hip's good, for it is the wont to release prisoners at the
beginning of a new reign."

Shortly after that, Henry of Bolingbroke fulfilled the jailer's
prediction, so far as regarded his kingship. He led Richard in triumph
through London, with every dishonour and indignity which his own evil
nature could devise; then consigned him to Pontefract to die and sat
down on his throne. _How_ Richard died, Henry best knew. Thus closed
the life and reign of that most ill-treated and loving-hearted man, at
the early age of thirty-three. The little Queen, a widow at eleven, was
sent back to France--her matchless collection of jewels being retained
by Henry. Few men have had more reason to describe themselves as Henry
IV does in his will--"I, Henry, _sinful wretch_." [See Note 1.]

The change of monarchs, however, brought no change for Lady Marnell. If
anything, it was the worse for her; for Abbot Bilson was a personal
friend of the new King, who was far more violently opposed to the
Lollards than his predecessor had been.

On the 16th of September, 1400, Lord Marnell was just quitting Margery's
cell, when the jailer admitted Abbot Bilson, who courteously greeted
Lord Marnell, and replied rather more coldly to the salutation of his
prisoner.

"Good morrow, my Lord. Have you induced this wretched girl to see the
error of her ways?"

"I assayed it not," said Lord Marnell, somewhat sulkily. "Farewell,
Madge,--I will see thee again ere long."

"Farewell, good my Lord," said Margery, and for the first time in her
life she was sorry to see her husband go. The truth was, that Lord
Marnell felt so much vexed with his spiritual advisers, that he was
seriously afraid, if he remained, of saying something which might cause
his own imprisonment. The jailer locked the door after him, and the
Abbot and Margery were left together.

"You have had time, daughter, to think over your sin, in penitence and
prayer. Are you yet conscious that you have committed a grievous sin?"

"No, father."

"No are? [i.e., Are you not?] I grieve to hear it. Fear you not the
ban of Holy Church?"

"I fear it not, so Christ confirm it not; He did warn me afore of the
same. `_Thei schulen make ghou withouten the synagogis; but the our
cometh, that ech man that sleeth ghou deme that he doith seruyse to
God_.'" [John xvi. 2.]

"Cease thy endless quotations from Scripture!" cried the Abbot, waxing
wroth, and forgetting his civilities.

But Marge