answer?" she asked.

"I said it might be one day and it might be another. For thou didst
forbid me to speak of my plan."

"I marvel at thy prudence," smiled Lady De Aldithely. "Where didst thou
learn it?"

"From my uncle, the prior. He never telleth aught to any man. And no
one can wring from him ay or nay by a question."

"A blessing upon him!" breathed Lady De Aldithely.

The boy's eyes brightened. "He is a good man, my uncle, the prior," he
said. "And ever he saith to me, 'In troublous times a prudent tongue is
worth ten lances and shields.'"

Lady De Aldithely smiled. "May he keep his priory in peace," she said.
"'Twere a pity that he should lose it."

Hugo looked at her gratefully. Not every one so leniently regarded the
prior's prudence. In more than one quarter his reticence was severely
blamed. By some it was called cowardice, by others self-seeking.

"And now thou knowest the worst," said Lady De Aldithely. "Within three
days I will contrive to send Robert Sadler hence on an errand. When he
is gone thou shalt go forth in the daylight, and that same night my son
and I will flee into Scotland. There, if no one tracks our steps, we
may be safe. Were I to drive Robert Sadler forth as a traitor, I know
full well that some other would arise in his place to practise