Sir Leonard reiterated his charge
that all honour and respect was to be paid to the Lady of Whitburn,
and that she was free to come and go as she chose, and to be obeyed
in every respect, save in what regarded the defence of the Tower. He
himself was going on to Monks Wearmouth, where he had a kinsman among
the monks.
With an effort, just as he remounted his horse, he said to Ridley,
"Commend me to the lady. Tell her that I am grieved for her sorrow
and to be compelled to trouble her at such a time; but 'tis for my
Queen's service, and when this troublous times be ended, she shall
hear more from me." Turning to the priest he added, "I have no coin
to spare, but let all be done that is needed for the souls of the
departed lord and lady, and I will be answerable."
Nothing could be more courteous, but as he rode off priest and squire
looked at one another, and Ridley said, "He will untie your knot, Sir
Lucas."
"He takes kindly to castle and lands," was the answer, with a smile;
"they may make the lady to be swallowed."
"I trow 'tis for his cause's sake," replied Ridley. "Mark you, he
never once said 'My lady,' nor 'My wife.'"
"May the sweet lady come safely out of it any way," sighed the
priest. "She would fain give herself and her lands to the Church."
"May be 'tis the best that is like to befall her," said Ridley; "but
if that young featherpate only had the wit to guess it, he would find
that he might seek Christendom over for a better wife.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145