Marsh, on his first entrance, inquired of a servitor if the Justice
might be spoken with. The menial was bearing off the remains of a
substantial breakfast, and having a flagon of beer at hand, invited the
stranger to a hearty draught, saying that he looked tired and in need of
refreshment; but he meekly put it aside, with due courtesy, still
standing as he repeated his question. The man departed to make the
inquiry, when presently followed the constable and his gang, who, seeing
that the hall was cleared, strode in, rudely seizing Marsh by the
shoulder.
"Thou art my prisoner," said Wrinstone; "I arrest thee in the Queen's
name."
At this moment came running in a little girl, bounding and frolicsome as
a young fawn from its covert, who, hearing the word prisoner, and seeing
a man of such a preposessing and benign aspect in custody, immediately
came up to Wrinstone, and laid hold of the skirts of his doublet,
saying,--
"You shan't, Wrinstone. If he has done amiss, let him go, and I'll give
thee some plums out of my midlent pasty."
The meekness and peaceable demeanour of this unoffending servant of the
Church had in a moment won the heart of the child, and she pulled him by
the hand, as if to convey him from the grasp of his persecutor.
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