he whispered comments,
that no unfavorable impression had been made.

"A modest looking gentlewoman enough," quoth Sir Richard.

"Discreet in her bearing," said another.

"All is not gold that glitters," said Dudley. "The beautiful skin of
the snake covers, after all, a snake."

"For shame, Master Deputy," said Bradstreet.

"We desire to learn of you your knowledge of the person calling
himself Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Winthrop. "Know you by what
right he doth assume the title?"

"I will answer your question," replied the lady, "protesting against
the coercion exercised over me. He is a worthy and honorable gentleman
of my own personal knowledge, and of the family of the Gardiners, of
whom Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, was an illustrious
scion."

"How know you of the relationship?" inquired Winthrop.

"Sir Christopher hath himself told me so," answered the lady.

"A manifest invention," said Endicott, in a low voice to Dudley, "to
raise himself in the estimation of his paramour."

"Our minds do meet in the same conclusion," said Dudley, in a like
tone. "Hear, too, the boasting manner in which she rolls the word
'bishop' over her tongue."

"When and where became you first acquainted with the Knight?" inquired
Winthrop.

"From early youth, at Boirdly, in Salopshire, England."

"Know you when he was knighted?"

"I know not," answered the lady.

"What is the relation," inquired Winthrop, with some hesitation,
"wherein you stand to him?"

"I apprehend not the meaning of your question."

"Hath he not been your protector since leaving England?"

"He hath," answered the lady.

A look of intelligence passed between Dudley and Endicott at the
answer.

"For what purpose came ye into these parts?"

"Am I at a confessional," demanded the lady, "that I am bound to
expose the secrets of my soul?"

"If, madam," said Endicott, "you are familiar with the popish device,
practice will enable you to answer the more glibly."

"Have pity upon me, gentlemen," said the lady. "I am quite deject and
wretched. Take not advantage of your power to humiliate me into the
dust."

"The question doth still remain unanswered," exclaimed Dudley, looking
at Winthrop.

"Be not hasty, Master Deputy," said Winthrop. "Give the gentlewoman
time to frame her answers."

"I ever liked a quick and unpremeditated response," said Endicott. "It
is more like to savor of the truth."

"Madam," said Winthrop, "we await