All abbots, priests, and others, being true sons of the Church, were
called on to aid and comfort him in the due exercise of his mission, to
furnish him with a safe passage, and to obey his bidding without let or
question.
"Herein fail not at your peril!" said Ralph, eyeing the abbot with a
glance of cool and deliberate scorn.
"Why was not this protection from his grace given to me before?"
inquired Paslew, beseechingly.
"That thy deceit and double-dealing-might be the more manifest.
Yesternight thou didst refuse thine aid until the beacon of insurrection
should be kindled. When kindled, and upon thine own ground, too, still
thou holdest back! But think not to escape!--Think not to watch in
safety whilst others work. Whoever wins in this perilous game, thou wilt
lose. Marked out for destruction, thine own policy will betray thee.
Choose thee one party, and thou hast yet one chance of safety. But
double-dealers, such as thou, do ever tumble into the trap baited by
their own cunning."
"Will his Grace of York expect my presence at the camp?"
"It is needful thou make thy peace either with him or with the king,"
said Ralph: "yet am I bold to tell thee, that with Harry thine hope of
reconciliation is past.
Pages:
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304