; I could refrain
myself no longer, and broke out in great wrath and reproaches for so
vile an accusation. If it were not that his age and infirmities claimed
our compassion, I would, said I, after such evil treatment, desire of
Ann that she should never more cross the threshold of a man who could so
cruelly defame us, and those two good women to whom we owed so much.

I spoke right loudly, beside myself with rage, and my face aglow; nor
was it till I marked that my uncle was staring at me as at some marvel
that I recovered myself, and on a sudden held my peace, inasmuch as the
thought flashed through my brain that I was denying my brother even as
Peter denied the Lord, albeit not indeed through any fear of man, but by
giving way to my angered pride. Howbeit I had not long ceased when the
stern old man cried out in pitiful entreaty.

"Nay, Margery, in the name of the Saints I pray you! You will not make
Ann my foe. How hardhearted you can be, and how wroth, and against
an old man sick unto death on the edge of the grave!--what was it, in
truth, that brought the bitter words to my tongue, but my care and fears
for you, who are verily and indeed my only comfort and all I have
to love on earth? And now when I say again: I will not suffer you to
depart. I will sacrifice all, everything to keep you from running into
certain death, will you even then threaten to leave me alone in my
misery, and to beguile Ann to desert me likewise?"

Hereupon I spoke him fair and as lovingly as in truth I might, and
pledged my word that Ann should not set foot without the city gates or
ever my lord Cardinal had come into them, and had given him the comfort
of his blessing. And then he was of better cheer, and of his own free
will he minded me of his promise to pay certain moneys for Herdegen's
ransom; and all this he spoke full lovingly and my heart overflowed with
true and fervent thankfulness, so that I took his thin hand and kissed
it. Howbeit, he knew not yet how great a sum was needed: and whereas I
was about to prepare his mind for the worst, Ann came into the chamber,
and as soon as my grand-uncle saw her he cried out in glad good cheer:
"Thank God, sweet maid, all is peace between us again. You forego your
mad purpose, and I--I will pay the ransom." At this Ann flew to his side
and thanked him, with overflowing eyes, and little by little we led him
on, till he cried out: "Well, well, children, they surely cannot set the
price of a k