Adam was often
his only companion; the seneschal's partiality for the sport having
rendered these dissimilar spirits more akin than their nature had
otherwise permitted.
On the evening of a sultry day Ulphilas had thrown himself on his couch,
when, without warning or intimation, the Dean of Whalley stood beside
him.
"The holy hermit hath betaken himself early to his repose. How fareth he
in this hard cell? 'Tis long since we have met."
"Peradventure it might have been longer, had not news travelled to thine
ear touching the safety of the Fitz-Eustace and his speedy arrival,"
said the hermit, without so much as turning his eyes toward his visitor.
Robert de Whalley stood silent and aghast. This was a direct and
unequivocal testimony to the prescience of the good father, for to no
ears but his own had the tidings been communicated.
"Thou knowest of his return?"
"Yes, ere the knowledge was thine," said the hermit carelessly.
"There is little use in secrecy where the very walls possess a tongue;
and seeing that the first part of mine errand is known, it may be thou
art as well instructed in the latter, which is the true purport of my
visit.
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