Now it came into my heart to ask him of my father, since he knew my grandsire and my uncle; so I said boldly—
"And didst thou know my father?"
"Ay, I knew him—I knew him," said he; "but what do they tell thee of him?"
"Nothing, in sooth, my lord," I answered; "and bid me wait till my pupilage is over."
"Then I may tell thee naught more than thou knowest, save that we were good friends. Thou wilt not long be bearing missives for your abbot, if thou art like thy sires. Thou art soon for Normandy?"
I wished not to unfold my purpose to this man, so I simply bowed, and prepared to go with due courtesy. Now, as I knelt upon one knee, he laid his hand upon my shoulder wondrous kindly, and raised me up by the arm, and led me to a seat so gently that for the moment I forgot that I distrusted him. Then he spoke of studies, and brought down some great tomes, excellently well writ and pictured in French scriptoria, and turning from them to his table he showed me a wondrous box, which looking through, as I held it up, I saw as it were the far off bay draw near to mine eyes, so that I could see men walk clear where I saw but shapes before. And with surprise I well-nigh dropped it from my hands. He took it from me, and told me I had seen what none had seen in the earth before but he alone.
And the thought entering into my mind that here was something more than human, he seemed to guess it, and said with a smile that was hard and keen—
"Nor is there wizardry therein, save the wizardry of a lonely man, that devises new solace for his loneliness."
A pasty was ere long set before us and a flask of wine, whereof we both partook.
"Say not," said he, "that my lord of Rouen sends his guests hungry away."