“Yes,” he said to Ralph, “my lord is to come with me. And you will be at my house to-morrow.”
He said good-day to the girl, looking at her with an amused interest that made her flush; and as Dr. Cranmer passed out of the street-door to the carriage with Ralph bare-headed beside him, he spoke very softly.
“You are like the others, mistress,” he said; and shook his heavy head at her like an indulgent father. Then he too turned and went out.
Beatrice went across at once to the other room, leaving her maid behind, and stood by the hearth as Ralph came in. She heard the door close and his footstep come across the floor beside her.
“Beatrice,” said Ralph.
She turned round and looked at him.
“You must not scold me,” she said with great serenity. “You must leave me my conscience.” Ralph’s face cleared instantly.
“No, no,” he said. “I feared it would be the other way.”
“A married priest, they say!” remarked the girl, but without bitterness.