CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
CAT AND MOUSE.
It was Mr Roberts's custom to go down to the cloth-works everyTuesday--saints' days excepted--and in pursuance of this habit he madehis appearance in the counting-house on the morning after the departureof the two ladies. Roger Hall was at his post as usual, waited on hismaster, gave in his accounts, and received his orders. When the otherbusiness was over, Roger said, in the same tone and manner as before--
"Those two parcels of rare goods, master, sent forth yester-even, thatyou wot of, I saw myself so far as Lamberhurst, and they be in safehands for the further journey."
Mr Roberts did not at once, as might now be done, ask Roger what he wastalking about. The days of Romish ascendency in England were days wheneverybody knew that if a man's meaning were not simple and apparent,there was probably some reason why he dared not speak too plainly, andit was perilous to ask for an explanation. Mr Roberts looked up intohis manager's face, and at once guessed his meaning. He was seriouslyalarmed to see it. How had Roger Hall become possessed of thatdangerous secret, which might bring him to prison if it were known? Forthe penalty for merely "aiding and abetting" a heretic was "perpetualprison." Those who gave a cup of cold water to one of Christ's littleones did it at the peril of their own liberty.
Let us pause for a moment and try to imagine what that would be toourselves. Could we run such risks for Christ's sake--knowing that onevery hand were spies and enemies who would be only too glad to bring usto ruin, not to speak of those idle gossiping people who do much of theworld's mischief, without intending harm? It would be hard work tofollow the Master when He took the road to Gethsemane. Only love coulddo it. Would our love stand that sharp test?
All this passed in a moment. What Mr Roberts said was only--"Good.Well done." Then he bent his head over the accounts again; raising itto say shortly--"Hall, prithee shut yon door; the wind bloweth in coldthis morrow." Roger Hall obeyed silently: but a change came over MrRoberts as soon as the door was shut on possible listening ears. Hebeckoned Roger to come close to him.
"How wist you?" he whispered.
"Guessed it, Master." It was desirable to cut words as short aspossible. "Saw him go up to your house. Thought what should follow."
"You followed them?"
"No; came too late. Searched, and found them in a field nearGoudhurst."
A shudder came over Pandora's father at the thought of what might havebeen, if the priest had been the searcher.
"Any one else know?"
"Tom Hartley--true as steel, Master. Two were needful for my plan.Mistress bade me commend him to you, as he that had done her right goodservice."
"He shall fare the better for it. And you likewise."
Roger smiled. "I did but my duty, Master."
"How many folks do so much?" asked Mr Roberts, with a sigh. _He_ couldnot have said that. After a moment's thought he added--"Raise Hartleytwopence by the week; and take you twenty pounds by the year instead ofsixteen as now."
"I thank you, Master," said Roger warmly: "but it was not for that."
"I know--I know!" answered the master, as he held out his hand to claspthat of his manager--a rare and high favour at that time. And then,suddenly, came one of those unexpected, overpowering heart-pourings,which have been said to be scarcely more under the control of the giverthan of the recipient. "Hall, I could not have done this thing. Howcome you to have such strength and courage? Would I had them!"
"Master, I have neither, save as I fetch them from Him that hath. `Ican do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.'"
"He doth not strengthen me!" moaned the weak man.
"Have you asked Him, Master?" quietly replied the strong one.
Mr Roberts made no answer, and Roger knew that meant a negative. Inhis heart the master was conscious that he had not asked. He had saidmultitudinous "paters" and "aves," had repeated "Hail Marys" by thescore--all the while half thinking of something else; but never once inhis inmost soul had he said to the Lord--"Saviour, I am weak; make mestrong." A few minutes' silence, and Mr Roberts turned back to theaccounts, half-ashamed that he had allowed that glimpse of his true selfto be seen. And Roger Hall said no more, except to God.
The master went home to supper at four o'clock. Ten was then the hourfor dinner, four for supper; people who kept late hours made it elevenand five. As Mr Roberts came in sight of his own door, his heart sankdown into his shoes. On the door-step stood a black-robed figure whichhe knew only too well, and which he would gladly have given a handful ofgold to know he might have no chance of seeing for a month to come. Afaint idea of hiding himself in the shrubs crossed his mind for amoment; but he could not stay there for an indefinite time, and thepriest would in all probability wait for him, if it were he whom hemeant to see. No, it would be better to go forward and get it over; butit was with a fervid wish that it were over that Mr Roberts went on anddeferentially saluted his Rector.
That reverend gentleman thoroughly understood his man. Had it beenpossible to gauge the human soul with a thermometer, he could haveguessed with accuracy how it would read. He met him, not with severity,but with a deep gravity which conveyed the idea that something seriousrequired discussion, and that he earnestly hoped the culprit would beable to clear himself of the charge.
In the hall they were met by Mistress Grena and Gertrude, who had seenthem coming, and who came forward, as in duty bound, to show extrarespect to their spiritual pastor. The genuine spirituality was morethan dubious: but that did not matter. He was a "spiritual person"--though the person was exceedingly unspiritual!
The priest gave a blessing to the ladies with two fingers extended in astyle which must require some practice, and at Mistress Grena's requestsat down with them to supper. During the meal the conversation wasgeneral, though the priest retained his serious aspect of somethingunpleasant to come. The heavy part of the supper was over, and cheese,with late apples, Malaga raisins, and Jordan almonds, had made theirappearance; the ladies prepared to withdraw.
"Mistress Holland," said the Rector, "I beseech you to tarry yet alittle season"--adding to Gertrude, "I need not detain you, mydaughter."
Gertrude escaped with great satisfaction. "Those two are going to catchit!" she said to herself; "I am glad I am out of it!" Mr Roberts knewsorrowfully that the surmise was woefully true, but he was ratherrelieved to find that his sister-in-law was "going to catch it" withhim. Her presence was a sort of stick for him to lean on.
"My son," said the Rector to Mr Roberts, with an air of sorrowfulreluctance to begin a distasteful piece of work, "it troubleth me sorelyto do that I must needs do, but necessity hath no law. Remember, I prayyou, that as yesterday I called here, desiring to have speech of youryoungest daughter, and was told by Osmund your butler that she wasvisiting a friend."
"That was fully truth, Father," said Mistress Grena, as if she supposedthat the Rector was about to complain of some duplicity on the part ofOsmund.
Mr Bastian waved aside the assurance.
"I left word," he continued, repeating the words with emphasis, "_I leftword_ that I would call to see her this morrow. Here am I; and whathave I now learned? That she left this house yester-even, without somuch as a word of excuse, not to say a beseechment of pardon, when sheknew that I purposed having speech of her." His voice became morestern. "Is this the manner wherein ye deal with the ministers of holyChurch? Truly, had I just cause to suspect your fidelity to her, thiswere enough to proceed on. But trusting ye may yet have ability toplead your excuse"--a slightly more suave tone was allowed to soften thevoice--"I wait to hear it, ere I take steps that were molestous to you,and truly unwelcome unto me. What say ye in extenuation thereof?"
"We are verily sorry, Father," came quietly from Mistress Grena, "thatno meet apology hath been offered unto you for this discourtesy, and wepray you of your grace and goodness right gentilly to accept the sameeven now. Truly the matter stands thus: Our sister, MistressColl
enwood, had in purpose to tarry with us divers days longer; butyester-even tidings came unto her the which caused her to hasten herdeparture, not tarrying so much as one night more; and as she haddesired to take Pandora withal, it was needful that her departure shouldbe hastened likewise. You wot well, good Father, I am assured, thebustle and business caused by such sudden resolve, and the little timeleft for thought therein: but for any consequent lack of respect untoyourself and your holy office, we are full sorry, and do right humblyentreat you of pardon."
Mr Roberts breathed more freely. He thought the woman's wit was aboutto prevail, and to salve over the offence.
The priest, on his part, perceived with regret that he had made amistake in retaining Mistress Grena. Her representations were veryplausible, and she was not so easily cowed as her brother-in-law. Heconsidered a moment how to proceed.
"In truth, my daughter," he said, addressing her, "you have fully madeyour excuse, and I allow it right gladly. I may well conceive that inthe haste and labour of making ready on so sudden summons, both you andyour niece may easily have forgat the matter. I need not keep youlonger from your household duties. God grant you a good even!"
Mistress Grena had no resource but to withdraw in answer to thisdismissal, her heart filled with sore forebodings. She had hoped theexcuse might be held to cover the whole family; but it was evident thepriest had no intention of accepting it as including the male portionthereof. As she passed Mr Roberts, with her back to the priest, shegave him a warning look; but her hope that he would take the warning wasas small as it could well be.
"And now, my son," said the Rector softly, turning to his remainingvictim, "how say you? Were you likewise busied in preparing thegentlewomen for their journey?"