Now Emlyn could bear it no longer.

“And how would you have us carry it, Cousin Smith?” she asked indignantly.  “Tied about our necks, or hanging from our heels?  Well do I remember my mother telling me that you were always a simple youth, and that your saint must have been a very strong one who brought you safe to London and showed you how to earn a living there, or else that you had married a woman of excellent intelligence—­though it is plain now she has long been dead.  Well, well,” she added, with a laugh, “cling to your man’s vanities, you son of a woman, and since you are so clever, give us of your wisdom, for we need it.  But first let me tell you that I have rescued those very jewels from a fire, and by hiding them in masonry in a vault.”

“It is the fashion of the female to wrangle when she has the worst of the case,” said Jacob, with a twinkle in his eye.  “So, daughter of man, set out your trouble.  Perchance the wisdom that I have inherited from my mothers straight back to Eve may help that which your mothers lacked.  Now, have you done with jests.  I listen, if it pleases you to tell me.”

So, having first invoked the curse of Heaven on him if ever he should breathe a word, Emlyn, with the help of Cicely, repeated the whole matter from the beginning, and the candles were lighted ere ever her tale was done.  All this while Jacob Smith sat opposite to them, saying little, save now and again to ask a shrewd question.  At length, when they had finished, he exclaimed—­

“Truly women are fools!”

“We have heard that before, Master Smith,” replied Cicely; “but this time—­why?”

“Not to have unbosomed to me before, which would have saved you a week of time, although, as it happens, I knew more of your story than you chose to tell, and therefore the days have not been altogether wasted.  Well, to be brief, this Dr. Legh is a ravenous rogue.”

“O Solomon, to have discovered that!” exclaimed Emlyn.

“One whose only aim is to line his nest with your feathers, some of which you have promised him, as, indeed, you were right to do.  Now he has got wind of these jewels, which is not wonderful, seeing that such things cannot be hid.  If you buried them in a coffin, six foot underground, still they would shine through the solid earth and declare themselves.  This is his plan—­to strip you of everything ere his master, Cromwell, gets a hold of you; and if you go to him empty-handed, what chance has your suit with Vicar-General Cromwell, the hungriest shark of all—­save one?”

“We understand,” said Emlyn; “but what is your plan, Cousin Smith?”

“Mine?  I don’t know that I have one.  Still, here is that which might do.  Though I seem so small and humble, I am remembered at Court—­when money is wanted, and just now much money is wanted, for soon they will be in arms in Yorkshire—­and therefore I am much remembered.  Now, if you care to give Dr. Legh the go-by and leave your cause to me, perhaps I might serve you as cheaply as another.”