The persons of whom Berenger inquired the way all uncapped most

respectfully, and replied with much courtesy; but when the hotel of

the English ambassador had been pointed out to him, he hardly

believed it, so foul and squalid was the street, where a large

nail-studded door occupied a wide archway. Here was a heavy iron

knocker, to which Osbert applied himself. A little door was at

once opened by a large, powerful John Bull of a porter, whose looks

expanded into friendly welcome when he heard the English tongue of

the visitor. Inside, the scene was very unlike that without. The

hotel was built round a paved court, adorned with statues and stone

vases, with yews and cypresses in them, and a grand flight of steps

led up to the grand centre of the house, around which were

collected a number of attendants, wearing the Walsingham colours.

Among these Berenger left his two Englishmen, well content to have

fallen into an English colony. Landry followed him to announce the

visitor, Berenger waiting to know whether the Ambassador would be

at liberty to see him.

Almost immediately the door was re-opened, and a keen-looking

gentleman, about six-and-thirty years of age, rather short in

stature, but nevertheless very dignified-looking, came forward with

out-stretched hands--'Greet you well, my Lord de Ribaumont. We

expected your coming. Welcome, mine honoured friend's grandson.'

And as Berenger bent low in reverent greeting, Sir Francis took his

hand and kissed his brow, saying, 'Come in, my young friend; we are

but sitting over our wine and comfits after dinner. Have you

dined?' Berenger explained that he had dined at the inn, where he had taken

lodgings.

'Nay, but that must not be. My Lord Walwyn's grandson here, and

not my guest! You do me wrong, sir, in not having ridden hither at

once.' 'Truly, my Lord, I ventured not. They sent me forth with quite a

company--my tutor and six grooms.'

'Our chaplain will gladly welcome his reverend brother,' said Sir

Francis; and as to the grooms, one of my fellows shall go and bring

them and their horses up. What!' rather gravely, as Berenger still

hesitated. 'I have letters for you here, which methinks will make

your grandfather's wish clear to you.'

Berenger saw the Ambassador was displeased with his reluctance, and

answered quickly, 'In sooth, my Lord, I would esteem myself only

too happy to be thus honoured, but in sooth----' he repeated

himself, and faltered.

'In sooth, you expected more freedom than in my grave house,' said

Walsingham, displeased.

'Not so, my Lord: it would be all that I could desire; but I have

done hastily. A kinsman of mine has come up to Paris with me, and

I have made him my guest. I know not how to break with him--the

Chevalier de Ribaumont.' 'What, the young ruffler in Monsieur's suite?'




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