The Lady of Blossholme

ouse-servants and small tenants discovered that they were quite surrounded. Once or twice some of them rode out a little way, to be hunted back again by a much superior force, which

e they lacked the excitement of actual fighting, t

e reduced to water to drink. Next their fuel became exhausted, for nearly all the stock of it was kept at the farmstead about a quarter of a mile awa

rs of the outhouses, and even with the floorings torn out of the attics, in order that they might cook their food. Nor was there much of this; only a

m them. At length, too, there was nothing more to burn, and therefore they must eat their meat raw, and grew sick on it. Moreover, a cold thaw set in, and the house grew i

ness came down, which did not lessen, for the moon grew low and the mists were thick, until day broke about seven on the followin

was shouted to these that their steads had been harried, and the

d the circle of the moat at her husband's side, or from window-place to window-place in the empty rooms, till at length they cast themselves down up

d his lady's, but that, as there was no hope of help, they could no longer freeze and starve; in short, that they must either escape from the

who have no chance of succour, since none know of our p

If we yield certainly they will separate us, and that mercil

tered Christopher, turning his hea

? Their stomachs are empty, their hands are blue, their wives and children are they know not where, and the heavy curse of the Church hangs over them, all of which things may be

and watered. On these they proposed to ride, but first they must tell the truth to those who had stood by them. So about three o'clock of the afternoon Christopher called all the men together beneath the gateway and sorrowfully set out his tale. Here, he showed them, t

ying that, evil as these seemed to be, they would follow his fortunes to the last. He thanked them shortly, whereon

hoose whether you will slip out with us and scatter in the woods, where I think you will not be followed, since yonder Abbot has no quarrel against you; or whether you will wait h

usiness of the defence of Cranwell Towers somewhat against his will, namely, by the pressure of Christopher's largest tenant, to whose daughter he was affianced. He was a sly young man, and even during the siege, by means that need not be described, he had contrived to convey a message to the Abbot of Blosshol

the others were making ready the horses and mounting guard, Jonathan thrust a ladder across the moat at the b

ed to blunder among his people and be captured. To him at first Jonathan would say nothing, but when at length

rds in our net, and I shall keep St. Hilary's at Blossholme after all. For your service

ranwell, when the truth came to be known, Jonathan's maiden would have no more to do with him, and the folk in

ers was closeted with Cicely, taking his farewell

er for some few hours, and if I fall and you live on I am sure that you will always remember me till, as we are taught, we meet again where no enemy has the power to

ms about him and wep

h I am but young I find this world a very evil place, and now th

r who knows? Often out of the worst comes the best.

. In the dark swords do not choose. Let us promise that we will

the icy gloom, and seal

and a great gale blew from the sou'-west, boisterous but not cold, which caused the tall elms that stood about to screech and groan like things alive. In such a wind as this they wer

ight. Three hundred yards or so away their road ran through an ancient marl-pit worked out generations before, in which self-sown trees grew on either side

hose ears were made sharp b

orse neighed and was answered. One of their servants cursed the beast beneath his breath and struck it savagely with the flat of his sword, whereon, being fresh, it took the bit between its te

" exclaimed

ked Cicely, and there

; we should be bogged. Hark! they charge us

ny horses galloping. In two minutes they were there and across th

t from their saddles and fumbled for the cranks; too l

forward, to be met by Christopher and his three remaining men, who in that narrow place were as good as a hundred. Wild,

and wait

hem, Christopher and his servants again strove to win

you into the house. I, and any who will bide with me, stay here to see this business out. When I am

she wailed; "I'

drag her hence ere she is shot. Swift, I say, swift, or God's curse and mine rest on you. Unclasp your

breast of Emlyn, who half led, half carried her across

o we?" sob

," answered Emlyn; "i

part of an older fabric dating from the Norman days. Slowly they stumbled up the steps till at length they reached the roof, for some instinct prompted them to find a

w on to the timbers of the main building, so that presently this began to blaze also. The house had been fired, by whom was never known, though it was

Now, if you would save your life, follow me. Beneat

wbridge, were gathered the Abbey guards, and there in the gateway stood Christopher and his three men with drawn swords, while in the courtyard the horses galloped madly, screaming in

houted; "the Lady Cicely burns

te, for as he came the flames burst through the main roof of the house, and the timber front of it, blazing furiou

striving, it would seem, to cut his way to the Abbot, who lurked behind. It was a dreadful sight, for he and those with him fought furiously, and many went down. Presently, of the four only Christopher was left upon his feet. Swords and spears smote upon his armour, but he

is horse and ran to hi

gan to shrive his passin

d Emlyn, "and a

voice that all below heard it. "Dead, de

live. Lifting her mistress in her strong arms, as she was wont to do when she was little, Emlyn found the head of the stair, so t

m the darkness of the gateway, though in the turmoil none knew who

and though it was hot enough in t

topher, who lay at his feet. "Take him up, that inquest may be held on him, who died doing

voice out of the smoke and gloom. "Seek her swe

nd wounded and carried them away, leaving Cranwell Towers to burn itself

k to Blossholme. His heart was ill at ease. Things had gone well with him, it is true. Sir John Foterell was dead-slain by "outlawed men;" Sir Christopher Harflete was dead-did not his body lie in the neat-house yonder? Cicely, daughter of the one and wife to the other, was dead also,

d man's blood by man should his blood be shed. Also, although he had paid the Vicar-General to back him, monks were in no great favour at the English Court, and if this story travelled there, as it might, for even the strengthless dead find friends, it was possible

n took hold of him; he began to wonder how far in the eyes of God above the end justifies the means. He opened the door of the place, and

his hand-a tall, thin man, with perplexed and melancholy eyes, long

if you can, but the wood is too wet to burn; also it smokes. There, what did I tell you? If this goes on we shall be hams by to-morrow morning. Let it be, fo

answered Martin, "but I may no

is night," answered the Abbot, with an uneasy laugh. "Still, obey your conscien

a hunch of bread, began to bite a

t bloody and rebellious man who has worked us s

ded, then swallow

, now that I come to study the matter, I know not what his sin was who did but fight bravely when he was attacked. For without doubt the marria

g this open and judicial tone in m

s, though I think you do not tell me everything, my Lord Abbot; there

n, man. What

stand no law; but he denied it, for did I not hear it yonder in your chamber at Blossholme? He denied it, and accused you of treason enough to hang all Blossholme, of which again God knows the truth. You threatened him in your anger, but h

im, then seemed to ta

and the Church. My orders to them were to seize him living, but the old English b

ad, for which he seemed t

, "for which one day you m

n to the last lay-brother and soldier-you as much as any

rder-nay, be not wrath, I know no other name for it-and learning that you claimed her as your ward, flies to her af

not been given. Moreover, how coul

uiet, obstinate voice. "I think that there is no court in Europe which would void this open marriage when it learne

n sarcastically. "Well, what does it matter, seeing that death has voided

ministers on earth. Oh! I like it not, I like it not; and I mourn for those two, so loving, brave, and young. Their blood an

se sad, earnest words, and for a little while there

ood is on your hands as well as mine, sinc

window to see that none were without,

are ours by right, and we need their revenues; but there is more behind. The whole Church of this r

f Belial. His sins, I know, are many and black, like those of others-still, 'son

bolton that she lies dying there of slow poison; so they say and I believe. Also I have other tidings. Fisher and More being murdered, Parliament next month will be moved to strike at the lesser monasteries and steal their goods, and after them

rk much mischief against God and His servants? Yet I tell you that I like it not, and cannot see the end. We English are a stiff-ne

r side, as, seeing his blood and faith, he must be. He will avenge the wrongs of the Church and of his royal aunt. I, who know him, am his agent here, and what I do is done at his bidding. But I must have more

ot of all evil," mut

o. My friend, you are fearful; these deaths weigh upon your soul-aye, and on mine. I loved that girl, whom as a babe I held in my arms, and even her rough father, I loved him for his honest heart, although he always mistru

we c

eptre in this mighty Britain? Martin, I have a mission for you that may lead you to a bishopric ere all is done, for that's your mind and aim, and if you would put off your doubts and moodiness you've got the brain to rule. That ship, the Great Yarmouth, which sailed for Spain some days ago, has been beat back into the river, and should weigh a

rtin, "though I know little

tled. Go, make ready as best you can; I must write. Stay; the sooner this Harflete is under ground the better. Bid that sturdy fellow, Bolle, find the sexton of the church and

rtin bowed

native spirit peeps beneath his cowl; a monk should have no country and no kin. Well, he will learn a trick or two in Spain

the door opened a

he Abbot testily. "I said

ve good news for you that I t

und those jewels? No, how could they? the place still flares,

as praying over him he turned his head and muttered. I think he

filthy floor of the neat-house. By the light of the lanterns with deft fingers he felt his wou

days, if fed and tended this man will live, being so young and strong. But if left alone in thi

let us bear him to the fire and pour milk down his throat. We

ngly, as it seemed to Martin, bu

intment and bound up, and milk poured down his throat, which he swallowed

r this Harflete's b

onk n

any that he needs

except y

a while, rubbing

rew Woods, my servant, the Scotch soldier whom Harflete slew. He has no friends here to claim him, and these two were of much the same height and breadth. Shrouded in a b

ch must, moreover, be discovered in a day, seeing that

her Harflete should seem to die, who, if he is known to be alive,

o, before God I will

oo ill to do so. You will nurse him, and on the ship he will die or recover, as God wills. If he recovers our Brotherhood will show him hospitality at Seville, notwithstanding his crimes, and by the time that he reaches England again, which may

game," mutt

in blankets and a monk's robe, and we will place him in it. Then let him be borne to Blossholme as one of the dead by brethren who will ask no questions, and ere dawn on to the ship Great Yarmouth, if he still lives. It lies near the quay not half-a-mile from t

tin, bowing his head humbly. "But what will be the end of all this

s he watched Martin go. "He also must bide a