“And a good riddance, too!” cried Cherry, who was in no humour to be tolerant of the Romanists, who were, as she thought, putting her lover in peril.  “I hate those plotting, secret, cunning Papists!  They are like men who are always mining in the dark, working and striving in deadly secret, no man knowing what will next be heard or seen.  I like not such ways.  I like not that thou shouldst meddle with them.  Those be treasonable papers, I doubt not.  Cuthbert, it is not meet that thou shouldst have dealings with traitors!”

Cuthbert smiled, but the earnestness with which Cherry spake impressed him in spite of himself.  It had been one thing to make this promise to the sick priest who trusted him, but it was a different matter to be told that he was meddling in treason.  Still, what did Cherry know about it?  She was but a child.

“I know that there be treasons and treacherous plots enow in the world,” answered Cherry, as he put the question to her.  “I hear more than men think; and since thou hast been here, Cuthbert, I have listened and heeded as I was not wont to do.  All men whisper of the treachery and malice of the Papists.  All men know that had they their will the King would be sent to death or imprisonment, and some other person placed upon the throne.”

“I know not how that may be,” answered Cuthbert slowly, “and I have no concern in such matters.  All I have to do is to give these papers to one whom I know, and who has befriended me; and that must I do at all cost, for my word is pledged, and thou wouldst not have me go back from that, wouldst thou, Cherry?”

“I would not have thee run into danger,” answered Cherry, sticking persistently to her point with true feminine insistence, “and I know better than thou canst do what evil haps befall them who meddle in matters too hard for them, and that they reek not of.

“Cuthbert,” drawing a little nearer and speaking in a breathless whisper, “dost call to mind what the wise woman said:  how thou wast to beware of the dark river—­the flowing river?  And yet thou wilt venture forth upon it this eve!  I like it not; I like it not!  I would that I could make a prisoner of thee, that thou mightest not go.”

“It were sweet imprisonment to be held in such thrall,” answered Cuthbert, smiling, as he loosed the clasp of the warm arms from about his neck; “but this time, sweetheart, I must needs go.  I will be cautious and careful.  I are too much upon the river in the wherry for any to question my coming or going.  None knew aught of our rescue of the hunted priest; none but thyself knows of him nor where he lies.  It is impossible that any can suspect me yet; and for the future, for thy sweet sake, I will be cautious how I adventure myself into any like peril, if peril there be.”

With that Cherry had to be content, for Cuthbert was immovable where his word was pledged, and she had perforce to let him go, since he would not be stayed.