am a plain London printer's 'prentice, come to seek my Grace's
licence for a book, which I hope to receive to-morrow."

"I hope you say true," said he, "for I have had trouble enough with
guests here lately, not as honest as you. Why, sir," said he, filling
my mug, "only yesterday there came here such a surly-faced varlet as you
never saw, who whined and sang psalms as he drank my ale; and then when
the time came to pay, told me to score it to one Captain Merriman, in
whose sendee he was, and who would come and pay it presently. I ask
you, sir, how would you like that at your inn?"

"Thank Heaven I have no inn; but tell me, landlord, this varlet, was he
a long pale fellow, with straight hair, and eyes half shut; and was this
the tune he whined?" And I hummed Peter's favourite tune.

"The very man," said my landlord, rising to his feet with a start. "You
have hit him to a point. And be you then this Captain Merriman that is
to pay my score?"

"Not so," said I, laughing, "and you may bid farewell to your money if
you are to look for it to him. I know the villain, landlord, and if I
saw him here, I warrant you this sword of mine would not be lying thus
in its sheath. But tell me. This surly-faced rogue, what did he do?
What was his business?"

"Indeed, I know not. Save to ogle all the women that came this way, not
sparing the Popish nuns in yonder convent."

And he pointed to a plain building close at hand, peeping from among the
trees, and walled all round with a high wall.

"He asked so many questions of the place, and was so curious to see the
sisters and their scholars walk abroad, that had I a daughter in keeping
there, I would be glad to get her safe back under my roof."

"And did he see them?"

"I warrant you, yes. For while he was questioning me the bell sounded,
and they walked across to the Popish Chapel in the wood. And there was
my gentleman, turned Papist all of a sudden, and must needs go and
worship images too."

"And where has he gone now?" I asked.

"I know not, neither do I care, so I am rid of him. But come, guest, if
you must stay, get you to bed; for we be early folk here."

I slept not a wink that night, and before daylight was astir and out of
doors. For I, too, was curious concerning this nunnery and its inmates;
and was minded to turn Catholic too for occasion, and see if, amongst
the ladies, might appear the stately form of her whose fate had been so
oddly woven with m