d the like said the heathen Jews, `_Wher we seyen not wel
that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a deuel_?' But I find not that
their saying the same made it ever the truer. What saith Christ in
answer? `_I haue not a deuel; but I honoure my Fadir, and ye han
unhonourid me_.'" [John viii. 48, 49.]

"My daughter," said the Abbot, with even more than his usual gentleness,
"I misdoubt greatly that you be obstinate in your error. And if this be
so, we shall have necessity of deeds the which we should sore lament.
You wit, doubtless, that in case you continue thus obstinate, you will
be had up afore the King's Grace's Council?"

"I am ready," answered Margery.

"You wit also," pursued the Abbot, no less gently, "that you may be
sentenced unto close prison for such time as pleaseth the King's Grace?"

"I am ready," said Margery again.

Her examiners looked surprised.

"Moreover," continued the Abbot, in a softer tone than ever, "wit you
that we can allow you no longer to have the charge and teaching of your
son, who must needs be instructed in the true faith?"

The end of the reverend fathers was at length reached. The quiet words
of the Abbot produced an effect which the furious abuse of the
Archbishop had been unable to accomplish. A cry of mingled terror,
anguish, and despair, broke from poor Margery's lips.

"Ye could not--ye could not be so cruel!" she sobbed. "Take from me all
I have in this world--comfort, freedom, yea, life--only leave me my
child!"

"Thou seest what thou hast brought on thyself!" said Arundel. "How can
we, being the ministers of God His truth, suffer the mind of yon
innocent child to be poisoned with like evil doctrine?"

"Doth God part the child from the mother?" faltered Margery. "This is
none of His doing. My darling! my darling!"

Lord Marnell pitied his wife. Her agony touched all that was soft and
gentle in his not too soft heart.

"Well, well, Madge!" he said, kindly; "I will see that thy child is not
taken from thee, if thou wilt obey these reverend fathers in confessing
of thine error, and wilt humbly beg absolution at their hands."

Margery looked up at her husband with an expression of unutterable
gratitude beaming in her eyes--but the moment she heard his if, her face
fell instantly.

"I conceive you, good my Lord," she said, mournfully, "howsoever I thank
you. You will give me back my darling, if I will deny that I hold
Christ His truth. I cannot. I dare not!"