The other seemed taken aback.
"Why, but—"
"He did not wish to think that his father would be untrue to his new commission," she said, trembling at her boldness and yet exultant too; and taking no pains to keep the irony out of her voice.
Again that fierce twitch of the features went over the other's face; and he stared straight at her with narrowed eyes. Then a change again came over him; and he laughed, like barking, yet not all unkindly.
"You are very shrewd, mistress. But I wonder what you will think of me when I tell you the second matter, since you will tell me no more of the first."
He shifted his position in his chair, this time clasping both his hands together over the back.
"Well; it is this in a word," he said: "It is that you had best look to yourself, mistress. My lord Shrewsbury even knows of it."
"Of what, if you please?" asked the girl, hoping she had not turned white.
"Why, of the priests that come and go hereabouts! It is all known; and her Grace hath sent a message from the Council—"
"What has this to do with me?"