Whitsun Day was coming, and Dr. Eales proposed to come over to the
glen and celebrate the Holy Feast in the very early morning before
anyone was astir. There were a few of his Bristol flock who would be
thankful for the opportunity of meeting more safely than they could
do in the city, since at Easter they had as nearly as possible been
all arrested in a pavilion in Mr. Rivett's garden which they had
thought unsuspected.

There would be one market day first, and on that Stead would come and
explain his preparations, and hear what the Doctor had arranged. And
so it was. The time was to be three o'clock, the very dawn of the
long summer day, the time when sleep is deepest. Dr. Eales and Mrs.
Lightfoot would come out the night before, he not returning after his
lesson to the Rivetts, and she making some excuse about going to see
friends for the Sunday.

The Rivetts, living outside the gates where sentries still kept
guard, could start in the morning, and so could the four others who
were to form part of the congregation. Goody Grace was the only
person near home whom Patience wished to invite, for she too had
grieved over the great deprivation, and had too much heart for the
Church to be satisfied with Mr. Woodley's ministrations. Perhaps
even she did not understand the difference, but she could be trusted,
and the young people knew how happy it would make her.

Little can we guess what such an opportunity was to the faithful
children of the Church in those sad days. Goody Grace folded her
hands and murmured, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in
peace," when Patience told her of the invitation, and Patience,