"Perhaps the king will change his mind now that I will not suffer Agnes to go to Oxford," said Patience.
Martha shrugged her shoulders.
"We shall have to be careful," she said, "for the marquis is not a man to be thwarted, and if he has set his heart on the Lady Agnes, he will surely win or take her."
"I think we had better start at once for Westmorland," said Patience; "it seems to me the only place where we can live in safety."
Martha shook her head.
"That's just what he will expect you to do," she said. "And as he has more horses than we have and more serving men, he will surely follow us, and who will protect us on the road? There are many desolate places between London and Westmorland."
"Surely he would not dare assault us?" said Patience.
"Ah, Madam!" said Martha, "he will stand at naught. If he has set his heart on the Lady Agnes, he will leave no stone unturned to possess her. You must devise some other plan for her safety."
"I am loath to believe all you say; but leave me, Martha, I must think it over."
The following day the court started on its way to Oxford, and the queen announced to the king that the Lady Agnes De Lisle would not accompany her.