er the Spanish flag which might visit
Dover. We then all set forward for London, with the escort in charge of
Master Clough's chests of gold.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

ROMISH PLOTS.

On reaching Gresham House we were received by Sir Thomas and Lady Anne
with their usual kindness. Aveline was especially welcomed. Master
Clough and his lady were also gladly received. They did not remain
long, being anxious to set forth for Wales, in order to visit their
relatives, and to see the new house they had a short time before caused
to be erected. Sir Thomas was somewhat vexed on finding that A'Dale had
quitted his service and joined the Beggars of the Sea.

"Not that I object to their cause," he observed; "that is a right noble
one, though they carry it on in a rough and somewhat barbarous manner.
But I consider that mercantile pursuits are among the most honourable in
which a young man can engage, and A'Dale, had he persevered, had every
prospect of success."

I saw poor Margery, who was present, look very sad and uncomfortable
when these remarks were made, so much so that Lady Anne observed her.

"What have you to say to this matter, Mistress Margery?" she asked.
"Are you the cause in any way of the young man's joining the Sea
Rovers?"

Poor Margery burst into tears.

"I had far rather he had returned home than have done so," she answered;
"but he told me that he could not expect to make a fortune sufficient to
marry me, and to live as we ought to do, for a long time, if he followed
commerce; but that he hoped by some lucky stroke to gain enough in a
short time to come home and settle comfortably."

"He is more likely to gain a broken head, the silly lad," observed Sir
Thomas; "but we must not have you weeping. Mistress Margery, about the
matter. I will send to him and induce him to return. I had purposed
considerably increasing his pay, or obtaining some post for him in which
he would enjoy a good income."

Margery, drying her tears, thanked Sir Thomas for his kind intentions,
and was not in any way chary of her abuse of poor A'Dale for his
conduct.

"You say he is on board the Captain de Treslong's ship, do you, Ernst?"
he asked, turning to me. "You shall forthwith write a letter to him,
which I will sign, and despatch it without delay. Perchance it may
reach him before the ship leaves the English coast; if not, it may be
some time before it overtakes these roving gentry."

I had purposed waiting th