"
"Lady Grisell," he cried, with a start.
"Ah! not that name," she said; "not a word. O Master Lambert, I came
by night; none have seen me, none but good Cuthbert Ridley ken where
I am. There can be no peril to you or yours if you will give shelter
for a little while to a poor maid."
"Dear lady, we will do all we can," returned Lambert. "Fear not.
How pale you are. You have walked all night! Come and rest. None
will follow. You are sore spent! Clemence shall bring you a warm
drink! Condescend, dear lady," and he made her lean on his arm, and
brought her into his large living room, and placed her in the
comfortable cross-legged chair with straps and cushions as a back,
while he went into some back settlement to inform his wife of her
visitor; and presently they brought her warm water, with some
refreshing perfume, in a brass basin, and he knelt on one knee to
hold it to her, while she bathed her face and hands with a sponge--a
rare luxury. She started at every sound, but Lambert assured her
that she was safe, as no one ever came beyond the booth. His
Clemence had no gossips, and the garden could not be overlooked.
While some broth was heated for her she began to explain her peril,
but he exclaimed, "Methinks I know, lady, if it was thereanent that a
great strapping Hollander fellow from your Tower came to ask me for a
charm against gramarie, with hints that 'twas in high places.
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