The knight now turned to his daughter, and bid her retire to a recess in the cavern, where a couch, made of old sails and other lumber, served as a bed, before which a sail was hung as a curtain. After the child had disappeared, the two men entered into a deep conversation in low tones. "There be a story afloat of a new plot," said the man. "But there be naught in it, be there?" "Maybe there is, but matters are not ripe yet. An we could only get Henry embroiled with France, we should have better help than from the Dowager of Burgundy. And I have hopes that he will send a force to aid the Bretons. But I can do naught until I have met Woodville." "And when will that be, your worship?" "Not for a few weeks, I fear me. He hath other matters, and this attack on his esquire hath put him out." "Thou wast wondrous kind to the lad at the tilt. All men marvelled what could be the cause." "A wish of my daughter’s, as thou knowest. The lad was passing gentle to us as we came hither; and he is a good lad, and one of my own house too." "But he’s parlous sweet on Mistress Yolande, and there’s them as says she means to marry him, and old Sir William is going to make him his heir." The knight’s face grew black. "Enough! enough! I would I could get me to France. I hear the Lord Daubigny will be returning shortly. We must join him at Southampton. Dan has got the old boat mended?" "Ay, ay; she’ll do for us as far as Southampton, or, for that matter, we could make shift over to Barfleur in her ourselves." "That’s well; and now leave me, I would think awhile." The next morning Magdalen was sent back to the cell at Appuldurcombe, much to her discontent. Before she left, however, she had the further dissatisfaction of learning that Master Bowerman was not only in a fair way of recovery, but that he so plausibly accounted for his being in hiding, and having run away from Carisbrooke Castle, that her father not only seemed to believe him quite guiltless of the attack on Ralph Lisle, but even appeared to look upon him with much favour as an injured man, and a sufferer by reason of his inclinations towards the exiled Yorkists. It was important to make as many friends as possible, and the Bowermans were likely to become more influential in the island by reason of their recent alliances.