Jack could hardly forbear laughing. He brought forward the sweetmeats and other matters which his father had sent, and had the satisfaction of seeing them received with great delight. Then excusing himself, he hastened once more to the Hall, and found that Sir John and his lady had been at home for an hour. "I told the knight you had been here, asking for him, and he bid me show you to him as soon as ever you came back," said Master Butler. "He waits you in the library." Jack felt somewhat abashed, not to say frightened, when he found himself alone with Sir John, and hardly knew how to begin his tale. "You come a messenger from Master Fleming?" said Sir John, kindly, seeing the youth's evident embarrassment. "Speak freely; we are quite by ourselves." "It is not upon any business of Master Fleming's that I have come, Sir John," said Jack, gathering courage. "I know not but you will think me very forward and presumptuous when I open the matter to you. In that case, my only excuse must be that I have done as I would be done by under the like circumstances." "It is a good excuse, if any be needed," returned the knight gravely. "Of that I can judge better when I hear what you have to say to me." "Your worship has a son," said Jack, determined to go to the root of the matter at once. Sir John started and turned pale. "I have—or had," said he, trying to speak calmly. "I know not if he be living or no. Have you heard any news of him?" "I believe that I have—nay, I am sure of it," replied Jack. "It was that which brought me here this day." Sir John paused a moment, and then asked, "Is the news good or bad?" "Altogether good, as I think." "Tell me at once what you have to say," said Sir John. "I can bear anything better than suspense. My son is then alive?" "He is alive, and likely, as I trust, to live, though he has been ill and is still very weak," replied Jack. He then went on and told his tale in as few words as possible, adding, "I am come to you, Sir John, wholly on mine own motion, and without authority from Master Arthur. But it seemed to me no more than right that you should know the truth." "Does not my son then desire to see me?" asked Sir John. "He does, indeed," said Jack eagerly. "He said last night that his only remaining wish was, to ask your forgiveness and to die in your arms. But he cannot come to seek you. He is very weak and low, unable so much as to rise from his bed, and besides, I can see he is full of fear and doubt. He says he has brought disgrace and shame on an honorable house, and he knows not whether his friends would not rather think him dead. I do not think he even guesses that I know his secret, for I gathered it from his wanderings last night, whereof he remembered nothing this morning. I most humbly crave your pardon, if I have done wrong," said Jack, not knowing how to interpret the knight's face. Sir John rose, and walked to the door of the ante-room, where a servant was in waiting.