“Here is a visitor whom I dare not deny,” whereon they all rose, thinking in their folly that it was the King himself, and not one almost as mighty in England for a while—­the Lord Cromwell.

“Pardon me,” said Cromwell, bowing in his courteous manner, “and if you will, let me be seated with you, and give me a bite and a sup, for I need them, who have been hard-worked to-day.”

So he sat down among them, and ate and drank, talking pleasantly of many things, and telling them that the King had changed his mind at the Council, as he thought, because of the words of Thomas Bolle, which he believed had stuck there, and would not go north to fight the rebels after all, but would send the Duke of Norfolk and other lords.  Then when he had done he pushed away his cup and platter, looked at his hosts and said—­

“Now to business.  My Lady Harflete, fortune has been your friend this day, for all you asked has been granted to you, which, as his Grace’s temper has been of late, is a wondrous thing.  Moreover, I thank you that you did not answer a certain question as to myself which I learn he put to you urgently.”

“My Lord,” said Cicely, “you have befriended me.  Still, had he pressed me further, God knows.  Commissioner Legh did not thank me to-night,” and she told him of the visit they had just received, and of its ending.

“A rough man and a greedy, who doubtless henceforth will be your enemy,” replied Cromwell.  “Still you were not to blame, for who can reason with a bull in his own yard?  Well, while I have power I’ll not forget your faithfulness, though in truth, my Lady of Blossholme, I sit upon a slippery height, and beneath waits a gulf that has swallowed some as great, and greater.  Therefore I will not deny it, I lay by while I may, not knowing who will gather.”

He brooded a while, then went on, with a sigh—­

“The times are uncertain; thus, you who have the promise of wealth may yet die a beggar.  The lands of Blossholme Abbey, on which you hold a bond that will never be redeemed, are not yet in the King’s hands to give.  A black storm is bursting in the north and, I say this in secret, the fury of it may sweep Henry from the throne.  If it should be so, away with you to any land where you are not known, for then after this day’s work here a rope will be your only heritage.  More, this Queen, unlike Anne who is gone, is a friend to the party of the Church, and though she affects to care little for such things, is bitter about that pearl, and therefore against you, its owner.  Have you no jewel left that you could spare which I might take to her?  As for the pearl itself, which Master Smith here swore to me was not to be found in the whole world when he showed me its fellow, it must be sold as the King commanded,” and he looked at Jacob somewhat sourly.

Now Cicely spoke with Jacob, who went away and returned presently with a brooch in which was set a large white diamond surrounded by five small rubies.