MM. du Bellay and de Vaux listened to this conversation in silence, and the diversion was at first agreeable; but they were soon convinced that they were suddenly becoming again the objects of general attention.
“I tell you,” exclaimed one, “they are going to look for the cardinal and bring him back to court.”
“Well!” replied another, “I would like to see M. du Bellay in the place of the legate Campeggio.”
“Ah! and what have they done with him, then?” they all eagerly demanded.
“He was arrested at Dover, where he had gone to embark. He was dreadfully alarmed, believing they came to assassinate him. His baggage was searched, in order to find Wolsey’s treasures, with which he was entrusted, they said, for safe keeping.”
“And did they find them?” asked the Genoese merchant, eagerly leaning forward at the sound of the word treasure.
“It seems they did not find them,” was the reply.
“Hear what they say!” whispered young De Vaux in the ear of M. du Bellay.
“I presume they were in search of the legal documents, but they were too late. They have long ago arrived in Italy. Campeggio was careful enough to send them secretly by his son Rudolph.[233] I often saw this young man in Rome, and heard him say his father had entrusted him with all his correspondence and despatches,[234] as he was not certain what fate Henry had in store for him.”