I
Marjorie was still in bed when the news was brought her by her friend.
She did not move or speak when Mistress Alice said shortly that Mr.
FitzHerbert had been taken with ten of his servants and two priests.
"You understand, my dear…. They have ridden away to Derby, all of them together. But they may come back here suddenly."
Marjorie nodded.
"Mr. Garlick and Mr. Ludlam were in the chimney-hole of the hall," whispered Mistress Alice, glancing fearfully behind her.
Marjorie lay back again on her pillows.
"And what of Mr. Alban?" she asked.
"Mr. Alban was upstairs. They missed him. He is coming here after dark, the maid says."
* * * * *
An hour after supper-time the priest came quietly upstairs to the parlour. He showed no signs of his experience, except perhaps by a certain brightness in his eyes and an extreme self-repression of manner. Marjorie was up to meet him; and had in her hands a paper. She hardly spoke a single expression of relief at his safety. She was as quiet and business-like as ever.