Hugh must be warned.  Probably no harm had as yet been done.  The vision was so sacred a thing to Mora, that weeks might elapse before she spoke of it to her husband.

With as little delay as possible Hugh must be put upon his guard.

CHAPTER XLII

THE WARNING

Alert, determined, all trace of lassitude departed, the Bishop returned to the library, laid the stone upon the deed chest, sat down at a table and wrote a letter.  He had made up his mind as to what must be said, and not once did he pause or hesitate over a word.

While still writing, he lifted his left hand and struck upon a silver gong.

When his servant entered, the Bishop spoke without raising his eyes from the table.

“Request Brother Philip to come here, without loss of time.”

When the Bishop, having signed his letter, laid down the pen, and looked up, Brother Philip stood before him.

“Philip,” said the Bishop, “select a trustworthy messenger from among the stable men, one possessed of wits as well as muscle; mount him on a good beast, supply him with whatsoever he may need for a possible six days’ journey.  Bring him to me so soon as he is ready to set forth.  He must bear a letter, of much importance, to Sir Hugh d’Argent; and, seeing that I know only the Knight’s route and stopping places, on his northward ride, but not his time of starting, which may have been yesterday or may not be until to-morrow, my messenger must ride first to Warwick, which if the Knight has left, he must then follow in his tracks until he overtake him.”

“My lord,” said Brother Philip, “the sun is setting and the daylight fades.  The messenger cannot now reach Warwick until long after nightfall.  Would it not be safer to have all in readiness, and let him start at dawn.  He would then arrive early in the day, and could speedily overtake the most worshipful Knight who, riding with his lady, will do the journey by short stages.”

“Nay,” said the Bishop, “the matter allows of no delay.  Mount him so well, that he shall outdistance all dangers.  He must start within half an hour.”

Brother Philip, bowing low, withdrew.

The Bishop bent again over the table, and read what he had written.  Glancing quickly through the opening greetings, he considered carefully what followed.

"This comes to you, my son, by messenger, riding in urgent haste, because the advice herein contained is of extreme importance.

“On no account let Mora know that which I told you here, four days since, as we paced the lawn; namely:  that the old lay-sister, Mary Antony, was aware of your visit to the Convent, and had, from some place of concealment, seen and heard much of what passed in Mora’s cell.  How far you realised this, when I made mention of it, I know not.  You made no comment.  It mattered little, then; but has now become a thing of extreme importance.