ing the three years for the
which Mr Rose did covenant were run out in June, that Robin made no
motion thereunto. But verily I did think he should speak the first."

"He hath spoken, dear heart," said John, "and I did entreat him to await
a season the upshot of this matter, till we should see who should
succeed the King, and what manner of government we were like to fall
under. And I pressed him with much of the same reasoning that (as I
hear) Mr Rose hath given thee."

"And what saith he touching his priesthood?"

"I think he hardly knew what to say."

When all else had gone to bed, John and Isoult took Robin aside, and
John told him what Mr Rose had said. Robin's eyes filled with tears.

"Then," said he, "it comes to this; I must either give up mine orders,
or give up--"

He uttered not, nor did they need, the name of Thekla Rose.

"But one other point, Robin, leave not out of thine account," said John.
"It may be thou canst not receive orders."

"Why, then," replied he, "if I cannot, I cannot. But when shall I know
that I cannot?"

"When all the Protestant Bishops are in prison, I take it," said John,
smiling.

"Were it not better, Robin," suggested Isoult, "to fix thee a time, not
unreasonable distant, whereat, if thou mayest not hap to receive orders
afore, thou shalt resign that expectation, and be free to wed?"

"Good and wise counsel!" cried John. "Thou hast hit the nail on the
head. Thinkest not so, Robin?"

Robin sat silent for a moment. Then he said,--"Ay--if Mr Rose agree
thereto."

"We will ask him that," answered John, "so soon as we may."

On the 11th of August, to borrow the expression of the Gospellers, the
abominable thing was once more set up in England. For the first time
for six years, an old priest sang the Latin mass in Saint Bartholomew's
Church, to the awakening of such burning indignation on the part of his
hearers, that he was compelled to escape for his life by a side door.

The application to Mr Rose was made on the Sunday evening following,
when John and Isoult, with Robin, rode over to the evening service at
West Ham. Mr Rose's sermon was a very solemn one, on the text, "I am
now ready to be offered."

Ready to be offered! how many of the Gospellers needed to be so, in that
autumn of 1553!

After the sermon, they waited for Mr Rose, and he walked with them for
one or two miles on their way home. Robin led the horses a short
distance behind them. Mr Rose was