voice, he screened his friend by his presence of mind. Without a
moment's pause he stopped and indulged in a prolonged fit of coughing,
while the little congregation, which had been startled by the groan,
attributed the noise to a premonitory symptom of the attack, and
thought no more about it.

"For mercy's sake, stop," muttered Manners. But the priest placidly
resumed his discourse, and drowned Manners' voice by his own.

The sand-glass, which was affixed to the pulpit desk to mark the limit
of the time allowed for the sermon, had long indicated that Father
Nicholas was trespassing upon the indulgence of his hearers before he
stopped; but it was over at last, and confession time had arrived.

Well knew the wily preacher that the second part of the service would
not be prolonged. Sir George had never much to confess while there
was a good meal awaiting him, and what Lady Maude would have said upon
such occasions was always cut short when the sermon had been long, and
was reserved for a more fitting occasion.

Neither Sir Thomas Stanley nor his brother ever stayed for confession.
They generally found some more attractive way of spending the time;
and as soon as they could do so they slipped out, heartily cursing the
long-winded priest, and wishing that Sir George were not, by far, so
good a Catholic.

Margaret stayed longer than the rest, and when her confession had
ceased she kept the father and took occasion to consult him about the
marriage ceremony.