“By the Holy Coat of Treves, but this passeth!” (surpasses expectation or reason) exclaimed Isabel, looking decidedly astonished.
“This world is no garden of pleasance, woman!” resumed Avice, harshly. “We must needs buy Heaven, and with heavy coin.”
“Buy thou it, an’ thou canst,” said Maude, rocking the child to and fro, while one or two tears fell upon its little frock. “For me, I thank our Lord that He hath paid down the price.”
She rose, for the child was beginning to cry, and walked to the window to try and engage its attention.
“A Gospeller, by my troth!” whispered Isabel, with a shrug of her shoulders.
“Maude was alway given unto Romaunts and the like fooling!” responded Avice as scornfully as before.
Note 1. An officer of the Bishop’s Court, whose business was to carry to their destination written absolutions and indulgences.