“As for the first question, you shall remain at your pleasure, or until Governor Winthrop requires your presence; as for the latter, though unable to leave home at present, I hope shortly to be at leisure.  Thus generally can I answer, but present or absent, my best wishes shall attend you.”

The above conversation is sufficient to give an idea of the relation of the Governor and Knight to one another, and of the feelings of both.  In truth, the enjoyment of Sir Christopher was almost as great as Bradford’s, and neither manifested any desire to shorten their intercourse.  Every leisure moment devoted the Plymouth Governor to his agreeable companion—­their conversations turning more on questions of literature than on political matters.  These latter, the Knight avoided, seeking thereby to impress the other with the opinion, that he felt but little interest in them.

In this manner passed the time, until one morning the Governor announced that messengers had arrived from Winthrop, commissioned to wait on Sir Christopher to his presence.

“I grieve,” said Bradford, “that I cannot go with you.  Matters of instant importance demand my presence here, but so far as friendly words in a letter may avail they shall not be wanting.  May it please you to be ready at your convenience, and meanwhile I will prepare my epistle.”

At the time appointed, four armed men appeared at the Governor’s house to receive the prisoner.  To them Sir Christopher was delivered by Bradford, who, at the same time, handed them a letter for Winthrop.

Upon the departure of one whose presence had imparted so much pleasure; from whom no unguarded word of censure or impatience had escaped, and who had revealed a mind adorned with such rich stores of culture, the scholastic Bradford sought his study, a small room, or closet, well supplied with books, to meditate on what had happened and to pursue his studies.  Absorbed in his books, hours passed away unheeded, and he remarked not the opening of the door and entrance of a serving-man, who, seeing his master engaged, waited respectfully until he should be noticed.  At length Bradford looked up and demanded his business.

“This,” said the man, “was found in the chamber of Sir Christopher Gardiner.”  So saying, he handed to the Governor a small leathern pocket-book, such as were used for making memoranda, and withdrew.

Bradford, on being left alone, turned the book several times in his hand with a doubting air, then placing it at a little distance before him, leaned his head on his elbow, and began to muse.

“Publico utilitati cedet jus privatum,” he said at last aloud, and opened the book.  He had hardly glanced his eyes at the page, when they lighted up, and he seemed to read with intense interest.