ome time to form. Thus ran his
letter:--

"Alexander, by Divine sufferance elect of York, to the Lady Basset of
Drayton wisheth peace, health, and the blessing of God Almighty.

"Very dear Lady,--

"Let it please you to know that the bearer hereof hath tidings to
deliver of serious and instant import. We pray you full heartily to
hear him without any delay, and to give full credence to such matter as
he shall impart unto you: which having done, we bid you, as you value
our apostolical blessing, to come hither with all speed, and we charge
our very dear son, your lord, that he let not nor hinder you in obeying
this our mandate. The matter presseth, and will brook no delay: and we
affy ourself in you, Lady, as a woman obedient to the Church, that you
will observe our bidding. And for so doing this shall be your warrant.
Given at Hazelwood Manor, in the county of Derby, this Wednesday after
Candlemas."

The Archbishop laid down his pen, folded his letter, and asked for silk
to tie it. Matthew Foljambe ran off, returning in a moment with a roll
of blue silk braid, wherewith the letter was tied up. Then wax was
needed.

"_Ha, chetife_!" said Father Jordan. "The saints forgive me my sins!
Never a bit of wax had I lacked for many a month, and I gave the last to
Richard, butler."

"Hath he used it all?" asked Matthew.

"Be sure he so did. He should have some left only if none needed it,"
responded his brother.

A search was instituted. The butler regretfully admitted that all the
wax supplied, to him was fastening down corks upon bottles of Alicant
and Osey. Sir Godfrey had none; he had sent for some, but had not yet
received it. Everybody was rather ashamed; for wax was a very necessary
article in a mediaeval household, and to run short of it was a small
disgrace. In this emergency Matthew, usually the person of resources,
came to the rescue.

"Hie thee to the cellar, Dick, and bring me up a two-three bottles of
thy meanest wine," said he. "We'll melt it off the corks."

By this ingenious means, sufficient wax was procured to take the impress
of the Archbishop's official seal, without which the letter would bear
no authentication, and the recipient could not be blamed if she refused
obedience. It was then addressed--"To the hands of our very dear Lady,
the Lady Joan Basset, at Drayton Manor, in the county of Stafford, be
these delivered with speed. Haste, haste, for thy life, haste!"

All nobles a