Then on a sudden my fear came on me strongly, and I cried out what I think was Master Richard’s name for I thought that he was near me, but there was no answer, and after I had looked a little more, I turned back by the way I had come.

Now, here, my children, happened a marvellous thing.

When I reached the gate and had gone through it, I turned round again towards the hut, ashamed of the terror that had lain on me as I walked down, for I had walked like one in a nightmare, not daring to turn my head.

And as I turned, for one instant I saw Master Richard himself, in his brown kirtle and white sleeves standing at the door of his hut, with his arms out as if to stretch himself, or else as our Saviour stretched them on the rood.  I could not observe his face, for in an instant he was gone, before I had time to see him clearly, but I am sure that his face was merry, for it was at this hour that he found his release before my lord cardinal, and cried out, as you shall hear in the proper place.

I stood there a long while, stretching out my own hands and crying on him by name, but there was no more to be seen but the hut and its open door, and the may-trees on either side, and the wood behind, and the yellow-flowered meadow before me, and no sound but the drone of the bees and the running of the water.  And I dared not go up again, or set foot in the meadow.

* * * * *

So I went home again, and told no man, for I thought that the vision was for myself alone, and as night fell the messenger came to bid me come to town, and to deliver to me the letter from the old priest of whom I have spoken.

How one came to Master Priest:  how Master Priest came to the King’s Bedchamber:  and of what he heard of the name of Jesus

Dum anxiaretur cor meum:  in petra exaltasti me.

When my heart was in anguish:  Thou hast exalted me on a rock. —­Ps. lx. 3.

XIII

This was the letter that I read in my parlour that night, as the man in his livery stood beside me, dusty with riding.  I have it still (it is in the mass-book that stands beside my desk; you can find it there after I am gone to give my account.)....

“REVEREND AND RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR JOHN CHALDFIELD,—­

“There is a young man here named Master Richard Raynal, who tells us that you are his friend.  He desires to see you before his death, for he has been set upon and will not live many days.  His grace has ordered that you shall be brought with speed, for he loves this young man and counts him a servant of God.  He is with Master Raynal as I write.  I fear this may be heavy news for you, Sir John, so I will write no more, but I recommend myself to you, and pray that you may be comforted and speeded here by the grace of God, which ever have you in His keeping.