It seemed more incredible even than she
had thought, that this was Father Campion!
"You have pleasant rooms here, and music to cheer you, too," he said.
"I understand that you are often here, Mr. Babington."
Anthony explained that he found them convenient and very secure.
"Roberts is a prudent landlord," he said.
Father Campion nodded.
"He knows his own business, which is what few landlords do, in these
degenerate days; and he knows nothing at all of his guests'. In that he
is even more of an exception."
His eyes twinkled delightfully at the ladies.
"And so," he said, "God blesses him in those who use his house."
They talked for a few minutes in this manner. Father Campion spoke of
the high duty that lay on all country ladies to make themselves
acquainted with the sights of the town; and spoke of three or four of
these. Her Grace, of course, must be seen; that was the greatest sight
of all. They must make an opportunity for that; and there would surely
be no difficulty, since her Grace liked nothing better than to be looked
at. And they must go up the river by water, if the weather allowed, from
the Tower to Westminster; not from Westminster to the Tower, since that
was the way that traitors came, and no good Catholic could, even in
appearance, be a traitor. And, if they pleased, he would himself be
their guide for a part of their adventures. He was to lie hid, he told
them; and he knew no better way to do that than to flaunt as boldly as
possible in the open ways.
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