I will speak a good word for thee,
and it may be thou wilt be admitted a page to the Earl of Hertford."
"And hast thou influence there?" inquired Hugo, with assumed interest.
"Yea, that have I," answered Robert Sadler, falsely. For he had no
influence anywhere. "I will so speak for thee that thou wilt be page
but a short while before thou art made an esquire. Do thou but bide
quiet concerning what hath passed between us, and thou shalt fare never
the worse."
Then he departed to the stables and Hugo was left alone. To be able to
conceal what one feels is a great accomplishment. Rarely do people of
any age succeed in doing so, and it was with a feeling of exultation
over his success that the boy looked after Robert Sadler.
The next day Lady De Aldithely summoned her men-at-arms before her in
the castle hall. She had a missive in her hand. "I must send one of you
on a journey," she said. "More than one I cannot now spare to go to
Chester. Who will take this missive from me to the town of Chester, and
bring back from my aunt what it calleth for?"
A light flashed in the eyes of Robert Sadler which Lady De Aldithely
affected not to see.
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