"By God! is it so bad that you, you George, cannot take care of her?" "'Tis the worst of all!" "Is she safe then now--now?" "If the eye of the nurse doth not perjure its owner, I would say she was safe for all time." "Good--" "But, Pomphrey, one would wonder at thy devotion to Cedric?" "I loved him, first." "That does not say thou lovest thy second love better, eh?" "By heaven, I love her, there--thou hast it." Buckingham gave vent to his natural inclination and laughed boldly. "Then, follow her. We may presume she will be safe kept 'til London gives her rest and wine and finds a locker for her nurse." "Then my errand is finished. I will bid thee _adieu_." CHAPTER XVI BUCKINGHAM'S ADVENTURE Buckingham, returning to the village, where his escort met him, then went to a small unused cabin in the thick woods beyond. Here he changed his attire, making ready for a quick journey and one fraught with some adventure. As he donned his clothes, ever and anon he paused to hear the low murmuring of voices that came up from the village. 'Twas evident the mob was gathering. An hour he waited impatiently, when his servant entered, saying that the mob had started and were hurrying along the high-road at great speed. The Duke mounted and rode after them, quite far enough in the rear for them not to hear his horse's step or see as he passed where some cottage light fell aslant the road. By the time they came in sight of the monastery, he was exasperated beyond measure to be so held behind and was in no mood to wait the mob's leisure. He leapt from his horse and threw rein to his man. No light was to be seen. It appeared the monks had either deserted their dwelling or fortified it by fastening with boards the windows and doors. The latter was the case. The besiegers with all sorts of sticks, stones and bludgeons began at once to bombard the building that stood dark and seemingly impregnable. Buckingham stood some distance from them, as if indeed he were of different mould and could not mingle with their steaming, smoking, foul-smelling bodies, that reeked of gin and poor tobacco. He waited only for an entrance to be made, that he might pass in without the labour of making an opening for himself. Indeed, his arm, unused to such rough strength, would become unfit to handle the sword of a gentleman. He was leant upon one knee behind a strip of iris that bordered a forest path, when suddenly he heard the crash of glass and heard a triumphant yell from the mob. He sprang from his hiding and crept toward the place. A window had been broken in and the fight had already begun. The monks were well equipped for battle with weapon, strength and stout hearts and a good stone wall for shelter, but their numbers were weak.