The prior was the most powerful man in the county, and to have him for a friend was everything.

It was his game to hold the balance very nicely betwixt the owners of Mortimer and Chad, keeping his neutral position, and not permitting either party to overstep the limits beyond a certain extent.

After what had just passed, he felt assured that the prior would not permit his boys to be harried or accused of countenancing heresy by their enemy, and he was well pleased at the interview and its result.
He rose now as if to go, but the prior motioned him to resume his seat.
"There is yet another matter upon which I would speak to you," he said.

"You have beneath your roof one of our younger brethren, Brother Emmanuel.

How have you found him comport himself since he has been free from the restraints of the cloister ?" The knight looked surprised at the question.
"He is in all ways a very godly and saintly youth," he replied.