"Dear Vicar, we have decided that you must flee before this threatened storm, for it would break our hearts were you taken from us by cruel men, and not ours only, but the hearts also of many of your poor people here." The Vicar shook his head. "The hireling fleeth because he is an hireling; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep," he said. "No, my dear girl," he continued, as he laid his hand affectionately on her head, "I cannot go—do not urge me!" Then William Jefferay took another line. "Listen, my friend," he said, "we want to preserve your life for better times; and my brother Sir John tells me that all men at Court foresee that the present state of things cannot last." Then, dropping his voice to almost a whisper, he continued— "The Queen's health is failing; the friends of the Princess Elizabeth are gathering about her, and are taking heart. This may be treason, but, as God lives, I believe it is true! Save yourself, then, Vicar, for better times and future labour among the people whose souls God has committed into your charge! "Now let me tell you my plans. To-morrow _The Golden Horn_ sets sail from Newhaven for Ostend. I have interest with the captain, and I can answer for him that he will accept you as a passenger. We can leave Chiddingly at break of day, ere people are moving, and I will conduct you to Newhaven." "I will give you my answer to-morrow," pleaded the Vicar. But his two faithful friends would not be thus appeased. "No, Vicar, that will be too late, for _The Golden Horn_ puts to sea early in the day, and we should lose our great opportunity." For a long time the earnest discussion continued, and the hour waxed late before the reluctant consent was given. To the loving heart of Susan that hard-won victory brought great joy. "To-morrow, then, at three o'clock we meet here; the horses will be ready to start the moment you arrive," said William, as the guest took his departure from the Place. "I shall be here—God willing," replied the Vicar. -------------- The next day saw William Jefferay's plan carried out—with the addition that, on Susan's suggestion, Jefferay should accompany the Vicar to Holland and see him safely and comfortably settled there. That same day, Monday, Ralph arrived from London, and it was not long ere the confiding Susan had revealed to him all that had passed, and that on Wednesday the Queen's Pursuivant would visit Chiddingly to find "the bird flown"! Now Ralph was a fine, strong English youth, endowed by nature with a very combative disposition and an inordinate love of adventure. He had thoroughly approved of the action of the Chiddingly rustics when they dipped the apparitor in the horse-pond, though he had taken no part in the affair.