliged over this matter2 and that ,mr4 ,buxton1 he thought1 would be but deprived of his estates and banished2 but ,i know not how that may be4 ,but we shall soon know4 ,these weeks of waiting were full of consolation and refreshment to ,anthony3 the nervous stress of the life of the seminary priest in ,england1 full of apprehension and suspense1 crowned1 as it had been in his case1 by the fierce excitement of the last days of his liberty--all this had strained and distracted his soul1 and the peace of the prison life1 with the certainty that no efforts of his own could help him now1 quieted and strengthened him for the ordeal he foresaw4 ,at this time1 too1 he used to spend two or three hours a day in meditation1 and found the greatest benefit in following the tranquil method of prayer prescribed by ,louis de ,blois1 with whose writings he had made acquaintance at ,douai4 ,each morning1 too1 he said a dry mass1 and during the whole of his imprisonment at the ,clink managed to make his confession at least once a week1 and besides his communion at mass on ,sundays1 communicated occasionally from the ,reserved ,sacrament1 which he was able to keep in a neighbouring cell1 unknown to his gaoler4 ,and so the days went by1 as orderly as in a ,religious ,house2 he rose at a fixed hour1 observed the greatest exactness in his devotions1 and did his utmost to prevent any visitors being admitted to see him1 or any from another cell coming into his own1 until he had finished his first meditation and said his office4 ,and there began to fall upon him a kind of mellow peace that rose at times of communion and prayer to a point so ravishing1 that he began to understand that it would not be a light cross for which such preparatory graces were necessary4 99 99 99 99 ,towards the middle of ,september he received intelligence that evidence had been gathering against him1 and that one or two were come from ,lancashire under guard2 and that he would be brought before the ,commissioners again immediately4 ,within two days this came about4 ,he was sent for across the water to the ,tower1 and after waiting an hour or two with his gaoler downstairs in the basement of the ,white ,tower1 was taken up into the great ,hall where the ,council sat4 ,there was a table at the farther end where they were sitting1 and as ,anthony looked round he saw through openings all round in the inner wall the little passage where the sentries walked1 and heard their footfalls4 ,the preliminaries of identification and the like had been disposed of at previous examinations before ,mr4 ,young--a name full of sinister suggestiveness to the ,catholics2 and so1 after he had been given a seat at a little distance from the table behind which the ,commissioners sat1 he was questioned minutely as to his journey in the ,north of ,england4 ,what were you there for1 ,mr4 ,norris8 inquired the ,secretary of the ,council4 ,i went to see friends1 and to do my business4 ,then that resolves itself into two heads3 ,one1 ,who are your friends4 ,two1 ,what was your business8 ,now it had been established beyond a doubt at previous examinations that he was a priest2 a student of ,douai who had apostatised had positively identified him2 so ,anthony answered boldly3 ,my friends were ,catholics2 and my business was the reconciling of souls to their ,creator4 ,and to the ,pope of ,rome1 put in ,wade4 ,who is ,christ's ,vicar1 continued ,anthony4 ,and a pestilent knave1 concluded a fiery-faced man whom ,anthony did not know4 ,but the ,commissioners wanted more than that2 it was true that ,anthony was already convicted of high treason in having been ordained beyond the seas and in exercising his priestly functions in ,england2 but the exacting of the penalty for religion alone was apt to raise popular resentment2 and it was far preferable in the eyes of the authorities to entangle a priest in the political net before killing him4 ,so they passed over for the present his priestly functions and first demanded a list of all the places where he had stayed in the north4 ,you ask what is impossible1 said ,anthony1 with his eyes on the ground and his heart beating sharply1 for he knew that now peril was near4 ,well1 said ,wade1 let us put it another way4 ,we know that you were at ,speke ,hall1 ,blainscow1 and other places4 ,i have a list here1 and he tapped the table1 but we want your name to it4 ,let me see the paper1 said ,anthony4 ,nay1 nay1 tell us first4 ,i cannot sign the paper except ,i see it1 said ,anthony1 smiling4 ,give it him1 said a voice from the end of the table4 ,here then1 said ,wade unwillingly4 ,anthony got up and took the paper from him1 and saw one or two places named where he had not been1 and saw that it had been drawn up at any rate partly on guesswork4 ,he put the paper down and went back to his chair and sat down4 ,it is not true1 he said1 looking steadily at the ,secretary2 ,i cannot sign it4 ,do you deny that you have been to any of these places8 inquired ,wade indignantly4 ,the paper is not true1 said ,anthony again4 ,well1 then1 show us what is not true upon it4 ,i cannot4 ,we will find means to persuade you1 said the ,secretary4 ,if ,god permits1 said ,anthony4 ,wade glanced round inquiringly and shrugged his shoulders2 one or two shook their heads4 ,well1 then1 we will turn to another point4 ,there are known to have been certain ,jesuit priests in ,lancashire in ,november of last year--do you deny that1 sir8 ,you ask too much1 said ,anthony1 smiling again2 they may have been there for aught ,i know1 for ,i certainly did not see them elsewhere at the time you mention4 ,wade frowned1 but the one at the end laughed loud4 ,he has you there1 ,wade1 he said4 ,this is foolery1 said the ,secretary4 ,well1 these two1 ,father ,edward ,oldcorne and ,father ,holtby were in ,lancashire in ,november2 and you1 ,mr4 ,norris1 spoke with them then4 ,we wish to know where they are now1 and you must tell us4 ,you have yet to prove that ,i spoke with them1 said ,anthony1 for the trap was too transparent4 ,but we know that4 ,that may or may not be2 but it is for you to prove it4 ,nay1 for you to tell us4 ,for you to prove it4 ,wade lost his temper4 ,well1 then1 he cried1 take this paper and see which of us is in the right4 ,anthony rose again1 wondering what the paper could be1 and came towards the table4 ,he saw it bore a name at the end1 and as he advanced saw that it had an official appearance4 ,wade still held it2 but ,anthony took it in his hand too to steady it1 and began to read2 but as he read a mist rose before his eyes1 and the paper shook violently4 ,it was a warrant to put him to the torture4 ,wade laughed a little4 ,why1 see1 ,mr4 ,norris1 how you tremble at the warrant2 what will it be when you---- ,but a voice murmured ,shame6 and he stopped and stared4 ,anthony passed his hand over his eyes and went back to his chair and sat down2 he saw his knees trembling as he sat1 and hated himself for it2 but he cried bravely3 ,the flesh is weak1 but1 please ,god1 the spirit is willing4 ,well1 then1 said ,wade again1 must we execute this warrant1 or will you tell us what we would know8 ,you must do what ,god permits1 said ,anthony4 ,wade sat down1 throwing the warrant on the table1 and began to talk in a low voice to those who sat next him4 ,anthony fixed his eyes on the ground1 and did his utmost to keep his thoughts steady4 ,now he realised where he was1 and what it all meant4 ,the little door to the left1 behind him1 that he had noticed as he came in1 was the door of which he had heard other ,catholics speak1 that led down to the great crypt1 where so many before him had screamed and fainted and called on ,god1 from the rack that stood at the foot of the stairs1 or from the pillar with the fixed ring at its summit4 ,he had faced all this in his mind again and again1 but it was a different thing to have the horror within arm's length2 old phrases he had heard of the torture rang in his mind--a boast of ,norton's1 the rackmaster1 who had racked ,brian1 and which had been repeated from mouth to mouth--that he had made ,brian a foot longer than ,god made him2 words of ,james ,maxwell's that he had let drop at ,douai2 the remembrance of his limp2 and of ,campion's powerlessness to raise his hand when called upon to swear--all these things crowded on him now2 and there seemed to rest on him a crushing swarm of fearful images and words4 ,he made a great effort1 and closed his eyes1 and repeated the holy name of ,jesus over and over again2 but the struggle was still fierce when ,wade's voice1 harsh and dry1 broke in and scattered the confusion of mind that bewildered him4 ,take the prisoner to a cell2 he is not to go back to the ,clink4 ,anthony felt a hand on his arm1 and the gaoler was looking at him with compassion4 ,come1 sir1 he said4 ,anthony rose feeling heavy and exhausted2 but remembered to bow to the ,commissioners1 one or two of whom returned it4 ,then he followed the gaoler out into the ante-room1 who handed him over to one of the ,tower officials4 ,i must leave you here1 sir1 he said2 but keep a good heart2 it will not be for to-day4 99 99 99 99 ,when ,anthony got to his new cell1 which was in the ,salt ,tower1 he was bitterly angry and disappointed with himself4 ,why1 he had turned white and sick like a child1 not at the pain of the rack1 not even at the sight of it1 but at the mere warrant6 ,he threw himself on his knees1 and bowed down till his head beat against the boards4 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 he prayed1 give me of ,thy ,manhood4 99 99 99 99 ,he found that this prison was more rigorous than the ,clink2 no liberty to leave the cell could possibly be obtained1 and no furniture was provided4 ,the gaoler1 when he had brought up his dinner1 asked whether he could send any message for him for a bed4 ,anthony gave ,isabel's address1 knowing that the authorities were already aware that she was a ,catholic1 and indeed she had given bail to come up for trial if called upon1 and that his information could injure neither her nor the ,marretts1 who were sound ,church of ,england people2 and in the afternoon a mattress and some clothes arrived for him4 ,anthony noticed at dinner that the knife provided was of a very inconvenient shape1 having a round blunt point1 and being sharp only at a lower part of the blade2 and when the keeper came up with his supper he asked him to bring him another kind4 ,the man looked at him with a queer expression4 ,what is the matter8 asked ,anthony2 cannot you oblige me8 ,the man shook his head4 ,they are the knives that are always given to prisoners under warrant for torture4 ,anthony did not understand him1 and looked at him1 puzzled4 ,for fear they should do themselves an injury1 added the gaoler4 ,then the same shudder ran over his body again4 ,you mean--you mean4444 he began4 ,the gaoler nodded1 still looking at him oddly1 and went out2 and ,anthony sat1 with his supper untasted1 staring before him4 99 99 99 99 ,by a kind of violent reaction he had a long happy dream that night4 ,the fierce emotions of that day had swept over his imagination and scoured it as with fire1 and now the underlying peace rose up and flooded it with sweetness4 ,he thought he was in the north again1 high up on a moor1 walking with one who was quite familiar to him1 but whose person he could not remember when he woke2 he did not even know whether it was man or woman4 ,it was a perfect autumn day1 he thought1 like one of those he had spent there last year2 the heather and the gorse were in flower1 and the air was redolent from their blossoms2 he commented on this to the person at his side1 who told him it was always so there4 ,mile after mile the moor rose and dipped1 and1 although ,skiddaw was on his right1 purple and grey1 yet to his left there was a long curved horizon of sparkling blue sea4 ,it was a cloudless day overhead1 and the air seemed kindling and fresh round him as it blew across the stretches of heather from the western sea4 ,he himself felt full of an extraordinary vitality1 and the mere movement of his limbs gave him joy as he went swiftly and easily forward over the heather4 ,there was the sound of the wind in his ears1 and again and again there came the gush of water from somewhere out of sight--as he had heard it in the church by ,skiddaw4 ,there was no house or building of any kind within sight1 and he felt a great relief in these miles of heath and the sense of holiday that they gave him4 ,but all the joy round him and in his heart found their point for him in the person that went with him2 this presence was their centre1 as a diamond in a gold ring1 or as a throned figure in a ,court circle4 ,all else existed for the sake of this person2--the heather blossomed and the gorse incensed the air1 and the sea sparkled1 and the sky was blue1 and the air kindled1 and his own heart warmed and throbbed1 for that only4 ,when he tried to see who it was1 there was nothing to see2 the presence existed there as a centre in a sphere1 immeasurable and indiscernible2 sometimes he thought it was ,mary1 sometimes he thought it ,henry ,buxton1 sometimes ,isabel--once even he assured himself it was ,mistress ,margaret1 and once ,james ,maxwell--and with the very act of identification came indecision again4 ,this uncertainty waxed into a torment1 and yet a sweet torment1 as of a lover who watches his mistress' shuttered house2 and this torment swelled yet higher and deeper until it was so great that it had absorbed the whole radiant fragrant circle of the hills where he walked2 and then came the blinding knowledge that the ,presence was all these persons so dear to him1 and far more2 that every tenderness and grace that he had loved in them--,mary's gallantry and ,isabel's serene silence and his friend's fellowship1 and the rest--floated in the translucent depths of it1 stained and irradiated by it1 as motes in a sunbeam4 ,and then he woke1 and it was through tears of pure joy that he saw the rafters overhead1 and the great barred door1 and the discoloured wall above his bed4 99 99 99 99 ,when his gaoler brought him dinner that day it was half an hour earlier than usual2 and when ,anthony asked him the reason he said that he did not know1 but that the orders had run so2 but that ,mr4 ,norris might take heart2 it was not for the torture1 for ,mr4 ,topcliffe1 who superintended it1 had told the keeper of the rack-house that nothing would be wanted that day4 ,he had hardly finished dinner when the gaoler came up again and said that the ,lieutenant was waiting for him below1 and that he must bring his hat and cloak4 ,since his arrest he had worn his priest's habit every day1 so he now threw the cloak over his arm and took his hat1 and followed the gaoler down4 ,in passing through the court he went by a group of men that were talking together1 and he noticed very especially a tall old man with a grey head1 in a ,court suit with a sword1 and very lean about the throat1 who looked at him hard as he passed4 ,as he reached the archway where the ,lieutenant was waiting1 he turned again and saw the sunken eyes of the old man still looking after him2 when he turned to the gaoler he saw the same odd look in his face that he had noticed before4 ,why do you look like that8 he asked4 ,who is that old man8 ,that is ,mr4 ,topcliffe1 said the keeper4 ,the ,lieutenant of the ,tower1 ,sir ,richard ,barkley1 saluted him kindly at the gate1 and begged him to follow him2 the keeper still came after and another stepped out and joined them1 and the group of four together passed out through the ,lion's ,tower and across the moat to a little doorway where a closed carriage was waiting4 ,the ,lieutenant and ,anthony stepped inside2 the two keepers mounted outside2 and the carriage set off4 ,then the ,lieutenant turned to the priest4 ,do you know where you are going1 ,mr4 ,norris8 ,no1 sir4 ,you are going to ,whitehall to see the ,queen's ,grace4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,an ,,open ,,door ,when the carriage reached the palace they were told that the ,queen was not yet come from ,greenwich2 and they were shown into a little ante-room next the gallery where the interview was to take place4 ,the ,queen1 the ,lieutenant told ,anthony1 was to come up that afternoon passing through ,london1 and that she had desired to see him on her way through to ,nonsuch2 he could not tell him why he was sent for1 though he conjectured it was because of ,mistress ,corbet's death1 and that her ,grace wished to know the details4 ,however1 said the ,lieutenant1 you now have your opportunity to speak for yourself1 and ,i think you a very fortunate man1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,few have had such a privilege1 though ,i remember that ,mr4 ,campion had it too1 though he made poor use of it4 ,anthony said nothing4 ,his mind was throbbing with memories and associations4 ,the air of state and luxury in the corridors through which he had just come1 the discreet guarded doors1 the servants in the royal liveries standing here and there1 the sense of expectancy that mingled with the solemn hush of the palace--all served to bring up the figure of ,mary ,corbet1 whom he had seen so often in these circumstances2 and the thought of her made the peril in which he stood and the hope of escape from it seem very secondary matters4 ,he walked to the window presently and looked out upon the little court below1 one of the innumerable yards of that vast palace1 and stood staring down on the hound that was chained there near one of the entrances1 and that yawned and blinked in the autumn sunshine4 ,even as he looked the dog paused in the middle of his stretch and stood expectant with his ears cocked1 a servant dashed bareheaded down a couple of steps and out through the low archway2 and simultaneously ,anthony heard once more the sweet shrill trumpets that told of the ,queen's approach2 then there came the roll of drums and the thunder of horses' feet and the noise of wheels2 the trumpets sang out again nearer1 and the rumbling waxed louder as the ,queen's cavalcade1 out of sight1 passed the entrance of the archway down upon which ,anthony looked2 and then stilled1 and the palace itself began to hum and stir2 a door or two banged in the distance1 feet ran past the door of the ante-room1 and the strain of the trumpets sounded once in the house itself4 ,then all grew quiet once more1 and ,anthony turned from the window and sat down again by the ,lieutenant4 ,there was silence for a few minutes4 ,the ,lieutenant stroked his beard gently and said a word or two under his breath now and again to ,anthony2 once or twice there came the swift rustle of a dress outside as a lady hurried past2 then the sound of a door opening and shutting2 then more silence2 then the sound of low talking1 and at last the sound of footsteps going slowly up and down the gallery which adjoined the ante-room4 ,still the minutes passed1 but no summons came4 ,anthony rose and went to the window again1 for1 in spite of himself1 this waiting told upon him4 ,the dog had gone back to his kennel and was lying with his nose just outside the opening4 ,anthony wondered vacantly to himself what door it was that he was guarding1 and who lived in the rooms that looked out beside it4 ,then suddenly the door from the gallery opened and a page appeared4 ,the ,queen's ,grace will see ,mr4 ,norris alone4 ,anthony went towards him1 and the page opened the door wide for him to go through1 and then closed it noiselessly behind him1 and ,anthony was in the presence4 99 99 99 99 ,it was with a sudden bewilderment that he recognised he was in the same gallery as that in which he had talked and sat with ,mary ,corbet4 ,there were the long tapestries hanging opposite him1 with the tall three windows dividing them1 and the suits of steel armour that he remembered4 ,he even recalled the pattern of the carpet across which ,mary ,corbet had come forward to meet him1 and that still lay before the tall window at the end that looked on to the ,tilt-yard4 ,the sun was passing round to the west now1 and shone again across the golden haze of the yard through this great window1 with the fragments of stained glass at the top4 ,the memory leapt into life even as he stepped out and stood for a moment1 dazed in the sunshine1 at the door that opened from the ante-room4 ,but the figure that turned from the window and faced him was not like ,mary's4 ,it was the figure of an old woman1 who looked tall with her towering head-dress and nodding plume2 she was dressed in a great dark red mantle thrown back on her shoulders1 and beneath it was a pale yellow dress sown all over with queer devices2 on the puffed sleeve of the arm that held the stick was embroidered a great curling snake that shone with gold thread and jewels in the sunlight1 and powdered over the skirt were representations of human eyes and other devices1 embroidered with dark thread that showed up plainly on the pale ground4 ,so much he saw down one side of the figure on which the light shone2 the rest was to his dazzled eyes in dark shadow4 ,he went down on his knees at once before this tremendous figure1 seeing the buckled feet that twinkled below the skirt cut short in front1 and remained there4 ,there was complete silence for a moment1 while he felt the ,queen looking at him1 and then the voice he remembered1 only older and harsher1 now said3 ,what is all this1 ,mr4 ,norris8 ,anthony looked for a moment and saw the ,queen's eyes fixed on him2 but he said nothing1 and looked down again4 ,stand up1 said the ,queen1 not unkindly1 and walk with me4 ,anthony stood up at once1 and heard the stiff rustle of her dress and the tap of her heels and stick on the polished boards as she came towards him4 ,then he turned with her down the long gallery4 ,until this moment1 ever since he had heard that he was to see the ,queen1 he had felt nervous and miserable2 but now this had left him1 and he felt at his ease4 ,to be received in this way1 in privacy1 and to accompany her up and down the gallery as she took her afternoon exercise was less embarrassing than the formal interview he had expected4 ,the two walked the whole length of the gallery without a word1 and it was not until they turned and faced the end that looked on to the ,tilt-yard that the ,queen spoke2 and her voice was almost tender4 ,i understand that you were with ,minnie ,corbet when she died1 she said4 ,she died for me1 your ,grace1 said ,anthony4 ,the ,queen looked at him sharply4 ,tell me the tale1 she said4 ,and ,anthony told her the whole story of the escape and the ride2 speaking too for his friend1 ,mr4 ,buxton1 and of ,mary's affection for him4 ,your ,grace1 he ended1 it sounds a poor tale of a man that a woman should die for him so2 but ,i can say with truth that with ,god's grace ,i would have died a hundred deaths to save her4 ,the ,queen was silent for a good while when the story was over1 and ,anthony thought that perhaps she could not speak2 but he dared not look at her4 ,then she spoke very harshly3 ,and you1 ,mr4 ,norris1 why did you not escape8 ,your ,grace would not have done so4 ,when ,i saw that she was dying1 ,i would4 ,not if you had been a priest1 your ,grace4 ,what is that8 asked the ,queen1 suddenly facing him4 ,i am a priest1 madam1 and she was a ,catholic1 and my duty was beside her4 ,eh8 ,i shrived her1 your ,grace1 before she died4 ,why6 they did not tell me that4 ,anthony was silent4 ,they walked on a few steps1 and the ,queen stood silent too1 looking down upon the ,tilt-yard4 ,then she turned abruptly1 and ,anthony turned with her1 and they began to go up and down again4 ,it was gallant of you both1 she said shortly4 ,i love that my people should be of that sort4 ,then she paused4 ,tell me1 she went on1 did ,mary love me8 ,anthony was silent for a moment4 ,the truth1 ,mr4 ,norris1 she said4 ,mistress ,corbet was loyalty itself1 he answered4 ,nay1 nay1 nay1 not loyalty but love ,i asked you of4 ,how did she speak of me8 ,well1 your ,grace1 ,mistress ,corbet had a shrewd wit1 and she used it freely on friend and foe1 but her very sharpness on your ,grace1 sometimes1 showed her love2 for she hated to think you otherwise than what she deemed the best4 ,the ,queen stopped full in her walk4 ,that is very pleasantly put1 she said2 ,i told ,minnie you were a courtier4 ,again the two walked on4 ,then she used her tongue on me8 ,your ,grace1 ,i have never met one on whom she did not3 but her heart was true4 ,i know that1 ,i know that1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,tell me something she said4 ,anthony racked his brains for something not too severe4 ,mistress ,corbet once said that the ,queen's most disobedient subject was herself4 ,eh8 said ,elizabeth1 stopping in her walk4 ',because1' said ,mistress ,corbet1 'she can never command herself1' finished ,anthony4 ,the ,queen looked at ,anthony1 puzzled a moment2 and then chuckled loudly in her throat4 ,the impertinent minx6 she said1 that was when ,i had clouted her1 no doubt4 ,again they walked up and down in silence a little while4 ,anthony began to wonder whether this was all for which the ,queen had sent for him4 ,he was astonished at his own self-possession2 all the trembling awe with which he had faced the ,queen at ,greenwich was gone2 he had forgotten for the moment even his own peril2 and he felt instead even something of pity for this passionate old woman1 who had aged so quickly1 whose favourites one by one were dropping off1 or at the best giving her only an exaggerated and ridiculous devotion1 at the absurdity of which all the world laughed4 ,here was this old creature at his side1 surrounded by flatterers and adventurers1 advancing through the world in splendid and jewelled raiment1 with trumpets blowing before her1 and poets singing her praises1 and crowds applauding in the streets1 and sneering in their own houses at the withered old virgin-,queen who still thought herself a ,diana--and all the while this triumphal progress was at the expense of ,god's ,church1 her car rolled over the bodies of ,his servants1 and her shrunken1 gemmed fingers were red in their blood2--so she advanced1 thought ,anthony1 day by day towards the black truth and the eternal loneliness of the darkness that lies outside the realm where ,christ only is ,king4 ,elizabeth broke in suddenly on his thoughts4 ,now1 she said1 and what of you1 ,mr4 ,norris8 ,i am your ,grace's servant1 he said4 ,i am not so sure of that1 said ,elizabeth4 ,if you are my servant1 why are you a priest1 contrary to my laws8 ,because ,i am ,christ's servant too1 your ,grace4 ,but ,christ's apostle said1 ',obey them that have the rule over you4' ,in indifferent matters1 madam4 ,the ,queen frowned and made a little angry sound4 ,i cannot understand you ,papists1 said the ,queen4 ,what a-,god's name do you want8 ,you have liberty of thought and faith2 ,i desire to inquire into no man's private opinions4 ,you may worship ,ashtaroth if it please you1 in your own hearts2 and ,god looks to the heart1 and not to the outer man4 ,there is a ,church with bishops like your own1 and ministers2 there are the old churches to worship in--nay1 you may find the old ornaments still in use4 ,we have sacraments as you have2 you may seek shrift if you will2 nay1 in some manner we have the mass--though we do not call it so--but we follow ,christ's ordinance in the matter1 and you can do no more4 ,we have the ,word of ,god as you have1 and we use the same creeds4 ,what more can the rankest ,papist ask8 ,tell me that1 ,mr4 ,norris2 for ,i am a-weary of your folk4 ,the ,queen turned and faced him again a moment1 and her eyes were peevish and resentful4 ,presently she went on again4 ,mr4 ,campion told me it was the oath that troubled him4 ,he could not take it1 he said4 ,i told the fool that ,i was not ,head of the ,church as ,christ was1 but only the supreme governor1 as the ,act declares1 in all spiritual and ecclesiastical things3--,i forget how it runs1--but ,i showed it him1 and asked him whether it were not true2 and ,i asked him too how it was that ,margaret ,roper could take the oath1 and so many thousands of persons as full ,christian as himself--and he could not answer me4 ,the ,queen was silent again4 ,then once more she went on indignantly3 ,it is yourselves that have brought all this trouble on your heads4 ,see what the ,papists have done against me2 they have excommunicated me1 deposed me--though in spite of it ,i still sit on the throne2 they have sent an ,armada against me2 they have plotted against me1 ,i know not how many times2 and then1 when ,i defend myself and hang a few of the wolves1 lo6 they are ,christ's flock at once for whom he shed ,his precious blood1 and ,his persecuted lambs1 and ,i am ,jezebel straightway and ,athaliah and ,beelzebub's wife--and ,i know not what4 ,the ,queen stopped1 out of breath1 and looked fiercely at ,anthony1 who said nothing4 ,tell me how you answer that1 ,mr4 ,norris8 said the ,queen4 ,i dare not deal with such great matters1 said ,anthony1 for your ,grace knows well that ,i am but a poor priest that knows nought of state-craft2 but ,i would like to ask your ,highness two questions only4 ,the first is3 whether your ,grace had aught to complain of in the conduct of your ,catholic subjects when the ,armada was here2 and the second1 whether there hath been one actual attempt upon your ,grace's life by private persons8 ,that is not to the purpose1 said the ,queen peevishly4 ,it was ,catholics who fought against me in the ,armada1 and it was ,catholics who plotted against me at ,court4 ,then there is a difference in ,catholics1 your ,grace1 said ,anthony4 ,ah6 ,i see what you would be at4 ,yes1 your ,highness2 ,i would rather say1 ,although they be ,catholics they do these things4 ,there was silence again1 which ,anthony did not dare to break2 and the two walked up the whole length of the gallery without speaking4 ,well1 well1 said ,elizabeth at last1 but this was not why ,i sent for you4 ,we will speak of yourself now1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,i hope you are not an obstinate fellow4 ,eh8 ,anthony said nothing1 and the ,queen went on4 ,now1 as ,i have told you1 ,i judge no man's private opinions4 ,you may believe what you will4 ,remember that4 ,you may believe what you will2 nay1 you may practise your religion so long as it is private and unknown to me4 ,anthony began to wonder what was coming2 but he still said nothing as the ,queen paused4 ,she stood a moment looking down into the empty ,tilt-yard again1 and then turned and sat suddenly in a chair that stood beside the window1 and put up a jewelled hand to shield her face1 with her elbow on the arm1 while ,anthony stood before her4 ,i remember you1 ,mr4 ,norris1 very well at ,greenwich2 you spoke up sharply enough1 and you looked me in the eyes now and then as ,i like a man to do2 and then ,minnie loved you1 too4 ,i wish to show you kindness for her sake4 ,anthony's heart began to fail him1 for he guessed now what was coming and the bitter struggle that lay before him4 ,now1 ,i know well that the ,commissioners have had you before them2 they are tiresome busybodies4 ,walsingham started all that and set them a-spying and a-defending of my person and the rest of it2 but they are loyal folk1 and ,i suppose they asked you where you had been and with whom you had stayed1 and so on8 ,they did1 your ,grace4 ,and you would not tell them1 ,i suppose8 ,i could not1 madam2 it would have been against justice and charity to do so4 ,well1 well1 there is no need now1 for ,i mean to take you out of their hands4 ,a great leap of hope made itself felt in ,anthony's heart2 he did not know how heavy the apprehension lay on him till this light shone through4 ,they will be wrath with me1 ,i know1 and will tell me that they cannot defend me if ,i will not help them2 but1 when all is said1 ,i am ,queen4 ,now ,i do not ask you to be a minister of my ,church1 for that1 ,i think1 you would never be2 but ,i think you would like to be near me--is it not so8 ,and ,i wish you to have some post about the ,court2 ,i must see what it is to be4 ,anthony's heart began to sink again as he watched the ,queen's face as she sat tapping a foot softly and looking on the floor as she talked4 ,those lines of self-will about the eyes and mouth surely meant something4 ,then she looked up1 still with her cheek on her right hand4 ,you do not thank me1 ,mr4 ,norris4 ,anthony made a great effort2 but he heard his own voice quiver a little4 ,i thank your ,grace for your kindly intentions toward me1 with all my heart4 ,the ,queen seemed satisfied1 and looked down again4 ,as to the oath1 ,i will not ask you to take it formally1 if you will give me an assurance of your loyalty4 ,that1 your ,grace1 ,i give most gladly4 ,his heart was beating again in great irregular thumps in his throat2 he had the sensation of swaying to and fro on the edge of a precipice1 now towards safety and now towards death2 it was the cruellest pain he had suffered yet4 ,but how was it possible to have some post at ,court without relinquishing the exercise of his priesthood8 ,he must think it out2 what did the ,queen mean8 ,and1 of course1 you will not be able to say mass again2 but ,i shall not hinder your hearing it at the ,ambassador's whenever you please4 ,ah6 it had come2 his heart gave a leap and seemed to cease4 ,your ,grace must forgive me1 but ,i cannot consent4 ,there was a dead silence2 when ,anthony looked up1 she was staring at him with the frankest astonishment4 ,did you think1 ,mr4 ,norris1 you could be at ,court and say mass too whenever you wished8 ,her voice rang harsh and shrill2 her anger was rising4 ,i was not sure what your ,grace intended for me4 ,the fellow is mad1 she said1 still staring at him4 ,oh6 take care1 take care6 ,your ,grace knows ,i intend no insolence4 ,you mean to say1 ,mr4 ,norris1 that you will not take a pardon and a post at ,court on those terms8 ,anthony bowed2 he could not trust himself to speak1 so bitter was the reaction4 ,but1 see man1 you fool2 if you die as a traitor you will never say mass again either4 ,but that will not be with my consent1 your ,grace4 ,and you refuse the pardon8 ,on those terms1 your ,grace1 ,i must4 ,well---- and she was silent a moment1 you are a fool1 sir4 ,anthony bowed again4 ,but ,i like courage4--,well1 then1 you will not be my servant8 ,i have ever been that1 your ,grace2 and ever will be4 ,well1 well1--but not at ,court8 ,ah6 your ,grace knows ,i cannot1 cried ,anthony1 and his voice rang sorrowfully4 ,again there was silence4 ,you must have your way1 sir1 for poor ,minnie's sake2 but it passes my understanding what you mean by it4 ,and let me tell you that not many have their way with me1 rather than mine4 ,again hope leapt up in his heart4 ,the ,queen then was not so ungracious4 ,he looked up and smiled--and down again4 ,why1 the man's lips are all a-quiver4 ,what ails him8 ,it is your ,grace's kindness4 ,i must say ,i marvel at it myself1 observed ,elizabeth4 ,you near angered me just now2 take care you do not so quite4 ,i would not willingly1 as your ,grace knows4 ,then we will end this matter4 ,you give me your assurance of loyalty to my person4 ,with all my heart1 madam1 said ,anthony eagerly4 ,then you must get to ,france within the week4 ,the other too--,buxton--he loses his estate1 but has his life4 ,i am doing much for ,minnie's sake4 ,how can ,i thank your ,grace8 ,and ,i will cause ,sir ,richard to give it out that you have taken the oath4 ,call him in4 ,there was a quick gasp from the priest2 and then he cried with agony in his voice3 ,i cannot1 your ,grace1 ,i cannot4 ,cannot call ,sir ,richard6 ,why1 you are mad1 sir6 ,cannot consent2 ,i have taken no oath4 ,i know you have not4 ,i do not ask it4 ,elizabeth's voice came short and harsh2 her patience was vanishing1 and ,anthony knew it and looked at her4 ,she had dropped her hand1 and it was clenching and unclenching on her knee4 ,her stick slipped on the polished boards and fell2 but she paid it no attention4 ,she was looking straight at the priest2 her high eyebrows were coming down2 her mouth was beginning to mumble a little2 he could see in the clear sunlight that fell on her sideways through the tall window a thousand little wrinkles1 and all seemed alive2 the lines at the corners of her eyes and mouth deepened as he watched4 ,what a-,christ's name do you want1 sir8 ,it was like the first mutter of a storm on the horizon2 but ,anthony knew it must break4 ,he did not answer4 ,tell me1 sir2 what is it now8 ,anthony drew a long breath and braced his will1 but even as he spoke he knew he was pronouncing his own sentence4 ,i cannot consent to leave the country and let it be given out that ,i had taken the oath1 your ,grace4 ,it would be an apostasy from my faith4 ,elizabeth sprang to her feet without her stick1 took one step forward1 and gave ,anthony a fierce blow on the cheek with her ringed hand4 ,he recoiled a step at the shock of it1 and stood waiting with his eyes on the ground4 ,then the ,queen's anger poured out in words4 ,her eyes burned with passion out of an ivory-coloured face1 and her voice rang high and harsh1 and her hands continually clenched and unclenched as she screamed at him4 ,god's ,body6 you are the ungratefullest hound that ever drew breath4 ,i send for you to my presence1 and talk and walk with you like a friend4 ,i offer you a pardon and you fling it in my face4 ,i offer you a post at ,court and you mock it2 you flaunt you in your treasonable livery in my very face1 and laugh at my clemency4 ,you think ,i am no ,queen1 but a weak woman whom you can turn and rule at your will4 ,god's ,son6 ,i will show you which is sovereign4 ,call ,sir ,richard in1 sir2 ,i will have him in this instant4 ,sir ,richard1 ,sir ,richard6 she screamed1 stamping with fury4 ,the door into the ante-room behind opened1 and ,sir ,richard ,barkley appeared1 with a face full of apprehension4 ,he knelt at once4 ,stand up1 ,sir ,richard1 she cried1 and look at this man4 ,you know him1 do you not8 and ,i know him now1 the insolent dog6 ,but his own mother shall not in a week4 ,look at him shaking there1 the knave2 he will shake more before ,i have done with him4 ,take him back with you1 ,sir ,richard1 and let them have their will of him4 ,his damned pride and insolence shall be broken4 ,s' ,body1 ,i have never been so treated6 ,take him out1 ,sir ,richard1 take him out1 ,i tell you6 ,,chapter ,,xv ,,the ,,rolling ,,of ,,the ,,stone ,it was a week later1 and a little before dawn1 that ,isabel was kneeling by ,anthony's bed in his room in the ,tower4 ,the ,lieutenant had sent for her to his lodging the evening before1 and she had spent the whole night with her brother4 ,he had been racked four times in one week1 and was dying4 99 99 99 99 ,the city and the prison were very quiet now2 the carts had not yet begun to roll over the cobble-stones and the last night-wanderers had gone home4 ,he lay1 on the mattress that she had sent in to him1 in the corner of his cell under the window1 on his back and very still1 covered from chin to feet with her own fur-lined cloak that she had thrown over him2 his head was on a low pillow1 for he could not bear to lie high2 his feet made a little mound under the coverlet1 and his arms lay straight at his side2 but all that could be seen of him was his face1 pinched and white now with hollows in his cheeks and dark patches and lines beneath his closed eyes1 and his soft pointed brown beard that just rested on the fur edging of ,isabel's cloak2 his lips were drawn tight1 but slightly parted1 showing the rim of his white teeth1 as if he snarled with pain4 ,the only furniture in the room was a single table and chair2 the table was drawn up not far from the bed1 and a book or two1 with a flask of cordial and some fragments of food on a plate lay upon it2 his cloak and doublet and ruff lay across the chair and his shoes below it1 and a little linen lay in a pile in another corner2 but the clothes in which he had been tortured the evening before1 his shirt and hose1 could not be taken off him and he lay in them still4 ,they had been so soaked with sweat1 that ,isabel had found him shivering1 and laid her cloak over him1 and now he lay quiet and warm4 ,earlier in the night she had been reading to him1 and a taper still burned in a candlestick on the table2 but for the last two hours he had lain either in a sleep or a swoon1 and she had laid the book down and was watching him4 ,he was so motionless that he would have seemed dead except for the steady rise and fall of a fold in the mantle1 and for a sudden muscular twitch every few minutes4 ,isabel herself was scarcely less motionless2 her face was clear and pale as it always was1 but perfectly serene1 and even her lips did not quiver4 ,she was kneeling and leaning back now1 and her hands were clasped in her lap4 ,there was a proud content in her face2 her dear brother had not uttered one name on the rack except those of the ,saviour and of the ,blessed ,mother4 ,so the ,lieutenant had told her4 ,suddenly his eyes opened and there was nothing but peace in them2 and his lips moved4 ,isabel leaned forward on her hands and bent her ear to his mouth till his breath was warm on it1 and she could hear the whisper4444 ,then she opened the book that lay face down on the table and began to read on1 from the point at which she had laid it down two hours before4 ',erat autem hora tertia3 et crucifixerunt eum4 ,and it was the third hour and they crucified him 444 ,and with him they crucify two thieves1 the one on his right hand1 and the other on his left4 ,and the scripture was fulfilled which saith1 ,and he was numbered with the transgressors4' ,her voice was slow and steady as she read the unfamiliar ,latin1 still kneeling1 with the book a little raised to catch the candlelight1 and her grave tranquil eyes bent upon it4 ,only once did her voice falter1 and then she commanded it again immediately2 and that1 as she read ,erant autem et mulieres de longe aspicientes4 ,there were also women looking on afar off4 ,and so the tale crept on1 minute by minute1 and the priest lay with closed eyes to hear it2 until the mocking was complete1 and the darkness of the sixth hour had come and gone1 and the ,saviour had cried aloud on ,his ,father1 and given up the ghost2 and the centurion that stood by had borne witness4 ,and the great ,criminal slept in the garden1 in the sepulchre wherein was never man yet laid4 ,there was a listening silence as the voice ceased without another falter4 ,isabel laid the book down and looked at him again2 and his eyes opened languidly4 ,he had not yet said more than single words1 and even now his voice was so faint that she had to put her ear close to his mouth4 ,it seemed to her that his soul had gone into some inner secret chamber of profound peace1 so deep that it was a long and difficult task to send a thought to the surface through his lips4 ,she could just hear him1 and she answered clearly and slowly as to a dazed child1 pausing between every word4 ,i cannot get a priest2 it is not allowed4 ,still his eyes bent on her2 what was it he said8 what was it8444 ,then she heard1 and began to repeat short acts of contrition clearly and distinctly1 pausing between the phrases1 in ,english1 and his eyes closed as she began3 ,o my ,jesus--,i am heartily sorry--that ,i have--crucified thee--by my sins--,wash my soul--in ,thy ,precious ,blood4 ,o my ,god--,i am sorry--that ,i have--displeased ,thee--because thou art ,all-good4 ,i hate all the sins--that ,i have done--against ,thy ,divine ,majesty4 ,and so phrase after phrase she went on1 giving him time to hear and to make an inner assent of the will2 and repeating also other short vocal prayers that she knew by heart4 ,and so the delicate skein of prayer rose from the altar where this morning sacrifice lay before ,god1 waiting the consummation of ,his acceptance4 ,presently she ended1 and he lay again with closed eyes and mute face4 ,then again they opened1 and she bent down to listen4444 ,it will all be well with me1 she answered1 raising her head again4 ,mistress ,margaret has written from ,brussels4 ,i shall go there for a while4444 ,yes1 ,mr4 ,buxton will take me2 next week3 he goes to ,normandy1 to his estate4 ,again his lips moved and she listened4444 ,a faint flush came over her face4 ,she shook her head4 ,i do not know2 ,i think not4 ,i hope to enter ,religion4444 ,no1 ,i have not yet determined4444 ,the ,dower ,house8444 ,yes1 ,i will sell it4444 ,yes1 to ,hubert1 if he wishes it4 ,every word he whispered was such an effort that she had to pause again and again before he could make her understand2 and often she judged more by the movement of his lips than by any sound that came from him4 ,now and then too she lifted her handkerchief1 soaked in a strong violet scent1 and passed it over his forehead and lips4 ,she motioned with the flask of cordial once or twice1 but his eyes closed for a negative4 ,as she knelt and watched him1 her thoughts circled continually in little flights2 to the walled garden of the ,dower ,house in sunshine1 and ,anthony running across it in his brown suit1 with the wallflowers behind him against the old red bricks and ivy1 and the tall chestnut rising behind2 to the wind-swept hills1 with the thistles and the golden-rod1 and the hazel thickets1 and ,anthony on his pony1 sunburnt and voluble1 hawk on wrist1 with a light in his eyes2 to the warm panelled hall in winter1 with the tapers on the round table1 and ,anthony flat on his face1 with his feet in the air before the hearth1 that glowed and roared up the wide chimney behind1 and his chin on his hands1 and a book open before him2 or1 farther back even still1 to ,anthony's little room at the top of the house1 his clothes on a chair1 and the boy himself sitting up in bed with his arms round his knees as she came in to wish him good-night and talk to him a minute or two4 ,and every time the circling thought came home and settled again on the sight of that still straight figure lying on the mattress1 against the discoloured bricks1 with the light of the taper glimmering on his thin face and brown hair and beard2 and every time her heart consented that this was the best of all4 ,a bird chirped suddenly from some hole in the ,tower1 once1 and then three or four times2 she glanced up at the window and the light of dawn was beginning4 ,then1 as the minutes went by1 the city began to stir itself from sleep4 ,there came a hollow whine from the ,lion-gate fifty yards away2 up from the river came the shout of a waterman2 two or three times a late cock crew2 and still the light crept on and broadened4 ,but ,anthony still lay with his eyes closed4 ,at last over the cobbles outside a cart rattled1 turned a corner and was silent4 ,anthony had opened his eyes now and was looking at her again2 and again she bent down to listen2 444 and then opened and read again4 ',et cum transisset sabbatum ,maria ,magdalene et ,maria ,jacobi et ,salome emerunt aromata1 ut venientes ungerent ,jesum4' ',and when the ,sabbath was past1 ,mary ,magdalene and ,mary the mother of ,james and ,salome1 had bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him4' ,a slight sound made her look up4 ,anthony's eyes were kindling and his lips moved2 she bent again and listened4444 ,what was it he said8444 ,yes1 it was so1 and she smiled and nodded at him3 she was reading the ,gospel for ,easter ,day1 the ,gospel of the first mass that they had heard together on that spring morning at ,great ,keynes1 when their ,lord had led them so far round by separate paths to meet one another at ,his altar4 ,and now they were met again here4 ,she read on3 ',et valde mane una sabbatorum1 veniunt ad monumentum1 orto jam sole4' ',very early they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun2 and they said among themselves1 ,who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre8 ,and when they looked1 they saw that the stone was rolled away1 for it was very great4'444 '444 magnus valde1' read ,isabel2 and looked up again2--and then closed the book4 ,there was no need to read more4 99 99 99 99 ,she walked across the court half an hour later1 just as the sun came up2 and passed out through the ,lieutenant's lodging1 and out by the narrow bridge on to the ,tower wharf4 ,to the left and behind her1 as she looked eastwards down the river1 lay the heavy masses of the prison she had left1 and the high walls and turrets were gilded with glory4 ,the broad river itself was one rolling glory too2 the tide was coming in swift and strong and a barge or two moved upwards1 only half seen in the bewildering path of the sun4 ,the air was cool and keen1 and a breeze from the water stirred ,isabel's hair as she stood looking1 with the light on her face4 ,it was a cloudless ,october morning overhead4 ,even as she stood a flock of pigeons streamed across from the south side1 swift-flying and bathed in light2 and her eyes followed them a moment or two4 ,as she stood there silent1 a step came up the wharf from the direction of ,st4 ,katharine's street1 and a man came walking quickly towards her4 ,he did not see who she was until he was close1 and then he started and took off his hat2 it was ,lackington on his way to some business at the ,tower2 but she did not seem to see him4 ,she turned almost immediately and began to walk westwards1 and the glory in her eyes was supreme4 ,and as she went the day deepened above her4