“The commission and the captaincy under the privy signet shall be at this house by nine of the clock to-morrow,” answered Cromwell.  “The money you must find, for there is none outside the coffers of Jacob Smith.  Yet pause, Lady Harflete, there is risk and here you are safe.”

“I know the risk,” she answered, “but what do I care for risks who have taken so many, when my husband is yonder and I may serve him?”

“An excellent spirit, let us trust that it comes from on high,” remarked Cromwell; but old Jacob, as he wrote vera copia for his Lordship’s signature at the foot of the transcript of Christopher’s letter, shook his head sadly.

In another minute Cromwell had signed without troubling to compare the two, and with some gentle words of farewell was gone, having bigger matters waiting his attention.

Cicely never saw him again, indeed with the exception of Jacob Smith she never saw any of those folk again, including the King, who had been concerned in this crisis of her life.  Yet, notwithstanding his cunning and his extortion, she grieved for Cromwell when some four years later the Duke of Suffolk and the Earl of Southampton rudely tore the Garter and his other decorations off his person and he was haled from the Council to the Tower, and thence after abject supplications for mercy, to perish a criminal upon the block.  At least he had served her well, for he kept all his promises to the letter.  One of his last acts also was to send her back the pink pearl which he had received as a bribe from Jacob Smith, with a message to the effect that he was sure it would become her more than it had him, and that he hoped it would bring her a better fortune.

When Cromwell had gone Jacob turned to Cicely and inquired if she were leaving his house upon the morrow.

“Have I not said so?” she asked, with impatience.  “Knowing what I know how could I stay in London?  Why do you ask?”

“Because I must balance our account.  I think you owe me a matter of twenty marks for rent and board.  Also it is probable that we shall need money for our journey, and this day has left me somewhat bare of coin.”

“Our journey?” said Cicely.  “Do you, then, accompany us, Master Smith?”

“With your leave I think so, Lady.  Times are bad here, I have no shilling left to lend, yet if I do not lend I shall never be forgiven.  Also I need a holiday, and ere I die would once again see Blossholme, where I was born, should we live to reach it.  But if we start to-morrow I have much to do this night.  For instance, your jewels which I hold in pawn must be set in a place of safety; also these deeds, whereof copies should be made, and that pearl must be left in trusty hands for sale.  So at what hour do we ride on this mad errand?”

“At eleven of the clock,” answered Cicely, “if the King’s safe-conduct and commission have come by then.”

“So be it.  Then I bid you good-night.  Come with me, worthy Bolle, for there’ll be no sleep for us.  I go to call my clerks and you must go to the stable.  Lady Harflete and you, Cousin Emlyn, get you to bed.”