agreed betwixt her Grace
and Mr Bertie ere he left England, but none was told save one Master
Robert Cranwell, an ancient gentleman of Mr Bertie's acquaintance, in
whom he had great trust. So last New Year, early in the morrow, afore
any were stirring, her Grace took her little daughter, and seven of the
meanest of her servants, and at four of the clock departed from the
Barbican in silence. The Duchess, that was donned like a mean
merchant's wife, through much trouble, came safe to Lyon's Quay, where
(the morning being misty) the waterman was loth to launch out, yet her
Grace persuaded him, and so away rowed they toward Gravesend. I have
yet heard with no certainty whither she hath reached; but assuredly she
is gone. The Lord keep her safe, and grant her good landing whither He
shall see meet to provide the same!"

"Amen, with all mine heart!" said Isoult. "Good Austin, if you hear any
further, I would earnestly pray you to do me to wit thereof."

"That will I," said he, "and with a very good will."

The 29th of January was a painful day to the prisoners. Every one of
them, from all the prisons, was brought up before the Bishop of
Winchester, Dr Gardiner, in his house at Saint Mary Overy, and asked if
he would recant. Mr Rose and Robin of course were amongst them. But
all answered alike, that "they would stand to what they had believed and
taught." When he heard this, the Bishop raved and stormed, and
commanded them to be committed to straiter prison than before.

The same day, in the general meeting of the Bishops assembled at
Lambeth, Cardinal Pole reproved some for too much harshness, these
doubtless being London and Winchester. Of Cardinal Pole himself people
spoke diversely; some saying that he was the gentlest of all the Popish
Bishops, and had been known to visit Bishop Bonner's burnings ere the
fire was lighted, and to free all of his own diocese: while others
maintained that under the appearance of softness he masked great
severity. Old Bishop Tunstal was perhaps the best to deal with; for he
"barked the more that he might bite the less." If a Protestant were
brought before him, he would bluster and threaten, and end after all in
fining the man a few nobles, or locking him up for three days, and
similar slight penalties. Worst of all was Bonner: who scourged men,
ay, and little children, with his own hands, and seemed to revel in the
blood of the martyrs. Yet there came a time when even this m