When Mary Corbet had seen Anthony’s feet disappear, she already had the outline of a plan in her mind. To light a fire and pretend to be burning important papers would serve as an excuse for keeping the door fast; it would also suggest at least that no one was in the chimney. The ordinary wood, however, sent up sparks; but she had noticed before a little green wood in the basket, and knew that this did not do so to the same extent; so she pulled out the dry wood that Anthony had trodden into the ashes and substituted the other. Then she had looked round for paper;—the lute music, that was all. Meantime the door was giving; the noise outside was terrible; and it was evident that one or two of the servants were obstructing the passage of the pursuivants.
When at last the door flew in, there was a fire cracking furiously on the hearth, and a magnificently dressed lady kneeling before it, crushing paper into the flames. Half a dozen men now streamed in and more began to follow, and stood irresolute for a moment, staring at her. From the resistance they had met with they had been certain that the priest was here, and this sight perplexed them. A big ruddy man, however, who led them, sprang across the room, seized Mary Corbet by the shoulders and whisked her away against the wall, and then dashed the half-burnt paper out of the grate and began to beat out the flames.
Mary struggled violently for a moment; but the others were upon her and held her, and she presently stood quiet. Then she began upon them.
“You insolent hounds!” she cried, “do you know who I am?” Her cheeks were scarlet and her eyes blazing; she seemed in a superb fury.
“Burning treasonable papers,” growled the big man from his knees on the hearth, “that is enough for me.”
“Who are you, sir, that dare to speak to me like that?”
The man got up; the flames were out now, and he slipped the papers into a pocket. Mary went on immediately.
“If I may not burn my own lute music, or keep my door locked, without a riotous mob of knaves breaking upon me—— Ah! how dare you?” and she stamped furiously.
The pursuivant came up close to her, insolently.