'If the cause be removed, the disease will be cured. Perhaps before long the cause will be removed.' 'The cause--oh! the cause--what is the cause but the tyranny of the Law? He who was ordered by Heaven itself to preach hath been, perforce, silent for five-and-twenty years. His very life hath been taken from him. And you talk of removing the cause!' 'Madam, if the Law suffer him once more to preach freely, would that satisfy him--and you?' My mother shook her head. 'The Law,' she said, 'now we have a Papist on the throne is far more likely to lead my husband to the stake than to set him free.' 'That shall we shortly see,' said Humphrey. My mother bent her head over her wheel as one who wishes to talk no more upon the subject. She loved not to speak concerning her husband to any except to me. * * * * * I went out into the garden with Humphrey. I was foolish. I laughed at nothing. I talked nonsense. Oh! I was so happy that if a pipe and tabor had been heard in the village I should have danced to the music, like poor Barnaby the night before he ran away. I regarded not the grave and serious face of my companion. 'You are merry, Alice,' said Humphrey. 'It is because you are come back again--you and Robin. Oh! the time has been long and dull--and now you have come back we shall all be happy again. Yes; my father will cease to fret and rage; he will talk Latin and Greek with you; Sir Christopher will be happy only in looking upon you; Madam will have her son home again; and Mr. Boscorel will bring out all the old music for you. Humphrey, it is a happy day that brings you home again.' 'It may be a happy day also for me,' he said; 'but there is much to be done. When the business we have in hand is accomplished'---- 'What business, Humphrey?' For he spoke so gravely that it startled me. ''Tis business of which thy father knows, child. Nay; let us not talk of it. I think and hope that it is as good as accomplished now before it is well taken in hand. It is not of that business that I would speak. Alice, thou art so beautiful and so tall'---- 'Nay, Humphrey. I must not be flattered.' 'And I so crooked.' 'Humphrey, I will not hear this talk. You, so great a scholar, thus to speak of yourself!' 'Let me speak of myself, my dear. Hear me for a moment.' I declare that I had not the least thought of what he was going to say, my mind being wholly occupied with the idea of Robin.