"Here it is," he said.
She took it; but made no movement to open it.
"But he is not to be a priest for five years yet?" she said quietly.
"No; but they send them sometimes as servants and such like, to make a party seem what it is not, as well as to learn how to avoid her Grace's servants. He will go back with Mr. Ballard, I think, after three or four weeks. You have had letters from him, you told me?"
She nodded.
"Yes; but he said nothing of it, but only how much he longed to see
England again."
"He could not. It has only just been arranged. He has asked to go."
There was a silence for a moment. But Anthony did not understand what it meant. He had known nothing of the affair of his friend and this girl, and he looked upon them merely as a pair of acquaintances, above all, when he had heard of Robin's determination to go to Rheims. Even the girl saw that he knew nothing, in spite of her embarrassment, and the thought that had come to her when she had heard of Robin's coming to London grew on her every moment. But she thought she must gain time.
She stood up.
"You would like to see his letters?" she asked. "I will bring them."