She went out with him to the entry between the hall and the buttery, holding the others back with a glance.

“I near destroyed the letter,” she said simply, with downcast eyes, “and sent the man away again.  I was afraid of what might fall at Fotheringay....  May Christ protect you!”

She said no more than that, but turned and called the others before he could speak.

As he gathered up the reins a moment later, before mounting, the three women kneeled down in the lighted entry and the two farm-men by the horses’ heads, and the priest gave them his blessing.

CHAPTER VII

I

It was not until after dawn on Wednesday, the twenty-fifth of January, as the bells were ringing in the parish church for the Conversion of St. Paul, that the two draggled travellers rode in over the bridge of Fotheringay, seeing the castle-keep rise grim and grey out of the river-mists on the right; and, passing on, dismounted in the yard of the New Inn.  They had had one or two small misadventures by the way, and young Merton, through sheer sleepiness, had so reeled in his saddle on the afternoon of Monday, that the priest had insisted that they should both have at least one good night’s rest.  But they had ridden all Tuesday night without drawing rein, and Robin, going up to the room that he was to share with the young man, fell upon the bed, and asleep, all in one act.

* * * * *

He was awakened by the trumpets sounding for dinner in the castle-yard, and sat up to find young John looking at him.  The news that he brought drove the last shreds of sleep from his brain.

“I have seen Mr. Melville, my master, sir.  He bids me say it is useless for Mr. Bourgoign, or anyone else, to attempt anything with Sir Amyas for the present.  Mr. Melville hath spoken to Sir Amyas as to his separation from her Grace, and could get no reason for it.  But the same day—­it was of Monday—­her Grace’s butler was forbidden any more to carry the white rod before her dishes.  This is as much as to signify, Mr. Melville says, that her Grace’s royalty shall no longer protect her.  It is their intention, he says, to degrade her first, before they execute her.  And we may look for the warrant any day, my master says.”

The young man stared at him mournfully.

“And M. de Preau?”

“M. de Preau goes about as a ghost.  He will come and speak with your Reverence before the day is out.  Meanwhile, Mr. Melville says you may walk abroad freely.  Sir Amyas never goes forth of the castle now, and none will notice.  But they might take notice, Mr. Melville says, if you were to lie all day in your chamber.”

* * * * *