"I fear, Father, that springald cannot be brought to yield; he is a branch of a tough English yew." "Of whom it is thy part to make a good Catholic bow. Remember, failure in God's cause is impossible. Instruments may be changed, broken, flung away,-the cause must prosper. Already thou hast once been found wanting, and thy work and place altered. Watch and pray, lest thou enter into temptation. I am not finding fault, my son: I think thee shrewd and zealous beyond most; only persevere. And now we may depart. Call the warder up." The Tutor made his way to the door and unfastened it. The warder entered with a lamp. The door was ajar for a moment while they conferred together. The lamp cast a shadow by the help of which George, panting for escape, noiselessly slipped from his hole, and fled down the stairs, leaving behind the disguise he had used. Pausing a little in his road, he heard the steps of some one rapidly overtaking him, and, looking round, saw the Tutor. Did he suspect, or know, what he had done? Why, George, out so late!" said he,-" and whither?" "Only on an errand," coolly replied the lad. "Where may you be going?" "That is of no consequence. How did you escape from the Pocthorpians?—you seemed in some danger.” "I was delivered by the charge the citizens made on them. Did I not see you walking away with Rabbit-head toward the Close?" "George, you are too meddlesome for a boy. I warn you to let other folks alone, or you will come to evil. Even now your quarrel with Stephen Wren will expose you to trouble. You will have to appear at the Palace to-morrow, and on your knees to ask pardon." "It was no fault of mine; he was rude to refuse the prize, and rude to Alice; and I did right, and will not ask pardon of any one." So they parted; and the Tutor had gained his point. CHAPTER IV. THE CASTLE MEADOW HOME ATTACKED. "Der Mensch kann was er will-wenn er will was er soll : Das ist der Zauberbrand womit du alles still'st HEN George was free to pursue his course, he turned into a side-street, and so reached the slope of the Castle Hill, which he ascended more leisurely. His eye wandered over a striking scene, illumined by the rich light of a full moon, high and clear overhead. The square, imposing figure of the old Norman castle, with its solid masonry, narrow battlements, flat walls, and lights gleaming from its windows, was full in view. There it stood like a giant warder on its natural hill, with a wide moat or ditch at the foot of the slope, its drawbridge and portcullis complete, the sentries pacing about and giving the word of challenge from time to time. It was the ancient fort of Venta, capital of the Iceni, the kingdom of stern Boadicea; and after passing through Saxon and Norman hands, belonged to the Bigod family for many generations, until seized by the Crown. The tower over the entrance gate was always called Bigod's Tower. Below the castle, on all sides, like chickens under the wing of the hen, crowded the various quarters of the city, diversified by many parish greens and large private gardens, which allowed umbrageous trees and shrubs to blend their lively verdure with the red and grey of brick and stone. Beyond the walls of the city the ground again swelled into hill and heath and wood over the suburbs. On so bright a night the eye discerned the numerous church towers, and towering above the rest the elegant cathedral spire shooting poplar-like into the sky, and concentring the panoramic view. Even the shimmer of the quiet river Wensum, flowing down the valley toward Thorpe, showed where once rolled a wide arm of the eastern sea. The night was still, and the "sweet regent of the sky, silvering over all she looked on," calmed the chafed spirit of the youth. Instinctively he paused to utter the Lord's prayer, as a sort of charm to prosper him and extricate him from his present difficulties. The deep bell of St. Peter's, Mancroft, sounded out the hour of ten, and the other church clocks followed suit for some minutes. George, eager to bear his message, and then return home, if possible, moved quickly across the meadow, and round the castle to the Fleming's. All at once Will Barnard crossed his path, exclaiming, "You, Master George !—what do you here?" "I am going to Master Van Diense's," replied George. "Will you go with me?" "I have to go to the Rector's," said Will. "No doubt-to bid good-night to Ann; but will you call and tell my father where I have gone, and that there is good reason for my staying with the Fleming till the morning?" They parted; and George thought, "What a trusty fellow that is with a few more like him, what a regiment of prime soldiers one would command! England may want such one day. I am glad I met him now, for the Fleming will have none too many with him to-night. I wonder how many soldiers are likely to attack. No doubt those two whom I saw the Tutor conversing with;-but will there be more?" By this time George was at the door of a large house standing nearly alone at the corner where now Orford Hill begins; but the house has left no trace of identity. George did not hesitate to enter, for between him and the Fleming there was a strong mutual liking. The fire and shrewdness of the youth pleased the phlegmatic Dutchman, and the boy venerated the cool, masterly view that the foreigner took of all matters. He was often invited to the house, and his natural sagacity had been greatly matured by his intercourse with this experienced friend. Instead, therefore, of going up the steps to the great hall door, George tapped at a side entrance on the basement, where, on being admitted, he found Hannchen Van Diense intent on some culinary mysteries ere retiring for the night. Why, George," she said, "you wild boy !—but you look tired and faint-is anything the matter?" "I wanted a word with your brother, lady. You know I go to school in a few days." "I am sorry you go so far off. What will your white lily do without her brothers?" "That makes me sad when I think of it; but I do want to see the world, and to prepare to be a man." "Well, George, you must both be the Knights of the White Lily while you are away, and do nothing of which your pure sister Alice would be ashamed." "God helping us, lady." "Now begone, for my saucepan is just about to boil. You will find my brother in the 'keeping-room.' George therefore ascended to the upper floor, and there found the Fleming smoking his evening pipe before a snug fire. He was reading his favourite book, "The Colloquies of Erasmus." "Ah, George !-shut the door-sit down. You are tired, and I reckon you would not be here at this hour without having something worth telling." With some flurry, which however went off before the perfect immovability of his hearer, George related his night adventure. As he stated that in a short time the house would be attacked, the Fleming only listened rather more carefully, puffed more rapidly, and when he finished smiled most reassuringly, and said, "Rogues usually catch themselves—if you give them rope. Honesty will outwit knavery always, if it has but good sense and presence of mind." "But," cried George, "they are to be here so soonsoldiers too, and we are alone! Should you not escape, or let me go and bring assistance?" 66 Nay, my good lad, I am not so defenceless as you think. These fellows are half-outwitted already. If they try their bungling plan, they may find that a dozen Jesuits with dark lanterns are no match for a single honest man with his eyes wide open. Every one knows that I have money-my own, and that of neighbours to keep,—which would not be trusted to me if I was not considered resolute and able to defend the trust." To which George answered, "This day I know it was resolved to send the clerk's bag to you for that very reason." "Well, it is odd that to-day I have no other money here but that small sum: I sent it all away last night." "Why, they think you have thousands!" said George. "So it is, I assure you," was the reply. "Our old charwoman, gathering up hints carefully dropped, has told them of a way to enter below, but she has not told them that I have an iron door at the head of the stairs shutting off the upper rooms." "That's capital!" said George; "they may break their fists and tools on an iron door." 66 Besides," ," continued the host, "she has told them where my iron safe is; but it does not follow that my money is kept there, which it never is." "Better and better!" exclaimed George. "Then they think I am alone here; but my headman, |