ds of holy Abbot Bilson. I will
seek him presently."

And so saying, Lord Marnell strode out of the room, leaving Margery in a
condition of intense terror.

That afternoon, as Margery sat in her bower, she was informed that the
Prioress of Kennington was in the oaken chamber. Margery went down to
her, holding Geoffrey by the hand, and found her seated on a settle,
apparently preferring this more ancient form of seat to a chair; and
wearing her veil low over her face. The Prioress rose when Lady Marnell
entered, and threw back her heavy black veil, as she advanced to greet
her. Margery returned her salutation courteously, and then tried to
induce Geoffrey to go to his aunt--but Geoffrey hung back and would not
go. Margery did not attempt to force the child, but sat down, and he
attached himself to that particular plait of her dress which was
furthest from the Prioress. The Prioress tried to propitiate him, by
drawing from her pocket a piece of linen, which, being unfolded,
revealed a placenta--a delicacy which the nuns of several convents were
specially famed for making, and the nature of which will be better known
to an ordinary reader by the explanatory term cheese-cake. Geoffrey
graciously accepted the placenta, but utterly declined all further
intimacy. The expression of the Prioress's countenance suggested to
Margery the idea that she had seen her brother, and had heard of the
discovery of the book; so that Margery was quite prepared for her
remarking gravely, after her unsuccessful attempt to attract her little
nephew--

"I heard this morn, fair sister, of a thing which did much trouble me."

"You mean," said Margery, simply, "of the discovering of a book in my
chamber by my Lord my husband, the which did anger him?"

"I rejoice that you take my meaning," answered the Prioress, in an even
voice. "I meant that verily. I grieve much, fair sister, to hear from
my fair brother that you have allied yourself unto those evil men which
be known by the name of Lollards."

"I cry you mercy, holy mother," answered Margery, quietly, "I have
allied myself unto no man. I know not a Lollard in the realm. Only I
read that book--and that book, as you must needs wit, holy mother,
containeth the words of the Lord Jesu. Is there hurt therein?"

The Prioress did not directly answer this question. She said, "If your
elders [parents], fair sister, had shown the wisdom for to have put you
in the cloister, you would h