“Ah!—­I understand,” and Mistress Penwick looked up into the face that the darkness veiled.

“And I have heard that the King is sometimes poorly intentioned” The monk coughed behind his hand and moved uneasily,—­“’Tis said of him, as other like things are reported; but ’tis false.  He is a good Catholic at heart, and he will offer thee no insult, else we would not allow thee to approach him.  Our first thought is to get thee from Monmouth’s hold and place thee in safety elsewhere.  The noble Lady Constance is helping us and hopes that by to-night to have arranged certain matters, so with our aid thou mayest be able to see his Majesty very soon.  One of the Brotherhood will accompany thee to his presence or meet thee there; for we are anxious of the issue.  Thou wilt—­” The conversation was interrupted by the sound of wheels.  The guard came running to them, crying half aloud,—­

“Methinks some one of importance is about to arrive, as there is a coach and outriders and a score of mounted escort.  If thou, Father, art found here, I’m doomed.  I prithee hide thyself;—­and my lady’s gown can be seen for a league.  Hide here, behind this bunch of iris, ’til the cavalcade hath passed.”

It was in truth the young Duke of Monmouth, who was hurrying with the impatience of young, warm blood to his mistress.  For all Katherine was indignant with him for having such wicked intentions toward her, yet she was moved by the fact that he was a Prince, the son of the King; and susceptible as are all womankind to masculine beauty, she hardly could withhold her admiration.  She did not fear him, on the contrary she wished to play with firebrands and see how he would appear in her eyes, now that she understood him.  On a sudden she wished to see him more than any one else in the world, Lord Cedric excepted; and in her adventurous heart vowed to torment and give him pangs to remember her by.  Her pride was wrought upon.  That any one should presume to love her without thought of espousal! and Janet’s words came back to her with great force, making her see her error in accompanying the Duke.

There were a few hasty words spoken by the monk as he left her, and passed through the postern-gate, where none save Eustis saw his tall form.  Katherine took her time, as she crossed the lawn to her former seat, stopping here and there to gather a nosegay; exulting all the time at his Grace’s discomfort when he found her not within doors.  Suddenly she thought of Christopher and of what might happen to the servants if the Duke undertook to vent his displeasure upon them.  At the thought, she leant forward, straining her ear for any signs of violence; but she only heard Janet say,—­

“My eyes have not been off her, your Grace.  I’m just taking her a wrap.”