Whereupon Sir Roger, mightily afraid of his spiritual guide and granter of indulgences, rebuked the offending little one, and ordered her out of the room.  With some difficulty this command was executed; but the disturbance at the door became so loud, that they were fain again to admit her, upon a sullen promise that she would behave in a more reverent manner to the priest, and refrain from interruption.

“Answer me no more with thy deep and devilish sublety,” continued this champion of the Catholic faith; “for of a truth the devil doth wonderfully aid and abet ye in all disputes touching this holy sacrament; but show me thy belief in regard to so wholesome and comfortable a doctrine.”

“I have answered before, as far as my weak understanding will permit, and by God’s grace I will not swerve from my profession.  A doctrine pushed to an absurdity is its own refutation.”

Then spake one that was standing by, but who had hitherto taken no part in the debate.

“Truly ’tis a pity that one so proper and well-gifted, and who might doubtless gain some profitable appointment, should so foolishly cast himself away by holding these dangerous and heretical opinions.  Thou wilt bring both body and soul into jeopardy thereby.  If not for thyself, yet for thy children’s sake, and for thy kindred, who must needs suffer from thy contumacy, return to the communion from which thou hast cast thyself out, and to the arms of that compassionate mother who is ever ready to receive back her erring but repentant children.”

“Verily,” replied the martyr, “life, children, brethren, and friends, with all the other delights and comforts of this present state, are as dear and sweet unto me as unto any other man, and I would be as loath to lose them if I might hold them with a good conscience.  But seeing I cannot do that, I trust God will strengthen me with His Holy Spirit so that I may lose all for His sake.  For I now hold myself but as a sheep appointed to be slain, and patiently to suffer whatsoever cross it may please my most merciful Father to lay upon me.  But, as God is my witness!”—­he seemed to speak with a prophetic denunciation, “from these vile ashes shall a fire-brand come that shall consume and destroy utterly these bloody men and persecutors of God’s inheritance!”

So astonished were the bystanders at his audacity, that they did not so much as attempt to stay his tongue or to lay hands upon him, whilst he continued, raising his arm in a threatening attitude—­

“Ye killers of the prophets, and destroyers of them whom God hath sent unto you!—­Because we reproach you with your evil deeds, and”—­

“Blasphemy?” cried out Sir Roger, who was the first to recover his speech:  “we will have thy tongue bored for its offence.”

“Away with him!” cried the priest, who seemed nothing loath to begin his torments.  “Thou shalt to my Lord Derby, and he will know how to deal with such a bitter and foul-mouthed heretic.”