e peril in which she stood stared her all at once in the
face. James Basset was a gentleman of the chamber, and "a stout
Papist."

"Sir," said she, "I would be right sorry to be less."

"Of that I am well assured," replied he. "Saw you of late my sister?"

Isoult answered that she had not seen Philippa lately; and he, bowing
low, bade our Lady keep her, and departed. Isoult came home trembling
like an aspen leaf. She knew well that, did his faith come into
question, ties of friendship would have little weight with James Basset.

The next morning brought Philippa Basset.

"Well," said she, "Isoult, so thou fellest in with my brother James
yesterday?"

"I did so," answered Isoult, rather shortly.

"He told me so much," pursued she; "and said he had forgot to ask where
thou dwelledst. So I told him."

Isoult drew her breath hard.

"I know not whether to thank you for that, Mrs Basset," observed John.

Philippa began to laugh.

"Do you take me for a fool, both of you?" said she. "Or for worse--a
traitor? If I be a Catholic, yet am I a woman, not a stone. I told him
you dwelt on the thither side of Lambeth. You have nought to fear from
me. If all the Gospellers in the world were wrapped up in thy single
person, Isoult, none should ever lay hand on an hair of thine head by
means of Philippa Basset. Yea, though mine own life were the
forfeit,--'tis not worth much to any now."

"I thank thee dearly for thy love, sweet Philippa," said Isoult, "but I
hardly know how to thank thee for lying.

"'Twere a venial sin, I am assured," said she, lightly. "Why, dear
heart! James would burn thee in Smithfield as soon as eat his dinner!"

About a fortnight passed uneventfully--a rare occurrence in the year
1555. But as it was growing dusk on the 21st of May, there was a quick
rap at the door, and Mr Underhill hastily entered.

"Coming from the light, I may scantly see who is here," said he; "but I
wish to speak quickly with Mrs Rose--Mrs Thekla, I mean."

Mrs Rose and Isoult were sitting in the little chamber. The latter rose
to call Thekla.

"What for Thekla?" asked her mother, earnestly. "Can you not tell me,
Mr Underhill? Is there some evil news for me?"

"I knew not you were here till I heard you speak, Mrs Rose," he
answered, in the gentle manner in which he always spoke to her. "Well,
I suppose you may as well know it first as last. Your husband is
ordered to Norwich for examination, and shall