"
"He hath been made magistrate," said Anthony drily; "and he sits on the
bench with the rest of them."
"Then he is all of the same mind?"
"I know nothing of his mind. I have never spoken with him this six years
back. I know his acts only. His name was in the 'Bond of Association,'
too!"
"I have heard of that."
"Why, it is two years old now. Half the gentry of England have joined
it," said Anthony bitterly. "It is to persecute to the death any
pretender to the Crown other than our Eliza."
There was a pause. Robin understood the bitterness.
"And what of Mr. Ballard?" asked Robin.
"Yes; he is taken," said Anthony slowly, watching him. "He was taken a
week ago."
"Will they banish him, then?"
"I think they will banish him."
"Why, yes--it is the first time he hath been taken. And there is
nothing great against him?"
"I think there is not," said Anthony, still with that strange
deliberateness.
"Why do you look at me like that?"
Anthony stood up without answering. Then he began to pace about. As he
passed the door he looked to the bolt carefully. Then he turned again to
his friend.
"Robin," he said, "would you sooner know a truth that will make you
unhappy, or be ignorant of it?"
"Does it concern myself or my business?" asked Robin promptly.
"It concerns you and every priest and every Catholic in England. It is
what I have hinted to you before."
"Then I will hear it."
"It is as if I told it in confession?"
Robin paused.
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