omeone.

It flashed across him that Brother Emmanuel was perhaps to be made
a victim of ecclesiastical tyranny and cruelty. He knew that the
ascetic young monk had been no favourite with his brethren at
Chadwater; and if they could bring against him some charge of
heresy, however trifling, it was like enough that he might be
silently done to death, as others of his calling had been for less
fearful offences. Monastic buildings held their dark secrets, as
the world was just beginning to know; and only a short while back
he had heard a whisper that it was not wise for a monk to be too
strict in his hours and in his living. Then again, Brother Fabian
was a coarse, illiterate man, utterly unfit to be the guide and
instructor of youth. Sir Oliver had not dined at the prior's table
and spent hours in his company for nothing, and he knew many of the
monks tolerably well. Brother Fabian was the one he liked the
least; indeed he had a strong dislike and distrust of the man, and
was well aware that the ecclesiastical habit was the only thing
about him that savoured of sanctity or the monastic life. He would
not have allowed the contaminating presence of such a man near his
sons, even had he been indued with the needful learning for the
task of instructor. As it was, he knew that the monk could barely
spell through his breviary, and it was plain that the prior must
have another reason for wishing to induct him into the house.

Nor was the reason difficult to divine. It was not as an instructor
but as a spy that Brother Fabian was to come. The whispers
abroad--doubtless spread industriously by his vengeful foe--had not
been without effect, and men had begun to suspect that his
household was tainted with heresy. Brother Emmanuel was suspected,
his sons were probably suspected as being his pupils, and possibly
some other members of his household too. Brother Fabian was to be
sent to act as spy, and if bribed (as was most probable) by the
Lord of Mortimer, would doubtless find some cause of offence which
could be twisted into an accusation of heresy against someone
there.

It was difficult for Sir Oliver to see his way all in a moment. To
oppose this scheme or to submit to it appeared alike dangerous. His
independence and honest English pride revolted against any attempt
to coerce him in his domestic arrangements, or to submit to
interference there, even from the ministers of the Church.

But it was needful to walk warily, and t