He had hardly come into his study when his wife entered with a strange
look, breathing quick and short; she closed the door, and stood near it,
looking at him apprehensively.
"George," she said, rather sharply and nervously, "you must not be vexed
with me, but----"
"Well?" he said heavily, and the warmth died out of his heart. He knew
something terrible impended.
"I have done it for the best," she said, and obstinacy and a kind of
impatient tenderness strove in her eyes as she looked at him. "You must
show yourself a man; it is not fitting that loose ladies of the Court
should mock--" He got up; and his eyes were determined too.
"Tell me what you have done, woman," he cried.
She put out her hand as if to hold him still, and her voice rang hard and
thin.
"I will say my say," she said. "It is not for that that I have done it.
But you are a Gospel-minister, and must be faithful. The Justice is here.
I sent for him."
"The Justice?" he said blankly; but his heart was beating heavily in his
throat.
"Mr. Frankland from East Grinsted, with a couple of pursuivants and a
company of servants. There is a popish agent at the Hall, and they are
come to take him."
The Rector swallowed with difficulty once or twice, and then tried to
speak, but she went on. "And I have promised that you shall take them in
by the side door."
"I will not!" he cried.
She held up her hand again for silence, and glanced round at the door.
"I have given him the key," she said.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127