n could wish. If he
would come hither, and have a care of Primrose Croft, as though he held
it by gift or under lease from you, they should never think to disturb
him."

"The maid's wit hath hit the nail on the head!" returned her father, in
high satisfaction. "But how shall I give him to know, without letting
forth our secret?--and once get it on paper, and it might as well be
given to the town crier. `Walls have ears,' saith the old saw, but
paper hath a tongue. And I cannot tell him by word of mouth, sith he is
now at Sandwich, and turneth not home afore Thursday. Elsewise that
were good counsel."

"Ask True," suggested Mistress Grena with a smile. "The young wit is
the readiest amongst us, as methinks."

"Under your correction, Father, could you not write a letter, and
entrust it to Margery, to be sent to Uncle as Thursday even--giving it
into her hand the last minute afore we depart? Is she not trustworthy,
think you?"

"She is trustworthy enough, if she be let be. But I misdoubt if her
wits should carry her safe through a discourse with Father Bastian, if
he were bent on winning the truth from her. I could trust Osmund better
for that; but I looked to take him withal."

"Give me leave then, Father, to walk down to Uncle's, as if I wist not
of his absence, and slip the letter into one of his pockets. He alway
leaveth one of his gowns a-hanging in the hall."

"And if his Martha were seized with a cleaning fever whilst he is
thence, and turned out the pocket, where should we then be? Nay, True,
that shall not serve. I can think of no means but that you twain set
forth alone--to wit, without me--under guidance of Osmund, and that I
follow, going round by Sandwich, having there seen and advertised my
brother."

"Were there no danger that way, Tom?"

"There is danger every way," replied Mr Roberts, with a groan. "But
maybe there is as little that way as any: and I would fain save
Gertrude's inheritance if it may be."

"At the cost of your liberty, Father? Nay, not so, I entreat you!"
cried Gertrude, with a flash of that noble nature which seemed to have
been awakened in her. "Let mine inheritance go as it will."

"As God wills," gently put in Mistress Grena.

"As God wills," repeated Gertrude: "and keep you safe."

Mistress Grena laid her hand on her brother's shoulder.

"Tom," she said, "let us trust the Lord in this matter. Draw you up, if
you will, a lease of Primrose Croft to the Jus