believe you are right, Mr. Torridon. I will think, over it."

A week later the blow fell.

* * * * *

Cromwell looked up at him one Sunday evening as he came into the room,
with his papers, and without any greeting spoke at once.

"I wish you to go to Lambeth House to-morrow morning early, Mr.
Torridon. Master More is to be there to have the Oath of Succession
tendered to him with the others. Do your best to persuade him to take
it; be his true friend."

A little grim amusement shone in his eyes as he spoke. Ralph looked at
him a moment.

"I mean it, Mr. Torridon: do your best. I wish him to think you his
friend."

* * * * *

As Ralph went across the Thames in a wherry the following morning, he
was still thinking out the situation. Apparently Cromwell wished to keep
in friendly touch with More; and this now, of course, was only possible
through Ralph, and would have been impossible if the latter's evidence
had been used, or were going to be used. It was a relief to him to know
that the consummation of his treachery was postponed at least for the
present; (but he would not have called it treachery).

As Lambeth towers began to loom ahead, Ralph took out Beatrice's letter
that had come in answer to his own a few days before, and ran his eyes
over it. It was a line of passionate thanks and blessing. Surely he had
reached her hidden heart at last. He put the letter back in his inner
pocket, just before he stepped ashore. It no doubt would be a useful
evidence of his own sincerity in his interview with More.

There was a great crowd in the court as he passed through, for many were
being called to take the oath, which, however, was not made strictly
legal until the following Second Act in the autumn. Several carriages
were drawn up near the house door, and among them Ralph recognised the
liveries of his master and of Lord Chancellor Audley. A number of horses
and mules too were tethered to rings in the wall on the other side with
grooms beside them, and ecclesiastics and secretaries were coming and
going, disputing in groups, calling to one another, in the pleasant
April sunshine.

On enquiry he found that the Commissioners were sitting in one of the
downstair parlours; but one of Cromwell's servants at the door told him
that he was not to go in there, but that Mr. More was upstairs by
himself, and that if he pleased he would show him the way.

It wa