“That I am the author of a certain pamphlet, written some while ago, and taken to Germany to be printed, giving an account of some of the corruptions and abuses that have stolen into the Church, and in especial into the monasteries and religious houses of this land.  I could not choose but write it.  If the Church is to be saved, it can only be by her repudiation of such corruptions, and by a process of self cleansing that none can do for her.  I always knew that if suspected my life would pay the forfeit; but I know not how the authorship has been discovered.  Yet the great ones of the land have ways we know not of; and if the truth is not known, it is suspected.  I am to go back to the priory; but once there, I shall never go forth again.  Yet what matter?  I always knew if the thing were known my life would .pay the forfeit.  I wrote as the Spirit bid me; I know that God was with me then.  I am ready to lay down my life in a good cause; I am not afraid what man can do unto me.”

Sir Oliver looked into that young face, which the martyr spirit illuminated and glorified, and an answering spark kindled in his own eyes.

“If that is thine offence, and not the alleged one of heresy, I will stand thy friend,” he said; “and thou shalt not go forth from Chad to thy death so long as I have a roof to shelter thee.  I will stand thy friend and protector so long as I have a house to call mine own.”

Chapter VI:  Watched!

“I am glad thou hast so resolved, my husband; but hast thou considered what it may mean to thee?”

Lady Chadgrove spoke gently, laying her hand upon her husband’s arm with a gesture unwontedly tender; for neither was demonstrative of the deep affection which existed between them, and he knew that only strong emotion evoked such action from her.

“I know that if I refuse to give up Brother Emmanuel I may draw down upon myself stern admonition, and perchance something worse, but I mean not that it come to open defiance of any injunction from the Church.  Brother Emmanuel must leave Chad secretly, and be far away ere the week of grace expires.  We are but twenty miles from the coast.  This very day I shall ride thither and see what small trading vessels are in the bay about to fare forth to foreign shores.  I shall negotiate with some skipper making for some Dutch port to carry thither the person whom I shall describe to him, and who will show him this ring”—­and Sir Oliver displayed an emerald upon his own finger—­“in token that he is the person to be taken aboard.  Those trading skippers are used to such jobs, and if they be paid they know how to hold their peace and ask no questions.  In Holland the brother will be safer than in any other land.  The spite of the Prior of Chadwater is not like to pursue him there.  But here his life is not safe from hour to hour.”

“And how if it comes to be known that thou hast planned this escape?” asked the lady, a little anxiously.