This was not by any means what Arundel intended, and it raised his anger.
“I will not give thee the Latin!” exclaimed he. “I forbid thee to read or learn the same, for I well know thou wouldst wrest it to thine evil purposes.”
“How can you put a right meaning to the words, my daughter?” mildly suggested the Abbot.
“I know well that I could in no wise do the same,” replied Margery, humbly, “had I not read the promise of Christ Jesu that He would send unto His own ‘thilk Spyryt of treuthe,’ who should ‘teche them al treuthe,’ (John xvi. 13) wherefore by His good help I trust I shall read aright.”
“That promise was given, daughter, unto the holy apostles.”
“It was given, reverend father, unto weak men and evil, else Peter had never denied his Master, ne (neither) had all of them left Him and taken to flight, when the servants of the bishops (see Note 1) laid hold on Him. I wis that I have an evil heart like as they had, but meseemeth that mine is not worser than were theirs, wherefore I count that promise made unto myself also.”
“Thou art lacking in meekness, Madge,” said Lord Marnell.
“I trust not so, good my Lord; but an’ if I be, I pray God to give it to me.”
“Give up the book, Madge!” said her husband, apparently desirous to allay the storm which he had raised, “and thou shalt then receive absolution, and all will go well.”
“I will give up the book, my Lord, in obedience to you,” replied Margery, “for I wis well that wives be bounden to obey their husbands; and soothly it is no great matter, for I know every word therein. But under your good leave, my Lord, the truth which this book hath taught me, neither you nor any other man shall have power to take from me, for it is of God, and not of men!”