dark plain dress of a citizen, was hardly
recognisable, for not only had he likewise grown thinner, and his brown
cheeks more hollow, but his hair had become almost white during his
miserable weeks at Windsor, though he was not much over forty years old.

He came up the last of a number who presented themselves for the
Archiepiscopal blessing, as Wolsey sat under a large tree in Cawood
Park. Wolsey gave it with his raised fingers, without special heed, but
therewith Hal threw himself on the ground, kissed his feet, and cried,
"My lord, my dear lord, your pardon."

"What hast done, fellow? Speak!" said the Cardinal. "Grovel not thus.
We will be merciful."

"Ah! my lord," said Randall, lifting himself up, but with clasped hands
and tearful eyes, "I did not serve you as I ought with the King, but if
you will forgive me and take me back--"

"How now? How couldst thou serve me? What!"--as Hal made a familiar
gesture--"thou art not the poor fool, Quipsome Patch? How comest thou
here? Methought I had provided well for thee in making thee over to the
King."

"Ah! my lord, I was fool, fool indeed, but all my jests failed me. How
could I make sport for your enemies?"

"And thou hast come, thou hast left the King to follow my fallen
fortunes?" said Wolsey. "My poor boy, he who is sitting in sackcloth
and ashes needs no jester."

"Nay, my lord, nor can I find one jest to break! Would you but let me
be your meanest horse-boy, your scullion!" Hal's voice was cut short by
tears as the Cardinal abandoned to him one hand. The other was drying
eyes that seldom wept.

"My faithful Hal!" he said, "this is love indeed!"

And Stephen ere he came away had seen his uncle fully established, as a
rational creature, and by his true name, as one of the personal
attendants on the Cardinal's bed-chamber, and treated with the affection
he well deserved. Wolsey had really seemed cheered by his affection,
and was devoting himself to the care of his hitherto neglected and even
unvisited diocese, in a way that delighted the hearts of the
Yorkshiremen.

The first idea was that Perronel should join her husband at York, but
safe modes of travelling were not easy to be found, and before any
satisfactory escort offered, there were rumours that made it prudent to
delay. As autumn advanced, it was known that the Earl of Northumberland
had been sent to attach the Cardinal of High Treason. Then ensued other
reports that the great Cardi