“My grandmother,” said Richard by way ofexplanation, “sees no sense in my learning my letters. Shewas angry when my father sent me here. She says a lettered clerk isall any manor needs, and books are no fit employment for anobleman.”

“Surely she will comply with your father’s wishes.All the more is that a sacred trust, now that he isdead.”

Richard jutted a doubtful lip. “But my grandmother hasother plans for me. She wants to marry me to our neighbour’sdaughter, because Hiltrude has no brother, and will be the heiressto both Leighton and Wroxeter. Grandmother will want that more thanever now,” said Richard simply, and looked up ingenuouslyinto Brother Paul’s slightly startled face.

It took a few moments to assimilate this news, and relate it tothe boy’s entry into the abbey school when he was barely fiveyears old. The manors of Leighton and Wroxeter lay one on eitherside of Eaton, and might well be a tempting prospect, but plainlyRichard Ludel had not concurred in his mother’s ambitiousplans for her grandson, since he had taken steps to place the boyout of the lady’s reach, and a year later had made AbbotRadulfus Richard’s guardian, should he himself have torelinquish the charge too soon. Father Abbot had better knowwhat’s in the wind, thought Brother Paul. For of such amisuse of his ward, thus almost in infancy, he would certainly notapprove.

Very warily he said, fronting the boy’s unwavering starewith a grave face: “Your father said nothing of what hisplans for you might be, some day when you are fully grown. Suchmatters must wait their proper time, and that is not yet. You neednot trouble your head about any such match for years yet. You arein Father Abbot’s charge, and he will do what is best foryou.” And he added cautiously, giving way to natural humancuriosity: “Do you know this child—thisneighbour’s daughter?”