"Nay, he hath been tutor to Sir John's family; but he hath some project in his mind in which he seeks the help of the Bishop, and my friend hath sent him to me to secure him a proper introduction, and I should like to know somewhat of his work, for my Greek and Latin are somewhat rusty, even if I had the time to read that which he hath brought with him."
So Miles promised to make the acquaintance of the stranger while he stayed with the Controller: and Sir Harry walked with him to his house and they made their way to the summer parlour, that opened into a cool garden walk, which they could reach through a wicket gate from the Royal garden.
Here Miles was introduced to a grave earnest-looking man, apparently between thirty and forty years of age, whose face lighted with a very pleasant smile as he took Miles' hand rather eagerly, and said: "Have I the pleasure of speaking to Master Miles Paton, who translated several of the Gospels into English for the use of friends?"
"Yes, I did that for my sister and others who could read English and could not read Greek."
"And your family live at Woodstock, or near Woodstock," he added.
"And you have come from Paton Hall, my father's home," said Miles, jumping to the conclusion that his sister had told him this.
"No!" said Master Tyndale, with a smile at the young fellow's eagerness, "I have never seen Paton Hall that I am aware of; but I made the acquaintance of Lady Audrey Paton when she was staying at Little Sodbury Hall last summer; and she had some portions of the Gospel of St. Matthew, which she said had been done into English by Master Miles Paton for his sister, and which she had copied for her own use while on a visit there."
"Ah! Lady Audrey is my brother's widow," said Miles. He could not help feeling disappointed that his hopes of hearing news from home had been so speedily dashed; and, for the first few minutes of the talk, he paid but small attention to what Tyndale said about Lady Audrey and her mother; but presently his ear caught a few words that made him look at the grave face eagerly and earnestly.
"I have come to London to translate the New Testament into English, and get it printed," he said.
"To translate the New Testament into English!" repeated Miles. "Do you mean the Greek New Testament of Erasmus?" he said.