“And if it serve you, Master Altham,” added the Archbishop, “I would fain have a privy word with you touching this my cousin.”
Mr Altham’s reply was two-fold. “Saints worshipped might they be!” was meant in answer to Amphillis. Then, to the Archbishop, he hastily continued, “Sir, holy Father, your Grace’s most humble servant! I hold myself at your Grace’s bidding, whensoever it shall please your Grace.”
“That is well,” said the Archbishop, smiling. “We will have some talk this evening, if it serve you.”
Chapter Sixteen.
The Request Granted.
“It is not love that steals the heart from love: ’Tis the hard world, and its perplexing cares; Its petrifying selfishness, its pride, its low ambition, and its paltry aims.”
Caroline Bowles.
Lady Basset fulfilled her promise of writing to her brother, and sent her own squire with the letter. It was uncertain where the Duke might be, and consequently how long the journey might take. The messenger was instructed to seek him first at Windsor, and to be guided in his further movements by what he might hear there. No time was lost, for the squire set out on his journey that very evening.
About the time of his departure, the Archbishop and Mr Altham held their little conference. Regina was at work in the window-seat, by her husband’s contrivance. Theoretically, he took the popular view of the condign inferiority of the female intellect; while practically he held his Regina in the highest reverence, and never thought of committing himself on any important subject without first ascertaining her opinion. And the goldsmith’s daughter deserved his esteem; for she possessed a warm heart and a large reserve of quiet good sense. They were both highly delighted to see that the Archbishop seemed inclined to show kindness to the young cousin whose relationship he, at least, was not too proud to acknowledge.