The Crown Estate — Evelyn Berckman

Also published as: The Blessed Plot

“Des Roches, I charge you…with this. I charge you.

When the Sister Maria Virgilia dies, warn…warn the Abbess to inform you…at once!...
“Your Grace,” the bishop murmured consentingly, wonder what next.
“Not to…bury her, nor interfere with the…the body…” a sob undermined his voice for a moment. “And you will have her wrapped in…in lead, good sheets of lead with a…a lead coffin, and take her to…London…
“Your Grace, I will, but lie down,” begged Des Roches. “Lie down now, only for a…”
“London…” John had not heard him. “And then put her…put her…”
“If your Grace will…” the bishop ventured into the pause.
“The Liberty!” John shut him out, clamoring. “No shrine, no shrine, no! Let her lie…let her life…”
“Your Grace…”
“…alone!”