The Bishop rubbed his hands, and desired Mr Bastian to proceed. The labour which the heretics gave him was very well to complain of, but to him the excitement of discovering a new heretic was as pleasurable as the unearthing of a fox to a keen sportsman. Dick of Dover, having no distinct religious convictions, was not more actuated by personal enmity to the persecuted heretic than the sportsman to the persecuted fox. They both liked the run, the excitement, the risks, and the glory of the sport. "To tell truth, my Lord," continued Mr Bastian, dropping his voice, "I am concerned touching a certain parishioner of mine, a gentleman, I am sorry to say, of name and ancient family, cousin unto Mr Roberts of Glassenbury, whose name you well know as one of the oldest houses in Kent." The Bishop nodded assent. "'Tis true, during King Edward's time, he went for one of the new learning; but he conformed when the Queen came in, and ever sithence have I regarded him as a good Catholic enough, till of late, when I am fallen to doubt it, to my great concern." And Mr Bastian proceeded to relate to the Bishop all that he knew respecting the flight of the ladies, and his subsequent unsatisfactory interview with the heads of the family. The Bishop listened intently. "This young maid," said he, when the narrative was finished, "what said you was her name--Gertrude?--this Gertrude, then, you account of as faithful to holy Church?" "She hath ever been regular at mass and confession, my Lord, and performeth all her duties well enough. For other matter, methinks, she is somewhat light-minded, and one that should cast more thought to the colour of her sleeves than to the length of her prayers." "None the worse for that," said Dick of Dover--adding hastily, as the unclerical character of his remark struck him--"for this purpose, of course, I signify; for this purpose. Make you a decoy of her, Brother, to catch the other." "I cry your Lordship mercy, but I scarce take you. Her father and aunt do come to confession--somewhat irregularly, 'tis true; but they do come; and though the woman be cautious and wily, and can baffle my questions if she will, yet is the man transparent as glass, and timid as an hare. At least, he hath been so until this time; what turned him I wis not, but I am in hopes it shall not last." "Move this girl Gertrude to listen behind the arras, when as they talk together," suggested the Bishop. "Make her promises--of anything she valueth, a fine horse, a velvet gown, a rich husband--whatever shall be most like to catch her." Mr Bastian smiled grimly, as he began to see the plot develop.