With them was a young and good-looking woman on horseback, seated on a pillion behind a serving-man. She was habited in deep mourning.
"How is this?" cried Oliver, angrily. "Can ye bring me none but women as prisoners to-day?"
"May it please your excellency," replied Hardiman, "this young dame is not a prisoner. She is the widow of that Urso Gives who was hanged by Charles Stuart. Having heard that you made some promise of a reward to her late husband, she entreated me to bring her before you, and believing her story, I consented."
"Is this the Widow Gives?" demanded Cromwell, regarding her with attention.
"Ay, marry, your excellency," replied the young dame. "I am the widow of that unfortunate man, who lost his life in your service. I have been informed by the Reverend Laban Foxe—a most godly minister—that your excellency promised Urso a reward, and that if he perished I should receive it."
"It is true, and I will not fail one word of my promise," replied Cromwell. "You shall have the reward, but you must be content to wait for it till the city is in my hands."
"Then I trust she will have to wait for it long," observed Jane.
Cromwell took no notice of the remark, but said to the young widow:
"You are passing fair, and I marvel not at your husband's strong attachment to you."
"Of a truth, poor Urso was greatly attached to me," replied the young widow, putting her handkerchief to her eyes.