"But why should he do this?" asked Maud.
"Why?" uttered Mary, "when all men are talking of the traitor rebel, Harry Drury, who was this day to be executed."
Her voice faltered as she said the last words, although she tried to appear unmoved as she added, "But the execution is postponed, I hear."
"Only postponed!" gasped Maud, who sat with widely staring eyes.
"The letters were to save their lives, I heard."
"What letters?" asked Mary.
"Those I brought from Hayslope, where the parliament messenger lies sorely wounded," said Maud.
Mary did not wait to hear more, but went to meet her husband, who was coming up the stairs. The gaily dressed officer bowed to Maud as he entered a few minutes afterwards, but she could see he looked annoyed.
"Good-morrow, lady messenger," he said. "You did but reach Oxford in time, and if you had been an hour later 'twere better for his Majesty, I trow."
"Prithee, tell me why?" said Maud.