er to my Lady Basset at once;
and suffer me to see your prisoner. Is she verily nigh death, or may
she linger yet a season?"

"Father Jordan reckoneth she may yet abide divers weeks, your Grace; in
especial if the spring be mild, as it biddeth fair. She fadeth but full
slow."

Sir Godfrey's tone was that of an injured man, who was not properly
treated, either by the Countess or Providence, through this very gradual
demise of the former. The Archbishop's reply--"Poor lady!" was in
accents of unmitigated compassion.

Lady Foljambe was summoned by her husband, and she conducted the prelate
to the turret-chamber, where the Countess sat in her chair by the
window, and Amphillis was in attendance. He entered with uplifted hand,
and the benediction of "Christ, save all here!"

Amphillis rose, hastily gathering her work upon one arm. The Countess,
who had heard nothing, for she had been sleeping since her bower-maiden
returned from supper, looked up with more interest than she usually
showed. The entrance of a complete stranger was something very
unexpected and unaccountable.

"Christ save you, holy Father! I pray you, pardon me that I arise not,
being ill at ease, to entreat your blessing. Well, Avena, what has
moved thee to bring a fresh face into this my dungeon, prithee? It
should be somewhat of import."

"Madame, this is my Lord's Grace elect of York, who, coming hither on
his way southwards, mine husband counted it good for your Grace's soul
to shrive you of his Grace's hand. My Lord, if your Grace have need of
a crucifix, or of holy water, both be behind this curtain. Come,
Mistress Amphillis. His Grace will be pleased to rap on the door, when
it list him to come forth; and I pray you, abide in your chamber, and
hearken for the same."

"I thank thee, Avena," said the Countess, with her curt laugh. "Sooth
to say, I wist not my soul was of such worth in thine eyes, and still
less in thine husband's. I would my body weighed a little more with the
pair of you. So I am to confess my sins, forsooth? That shall be a
light matter, methinks; I have but little chance to sin, shut up in this
cage. Truly, I should find myself hard put to it to do damage to any of
the Ten Commandments, hereaway. A dungeon's all out praisable for
keeping folks good--nigh as well as a sick bed. And when man has both
together, he should be marvellous innocent. There, go thy ways; I'll
send for thee when I lack thee."

Lady