"May God bless your Grace!" said I.
"Nay, you are not to think that I had any thing to do with the matter, and it is of this I would warn you!" said he. "But now of warnings that concern your own safety. Had you any books or other things with your name on at Mistress Hall's?"
"No, your Grace?"
"That is well; but have you had any communings with her, so as to know the secrets of the business? Speak freely, maiden. Trust me, I have no wish but to stand your friend."
Thus reassured, I told his Grace that I had never had aught to do with Master Hall's business, save that I had helped to correct the proofs of Erasmus his Paraphrase and Colloquies.
"There was no harm in that. But have you bought no books of them which might bring you into trouble if known?"
"I have not bought any, your Grace," I answered. "Mistress Patience did greatly want an English Bible, and Margaret did give me a Testament and also a Psalter for her use, which I gave her, and which are now in her room."
"Mistress Patience!" they both exclaimed together.
And the Duke added with some sternness, "Beware what you say, Mistress. I have ever thought Mistress Patience the most devoted of Papists."
"She thinks herself so still, your Grace!" said I. And then I told him the matter from first to last.