To think of his escape from ye Cardinall's fangs, and yet that he will probablie repeat ye offence. This morning father and he had a long, and, I fear me, fruitless debate in the garden; on returning from which, father took me aside and sayd,—
"Meg, I have borne a long time with thine husband; I have reasoned and argued with him, and still given him my poor, fatherly counsel; but I perceive none of alle this can call him home agayn. And therefore, Meg, I will no longer dispute with him.".... "Oh, father!".... "Nor yet will I give him over; but I will set another way to work, and get me to God and pray for him."
And have I not done so alreadie?
I feare me they parted unfriendlie; I hearde father say, "Thus much I have a right to bind thee to, that thou indoctrinate not her in thine own heresies. Thou shalt not imperill the salvation of my child."
Since this there has beene an irresistible gloom on our spiritts, a cloud between my husband's
soul and mine, without a word spoken. I pray but my prayers seem dead.
... Last night, after seeking unto this saint and that, methought "why not applie unto ye fountain head? Maybe these holy spiritts may have limitations sett to ye power of theire intercessions—at anie rate, the ears of Mary-mother are open to alle."
Soe I beganne, "Pia mater, fons amoris...."
Then, methoughte, "but I am onlie asking her to intercede—I'll mount a step higher still...."