He quite believed the prior capable of accusing him of the same sin and ordering him to a like fate.

In the eyes of the haughty ecclesiastic such a betrayal of cloister secrets would be looked upon as treachery to his vows, whilst in reality it was his very love for his vows, and his horror at their violation, which had inspired the pen that had poured forth burning words of denunciation and scorn.

To die openly for the cause would have been one thing--a martyr has ofttimes spoken more eloquently by his death than by his life--but to be thus buried in a living grave would benefit none; and who would not shrink from such a fate?
The pause which succeeded Edred's impassioned appeal was broken by the entrance of Julian, flushed and heated.
"It is as we thought.

The house is watched.

There be six or seven spies posted around it--most of them lay brothers, but some monks themselves.