an audience.

"I know her not," he added, "but she will in no wise receive a refusal.
She is a matron of comely appearance, though her cheeks are pale, and
her eyes betoken grief and anxiety. She is accompanied, too, by a young
boy, who appears to be her son, and stands holding her hand, trembling
as if lately put in great bodily fear."

"Let her come up by all means, Master Clough," answered the merchant;
"if we can assist her in her distress, we are bound to do so. The Lady
Anne will, I doubt not, if she finds her worthy, be interested in her
case."

"I will obey you, sir," said Richard Clough, hurrying out. In a short
time he returned with a lady, who although not young, yet retained many
traces of beauty. She led by the hand a boy apparently about nine years
of age, who, as Master Clough had remarked, looked completely
terrorstricken. The merchant rose, and with becoming courtesy placed a
chair for the lady opposite to where he sat.

"Pray, madam, tell me how I can assist you," he said, "for I see at once
that you are in distress."

"Indeed, indeed, I am, sir," she answered. "I come to pray a great boon
of you. I am your countrywoman, though married to a Netherlander. My
husband, Karl Van Verner, may not be unknown to you, as he is a wealthy
and highly honoured burgher of Antwerp. My maiden name was Bertram, and
my family, as well as that of my husband, have long been attached to the
Protestant faith. We had till lately worshipped God in private,
according to the way we considered most acceptable to Him, not
intruding, however, our opinions on our neighbours, but, alas! my
husband's wealth was coveted by those in power. Some secret enemy
informed against us, and only this morning the officers of the
Inquisition suddenly entered our house. We had just assembled for
morning prayer. As my young boy beheld them seize his father, he cried
out with terror, at the same time attempting to drag him out of their
hands. I could not help at first giving way to my grief and terror. In
vain my husband expostulated with them, and promised to accompany them
quietly if they would set him at liberty. He contrived, however, to
whisper to me, to place our boy in safety, and to endeavour to escape
myself. In spite of my tears and entreaties, my beloved husband was
then dragged off by the officers of the Inquisition, and I hastened away
to obey his directions. My husband's fate is, I fear, too certainly
sealed.