ry only replied by another--"`_He that is of God herith the
wordis of God; therefore ye heren not for ye be not of God_.'" [John
viii. 47.]

"Take the curse of the Church, miserable reprobate!" cried Bilson,
losing all command of himself, and smiting her in the face.

"Take you heed," was the answer, "that you bring not on yourself the
curse of Christ, who is the Head and Lord of the Church, for He
suffereth not lightly that His sheep be ill handled."

"Aroint thee, sorceress!" said the abbot. "I am no sorceress," replied
Margery, quietly, "neither do I use evil arts; I speak unto you in the
words of Christ--bear you the sin if you will not hear. But lo! it is
even that which is written, `_He hath blyndid her yghen_ [their eyes],
_and he hath maad hard the herte of hem; that thei see not with yghen,
and undirstonde with herte, and that thei be conuertid, and I heele
hem_.'" [John xii. 40.]

The abbot could bear no more. He struck her furiously--a blow which
stretched her senseless on the stone floor of the cell. Having by this
primitive means silenced Margery's "endless quotations," he let himself
out with a private key.

When Lord Marnell returned to the prison that evening, he found Margery
in what he supposed to be a swoon. He summoned the jailer, and through
him sent for a physician, who applied restoratives, but told Lord
Marnell at once that Margery had fallen, and had received a heavy blow
on the head. By the united care of the physician and her husband, she
slowly returned to consciousness: not, however, fully so at first, for
she murmured, "Mother!" When Lord Marnell bent over her and spoke to
her, she suddenly recognised him as if awaking from a dream. Yes, she
replied to their inquiries, she had certainly fallen, and she thought
she had hurt her head; but she would not tell them that the cause of the
fall was a passionate blow from the Abbot's hand. The physician asked
when her examination was to take place; and on Lord Marnell replying,
"To-morrow," he shook his head, and said she would not be able to
appear.

"Oh ay, ay, let me go!" said Margery, "I would not have delay therein.
I shall be better by morn, and--"

But as she spoke she fainted away, and the doctor, turning to Lord
Marnell, said--

"She is no wise fit for it, poor lady! The inquiry must needs be
delayed, and the blame thereof be mine own."

"Then I pray you," replied Lord Marnell, "to say the same unto the
council; for th