"Come nearer still," said Lady De Aldithely. "I would tell thee the man's name. What sayest thou to Robert Sadler?"
Hugo stared. "Robert Sadler!" he repeated. "Why, 'tis he of all the men-at-arms, save William Lorimer, who is kindest to Josceline and me. He will be ever with us; in the tilt-yard, in the stables, in the hall, everywhere."
"To watch you," said Lady De Aldithely. "To mark what you say. To catch your plans."
"He shall catch no more plans from me!" cried Hugo, indignantly. "I will speak no more with him, nor be with him."
"Ah, but thou must," counselled Lady De Aldithely. "Wert thou to turn from him, as thou sayest, he would know at once thou hadst been warned against him, and would hasten his own plans. What said he to thee yesterday?"
"He did ask me when I should leave the castle."
Lady De Aldithely's face clouded with anxiety. "And what didst thou answer?" she asked.
"I said it might be one day and it might be another. For thou didst forbid me to speak of my plan."
"I marvel at thy prudence," smiled Lady De Aldithely. "Where didst thou learn it?"
"From my uncle, the prior. He never telleth aught to any man. And no one can wring from him ay or nay by a question."