He drew a sigh of relief when he beheld the dark outline of the cloister that appeared quiet and undisturbed.

As they approached, Cantemir came from the open door and lifted Mistress Penwick from her horse in a most tender fashion, and would have held her close and imprinted a kiss upon her forehead had she not drawn from him and raised her hand to his lips.

“’Tis a cold greeting, Katherine, after these long, weary days of separation.”

“Nay, not so.  ’Tis thy warmth that is premature.”  And without deigning further opportunity for converse, she swept over the threshold of the monastery.

There was much business to be attended to before the ceremony could take place, and the time was limited; for in one hour it was believed the cloister would be attacked by the Duke of Buckingham and his party, and the maid must be far on her way before the attack.

There was none but Mistress Penwick, herself, that thought else than that a marriage contract was to be sealed.  She on a sudden felt a great repulsion for Adrian Cantemir, and she resolved not to wed him.

As she stood in the large hall that served as council chamber and for all functions of importance, she cast her eye about for those answering to the description of his Grace of Monmouth and that other—­was it the King?  She felt sure she would know him; but upon the long benches there were none but sombre cowled figures with crucifix and—­aye, swords gleamed from beneath the folds of their long gowns and touched the floor.  Her eyes flashed wide with surprise, and she felt proud and loved the bravery of her religion.  But to what it portended she thought on for a moment seriously and concluded Royal personages must be present, or why else such precaution?

As the business had to do with Mistress Penwick only, Cantemir was asked to withdraw.  As soon as the business was entered upon, the maid’s doubts of the surrounding company were dispelled and she knew none of the Royal party would dare be even an unknown guest at such a meeting.

At the conclusion of the council she held an important secret, more important to herself than she dreamt.  It made her bold, and she straightway arose and spoke out clearly,—­

“If the reverend fathers would agree upon a certain matter, I will start at once upon my journey.  I feel my mission to the King to be more important than all else to me, and for the success of my undertaking I deem it best I should go as maid and not wife to his most Royal presence.”  This was a startling but most acceptable assertion.  It had been much spoken on by the Abbes but by common consent they agreed if the maid wished to marry the Russian, why—­they would offer no objections; so they had left the matter.

“Dost think, Mistress Penwick, thou canst settle readily the case with the Count?”

“’Twill be easy and quickly done.  Call him hither!” said she.  The Russian came with eagerness and some impatience, for he feared a delay might plunge him into a lively skirmish.