"Well, sir! well!" he said in English, as soon as Richard of Woodville entered; "What news?--Why has she not come herself?"
"You are, I fear, under a mistake," replied the young Englishman. "I came to you for information--not to give any."
The other cast himself back into his seat, and covered his eyes with his hands, as Woodville spoke. The next moment he withdrew his hands, and the whole expression of his countenance was altered. Nothing appeared but a look of dull and thoughtful reserve, with a slight touch of disappointment.
As he spoke not, Richard of Woodville went on to say, "Sir Philip de Morgan directed me, sir--"
"Ay!--he has his eye ever upon me," exclaimed the other, interrupting him. "What does he seek--what is there now to blame?"
"Nothing, that I am aware of," answered Woodville; "it is on my own business he directed me here; not on yours or his."
"Indeed!" said the other, with a softened look. "And what is there for your pleasure, sir?"
"He informed me," replied his visitor, "that if there be a man in Ghent, it is yourself, who can tell me where to find one Sir John Grey, an English knight, supposed to be resident here."
"And may I ask your business with him?" inquired Mortimer, coldly.
"Nay," answered Woodville; "that will be communicated to himself. I cannot see how it would stead you, to know aught concerning it."