The Sheriff came in. Maude stood up boldly, indignantly, and demanded to know wherefore he had come. The answer was what she expected.
“To seize the persons of the Lady Le Despenser and her daughters, accused of disobedience to the law, and perverse contumacy, in that she did deny to aid with money and men the search for one John Oldcastle, a prison-breaker convict of heresy and sedition.”
“Is he taken?” said Bertram almost involuntarily.
“Nay, not so yet; but the good Lord Powys is now a-hunting after him. He that shall take him shall net a thousand marks thereby, and twenty marks by the year further.”
Maude drew a long sigh.
“Much good do they him!” exclaimed Bertram ironically.
Maude went back to the bed and spoke to her mistress.
“Lady, heard you what he said?”
There was no answer, and Maude spoke again. Still the silence was unbroken. She touched the shoulder, and yet no response.
“An’ it like you, Madam, you must arise and come with me,” said the Sheriff bluntly, as Maude bent over the sufferer. Then, with a low moan, she sank on her knees by the bedside, and a cry which was not all bitterness broke from her.