“For shame, Master Deputy,” said Bradstreet.

“We desire to learn of you your knowledge of the person calling himself Sir Christopher Gardiner,” said Winthrop.  “Know you by what right he doth assume the title?”

“I will answer your question,” replied the lady, “protesting against the coercion exercised over me.  He is a worthy and honorable gentleman of my own personal knowledge, and of the family of the Gardiners, of whom Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, was an illustrious scion.”

“How know you of the relationship?” inquired Winthrop.

“Sir Christopher hath himself told me so,” answered the lady.

“A manifest invention,” said Endicott, in a low voice to Dudley, “to raise himself in the estimation of his paramour.”

“Our minds do meet in the same conclusion,” said Dudley, in a like tone.  “Hear, too, the boasting manner in which she rolls the word ‘bishop’ over her tongue.”

“When and where became you first acquainted with the Knight?” inquired Winthrop.

“From early youth, at Boirdly, in Salopshire, England.”

“Know you when he was knighted?”

“I know not,” answered the lady.

“What is the relation,” inquired Winthrop, with some hesitation, “wherein you stand to him?”

“I apprehend not the meaning of your question.”

“Hath he not been your protector since leaving England?”

“He hath,” answered the lady.

A look of intelligence passed between Dudley and Endicott at the answer.

“For what purpose came ye into these parts?”

“Am I at a confessional,” demanded the lady, “that I am bound to expose the secrets of my soul?”

“If, madam,” said Endicott, “you are familiar with the popish device, practice will enable you to answer the more glibly.”

“Have pity upon me, gentlemen,” said the lady.  “I am quite deject and wretched.  Take not advantage of your power to humiliate me into the dust.”

“The question doth still remain unanswered,” exclaimed Dudley, looking at Winthrop.

“Be not hasty, Master Deputy,” said Winthrop.  “Give the gentlewoman time to frame her answers.”

“I ever liked a quick and unpremeditated response,” said Endicott.  “It is more like to savor of the truth.”

“Madam,” said Winthrop, “we await your reply.”

“How can I make answer thereto?” she said; “for what know I of the private motions of the mind of Sir Christopher?”

“At least, you can tell the purpose wherefor you came?”

“It was with no evil intent.  I had no motive wherefor I need be ashamed before God or man.”

“Then why hesitate to avow it?”

“I came influenced by like motives to those which have brought others to this land.”

“Know you aught of a report that the father of this Sir Christopher did disinherit him, by reason of his long-continued travels in various parts of Europe?”