an rightly call you to task for it.
Let that be your safeguard; let that be your answer to all
questions. The prior has ordained that from that day I cease to
remain here. From the dawning of that day you have no part nor lot
in my life. I take its control into mine own hands, and it were
better you should not even know whither I go nor what I do."

Sir Oliver bent a searching look upon him.

"So be it," he answered, after a moment's thought. "But this one
word I say to thee: Thou hast been true and faithful to me and
mine; wherefore my roof and my walls shall be thy shelter until
thou goest forth of thine own freewill. Be not afraid to remain
here with me. I will defend thee with every power I have until such
time as thou mayest safely escape beyond the seas."

He held out his hand. The monk took it and pressed it between both
of his.

"The Lord deal with thee and thine as thou hast dealt with me," was
the reply, spoken in deep, earnest accents.

The knight bent his head in response to the benediction; and
Brother Emmanuel moved silently away, closely followed by Edred,
who looked pale and troubled.

"Thou dost not think he will present himself at the priory with the
rest of the world?" asked Lady Chadgrove, with anxiety in face and
voice; and her husband thoughtfully shook his head as he made
reply:

"I trow not. I have spoken to him of that before, and he was very
well resolved to fly the country and strive to finish the work he
has begun, to join the band who are toiling might and main to bring
a purer and holier spirit within the pale of the Church and her
servants. It is a work to which he has long felt called, and he
believes that it will be faithfully carried out somewhere, if not
here. For a while he will be safer beyond the seas; but he may
return and join with those in Oxford and London who are toiling in
the same cause. He knows of the sloop--where it lies and when it
sails; and I trow he is laying plans of his own. It were better not
to ask of these. I would rather walk in ignorance. A man cannot
betray, however inadvertently, what he knows not, and the subtle
skill in questioning possessed by our reverend prior might win the
secret from any unskilled person ere he knew he had revealed it. I
know not what he means to do, nor shall I seek to know. But he has
courage, spirit, and a consciousness of integrity which may carry
him through much. Methinks he has judged wisely and well both for
us and hi