‘No! not in that house! Never in that house again! Do not ask me why: but go yourself. She will not hear me. Did you—did you prevent her from listening?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I have been here—ages! I sent a note in by her maid, and she returned no answer.’
Raphael recollected then, for the first time, a note which he had seen brought to her during the conversation.
‘I saw her receive a note. She tossed it away. Tell me your story. If there is reason in it, I will bear your message myself. Of what is she to be warned?’
‘Of a plot—I know that there is a plot—against her among the monks and Parabolani. As I lay in bed this morning in Arsenius’s room—they thought I was asleep—’
‘Arsenius? Has that venerable fanatic, then, gone the way of all monastic flesh, and turned persecutor?’
‘God forbid! I heard him beseeching Peter the Reader to refrain from something, I cannot tell what; but I caught her name.... I heard Peter say, “She that hindereth will hinder till she be taken out of the way.” And when he went out into the passage I heard him say to another, “That thou doest, do quickly!....”’
‘These are slender grounds, my friend.’
‘Ah, you do not know of what those men are capable!’