Now Christopher made as though he would push on, for he was in no mood to chat with cattle-reeves.  But Emlyn, who had been eyeing the man, called out—­

“Come here, Thomas, and I will answer you myself, who always have a few sins to spare for a priest’s wallet, and need a blessing or two to warm me.”

He strode forward, and, taking her horse by the bridle, led it a little way apart, and as soon as they were out of earshot fell into an eager conversation with its rider.  A minute or so later Cicely, looking round—­for they had ridden forward at a slow pace—­saw Thomas Bolle leap through the other fence of the roadway and vanish at a run into the falling snow, while Emlyn spurred her horse after them.

“Stop,” she said to Christopher; “I have tidings for you.  The Abbot, with all his men-at-arms and servants, to the number of forty or more, waits for us under shelter of Blossholme Grove yonder, purposing to take the Lady Cicely by force.  Some spy has told him of this journey.”

“I see no one,” said Christopher, staring at the Grove, which lay below them about a quarter of a mile away, for they were on the top of a rise.  “Still, the matter is not hard to prove,” and he called to the two best mounted of his men and bade them ride forward and make report if any lurked behind that wood.

So the men went off, while they remained where they were, silent, but anxious enough.  Ten minutes or so later, before they could see them, for the snow was now falling quickly, they heard the sound of many horses galloping.  Then the two men appeared, calling out as they came—­

“The Abbot and all his folk are after us.  Back to Cranwell, ere you be taken!”

Christopher thought for a moment, then, remembering that with but four men and cumbered by two women it was not possible to cut his way through so great a force, and admonished by that sound of advancing hoofs, he gave a sudden order.  They turned about, and not too soon, for as they did so, scarce two hundred yards away, the first of the Abbot’s horsemen appeared plunging towards them up the slope.  Then the race began, and well for them was it that their horses were good and fresh, since before ever they came in sight of Cranwell Towers the pursuers were not ninety yards behind.  But here on the flat their beasts, scenting home, answered nobly to whip and spur, and drew ahead a little.  Moreover, those who watched within the house saw them, and ran to the drawbridge.  When they were within fifty yards of the moat Cicely’s horse stumbled, slipped, and fell, throwing her into the snow, then recovered itself and galloped on alone.  Christopher reined up alongside of her, and, as she rose, frightened but unharmed, put out his long arm, and, lifting her to the saddle in front of him, plunged forward, while those behind shouted “Yield!”

Under this double burden his horse went but slowly.  Still they reached the bridge before any could lay hands upon them, and thundered over it.