i, "one of the family is enough to risk
as well as four of our best servants. My sons bide here with me, who may
need their help, though they are not trained to arms."

"Perhaps it is as well," said Sir Andrew drily, "though were I their
age--well, let that be. Now, son Hugh, before you eat do you and Eve
come with me into the church."

At these words Hugh flushed red with joy, and opened his lips to speak.

"Nay, nay," broke in Sir Andrew, with a frown; "for a different purpose
to that which is in your mind. Man, is this a time for marrying and
giving in marriage? And if it were, could I marry you who are stained
with new-shed blood? 'Tis that you both may be absolved from the guilt
of that blood and learn the penance which God decrees to you through
the mouth of me, His unworthy minister, in payment of its shedding. Thus
you, son, may go forth upon your great adventure with a clean heart, and
you, daughter, may await what shall befall with a quiet mind. Say, are
you willing?"

Now they bowed their heads and answered that they were, though Eve
whispered to Hugh that she misdoubted her of this talk of penance.

"So do I," he replied, beneath his breath, "but he is a merciful
confessor and loves us. From some it might be harder."

They passed down the stairs, followed by Master de Cressi and his sons,
into the entrance hall, where Grey Dick stood watching by the door.

"Whither go they?" he asked of Sir Andrew, "for their road is mine."

"To confession at God's altar," answered the old priest. "Do you come
also, Richard?"

"Oh!" he replied, "I hoped it had been to breakfast. As for confession I
have naught upon my soul save that I shot too low at the Frenchman."

"Bide where you are, O man of blood," said Sir Andrew sternly: "and pray
that a better mood be given to you before it is too late."

"Ay, Father," he answered unabashed. "I'll pray, and it is as well that
one should wait to watch the door lest you should all presently become
men of blood against your will."

Turning to the right, Sir Andrew led them down steps to a passage
underground that joined the Temple to the Church of the Holy Virgin and
St. John. It was but short, and at the end of it they found a massive
door which he unbolted, and, passing this door, entered the great
building, whereof the silence and the icy cold struck them like blows.
They had but two lanterns between them, one of which Master de Cressi
and his elder sons took with them