CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE SUMMONS.

Whilst they were yet talking of the impenetrable nature of pride, and of all they had heard of Wolsey's magnificence, Cavendish arrived to conduct them all to the Cardinal's palace of York Place.

Ellen did but look one moment's triumph before she checked herself for the impiety. She said to herself, 'My father knows not what I do; and it is impious to triumph over a parent's weakness.'

The thought of speech, which might injudiciously have come forth as it might have done from thousands--'There, father, who is right?' was but a momentary impression on her soul. Christian delicacy rose superior to all feelings of triumphant boasting, and she suppressed the proud words which died away in her, even with the thought, before the pure spirit of charity.

Oh, that all daughters were like her! Where trained in holiest love they will ever be so.

De Freston felt the delicacy of his dear child, who spake not one word of reproach to him, but looked all readiness to accompany him, either to the dungeons of an inquisition, or to the palace of a cardinal.

Circumstances reprove sometimes the best of men, or rather make them reprove themselves for things which they had too hastily decided upon. So was it with Lord De Freston. He felt he might be wrong, though he was most marvellously astonished at the change which he considered must have come over the Cardinal.

He received those gentle and generous attentions from Cavendish which none but he could so feelingly exercise. He knew how to behave wisely in prosperous or adverse circumstances, and how to qualify the duties of an exalted position with all the devotion of a servant.

There was such sincerity in Cavendish and his proceedings, both for and with his master, as laid the foundation of his family greatness for ages. In nothing was he greater than in speaking his master fair, when his fortunes had deserted him. The servant who does his duty faithfully, is quite free from the sins of his master.

'My lord desired me expressly,' said Cavendish, 'to inquire in what way he could serve you. He insists upon your being his guest, and will hear of no denial. I am a stranger to you, and you equally the same to me, as I have never chanced to hear my master mention you.'

De Freston smiled as he replied--

'In that last sentence we are not surprised. Your master has been known to us from his youth; and when he was small in reputation, he esteemed me for my support. I only marvel that, now he is a great man, he should remember us at all.'

'My master and greatness have been long familiar. He is a prince in all things but a crown; yet his Cardinal's hat is more exalted than the King's crown, and goes before him to his duties. I am quite sure he remembers you pleasantly, or I should not have received such special orders to conduct your lordship, with all ceremony, to his palace. You, and all your retainers, and whomsoever you may choose to accompany you, are to be received at York Place. Will you order all your retinue to be in readiness?'

'Alas, young man, you know not how few they be. This, my daughter, is my only mistress, the wife of William Latimer. Her husband is with her. He was an old college companion of thy master's. Dost thou think he will receive him?'

'Even as a king would! You will yourselves be the witness, for my master is, of all men, the most courteous. Towards every one he is gentle and dignified, and has the singular gift of forgetting manners to no one. I will answer for Master Latimer's most grateful reception.'

'He comes, my son, to speak for himself.'

Latimer bowed to the stranger, and proceeded to explain to his wife that he had obtained lodgings close at hand, and should be able to be in constant attendance; when she explained that they were all to go to York Place; that the gentleman then before him was Wolsey's secretary, and sent on purpose to conduct them.

He looked inexpressible things at Ellen, who assured him it was the fact, and that she had made up her mind to go, and should be glad of his company.

'"Will wonders ever cease?" my dear, has been the exclamation from the foundation of Babylon, and will be an exclamation when old England shall cease to have a Cardinal, and Rome a Pope; but that Thomas Wolsey should at length condescend to notice us after so many years!--surely he and his fortunes must be about to change together.'

'And if they are, Master Latimer, let me advertise thee that they may change for the better, even in the opinion of you all.'

It was then that surprise overcame them all, and the question arose: 'Will Wolsey become a Reformer?'

'He is a reformer of many things; and if the King's favor and the King's disfavor be both silent, my master will be a greater man than ever.'

'Thou art a wise young man, Mr. Cavendish, and canst see the ticklish nature of these times; but those two "ifs" are like the base pillars, I fear, upon which the Colossus of Rhodes stood, which the earthquake precipitated into the sea. They cannot bear the weight of Wolsey. Favor falling, disfavor will remain, but the Cardinal cannot stand on one leg, and that a bad one. A subject's head in these days, once in disrepute, will soon roll off his shoulders. But come, my child, let us away. Time flies, and our new acquaintance must be glad to dispose of us according to his instructions. I rejoice always.'

'We are at your command, sir.'

'So then again strange trials will increase. And wonders, ever new, will never cease.'