88 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 63. house, with the knowledge and consent of the Queen. The ladies, hearing that Campian was in the neighbour- hood, were extremely anxious to receive the communion from him. They had two priests in constant attend- ance. They were not in want of the sacraments, and the house being notorious and likely to be watched, his appearance there was thought unnecessary and im- prudent. Parsons had resolved to return alone to London. His companion he proposed to send to Norfolk, where the Catholics were numerous and concealment would be easy. The nuns however were pressing, and Campian was anxious to please them ; and Father Robert gave a reluctant consent, on condition that his stay should not be protracted beyond one day and night. To Lyford therefore he went, on "Wednes- July 12. day the I2th of July. He was received with tender enthusiasm. The long summer evening was passed in conferences and confessions, and absolutions and pious tears. Mass was said at dawn, and the devo- tions were protracted through the morning : an early dinner followed, and the dangerous visit was safely over. Campian and Emerson mounted and rode away across the country. Their road led them near Oxford. It was hard for them to pass the place to which so many memories attached them, without pausing to look at it. They lingered, and put up their horses at an alehouse, where they were soon surrounded by a crowd of students. The same afternoon some Catholic gentlemen happened to call at Lyford, and hearing that they had so nearly
