And just as they reached St. Albans came a
nobleman with his retinue, going down to his town house in London. "So
might my lord ride, but for the wicked king," said Humphrey, in a low
tone, as they stood aside. Then passing into the city of St. Albans,
they at once sought an inn and made the early hour suit them for dinner
that so they might journey on the sooner.
They had entered St. Albans in the rear of the nobleman's party. They
passed out of it an hour later unnoticed in a throng of people. "And
now," said Humphrey, looking back at the town on the slope, "let the
priest at Oundle play us false if he like; we be safely through the
town."
"It was near here that the Saxon pope, Adrian IV, was born," observed
Hugo.
"Ay, lad," answered Humphrey, indifferently. "But I be nearing the
place where I be a priest no longer. If we may not make too much haste,
let us turn aside in the wood and find a hut where they will take us in
for the night, and where, perchance, I may get a dream. 'Tis a mighty
place, this London, and I would fain see what 'twere best to do."
Hugo made no objection, and when they were within ten miles of the
great city they turned their horses to the left and sought shelter in
Epping Forest.
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