"What is it, Susan," he said quickly, "what has happened?"
"Read, father!" she replied in a troubled voice.
The writer of the letter was a member of a great Sussex family—a family whose wrongs moved the pity of all men. The head of the house of Geoffrey de Fynes had suffered a traitor's death in the year 1545, since which time the family had been degraded "in blood and honours."
Yet never had Justice so surely missed its mark as when young Lord Dacres lost his head at Tyburn!
Young Geoffrey de Fynes at the present time held the office of Secretary to the High Sheriff of the County; just now his duties had called him to Lewes.
He was a frequent visitor at Chiddingly Place, and between him and Susan a strong attachment had sprung up, though no betrothal had taken place.
William Jefferay took the letter from his daughter's hand and read it carefully; it was as follows—
"This from the hand of one who loves thee well, and whose chief object in life is to do thee service. Hence I write this letter, and I do so with a clear conscience, though the writing of it might cause the loss of my post, and make me an inmate of Lewes gaol! Yet I dare not do otherwise, for thy happiness is dearer to me than aught else in this life!
"Now to come at once to the point.
"It has come to my knowledge that a warrant has been issued by the Crown for the apprehension of the Vicar of Chiddingly.