Emlyn, looking little the worse, was already up and stood talking with Mother Matilda.
"Oh!" cried Cicely, as memory came back to her, "has aught been heard of my husband ?" They shook their heads, and the Prioress said-- "First you must eat, Sweet, and then we will tell you all we know, which is little." So she ate who needed food sadly, and while Emlyn helped her to dress herself, hearkened to the news.

It was of no great account, only confirming that which they had learnt from the Fenmen; that the Abbey was fortified and guarded by strange soldiers, rebellious men from the north or foreigners, and the Abbot supposed to be away.
Bolle, who had been out, reported also that a man he met declared that he had heard a troop of horsemen pass through the village in the night, but of this no proof was forthcoming, since if they had done so the heavy rain that was still falling had washed out all traces of them.
Moreover, in those times people were always moving to and fro in the dark, and none could know if this troop had anything to do with the band they had seen in the forest, which might have gone some other way.
When Cicely was ready they went downstairs, and in Mother Matilda's private room found Jacob Smith and Thomas Bolle awaiting them.
"Lady Harflete," said Jacob, with the air of a man who has no time to lose, "things stand thus.

As yet none know that you are here, for we have the gardener and his wife under ward.

But as soon as they learn it at the Abbey there will be risk of an attack, and this place is not defensible.

Now at your hall of Shefton it is otherwise, for there it seems is a deep moat with a drawbridge and the rest.