“I have thought of that too, dame,” replied the knight, smiling.  “Let but the good brother be safely out of the country, and whilst the hue and cry is still going on here after him I will to the king and tell him all the story.  Our pious Dean Colet, who knows Brother Emmanuel, and knows, too, that it is meet the corrupt practices that have crept within the pale of Holy Church should be made known, that they may be swept away and reformed, will stand my friend, and together we can so persuade his Majesty that even if the prior and Mortimer both combine to accuse me before him he will not allow their spite to touch me.  The king knows right well that there is need of amendment within the Church herself.  We have heard words spoken in the Cathedral of London which would be accounted rank heresy here.  There is light abroad which must one day reach to the ends of the earth, and truly it sometimes seemeth to me that if the priests, the abbots, and the monks set their faces steadfastly against this light, they will fall into some terrible pitfall, but they will never quench the light with their united strength.”

The lady gave one quick glance round, as though afraid that even the walls might have ears, and such sentiments were not those that it was safe to blazon abroad.  But Sir Oliver, strong in the consciousness of his own deep and abiding love for the Church and for all the doctrines which she upheld, was bold to speak his mind in private when the subject broached was the one of corruptions and abuses which some of the sturdiest and noblest sons of the Church were now engaged in examining and denouncing, none dreaming of charging them with heresy on that account.

But the mother had noted the presence of Edred, who had come in quietly whilst the discussion was going on, and was now standing listening to his father’s words with kindling eyes; and she made a sign to her husband which caused him to turn round, and then the boy spoke.

“The horses are ready at the door, father, and Bertram prays that he may accompany thee.  He is donning his riding dress already.”

“With all my heart,” answered the knight readily, “an he can ride the forty miles betwixt this and tomorrow at the same hour; for I do not purpose to be long absent.”

“Bertram would ride all day and all night and feel it not,” answered Edred with a proud smile; “and he loves the sight and the smell of the salt sea, and would be loath to miss the chance of seeing it.  Father, art thou going to aid Brother Emmanuel to fly?  Is there peril for him abroad?”

The knight bent a quick, keen glance upon his son.