“Mother, listen.  I have wealth hidden away, I know not where exactly, but Emlyn knows.  It is my very own, the Carfax jewels that came to me from my mother.  It was because of these that we were brought to the stake, since the Abbot offered us life in return for them, and when it was too late to save us, a more merciful death than that by fire.  But I forbade Emlyn to yield the secret; something in my heart told me to do so, now I know why.  Mother, the price of those gems shall buy back your lands, and mayhap buy also permission from his Grace the King for the continuance of your house, where you and yours shall worship as those who went before you have done for many generations.  I swear it in my own name and in that of my child and of my husband also—­if he lives.”

“Your husband if he lives might need this wealth, sweet Cicely.”

“Then, Mother, except to save his life, or liberty or honour, I tell you I will refuse it to him, who, when he learns what you have done for me and our son, would give it you and all else he has besides—­nay, would pay it as an honourable debt.”

“Well, Cicely, in God’s name and my own I thank you, and we’ll see, we’ll see!  Only be advised, lest Dr. Legh should learn of this treasure.  But where is it, Emlyn?  Fear not to tell me who can be secret, for it is well that more than one should know, and I think that your danger is past.”

“Yes, speak, Emlyn,” said Cicely, “for though I never asked before, fearing my own weakness, I am curious.  None can hear us here.”

“Then, Mistress, I will tell you.  You remember that on the day of the burning of Cranwell we sought refuge on the central tower, whence I carried you senseless to the vault.  Now in that vault we lay all night, and while you swooned I searched with my fingers till I found a stone that time and damp had loosened, behind which was a hollow.  In that hollow I hid the jewels that I carried wrapt in silk in the bosom of my robe.  Then I filled up the hole with dust scraped from the floor, and replaced the stone, wedging it tight with bits of mortar.  It is the third stone counting from the eastern angle in the second course above the floor line.  There I set them, and there doubtless they lie to this day, for unless the tower is pulled down to its foundations none will ever find them in that masonry.”

At this moment there came a knocking on the door.  When it was opened by Emlyn a nun entered, saying that the King’s Visitor demanded to speak with the Prioress.

“Show him here since I cannot come to him,” said Mother Matilda, “and you, Cicely and Emlyn, bide with me, for in such company it is well to have witnesses.”

A minute later Dr. Legh appeared accompanied by his secretaries, gorgeously attired and puffing from the stairs.

“To business, to business,” he said, scarcely stopping to acknowledge the greetings of the Prioress.  “Your convent is sequestrated upon your own petition, Madam, therefore I need not stop to make the usual inquiries, and indeed I will admit that from all I hear it has a good repute, for none allege scandal against you, perhaps because you are all too old for such follies.  Produce now your deeds, your terrier of lands and your rent-rolls, that I may take them over in due form and dissolve the sisterhood.”