Blame him not, Sir John, if, out of friendship, knowing it was naught to you, he has not bared the nakedness of our poor house." "Is it the nakedness of your poor house"-- and he glanced round the sumptuous chamber--"that caused you to send me this letter saying that you have Cromwell's writ to seize my lands ?" asked Sir John, rushing at his grievance like a bull, and casting down the document upon the table; "or do you also mean to make payment for them--when your summer rents come in ?" "Nay, son.

In that matter duty led me.

For twenty years we have disputed of those estates which, as you know, your grandsire took from us in a time of trouble, thus cutting the Abbey lands in twain, against the protest of him who was Abbot in those days.

Therefore, at last I laid the matter before the Vicar-General, who, I hear, has been pleased to decide the suit in favour of this Abbey." "To decide a suit of which the defendant had no notice!" exclaimed Sir John.

"My Lord Abbot, this is not justice; it is roguery that I will never bear.