"My lord, Brother Philip has this moment returned, and with him——"
"Bid Brother Philip to come hither, instantly."
"May it please you, my lord——"
"Naught will please me," said the Bishop, "but that my commands be obeyed without parley or delay."
Jasper's obeisance took him through the door.
The Bishop bent over the letter from Rome, shading his face with his hand.
He could scarcely contain his anxiety; but he did not wish to give Brother Philip occasion to observe his tremulous eagerness to receive the Knight's reply.
He heard the door open and close, and a firm tread upon the floor. It struck him, even then, that the lay-brother had not been wont to enter his presence with so martial a stride, and he wondered at the ring of spurs. But his mind was too intently set upon Hugh d'Argent's letter, to do more than unconsciously notice these things.
"Thou art quickly returned, my good Philip," he said, without looking round. "Thou has done better than my swiftest expectations. Didst thou give my letter thyself into the hands of Sir Hugh d'Argent, and hast thou brought me back an answer from that most noble Knight?"
Wherefore did Brother Philip make no reply?