Mary Mark very properly refused to allow the old"---- "Lay-sister," interposed the Bishop, sternly.
Mother Sub-Prioress gasped; then made obeisance:--"the old lay-sister to leave the Convent.

Whereupon Sister Antony sent Mary Mark to deliver the Reverend Mother's message to me, bribing her, with the promise of a gift from you, my lord, to leave her the key.

When the porteress returned, Mary Antony was gone, having left the great doors ajar, and the key within the lock.

She has not been seen since.

Did she reach the Palace, and speak with you, my lord?
Is she now in safety at the Palace ?" "Nay," said the Bishop gravely.