The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-28
III.

~ hA b'o iOoA'is Sbht's 49,
CHAPTER III.
The chancellor was lodged IN the
Great chamber on the southern side of
the courtyard. a room which we
called the tapestried chamber.
i'm which tradition said that King
Henry vi had once slept. 1t
was on the upper floor. and for this
reason free from he damp air which
in autumn and winter rose from the
moat and hung about the lower range
OF rooms. 1t was besides OF easy ac-
cess from the hall, a door in the gall
lery of the latter leading into an ante
room. which again opened into the
tapestried chamber. while a winding
staircase, starting from a dark nook in
the main passage of the house, also led
to this state apartment. but by an
other and more private door.
reached the ~antechamber with a
stout heart In my breast, though a lit
tie sobered by my summons. and feel
Ing such a reaction from the heal of
a few minutes before as follows n
room I was hidden to wait while the
great mans will was taken, which
seemed strange to me. Their unused to
the mu1nmery of cot folk. But be-
fore | had time to feel much surprise
the inner door was opened, and was
told to enter.
The great room, which I had seldom
seen In use. had now an appearance
quite new to me. A dull red fire was
glowing comfortably on the hearth
stone. before which a posset stool was
standing. Near this. seated at a table
strewn with u proflsjon of papers and
documents. was a secretary writing
busily. The great oaken bedstead, with
Its nodding tester. lay in a background
Of shadows, which played about the
figures broldered on the hangings or
were lost In the darkness Of the cor
ners. while a the fire. in the light
cast by the sconces fixed above the
equipment. The fur rugs and cloak
OF sable. the saddle bags. the dispatch
boxes and the silver chatting dish gave
an air of comfort to this part of the
room. Walking up and down in the
midst OF these, debating a sentence at
every other turn. was Stephen Gardi-
ner.
As I entered the clerk looked up,
holding his pen suspended. His mas
ter. by a quick nod. ordered him to
proceed. Then, signaling to me in a
IKE silent fashion his command that
l should stand by the hearth, the bishop
resumed his task of composition.
For some minutes NY interest in the
man. whom l had now an opportunity
~ Z anu DIT INV
leisure. took up all my attention. He
was at this time close on 20. but looked,
being still tall and stout, full 10 wears
younger. His face, square and sallo~r.
was indeed wrinSled and lined; his
eyes lay deer. in his head; his should
ers We're beginning to bend, the nape
or his neck to become prominent. He
had lost an inch of his full height. But
his eyes still shone brightly, nor did
n trace of weakness mar the stern
character of his mouth or the crafty
wisdom of his brow. The face was the
race of n man austere. determined. per-
haps cruel; OF a man who could both
think n act. "
MY curiosity somewhat satisfied, I
had leisure first to wonder why I had
been sent for and then to admire the
prodigious number Of books and papers
which lay about, more indeed than 1
nad ever seen together in my life.
at first and with interest afterward. to
the letter which the chancellor was
debating. 1t seemed from its tenor
10 be a letter to some person in au-
thority. and presently one passage at
tracted my attention. so that could
afterward recall 1t word for word.
I do not think" the chancellor pro-
nonnced' speaking In a sonorous voice
and the measured tone of one whose
thoughts lie perfectly arranged in his
head. that the Duchess Katherine will
venture to take the step suggested as
possible. Yet Clarence's report may be
OF moment. Let the house therefore
ne watched II anything savoring OF
flight be marked. and take notice
whether there be a vessel In the nooi
adapted to her purpose. a vessel trad
ing to D%unquernue would be most
likely. Leave her husband till re-
turn. when l will deal with him round
ly." 'i
I missed what followed. n w,s
upon another subject, and my thoughts
Jagged behind, being wholly taken I'M
with the Duchess Katherine and her
fortunes. wondered who She w,s
young or old, and what this step could
be she was said to mediate, and what
the 1argon about the pool and Dun
querqne meant; was still thinking
of this when | was aroused bv an
abrupt silence. and looking up found
that the chancellor was bending over
the papers on the table. The secra.
tary was leaving the room.
AS the door closed behind him Gardi-
ner rose from his STOPPING posture and
came slowly toward me. q roll OF nanars
in his hand. Now" he sud tran.
GULLY. seating himself in an elbow chair
which stood in front Of the hearth. ~
will dispose Of your business, Master
Cludde."
lie paused. looking ut me in n
shrewd, masterful way. much as if
! thought at the time. little knowing
now near the truth my fancy VENT
were a pea he was about to buy,
and then he went on. Il have sent
for You. Master Francis he said dry
~, fixing his piercing eyes on mine,
because ! think that this country does
not suit your health. You conform.
but you conform with a had grace. and
England is nc longer the place for
such. You incite the commonalty
against the queens allies. and Eng
land is not the place for such. Do not
contradict me. l have heard you my
self. Then" he continued, grimly
thrusting out his jaw In u sour smile.
you misname those whom the queen
honors. and We're DR.. ~Stephens-you
take me. Master Malapert such a
mar as his predecessors you would rue
the word. For a trihe scarce weightier
Wolsey threw a nan to rot six years in
a dungeon. boy!"
changed color. yet not so much in
fear-though it We're vain to say | did
not tremble-as in confusion. had
c:slle1 him DR.. Stephens indeed. but
1t had been to Petronilla only. stood,
not knowing what to say. until he, after