The persons of whom Berenger inquired the way all uncapped most
respectfully, and replied with much courtesy; but when the hotel of
the English ambassador had been pointed out to him, he hardly
believed it, so foul and squalid was the street, where a large
nail-studded door occupied a wide archway. Here was a heavy iron
knocker, to which Osbert applied himself. A little door was at
once opened by a large, powerful John Bull of a porter, whose looks
expanded into friendly welcome when he heard the English tongue of
the visitor. Inside, the scene was very unlike that without. The
hotel was built round a paved court, adorned with statues and stone
vases, with yews and cypresses in them, and a grand flight of steps
led up to the grand centre of the house, around which were
collected a number of attendants, wearing the Walsingham colours.
Among these Berenger left his two Englishmen, well content to have
fallen into an English colony. Landry followed him to announce the
visitor, Berenger waiting to know whether the Ambassador would be
at liberty to see him.
Almost immediately the door was re-opened, and a keen-looking
gentleman, about six-and-thirty years of age, rather short in
stature, but nevertheless very dignified-looking, came forward with
out-stretched hands--'Greet you well, my Lord de Ribaumont. We
expected your coming. Welcome, mine honoured friend's grandson.'
And as Berenger bent low in reverent greeting, Sir Francis took his
hand and kissed his brow, saying, 'Come in, my young friend; we are
but sitting over our wine and comfits after dinner. Have you
dined?' Berenger explained that he had dined at the inn, where he had taken
lodgings.
'Nay, but that must not be. My Lord Walwyn's grandson here, and
not my guest! You do me wrong, sir, in not having ridden hither at
once.' 'Truly, my Lord, I ventured not. They sent me forth with quite a
company--my tutor and six grooms.'
'Our chaplain will gladly welcome his reverend brother,' said Sir
Francis; and as to the grooms, one of my fellows shall go and bring
them and their horses up. What!' rather gravely, as Berenger still
hesitated. 'I have letters for you here, which methinks will make
your grandfather's wish clear to you.'
Berenger saw the Ambassador was displeased with his reluctance, and
answered quickly, 'In sooth, my Lord, I would esteem myself only
too happy to be thus honoured, but in sooth----' he repeated
himself, and faltered.
'In sooth, you expected more freedom than in my grave house,' said
Walsingham, displeased.
'Not so, my Lord: it would be all that I could desire; but I have
done hastily. A kinsman of mine has come up to Paris with me, and
I have made him my guest. I know not how to break with him--the
Chevalier de Ribaumont.' 'What, the young ruffler in Monsieur's suite?'