By his open window he said his prayers, thanking God for mercies past, and praying that He would bless him in his great emprise.

Presently the sun rose, and there came a great longing on him to be alone in the countryside, he who was country-born and hated towns, with only the sky and the birds and the trees for company.
But here in London was no country, wherever he went he would meet men; moreover, he remembered that it might be best that just now he should not wander through the streets unguarded, lest he should find Spaniards watching to take him unawares.

Well, there was the garden; he would go thither, and walk a while.

So he descended the broad oak stairs, and, unbolting a door, entered this garden, which, though not too well kept, was large for London, covering an acre of ground perhaps, surrounded by a high wall, and having walks, and at the end of it a group of ancient elms, beneath which was a seat hidden from the house.

In summer this was Margaret's favourite bower, for she too loved Nature and the land, and all the things it bore.