Constance Sherwood: An Autobiography of the Sixteenth Century

by Georgiana Fullerton

you,neither desist from my suit, except thereunto compelled by force. Iwould to God my tongue had been plucked out rather than that it shouldutter words which should betray to prison, yea, perhaps to death, thepoor man whose wounds I tended."

  The cloud on Sir Hammond's brow waxed darker as she spoke. He glancedat me, and methinks perceived my countenance to be as much disturbedas his lady's. A sudden thought, I ween, then passed through his mind;and with a terrible oath he swore that he misliked this strenuousurging in favor of a vile popish priest, and yet more the manner ofthis intercession.

  "Heaven shield, madam," he cried, "you have not companied withrecusants so as to become infected with a lack of zeal for theProtestant religion!"

  The color returned for a moment to Lady l'Estrange's cheeks as sheanswered:

  "Sir, I have never, from the time my mother did teach me my prayers,been of any other way of thinking than that wherein she theninstructed me, or so much as allowed myself one thought contrary totrue Protestant religion; or ever lent an ear, and with God's helpnever will, to what papists do advance; but nevertheless, if thispriest do fall into any grievous trouble through my speeches, I shallbe a most unhappy woman all my life."

  And then the poor soul, rising from her seat, went round to herhusband's side, and, kneeling, sought to take his hands, beseechinghim in such moving and piteous terms to change his purpose as I couldsee did visibly affect some present. But I also noticed in SirHammond's face so resolved an intent as if nothing in earth or heavenshould alter it. A drowning wretch would as soon have moved arock to advance toward him as she succeeded in swerving his will byher entreaties.

  A sudden thought inspired me to approach her where she had sunk downon her knees at her husband's feet, he seeking angrily to push heraway. I took her by the hand and said:

  "I pray you, dear lady, come with me. These be indeed matters wherein,as Sir Hammond saith, women's words do not avail."

  Both looked at me surprised; and she, loosing her hold of him,suffered me to lead her away. We went into the parlor, Mrs. l'Estrangefollowing us. But as I did try to whisper in her ear that I desired tospeak with her alone, the bell in the dining-room began to ringviolently; upon which she shuddered and cried out:

  "Let me go back to him, Mistress Sherwood. I'll warrant you he isabout to send for the constables; but beshrew me if I die not first athis feet; for if this man should be hung, peace will be a stranger tome all my life."

  Mistress l'Estrange essayed to comfort her; but failing therein, saidshe was very foolish to be so discomposed at what was no fault ofhers, and she should think no more thereon, for in her condition tofret should be dangerous; and if people would be priests and papistsnone could help if they should suffer for it. And then she left theparlor somewhat ruffled, like good people sometimes feel when theyperceive their words to have no effect. When we were alone, "Ladyl'Estrange," I said, "where is Master Rugeley's house?"

  "One mile, or thereabouts, across the heath," she answered.

  "And the way to it direct?" I asked.

  "Yea, by the footpath," she replied; "but much longer by the highroad."

  I went to the window and opened the shutter and the lattice also. Themoon was shining very brightly.

  "Is it that cottage near to the wood?" I inquired, pointing to athatched roof nigh unto the darksome line of trees against the sky.

  "Yea," she answered, "how near it doth seem seen in this light!Constance, what think you to do?" she exclaimed, when I went to hercupboard and took out the keys she had showed me that morning openedthe doors of the kitchen garden and the orchard.

  "Did you not say," I answered, "that the gentleman now in so greatperil did lodge with Master Rugeley?"

  "Would you go there?" she said, looking aghast. "Not alone; you durstnot do it!"

  "Twenty times over," I answered, "for to save a man's life, and he--hea--" But there I stopped; for it was her fellow-creature she desiredto save. Her heart bled not like mine for the flock which should beleft without a shepherd; and albeit our fears were the same, we feltnot alike. I went into the hall, and she pursued me--one-half strivingto stay me from my purpose, one-half urging me to fulfil it; yetretracting her words as soon as uttered.

  "When I issue from the door of the orchard unto the heath," I said,the while wrapping round me a cloak with a hood to it, "and pursue thepath in front, by what token may I find Master Rugeley's house if themoon should be obscured?"

  "Where two roads do meet," she said, "at the edge of the heath, a talloak doth stand near to a gate; a few steps to the right should thenlead to it. But verily, Mistress Constance, I be frightened to let yougo; and oh, I do fear my husbands's anger."

  "Would you, then, have a man die by your means?" I asked, thinking forto cure one terror by another, as indeed it did; for she cried,

  "Nay, I will speed you on your way, good Constance; and show so bravea face during your absence as God shall help me to do; yea, and openthe door for you myself, if my husband should kill me for it!"

  Then she took the keys in her hand, and glided like unto a pale ghostbefore me through the passage into the hall, so noiselessly that Ishould have doubted if aught of flesh and blood could have moved solightly, and undid the bars of the back door without so much as asound. Then she would fetch some thick shoes for me to wear, which Idid entreat her not to stay me for; but nothing else would content thepoor soul, and, as she had the keys in her hand, I was forced to waither return with so much impatience as may be guessed. I heard thevoices of the gentlemen still carousing after supper; and then aservant's below in the hall, who said the constables had been sentfor, and a warrant issued for the apprehension of a black papist atMaster Rugeley's. Then Milicent returned, and whilst I put on theshoes she had brought, and she was tying with trembling fingers thehood of my cloak, the rustling of Mrs. l'Estrange's silk gown washeard on the stair above our heads, from whence we were like to beseen; and, fear awakening contrivance, I said aloud,

  "Oh, what a rare pastime it should be to dress as a ghost, andfrighten the good lady your sister-in-law! I pray you get me somewhite powder to pale my face. Methinks we need some kind of sport todrive away too much thinking on that dismal business in hand."

  The steps over our head sounded more hurried, and we heard the door ofthe parlor close with a bang, and the lattice also violently shut.

  "Now," I whispered, "give me the keys, good Lady l'Estrange, and go toyour sister yourself. Say I was ashamed to have been overheard to planso rank a piece of folly (and verily you will be speaking no otherthan the truth), and that you expect I shall not so much as show myface in the parlor this evening; and lock also my chamber-door, thatnone may for a surety know me for to be absent."

  "Yea," answered the poor lady, with so deep a sigh as seemed to rendher heart; "but, God forgive me, I never did think to hide anythingfrom my husband! And who shall tell me if I be doing right or wrong?"

  I could not stay, though I grieved for her; and the sound of her voicehaunted me as I went through the garden, and then the orchard, untothe common, locking the doors behind me. When this was done, I didbreathe somewhat more freely, and began to run along the straight pathamidst the heath. I wot not if my speed was great--the time seemedlong; yet methinks I did not slacken my pace once, but ratherincreased it, till, perceiving the oak, and near it the gate Ladyl'Estrange had mentioned, I stopped to consider where to turn; andafter I had walked a little to the right I saw a cottage and a lightgleaming inside. Then my heart beat very fast; and when I knocked atthe door I felt scarce able to stand. I did so three times, and noanswer came. Then I cried as loudly as I could, "Master Rugeley, Ibeseech you open the door." I heard some one stirring within, but noone came. Then I again cried out, "Oh, for our Blessed Lady's sake,some one come." At last the lattice opened, and a man's head appeared.

  "Who are you?" he said, in a low voice.

  "A friend," I answered, in a whisper; "a Catholic. Are yon MasterRugeley?"

  "Yea," he answered.

  "Oh, t
hen, if Mr. Tunstall is here, hide him quickly, or send himaway. I am a friend of Lady l'Estrange's and staying in her house. SirHammond hath received tidings that a priest is in this neighborhood,and a warrant is issued for to apprehend him. His lady unwittingly,and sorely troubled she is thereat, showed by her speeches touchingyour guest, that he is like to be Mr. Tunstall; and the constableswill soon be here."

  "Thank you," he replied whom I was addressing; "but Mr. Tunstall isnot the name of my friend."

  Then I feared he did take me for a spy, and I cried out, greatlymoved, "As I do hope to go to heaven one day, and