he told himself, and had thrown off all claims
to tenderness, and Ralph's feelings towards him were not improved by the
information given him by one of his men that his brother had been
present at the scene at Rusper, no doubt summoned there by Morris, who
had proved such a desperate traitor to his master by slipping off to
Overfield on the morning of the Sunday.

Ralph was very much puzzled at first by Morris's behaviour; the man had
always been respectful and obedient, but it was now evident to him that
he had been half-hearted all along, and still retained a superstitious
reverence for ecclesiastical things and persons; and although it was
very inconvenient and tiresome to lose him, yet it was better to be
inadequately than treacherously served.

* * * * *

Lewes Priory was a magnificent sight as Ralph came up on to the top of
the last shoulder below Mount Harry. The town lay below him in the deep,
cup-like hollow, piled house above house along the sides. Beyond it in
the evening light, against the rich autumn fields and the gleam of
water, towered up the tall church with the monastic buildings nestling
behind.

The thought crossed his mind that it would do very well for himself;
the town was conveniently placed between London and the sea, within a
day's ride from either; there would be shops and company there, and the
priory itself would be a dignified and suitable house, when it had been
properly re-arranged. The only drawback would be Beatrice's
scrupulousness; but he had little doubt that ultimately that could be
overcome. It would be ridiculous for a single girl to set herself up
against the conviction of a country, and refuse to avail herself of the
advantages of a reform that was so sorely needed. She trusted him
already; and it would not need much persuasion he thought to convince
her mind as well as her heart.

Of course Lewes Priory would be a great prize, and there would be many
applicants for it, and he realized that more than ever as he came up to
its splendid gateway and saw the high tower overhead, and the long tiled
roofs to the right; but his own relations with Cromwell were of the
best, and he decided that at least no harm could result from asking.

It was with considerable excitement that he dismounted in the court, and
saw the throng of Dr. Layton's men going to and fro. As at Durford, so
here, his superior had arrived before him, and the place was already
as