“I believe your story, Sir Knight,” he said.  “I believe that your sons sinned in ignorance.  But none the less is it true that they have stood champions for a pestilent heretic; and that is an offence not likely to escape the vengeful notice of the Lord of Mortimer, who is always on the lookout for a cause of complaint against person or persons at Chad.”

“That is very true,” replied Sir Oliver, thoughtfully and gravely.  “I was greatly vexed when I heard of the affair, and chided my boys for their hot-headed rashness.  Howbeit there be many there to testify that the man was at that time but hawking his wares, and my sons could not know that he was a secret heretic and Lollard.”

“Nay, but when that cry was raised they should not have stood at his side as his champions without more knowledge of the truth.  The man is now known to have been preaching well nigh the whole day long, reading portions of those accursed translations of Wycliffe’s which are damnation to all who possess them or listen to them, and expounding thereupon in the fashion that sends persons raving mad with the poison of heresy.  The man is in hiding somewhere in the woods about; but he will soon be caught and handed over to the secular power to be doomed to death.  And I like not the story of your sons’ part in all this; it hath an ugly look.”

Sir Oliver hid his anxiety beneath a cloak of dignified submission.  He well knew the best way of putting things straight with the prior.

“I greatly grieve over the hotheadedness of the lads, but I will gladly make such amends as lies in my power.  They sinned in ignorance, as you, reverend father, believe, and for such sins the indulgence of the Church may be won by the payment of such sum as shall be thought right.  If you will tell me what I ought to give to purchase this indulgence, I will do my utmost to meet the just claim; and Holy Church shall be richer and not poorer for the trespass unwittingly made by the sons of Chad.”

The prior looked pleased at this ready suggestion, and named a sum which, though sufficiently heavy, was within Sir Oliver’s means, and which he promised should be immediately paid.  He knew that the prior, though a man fond of money, and somewhat greedy in gaining possession of all he could, was not treacherous or unjust; and that if he had accepted this sum as the price of the pardon of the boys’ escapade, he would stand their friend, and not allow them to be persecuted by Mortimer for the same offence, should the matter ever be brought up against them again.

Indeed, now that the arrangement had been so amicably entered into, Sir Oliver was rather glad that the subject had been broached.  The prior was the most powerful man in the county, and to have him for a friend was everything.  It was his game to hold the balance very nicely betwixt the owners of Mortimer and Chad, keeping his neutral position, and not permitting either party to overstep the limits beyond a certain extent.  After what had just passed, he felt assured that the prior would not permit his boys to be harried or accused of countenancing heresy by their enemy, and he was well pleased at the interview and its result.