"The King and Douglas shall be obeyed. Dream not that harm can come to
woman, however helpless, who falls to the care of Douglas of Tantallon
Hall."

The Abbess, seeing strife was vain, assumed her wonted state, composed
her veil, raised her head, and began again,--but Blount now broke in:

"'Fitz-Eustace, we must march our band;
St. Anton fire thee! wilt thou stand
All day, with bonnet in thy hand,
To hear the lady preach?
By this good light! if thus we stay,
Lord Marmion, for our fond delay,
Will sharper sermon teach.
Come, don thy cap, and mount thy horse;
The dame must patience take perforce."

"Dear, holy Abbess," said Clare, "we must submit to the separation for
the present,

"'But let this barbarous lord despair
His purposed aim to win;
Let him take living, land, and life;
But to be Marmion's wedded wife
In me were deadly sin.'

"Mother, your blessing and your prayers are all I ask. Remember your
unhappy child! If it be the decree of the King that I return not to the
sanctuary with thee to dwell, yet one asylum remains--low, silent, and
lone, where kings have little power. One victim of Lord Marmion is