Whether Wolsey himself ever really liked this side of his life, no one ever knew, for he carried out practically in his own life what he declared was the king's right over the persons and possessions of his subjects; only he did it in such a way that he always made it subserve his own purpose, while seeming to serve only the king. Of his hauteur, pride, and ambition there could be no question; but still the tavern gossips all agreed that he was ruling England well, and doing what he could to foster the growing trade in wool; as well as encouraging the new learning, which some of the bishops and clergy were beginning to hate.
After a good stoup of ale and a slice from a boar's head for his own breakfast Miles went to see that his horse was fed and cared for, and then wandered out to see the barges on the river and the sloping gardens of the great noblemen who had dwelling-houses along the Strand.
Miles found plenty to amuse and interest him all that day, and he hoped to be able to set out on his return to Oxford the following noon or the next morning. And before he went to bed that night he asked the landlord to tell anyone he knew of, who was going that way, that he should like to join them.
"Aye, to be sure, it would not be safe to set out on such a journey alone; and I will send Dick the ostler to enquire at the 'Falcon' whether they have any travellers there who are going that way."
"The 'Falcon' is the starting place, then?" enquired Miles.
"Yes, it is hard by the village of Charing; but Dick shall find out all that is needful to learn, for, if they have none journeying so far just now, you must needs abide here for a day or two. There is plenty to see in London town," said the landlord, persuasively.
Miles thought of his score as he smiled and shook his head. He, however, accepted the landlord's offer to send the ostler, but was not surprised when he returned and said a party would set off to Oxford that day week, and the roads would not be safe to travel sooner than that, as there had been a great flood, and all the fords were impassable.
Miles laughed. "So these are your tricks upon travellers," he said, but he made no further remark, resolving to make enquiries for himself the next day; doubtless these London tavern keepers played into each other's hands whenever it was possible to do so at the cost of some unwary wight. He went to bed, and slept soundly till the morning, in spite of the watchmen crying the time every half-hour under his window in most stentorian tones.
"Half-past ten o'clock, and a windy night," came sharply from the street below; and it sounded as though the man's head was just on a level with his casement, and that he bawled the words at him. There was a cry just afterwards of "Watch! watch!" and the sound of running feet, but after this Miles fell asleep, and all the watchman's bawling, or belated travellers' cries for help during the rest of the night, failed to disturb him, for he was tired with his journey and the excitements of the day.
The next morning he presented himself early at York House, but found he was by no means the first, there being a little crowd at the gate, each person having urgent and important business with the Cardinal.