“Why,” said Isoult, “he had been ordained of Bishop Ridley this next Rogation-tide; but now I know not what shall fall, for no Popish Bishop will admit him, nor would we ask it if he would so do. May be, if Mr Rose would speak with him (Robin being Cornwall-born), Bishop Coverdale should grant him, an’ he knew the case.”
“Bishop Coverdale, and Mr Rose to boot,” said she, “shall shortly have enough to do to see to themselves. Mrs Rose is sorely distressed touching the forbiddance of wedded priests, which ’tis thought shall shortly be had. And ’twill be no gain to be Mr Rose his son when the storm come. An’ I were you and Mr Avery, I would put him off both his orders and his wedding.”
“We have no right over him, Mrs Underhill,” said Isoult.
“No right!” answered she. “Doth not every man that knoweth you and him know that you have but to whisper, and he shall run at your bidding? Mrs Avery, if you asked that lad for his head, I do very nigh believe he should cut it off for you.”
“I must talk with Jack of this matter,” responded Isoult, thoughtfully.
So, when she left the Lime Hurst, she came home to dinner, and after dinner rode on to West Ham. In the parlour there she found Thekla at her spinning; but Mrs Rose (a most unwonted thing for her), sat by the casement idle, with her hands lying before her.
“Hear you Mr Underhill is in prison?” were her first words.
“Ay,” said Isoult; “and that you, dear friend, are sore disquieted, for the which cause I come.”
“Disquieted!” she answered, the tears springing to her eyes. “Is it like I shall be quiet? How know I who shall be in prison to-morrow? They may burn mine husband and banish me before a month. And what is to come of Thekla?”
“Dear mother,” said Thekla, gently, “they will not put God in prison.”