“Climb up a tower! No, I should think not. But for the ivy, he would never have got over yonder wall. He reached the window by means of a rope-ladder which he had brought with him. How the plan had been preconcerted is more than I can tell you, but it was evident Constance expected him. A slight cough served to announce her lover’s presence to her. At the signal, a cord was immediately let down from the window of the cell, and as soon as it came within Osbert’s reach, he caught it, and fastening the rope-ladder to it, the cord was quickly drawn up again, taking the ladder with it. In another minute the ladder was made fast to the bars of the window, and this done, up sprang Osbert, and was soon only separated from the object of his affections by the grating.” “A pize upon the grating!” exclaimed Holiday. “I would there had been no envious bars between them.” “That was exactly my feeling,” said Rodomont. “Their discourse was in whispers, but I heard enough to learn that Osbert proposed some means of escape to her, but judged from his expressions of disappointment that she would not consent to the plan. Fear of discovery compelled him to cut short the interview, however he might have desired to prolong it, but before descending he promised to come again to-night. The ladder being unfastened, he was quickly over the wall, and in another minute must have regained the boat, which I conclude was waiting for him. Now, what say you, my masters? Shall we not aid him in his efforts to get this poor girl away?” “I will gladly do so,” replied Holiday. “So will I,” said Simnel. “Then we will forthwith set our wits to work, and something must come of it,” rejoined Rodomont. “If she remains here, she is lost. But see! the poor folk are beginning to crowd round the gate in expectation of their dole. How many, think you, are daily fed by the Cardinal?” “Fifty or sixty, it may be,” replied Simnel. “Upwards of a hundred,” said Rodomont. “Yonder comes his Eminence, with Lord Priuli. Let us go down. This keen morning has given me a rare appetite, and I propose that we hie to the great hall, and break our fast with a cold chine and a flagon of humming ale.” “Agreed,” replied the others. Whereupon they descended to the court, and bowing, reverentially to the Cardinal and Lord Priuli as they passed them, proceeded to the banqueting-chamber, where preparations were already made for a substantial repast. Sitting down at a side-table, they fell to work with right good will. [Illustration] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. OF THE UNCEREMONIOUS VISIT PAID BY THEIR MAJESTIES TO CARDINAL POLE AT LAMBETH PALACE.