But how was it that, after thou hadst had leisure to
reflect, thou didst spread abroad the report that she was found
there, and that to the hurt not only of her loyal fame, but of her
maidenly honour, understanding well that no one was there but
herself, and that he alone who could bear testimony to her innocence
and thy guilt was parted from her by everything that could divide
them except hatred? Was the temptation to that also too sudden for
thy resistance?'
At length Amanda was speechless. She hung her head, for the first
time in her life ashamed of herself.
'Go before to thy chamber. I follow thee.'
She rose to obey, but she could scarcely walk, and he ordered the
men to assist her. Arrived in her room she delivered up the ring,
and at lord Herbert's command proceeded to gather together her few
possessions. That done, they led her away to the rude chamber in the
watch tower, where stood the arblast, and there, seated on her
chest, they left her with the assurance that if she cried out or
gave any alarm, it would be to the publishing of her own shame.
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