"Mora," he said, "I leave thee free. I hold thee to no vows made
through falsehood and fraud. I rate thy peace of mind before mine own
content; thy true well-being, before mine own desires. Leaving thee
free, dear Heart, I must leave thee free to choose. Loving thee as I
love thee, I cannot stay here, yet leave thee free. My anguish of
suspense would hamper thee. Therefore I purpose now to ride to my own
home. Martin will ride with me. But tomorrow he will return, to ask
if there is a message; and the next day, and the next. The Bishop
allowed four days for hesitation. If thy decision should be to return
to the Nunnery, his command is that thou ride the last stage of the
journey fully robed, wearing thy cross of office. He himself will meet
thee five miles this side of Worcester, and riding in, with much pomp
and ceremony, will announce to the Community that, the higher service
to which His Holiness sent thee, being accomplished----"
"Accomplished, Hugh?"
The Knight smiled, wearily. "I quote the Bishop, Mora. He will
explain that he now reinstates thee as Prioress of the Order. The
entire Community will, he says, rejoice; and he himself will be ever at
hand to make sure that all is right for thee."
"These plans are well and carefully laid, Hugh."
"They who love thee have seen to that, Mora."
"Who will ride with me from here to Worcester?"
"Martin Goodfellow, and a little band of thine own people.
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