they were closeted
together. Mary, in the kitchen, could faintly hear their voices, and
rejoiced to gather from the sound that, to use her own expression, "the
master was supping his broth right well peppered." At last Mistress
Tabitha marched forth, casting a Parthian dart behind her.

"See you do, Edward Benden, without you want another basin o' hot water;
and I'll set the kettle on to boil this time, I promise you!"

"Good even, Mary," she added, as she came through the kitchen. "He
(without any antecedent) has promised he'll do all he can to fetch her
forth; and if he doesn't, and metely soon too, he'll wish he had, that's
all!"

So saying, Mistress Tabitha marched home to inspect her bread, and if
need were, to "set the kettle on" there also.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: _E-la_ is the highest note in the musical system of Guido
d'Aretino, which was popular in the sixteenth century. "A strain beyond
E-la," therefore, signified something impossible or unreasonable.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

WHEREIN ALICE COMES HOME.

Partly moved by a faint sense of remorse, partly by Mrs Tabitha's sharp
speeches, and partly also--perhaps most of all--by his private
discomfort in respect of Mary's culinary unskilfulness, Mr Benden set
himself to eat his dose of humble pie. He waited on Mr Horden of
Finchcocks, and Mr Colepeper of Bedgebury Park, two of the chief men of
position and influence in his neighbourhood, to entreat them to exert
themselves in persuading the Bishop to release Alice as soon as
possible. The diocese, of course, was that of Cardinal Pole; but this
portion of it was at that time in the hands of his suffragan, Dr
Richard Thornton, Bishop of Dover, whom the irreverent populace
familiarly termed Dick of Dover. This right reverend gentleman was not
of the quiet and reasonable type of Mr Justice Roberts. On the
contrary, he had a keen scent for a heretic, and took great delight in
bringing one into tribulation. On receiving the letters wherein Messrs.
Horden and Colepeper interceded for Alice Benden, his Lordship ordered
the prisoner to be brought before him.

The Archbishop's gaoler went down to the prison, where Alice Benden, a
gentlewoman by birth and education, shared one large room with women of
the worst character and lowest type, some committed for slight offences,
some for heavy crimes. These women were able to recognise in an instant
that thi