"The piety and orthodoxy of Brother Emmanuel are known far and
wide," he answered, in a tone that was half cringing, half
spiteful; "no truer son of the Church than he lives in all the
land."

And then with another salutation he turned and glided away in the
lengthening shadows, whilst Edred turned to Brother Emmanuel with
rather a scared face, and asked:

"Dost think he heard what we were saying?"

"Belike he caught a phrase or two," was the answer, spoken gravely
but quite calmly. "I would not speak words of which I am ashamed;
at the same time, it is well in these perilous days to use all
caution, for an enemy can well distort and magnify the words he
hears, till they sound like rank heresy. For myself I have no fear.
I prize not my life greatly, though to die as a heretic, cut off
from the Church of Christ, is a fearful thing to think of. Yet even
that might be better than denying the truth--if indeed one believes
the truth to lie without, which assuredly I do not. But thou, my
son, would do well to think something less of these matters. Thou
art but a child in years, and--"

"I am quickly rising to man's estate," answered the boy, rather
impetuously, "and my thoughts will not be chained. I must give them
liberty to rove where they will. All men are talking and thinking
of these things, and wherefore not I? But, Brother Emmanuel, tell
me, who was yon black-browed brother? Methinks I have seen his face
before; but beneath the cowl many faces look alike. Who was he? and