“Do not believe it, fair mistress,” said Rodomont. “His Eminence will protect you. You have escaped many difficulties, and may be equally fortunate now. You are to return with the procession to Saint Paul’s, after which you will be taken to Lambeth Palace.” “Farewell, Constance,” said Osbert, straining her to his breast. “Make haste!” cried Rodomont, impatiently, “or we shall have the guard here, and then there will be a fresh entanglement. Methinks I hear their footsteps. Quick! quick!” “I come,” rejoined Constance. And tearing herself from her lover, she followed him out of the sacristy. The door being left open, Osbert allowed a brief interval to elapse, and then issued forth into the church, which by this time was well-nigh deserted. [Illustration] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration] CHAPTER III. HOW OSBERT WAS INDUCED TO JOIN A CONSPIRACY. Amongst those who witnessed the burning of Rogers was the French ambassador. On quitting Smithfield, he repaired to the court adjoining the conventual church, and was watching the religious procession set out on its return to Saint Paul’s, when he noticed Osbert Clinton, whose eyes were following the retreating figure of Constance. Approaching him, De Noailles said, in a low voice, “I am sorry to see poor Constance Tyrrell among those recusants. Has she been delivered over to Bonner’s _chambre ardente_?” “Not as yet,” rejoined Osbert, in a troubled tone. “I trust she never may be,” said De Noailles, “for Bonner has no pity for a heretic. Youth and beauty weigh very little with him. ’Tis enough to drive one mad to think that so lovely a creature should be his victim!” “She never shall be!” exclaimed Osbert, moodily. “How will you hinder it?” said De Noailles. “Can you snatch her from his grasp if he once secures her? Can you unlock the prison in which she will be immured? Dare you even approach her now? How, then, will you be able to free her, when she is led to the stake, escorted by a guard as strong as that which accompanied the poor wretch who has just been sacrificed?” “Torture me not thus!” cried Osbert. “I feel as though I could sell myself to perdition to accomplish her deliverance.”