"No, this is another friend," he answered quietly, conscious of what was
passing in her mind.
"I know Mr. Fellowes," Barbara said, her brow clearing. "Not many days
since he was here at the Abbey."
"He came to see me, but since I was away from home he left a letter
warning me that I had enemies. He, too, had been commissioned by someone
to warn me."
"Not by me," said Barbara. "Surely you must have been acting unwisely,
Mr. Crosby, to have so many enemies?"
"It is the number of my friends which astonishes me more," he returned.
"I am wondering what it was you heard about me which made you send to
help me."
"It concerned the Duke of Monmouth, and was not to your credit," Barbara
said.
"Yet you have helped me."
"I did not believe what was said. Besides, I was in your debt."
"These are times when one must speak with caution if one would dwell in
safety," said Crosby. "Whoever accused me of being a supporter of the
Duke of Monmouth spoke falsely, yet it is possible that he believed
himself justified. I went to see Monmouth at Bridgwater."
"Why?"
"With a hope that I might persuade him to turn back from certain ruin,
and so mitigate the misery which he must bring upon the West Country.
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