[CHAPTER XIII.]
CICELY GUILDFORD.
IT was a relief to Miles when his father left him, and later that day he was able to pay Master William Tyndale a call, and almost the first news he heard was of the visit of the stranger, who came to have a matter of conscience settled, the question being about a marriage that was exactly parallel with that of the King. "And what was Master Tyndale's judgment upon the matter?" asked Miles, anxiously, for he had no doubt but that it concerned himself and Lady Audrey.
He had not mentioned his friend, or the translation of the New Testament to his father, for he felt sure he would not approve of such a thing being done, and so he did not know that his father had ever heard the name of Master Tyndale, though he had taken him to St. Dunstan's Church to hear him preach.
It was therefore some relief, and a source of amusement too, when he heard what Master Tyndale had said about the proposed marriage, and there was some hearty laughter at Sir Thomas Paton's expense when the Monmouth family heard the news.
It made a talk, too, in city circles, but, when the King was mentioned as having made just such a marriage, men spoke with bated breath, though they thought the more, perhaps, upon the matter.
Feeling assured now that his father was not likely to press forward this plan, Miles was the more eager to see Mistress Cicely Guildford again, and ascertain for himself whether his father's surmise was correct,—that the young lady felt kindly towards him.
But autumn was deepening into winter before he could go to Greenwich again, and then he went in attendance upon his master, for the Cardinal never went anywhere without a train of servants and several secretaries in attendance upon him; and it was not until they had been at the palace two or three days that he was free to go into the town and visit his friends.
When he got there he found one of the younger girls in the garden, gathering the last of the dill, and tarragon, and other herbs that were in such continual demand for cookery.
Miles looked round, expecting to see the elder sister at this task, for he knew that Cicely always took the lead in these matters.