The Constable's Tower; Or, the Times of Magna Charta (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ...she had started on her journey. CHAPTER XIII. KING JOHN. a' HE Constable of Dover went forth early 1 in the day to pay his devoir to the King, who, as he heard, was in better hopes than before, since the Earl of Pembroke, marshal of England, with others of the nobles who had taken alarm and offence at the proceedings of the French, had come over to his side, and were on their way to join him. Not long after he had gone forth, while the nuns were at their meal of pease-porridge in the refectory--one of them, in a beautiful carved pulpit, reading aloud the legend of St. Barbaraa lay brother came to the door with tidings that the King was at the gates with a troop of knights. Nuns were not at all desirous of the visits of King John, which were generally to make demands on their property, or else to take some one out of sanctuary. Presently there was the blast of a bugle, and a knocking at the gate, and then an elderly nun, sent by the prioress, appeared to say that the King was come, together with the Lord Constable, and desired to see the Demoiselle de Burgh. " My father Is he there, too?" asked Mayotte. " Yes, certainly, 'lady. Moreover, the lady prioress has sent you these novices' veils, in which it might be well, she says, for you young maidens to cover yourselves from the rude men." Mayotte accepted thankfully, and muffled herself well in the thick veil, shrinking back in shyness and terror. Bertrade giggled, and wanted to know whether it could be needful for a poor little nobody like herself to be stified and made frightful. Her mother, getting up with groans and sighs from the couch on which she was lying, bade the girl make no more ado, and the sisters adjusted the veil upon her head. But...