The lady superior, however, stood calmly awaiting the giving way of the gate.
"Where is the Lady Margaret ?" the leader of the party, who were dressed in rough garb, and had the seeming of a band of outlaws, demanded.
"I will say nothing," she said, "nor do I own that she is here." "We will soon take means to find out," the man exclaimed.

"Unless in five minutes she is delivered to us, we will burn your place to the ground." The lady abbess was insensible to the threat; but the men rushing in, seized some sisters, who, terrified out of their wits by this irruption, at once gave the information demanded, and the men made their way to the cell where the Lady Margaret slept.
The girl had at once risen when the tumult commenced, doubting not in her mind that this was another attempt upon the part of her enemy to carry her off.

When, therefore, she heard heavy footsteps approaching along the gallery--having already hastily attired herself--she opened the door and presented herself.
"If you seek the Lady Margaret of Evesham," she said calmly, "I am she.
Do not harm any of the sisters here.

I am in your power, and will go with you at once.

But I beseech you add not to your other sins that of violence against holy women." The men, abashed by the calm dignity of this young girl, abstained from laying hands upon her, but merely motioned to her to accompany them.
Upon their way they met the man who appeared to be their leader, and he, well pleased that the affair was over, led the way to the courtyard.
"Farewell, my child," the abbess exclaimed.