An hour had gone by. The child, unhurt save for a little bruising ofits tender mouth, was asleep upon its mother's breast. Bridget, havingrecovered, at length had told all her tale to every one of them saveCicely, who as yet knew nothing, for she and Emlyn did not hear thescreams, their rooms being on the other side of the building. The Abbothad been sent for, and, accompanied by monks, arrived in the midst ofa thunder-storm and pouring rain. He, too, had heard the tale, heard itwith a pale face while his monks crossed themselves. At length he askedof the woman Megges. They replied that living or dead she was, as theysupposed, still in the chapel, which none of them had dared to enter.
"Come, let us see," said the Abbot, and they went there to find the doorlocked as Bridget had said.
Smiths were sent for and broke it in while all stood in the pouringrain and watched. It was open at last, and they entered with torchesand tapers, for now the darkness was dense, the Abbot leading them. Theycame to the chancel, where something lay upon the floor, and held downthe torches to look. Then they saw that which caused them all to turnand fly, calling on the saints to protect them. In her life MotherMegges had not been lovely, but in the death that had overtaken her----!
The Lady of Blossholme Page 19