“Heed him not, but think of me, whom you doom to misery by hesitation. Do not throw away this chance. Another may not occur.”
“Pass if you will,” interposed the friendly Rodomont, in a low voice. “I shall hear and see nothing.”
Squeezing his arm by way of thanks, Osbert renewed his entreaties to Constance.
“No, I cannot do it,” she rejoined. “My word to the Queen restrains me.”
“What? not gone!” exclaimed Rodomont, looking round. “Peste! it is now too late.”
Just then a movement took place in the nave, and the attention of the guard was drawn to the prisoners.
Clad in his full robes, wearing his mitre, and carrying his crosier, Bonner issued from the sacristy. Before him were borne two large silver crosses, and the pix under a rich canopy. At the same time, the procession was marshalled by the priests. Long wax tapers were lighted and distributed among the recusants, who were compelled to carry them; the Protestant divines being alone exempted from this degrading office.
As soon as the procession was formed, the halberdiers at the head of it marched through the great western portal of the cathedral, and were followed by a long line of recusants, men and women, bearing lighted tapers. Amongst these were Constance and Derrick Carver.
Then came the deprived Protestant clergy, walking two and two. They were succeeded by monks and friars in the habits of their orders. Then came priests in their robes, and lastly Bonner himself, attired as we have described, and preceded by the large silver crosses and the pix. On either side of the sacramentaries were halberdiers to keep off the crowd. Nor was this the only precaution taken. Outside the cathedral there was a detachment of mounted arquebusiers to clear the way for the train, while a band of archers brought up the rear.
As the procession issued forth from Saint Paul’s, the bells of Saint Martin’s, Ludgate, and other churches on the line of way, began to toll slowly and solemnly.