She returned in a minute, with a look of surprise; and bade the strangers follow her, which they did, into the court. There, however, Woodville again directed his guide to wait, and, under the pilotage of the Flemish maid, entered upon a sea of passages, till at length, catching him familiarly by the hand to guide him in the darkness that reigned within, she led him to a flight of stairs, and opened a door at the top. Before him lay a small room, ornamented with richly carved oak, the lines and angles of which caught faintly the light proceeding from a lamp upon the table; and, standing in the midst of the room, with a look of eager impatience, was a man, somewhat advanced in life, though younger than Woodville had expected to see. His hair, it is true, was white, and his beard, which he wore long, was nearly so likewise; but he was upright, and seemingly firm in limb and muscle.[6] His face had furrows on it, too; but they seemed more those of care and thought than age; and his eye was clear, undimmed, and flashing. --------------------- [Footnote 6: His after advancement to the Earldom of Tankerville was won by deeds of arms, which shows that he must have been still hale and robust at this time.] --------------------- "Well, sir! well!" he said in English, as soon as Richard of Woodville entered; "What news?--Why has she not come herself?" "You are, I fear, under a mistake," replied the young Englishman. "I came to you for information--not to give any." The other cast himself back into his seat, and covered his eyes with his hands, as Woodville spoke. The next moment he withdrew his hands, and the whole expression of his countenance was altered. Nothing appeared but a look of dull and thoughtful reserve, with a slight touch of disappointment. As he spoke not, Richard of Woodville went on to say, "Sir Philip de Morgan directed me, sir--" "Ay!--he has his eye ever upon me," exclaimed the other, interrupting him. "What does he seek--what is there now to blame?" "Nothing, that I am aware of," answered Woodville; "it is on my own business he directed me here; not on yours or his." "Indeed!" said the other, with a softened look. "And what is there for your pleasure, sir?" "He informed me," replied his visitor, "that if there be a man in Ghent, it is yourself, who can tell me where to find one Sir John Grey, an English knight, supposed to be resident here." "And may I ask your business with him?" inquired Mortimer, coldly. "Nay," answered Woodville; "that will be communicated to himself. I cannot see how it would stead you, to know aught concerning it."