"Yes. Are you not His Grace of Wessex' most intimate friend?"
"I have indeed that honour," replied Everingham stiffly, "but I do not quite understand how——"
"How the matter concerns me?" interrupted His Eminence pleasantly. "An you will allow me, I can explain. Shall we walk along this path? I thank you," he added courteously, as the young man, after a moment's hesitation, turned to walk beside him.
"Have I been misinformed," continued the Cardinal, "or is it a fact that your lordship is about to quit Hampton Court?"
"Only for a very few weeks," rejoined Everingham. "Her Majesty has entrusted me with an amicable mission to the Queen Regent of Scotland. I start for town to-night on my way North."
"Ah! then I am only just in time," said His Eminence.
"In time for what?"
"In time to correct what we poor mortals are all liable to make, my lord—an error."
"Indeed!" said Everingham, with a touch of sarcasm. "Your Eminence must make so few."