“Then that is what we need, sir; as you said just now. Yes, Mr. Herries?”
The lawyer glanced at the old man again.
“That is sufficient guarantee, my Lord, that Mr. Ralph Torridon is no enemy of his Grace’s projects.”
“I cannot bear that!” cried Sir James.
Nicholas, who had been looking awed and open-mouthed from one to the other, took him by the arm.
“You must, father,” he said. “It—it is devilish; but it is true. Chris, have you nothing?”
The monk came forward a step.
“It is true, my Lord,” he said. “I was a monk of Lewes myself.”
“And you have conformed,” put in the Archbishop swiftly.
“I am living at home peaceably,” said Chris; “it is true that my brother did all this, but—but my father wishes that it should not be used in his cause.”