"My course is well nigh run," she said. "I have, methinks, but
a few days to live. I am thankful that it has been permitted to
me to carry out my husband's wishes, and to place my boy in your
hands. That done, my work on earth is finished, and glad indeed
am I that the time is at hand when I can rejoin my dear husband."

"We have a building here where we can lodge ladies in distress or
need, Dame Tresham, and trust that you will take up your abode
there."

"I shall indeed be thankful to do so," she replied. "I know no one
in London, and few would care to lodge a dying woman."

"We are Hospitallers," the grand prior said. "That was our sole
mission when we were first founded, and before we became a military
order, and it is still a part of our sworn duty to aid the distressed."

A few minutes later Dame Tresham was conducted to a comfortable
apartment, and was given into the charge of a female attendant. The
next day she had another interview with the grand prior, to whom
she handed over her jewels and remaining money. This she prayed him
to devote to the furnishing of the necessary outfit for Gervaise.
She spent the rest of the day in the church of the hospital, had a
long talk with her son in the evening, giving him her last charges
as to his future life and conduct, and that night, as if she had
now fulfilled her last duty on earth, she passed away, and was
found by her attendant lying with a look of joy and peacefulness
on her dead face.