This room was plainly furnished in comparison with those they had passed through, many of which were of surpassing splendour, and quite dazzled simple Miles Paton.
As soon as they entered the presence of the Cardinal he made a sign with his hand, and they were left alone; and then he bade Miles tell him, as shortly as he could, the whole story entrusted to him.
When he had finished he said, "I find you are one who can sweep all obstacles from your path for the sake of the business entrusted to you, and you can also wait patiently for the sake of the same business. I need such a one as you to be about my own person, and as Master John Clark recommends you to me as one careful and studious, and devoted to the new learning, you can, I think, be of great service to me."
Miles was altogether too much surprised to speak for a moment. He understood well enough that this was rather a command than an offer, for, as the King's servant, the Cardinal deemed himself to have the right to command the personal service of any of the King's subjects. Fortunately for Miles he was only too glad to accept this offer, and so, as soon as he could command his voice, he thanked the Cardinal, and most gladly promised to do his utmost to prove himself worthy of the honour and trust reposed in him.
"Very well, I will send my reply to Oxford by another messenger. Return to your lodging now, and present yourself to the Controller of my household to-morrow morning. He will appoint you your lodging here, and give you all needful instructions." Saying this, Wolsey waved his hand in sign of dismissal, and Miles retreated backwards from the room, in the fashion he had seen the gentleman leave the august presence of the man, who demanded that the same reverence given to his royal master should be accorded to himself.
He hardly knew whether he stood on his head or his feet—whether he was glad or sorry that his stay at Oxford was thus suddenly brought to a close. But he went back to the tavern and had a hearty meal first, and then sat down to write a letter to his good friend Master Clark immediately afterwards; and then one to his sister enclosed in it, which he asked his friend to forward to Woodstock by the first messenger going that way. This packet he contrived to send by the Cardinal's messenger to Oxford, who went the next day with the reply to the letter Miles had brought. And Miles went to take up his abode at the Palace of York House—known to us later as Whitehall.
[CHAPTER VIII.]
LADY AUDREY.
"AUDREY, I have had a letter from my brother Miles."
"And he is coming home to us from Oxford, as your father wishes!—You see I can guess the news," added the young lady. She was little more than a girl, although she was dressed in the sombre cap and wimple of a widow. She spoke quite eagerly, not waiting for her sister-in-law to finish what she was saying.