What I have done I would do again, were the past to return--nay, I would do more--I would find a way to reach the tyrant's heart, and thus free our church from its worst enemy, and the land from a ruthless oppressor." "Remove him," said the earl; "the vile traitor shall be dealt with as he merits.

For you," he added, as the order was obeyed, and addressing the other prisoners, "and especially you, John Paslew, who have shown some compunction for your crimes, and to prove to you that the king is not the ruthless tyrant he hath been just represented, I hereby in his name promise you any boon, which you may ask consistently with your situation.

What favour would you have shown you ?" The abbot reflected for a moment.
"Speak thou, John Eastgate," said the Earl of Derby, seeing that the abbot was occupied in thought.
"If I may proffer a request, my lord," replied the monk, "it is that our poor distraught brother, William Haydocke, be spared the quartering block.

He meant not what he said." "Well, be it as thou wilt," replied the earl, bending his brows, "though he ill deserves such grace.

Now, John Paslew, what wouldst thou ?" Thus addressed, the abbot looked up.
"I would have made the same request as my brother, John Eastgate, if he had not anticipated me, my lord," said Paslew; "but since his petition is granted, I would, on my own part, entreat that mass be said for us in the convent church.