in reply to our inquiries, that a
short time before he had met an armed band with a man, who seemed to be
a prisoner, and a young girl; that they had taken boat, and proceeded up
the Thames. I inquired whether he was sure that they had gone up, and
had not rather proceeded down the stream. He was certain, he said, that
they had gone upwards; that he had heard some one speak the word
"Lambeth," if that would prove any guidance to us.

This convinced me that Overton had truly fallen into the power of the
cruel Bonner, and that Aveline, found in his company, had been carried
off with him.

Once more I returned with the information we had gained to Lady Anne and
my patron. Never had I felt so great a sorrow. A'Dale and I devised
all sorts of plans for liberating Aveline; but, alas! one after the
other was thrown aside as hopeless. Master Gresham promised to exert
all his influence rather than allow her to suffer.

"Surely her Majesty would not wish that an innocent young girl like
Aveline should suffer hurt," cried Lady Anne.

"My dear wife, she who thinks she is doing God's service in burning
pious bishops and youths and maidens, such as some who have been brought
to the stake, would not hesitate to inflict the same doom on your
Aveline."

Lady Anne burst into tears. She was not a lady given to weeping, and I
had never seen her so moved before. Indeed, I could have joined her, so
grieved was I for the loss of Aveline, if lost she was.

Master Gresham began to chide, and told her not to weep. "I will see
what can be done for the damsel," he said. "I have seen so little of
her, that I knew not she had thus won upon your affections."

As my patron said this, my hopes began to revive; for I thought him
all-powerful, and that anything he undertook he would most assuredly
accomplish.

Some time passed by, and no tidings could be gained of Overton or his
niece. Meantime disastrous news came from the army in France, which did
not soften the disposition of Queen Mary nor of Bishop Bonner. Every
misfortune which occurred made her believe still more firmly than ever
that it was sent because she did not sufficiently support the Catholic
religion, and because so many of her subjects remained opposed to that
faith. To show her zeal and love for it, therefore, she resolved to
take further steps for the extirpation of what she called heresy.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

ACCESSION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

Once again the fi