m
walking across the room and letting the low-lived hound feel the weight
of my hand. All that which Harleston had told me of his insults to
Hazel was brought to my mind with double its former force, and almost
drove me mad.

"Oh, I will twist thy neck for thee at the first opportunity," said I,
not knowing that I said it half aloud, till Harleston, who was standing
at my side, poked me in the ribs with his elbow.

"Hush!" said he, "or thou shalt be overheard."

This recalled me to myself, and I took good care thereafter not to
think aloud when in the presence of men that I regarded as mine enemies.

The moment that Catesby saw Harleston check me he leaned over the
Chancellor's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. I know not
what it was; but it must have referred to us, for Hastings turned at
once and eyed me suspiciously. His gaze was anything but pleasant; for
he clearly showed his displeasure at something, by his long and
frowning look.

"Another debt I owe thee, Master Catesby," said I, taking good care,
however, that I did not pronounce the words by other agents than my
mind.

So it was there decided that the two Churchmen should go together, and
try to persuade the Queen to hand over the Duke of York to them. In
case this failed they were to inform her that Gloucester would have him
taken from her by force.

CHAPTER XV

MICHAEL AND CATESBY

Though Harleston and I were both anxious to go at once unto the
Sanctuary, and see the girls, yet my friend, who thought it might
arouse suspicion were we to be seen there by the Cardinal and the
Bishop, persuaded me to wait until the following day. "For," said he,
"I do believe that fellow Catesby already suspects us of being in some
way connected with the Queen's flight. Methinks 'twas in reference to
that he whispered to Hastings, and which caused Lord William to look on
us so unpleasantly."

"I believe that thou art right," I replied.

We were sitting in my room when this conversation took place. Just
then a knock came at the door. I feared that we might have been
overheard, so I thought the best plan should be to open, without any
show of mystery. I therefore called out, without changing my
position:--"Come in!" I scarcely know what I expected to see when the
door should open; yet methinks I had not been surprised had it been
either Lord Hastings himself, or a body of yeomen sent to arrest me.
Remember, my dears, after the example I