I be
sorely needed at Whitburn Tower. The knaves go all agee when both my
lord and myself have our backs turned, and my lad bairns--worth a
dozen of yon whining maid--should no longer be left to old Cuthbert
Ridley and Nurse. Now the Queen and Somerset have their way 'tis all
misrule, and who knows what the Scots may do?"
"There are Nevils and Dacres enough between Whitburn and the Border,"
observed the Earl gravely. However, the visitor was not such an
agreeable one as to make him anxious to press her stay beyond what
hospitality demanded, and his wife could not bear to think of giving
over her poor little patient to such usage as she would have met with
on the journey.
Lady Whitburn was overheard saying that those who had mauled the maid
might mend her, if they could; and accordingly she acquiesced, not
too graciously, when the Countess promised to tend the child like her
own, and send her by and by to Whitburn under a safe escort; and as
Middleham Castle lay on the way to Whitburn, it was likely that means
would be found of bringing or sending her.
This settled, Lady Whitburn was restless to depart, so as to reach a
hostel before night.
She donned her camlet cloak and hood, and looked once more in upon
Grisell, who after her loss of blood, had, on reviving, been made to
swallow a draught of which an infusion of poppy heads formed a great
part, so that she lay, breathing heavily, in a deep sleep, moaning
now and then.
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