She answered that she did not know of anything unusual, and that, as regarded the detention, she must obey the commands of her spiritual superior.
"Then," burst out Emlyn, "I tell you that you do so at your peril.

I tell you that whether my lady lives or dies, there are those who will call you to a strict account, aye, and those who will listen to the prayer of the helpless.

Mother Matilda, England is not the land it was when as a girl they buried you in these mouldy walls.

Where does God say that you have the right to hold free women like felons in a jail?
Tell me." "I cannot," moaned Mother Matilda, wringing her thin hands.

"The right is very hard to find, this place is strictly guarded, and whatever I may think, I must do what I am bid, lest my soul should suffer." "Your soul! You cloistered women think always of your miserable souls, but of those of other folk, aye, and of their bodies too, nothing.