The cavalcade journeyed on not very quickly, as the riders accommodated themselves to those on foot.  They avoided the towns when they came into the more inhabited country, the Prioress preferring the smaller hostels for pilgrims and travellers, and, it may be suspected, monasteries to the nunneries, where she said the ladies had nothing to talk about but wonder at her journey, and advice to stay in shelter till after the winter weather.  Meantime it was a fine autumn still, and with bright colours on the woods, where deer, hare, rabbit, or partridge tempted the hounds, not to say their mistress, but she kept them well in leash, and her falcon with hood and jesses, she being too well nurtured not to be well aware of the strict laws of the chase, except when some good-natured monk gave her leave and accompanied her—­generally Augustinians, who were more of country squires than ecclesiastics.  Watch needed no leash—­he kept close to his master, except when occasionally tempted to a little amateur shepherding, from which Hal could easily call him off.  The great stag-hounds evidently despised him, and the curs of the waggon hated him, and snarled whenever he came near them, but the Prioress respected him, and could well believe that the hermit King had loved him.  ‘He had just the virtues to suit the good King Harry,’ she said, ‘dutifulness and harmlessness.’

The Prioress was the life of the party, with her droll descriptions of the ways of the nuns who received her, while the males of the party had to be content with the hostel outside.  Sir Giles and Master Lorimer, riding on each side of her, might often be heard laughing with her.  The young people were much graver, especially as there were fewer and fewer days’ journeys to Bletso, and Anne’s unknown future would begin with separation from all she had ever known, unless the Mother Prioress should be able to remain with her.

And to Harry Clifford the loss of her presence grew more and more to be dreaded as each day’s companionship drew them nearer together in sympathy, and he began to build fanciful hopes of the King’s influence upon the plans of Lord St. John, unless the contract of betrothal had been actually made, and therewith came a certain zest in looking to his probable dignity such as he had never felt before.

The last day’s journey had come.  The escort who had acted as guides were in familiar fields and lanes, and one, the leader, rode up to Lady Anne and pointed to the grey outline among the trees of her home, while he sent the other to hurry forward and announce her.

Anne shivered a little, and Hal kept close to her.  He had made the journey on foot, because he had chosen to be reckoned among Musgrave’s archers till he had received full knightly training; and, besides, he had more freedom to attach himself to Anne’s bridle rein, and be at hand to help through difficult passages.  Now he came up close to her, and she held out her hand.  He pressed it warmly.