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.'