"Then everybody within the district is to be summoned to meet at
the priory upon this same day?"

"Ay, verily; all are to be there, from the highest to the lowest.
The lay brothers are going round the country, bidding all to the
spectacle. It is thought that after all have seen what will take
place upon that day, there will be no longer any fear of heresy
round Chad and Mortimer."

The boy ran off to try to learn more details. Edred stood looking
at his father with troubled eyes.

"Father," he said, in a low voice, "must Brother Emmanuel go with
us that day?"

Sir Oliver looked down at the paper in his hands.

"It bids me to attend with my family and all my household, save
such as must be left to take due care of the house in my absence,"
said he. Then he paused awhile in silent thought, and looking up he
said suddenly, "Go fetch Brother Emmanuel hither."

Edred vanished silently and swiftly, and soon afterwards returned
with the monk at his side.

The past few days had left their mark on the thin, spiritual face
of the young ecclesiastic. The knowledge of the peril in which he
stood had not daunted his courage, though it had drawn lines in his
face and deepened the fire which burned within those dark, resolute
eyes. His face looked as though he had slept but little, as though
his nights had been passed in watching and prayer, as was indeed
the case. He had an air of calm, resolute courage and hopefulness,
though it was plain that he knew the danger of his position, and
was fully alive to the peril which menaced him.

Sir Oliver placed the paper in his hand, and watched him silently
whilst he perused it. When he had finished he handed it back, and
stood for a moment looking out of the window with an expression of
thoughtful concentration on his face. At the end of a few moments
he looked up quickly, and said:

"You and yours will attend, Sir Oliver?"

"Yes; we must needs do that. But you?"

Brother Emmanuel lifted his head and threw it back with a gesture
of resolution and independence.

"Sir Oliver," he said, "upon the day when your household is bidden
to the priory, I cease, by the command of my superior, to be a
member of this household. Upon that day your command over me (if I
may use the word)--your responsibility over me--ceases. Whatever I
may do or not do is no concern of yours. I am no longer the
instructor of your sons, nor the priest within your walls. What I
do I do of mine own self. None c