“And this phantasma, which man has never seen; which exists not upon the least shadow of evidence—­which has not even the lowest dictates of sense and plausibility in its favour—­on this Ignis fatuus, eluding the grasp, and for ever mocking the folly of its pursuers, thou canst build thine hopes, because it flatters thy wishes and thy fears?”

“My fears!” said the Baron, rising:  “and who speaks of my fears?  I would chastise thee, thou insolent priest, wert thou not protected by the laws of courtesy.”

“Yes, thy fears, Baron Monteagle,” said this undaunted minister of the truth.  “Thou wouldest not care to face thy lady’s cousin!  His blood yet crieth from the ground!”

“And who dares whisper, even to the walls, that I murdered John Harrington?” cried the astonished adept, trembling with ill-suppressed rage.  “Methinks he holdeth his life too cheap who doth let this foul suspicion even rest upon his thoughts.”  He drew his sword as he spoke; but the minister stood undaunted, surveying his adversary with a look of pity and commiseration.

“Put up thy sword.  Thou hast enow of sins to repent thee of without an old man’s blood added to the number.”

“How hast thou dared this insult?  By my “——­

“Nay, spare your oaths, my lord; they are better unspoken than unkept.”

“Have I sent for thee to make sport?  To gibe and taunt me even to my face?”

“I’ll tell thee for what cause thou didst crave my presence,” replied the other, firmly.  “Thou hast misgivings lest thine own hopes should not be true; lest thou shouldest perchance depart with a lie in thy right hand.  Thou didst send for me, an unworthy minister to the faith which I profess, that by thy subtlety thou mightest deceive thyself; that by overthrowing my arguments thine own might be strengthened, for truly ’tis a comfortable thing to have our opinions confirmed through the weakness of an opponent.”

“And daredst thou, with such apprehensions upon thy stomach, to commit thyself alone to my mercy and my keeping?  Suppose I should reward thee according to thine own base suspicions.  Understandest thou me?”

“Yes, proud and guilty man, too well!  But I fear thee not!”

“What! holdest thou a charmed life?  Thou mayest fall into a broil as well as other men.  And who shall require thy blood at my hands?”

“Ere I left,” said the divine, warily, “I whispered a word in your cousin Beaumont’s ear.  Should I not return, he will be here anon.  Peradventure I am not misunderstood.  Thou hadst need be careful of my life, otherwise thine own may be in jeopardy!”