be trusted herewith?"

Sir Godfrey looked dubious. "Godfrey should turn aside to see an horse,
or to tilt at any jousting that lay in his path; and Matthew, I cast no
doubt, should lose your Grace's letter in a snowdrift."

"Then have you brought them up but ill," said the Archbishop. "But what
hindereth that you go withal yourself?"

"I, holy Father! I am an old man, and infirm, an' it like your Grace."

"Ay, you were full infirm when the tilting was at Leicester," replied
the Archbishop, ironically. "My son, I enjoin thee, as thine
Archbishop, that thou send this letter. Go, or send a trusty messenger,
as it liketh thee best; and if thou have no such, then shall my
secretary, Father Denny, carry the same, for he is full meet therefor;
but go it must."

Poor Sir Godfrey was thus brought to the end of all his subterfuges. He
could only say ruefully that his eldest son should bear the letter. The
Archbishop thereupon took care to inform that young gentleman that if
his missive should be either lost or delayed, its bearer would have to
reckon with the Church, and might not find the account quite convenient
to pay.

Godfrey was ready enough to go. Life at Hazelwood was not so exciting
that a journey, on whatever errand, would not come as a very welcome
interlude. He set forth that evening, and as the journey was barely
forty miles, he could not in reason take longer over it than three days
at the utmost. Sir Godfrey, however, as well as the Archbishop, had
confided his private views to his son. He charged him to see Lord
Basset first, and to indoctrinate him with the idea that it was most
desirable Lady Basset should not receive the prelate's message. Could
he find means to prevent it?

Lord Basset was a man of a type not uncommon in any time, and
particularly rife at the present day. He lived to amuse himself. Of
such things as work and duty he simply had no idea. In his eyes work
was for the labouring class, and duty concerned the clergy; neither of
them applied at all to him. He was, therefore, of about as much value
to the world as one of the roses in his garden; and if he would be more
missed, it was because his temper did not at all times emulate the
sweetness of that flower, and its absence would be felt as a relief.
This very useful and worthy gentleman was languidly fitting on the
jesses of a hawk, when young Godfrey was introduced into the hall. Lady
Basset was not present, and Godfrey s