There was something so irresistible in the manner of Guy Fawkes, that Garnet remained silent.
“Do with me what you please,” continued Fawkes; “but do not compel Sir William Radcliffe to join the conspiracy. He will be fatal to it.”
“No one shall compel me to join it,” replied the knight.
“Perhaps it is better thus,” returned Garnet, after a pause, during which he was buried in reflection. “I will urge you no further, my son. But before you depart you must swear not to divulge what you have just learnt.”
“Willingly,” replied the knight.
“There is another person who must also take that oath,” said Guy Fawkes, “having accidentally become acquainted with as much as yourself.”
And stepping out of the chapel, he immediately afterwards returned with Viviana.
“You will now understand why I would not allow Sir William to join the conspiracy,” he observed to Garnet.
“I do,” replied the latter, gloomily.
The oath administered, the knight and his daughter quitted the chapel, accompanied by Guy Fawkes. Viviana was profuse in her expressions of gratitude, nor was her father less earnest in his acknowledgments.