counsel and travail. So, seeing her distress, Iproffered to put myself in any peril that might befall in the doing ofthis thing; but, indeed, persuaded myself that no man would be soperverse as of a benefit to desire revengement. Therefore committingthe matter to God, I mounted on horseback, and away I went on myjourney. When I came to the town where the man did dwell to whom themoney was to be delivered, I set up my horse in the next inn, that Imight be readier at hand to scape immediately after my business wasdespatched. I then went to the creditor's house, and called the manforth alone, taking him by the hand and leading him aside from thecompany of others. Then I declared to him that I had money for him,which I would deliver into his hands with this condition, that heinquired no further either who sent or who brought it unto him, orwhat the cause and matter was, but only receive the money anduse it as his own. The old fellow promised fair, and with a good willgave his word faithfully so to do, and with many thanks sent me away.With all the speed I was able to make, I hastened to mine host'shouse, for to catch hold of my horse and fly away. But forthwith thedeceitful old fellow betrayed me, and sent men after to apprehend me,not supposing me this time to be a priest, but making the surmiseagainst me that forsooth I was not a man but a devil, which hadbrought money of mine own making to bewitch him. All the people of thetown, when they heard the rumor, confirmed the argument, with thisproof among others, that I had a black horse, and gave orders for towatch the animal diligently, whether he did eat hay as other horses,or no. As for me, they put a horse-lock about my leg, shut me up closein a strong chamber, and appointed a fellow to be with me continually,night and day, which should watch if I did put off my boots at anytime, and if my feet were like horses' feet, or that I wascloven-footed, or had feet slit and forked as beasts have; for thisthey affirmed to be a special mark whereby to know the devil when helieth lurking under the shape and likeness of a man. Then the peopleassembled about the house in great numbers, and proffered moneylargely that they might see this monster with their own eyes; for bythis time they were persuaded that I was indeed an ill spirit, or thevery devil. 'For what man was ever heard of,' said they, 'which, if hehad the mind, understanding, and sense of a man, would, of his ownvoluntary will, and without any respect or consideration at all, giveor proffer such a sum of money to a man utterly unknown?' God knowcthwhat should have ensued if some hours later it had not chanced thatSir Henry Stafford did ride into the town, and, seeing a greatconcourse of people at the door of the inn, he stopped to inquire intothe cause; which when it was related to him, he said he was amagistrate, and should himself examine, face to face, this limb ofSatan. So I was taken before him into the parlor; and being alone withhim, and knowing him to be well-disposed in religion, albeitconforming to the times, I explained in a general manner what sort ofan errand had brought me to that place. Methinks he guessed me to be apriest, although he said nothing thereon, but only licensed me todepart and go away whither I would, himself letting me out of thehouse through a back-door. I have heard since that he harangued thepeople from the balcony, and told them, that whilst he was examiningme a strong smell of sulphur had come into the chamber, and a pack ofdevils carried me off through the window into the air; and he doubtednot I had by that time returned to mine own lodging in hell. Which hedid, I knew, for to prevent their pursuing me and using such violenceas he might not have had means to hinder."
"It was not, then," I asked, "on this occasion you were apprehendedand taken to Wisbeach?"
"No," he answered; "nor indeed can I be said to have been apprehendedat all, for it happened in this wise that I became a prisoner. I wasone day in Norwich, whither I had gone to baptize a child, and, asProvidence would have it, met with Haward, by whose means I had beenset at liberty one year before. After ordinary salutations, he said tome, 'Mr. Tunstall' (for by that name only he knew me), 'the host ofthe inn where you were taken last year says I have undone him, bysuffering the prisoner I had promised to deliver to escape; for hehaving been my surety with the mayor, he is threatened with eightmonths' imprisonment, or the payment of a large fine. He hath come tothis town for to seek me, and hath seized upon me on this charge; sothat I be only at liberty for six hours, for I promised that Iwould bring you to him by four o'clock (a Catholic merchant yieldinghim security thereof), or else that I should deliver him my bodyagain. 'I am content,' he said, 'so that I have one of you two.' Soeither you, Mr. Tunstall, or I, must needs go to prison. You know mystate and condition, and may guess how I shall be treated, if once Iappear under my right name before them. You know, also, your ownstate. Now, it is in your choice whether of us shall go; for one mustgo; there is no remedy; and to force you I will not, for I had rathersustain any punishment whatsoever.' 'Now God be blessed,' I cried,'that he hath thrown me in your way at this time, for I should neverwhile I lived have been without scruple if you had gone to prison inmy stead. Nothing grieveth me in this but that I have not finished offsome business I had in this town touching a person in some distress ofmind.' 'Why,' said Haward, 'it is but ten o'clock yet; you maydespatch your business by four of the clock, and then you may go tothe sign of the Star and inquire for one Mr. Andrews, thelord-lieutenant's deputy, and to him you may surrender yourself.' 'SoI will,' I said; and so we parted. At four of the clock I surrenderedmyself, and was straightway despatched to Wisbeach Castle, where Iremained for three months. A message reached me there that a Catholicwhich had led a very wicked life, and was lying on his death-bed, wasalmost beside himself for that he could get no priest to come to him.The person which delivered this advertisement left some ropes with me,by which means I escaped out of the window into the moat with suchdamage to my hands that I was like to lose the use of them, andperhaps of my life, if these wounds had mortified before good Ladyl'Estrange dressed them. But I reached the poor sinner, which hadproved the occasion of my escaping, in time for to give himabsolution, and from Mr. Rugeley's house visited many Catholics inthat neighborhood. The rest is well known to thee, my good child. . . ."
As he was speaking these words the door of the cell opened, and thegaoler advertised me I could tarry no longer; so, with many blessings,my dear father dismissed me, and I went home with Mr. Congleton andHubert, who anxiously inquired what his answer had been to theproposal I had carried to him.
"A most resolved denial of the conditions attached to it," I said,"joined to many grateful acknowledgments to Sir Francis and to youalso for your efforts in his favor."
"'Tis madness!" he exclaimed.
"Yea," I answered, "such madness as the heathen governor did chargeSt. Paul with."
And so no more passed between us whilst we rode back to Holborn. Mr.Congleton put questions to me touching my father's health and hislooks,--if he seemed of good cheer, and spoke merrily as he used todo; and then we all continued silent. When we arrived at Ely Place,Hubert refused to come into the house, but detained me on the outwardsteps, as if desirous to converse with me alone. Thinking I had spokento him in the coach in an abrupt manner which savored of ingratitude,I said more gently, "I am very much beholden to you, Hubert, for yourwell-meaning toward my father."
"I would fain continue to help you," he answered in an agitated voice."Constance," he exclaimed, after a pause, "your father is in a verydangerous plight."
"I know it," said I, quickly; "but I know, too, he is resolved andcontent to die rather than swerve an inch from his duty to God and hisChurch."
"But," quoth he then, "do you wish to save him?"
I looked at him amazed. "Wish it! God knoweth that to see him insafety I would have my hand cut off,--yea, and my head also."
"What, and rob him of his expectant crown--the martyr's palm, and allthe rest of it?" he said, with a perceptible sneer.
"Hubert!" I passionately exclaimed, "you are investigable to me; youchill my soul with your half-uttered sentences and uncertain meanings!Once, I remember, you could speak nobly,--yea, and feel so too, asmuch as any one. Heaven shield you be not wholly changed!"
"Changed!" quoth he, in a low voice, "I am changed;
" and then abruptlyaltering his manner, and leaving me in doubt as to the change he didintend to speak of, he pressed me to take no measures touching myfather's release till he had spoken with me again; for he said if hisreal name became known, or others dealt in the matter, all hope on SirFrancis's side should be at an end. He then asked me if I had heard ofBasil lately. I told him of the letter I had had from him atKenninghall some weeks back. He said a report had reached him that hehad landed at Dover and was coming to London; but he hoped it was nottrue, for that Sir Henry Stafford was very urgent he should continueabroad till the expiration of his
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