Then the King addressed himself to Master Richard, speaking softly, but
with an appearance of observing him very closely. My lord, too, watched
him, folding his hands in his lap.

"Now tell me, sir," said the King, "what is this tidings that you bear?"

Master Richard was a little dismayed at my lord's coming: he had
thought it was to be in private.

"It was to your ear alone, your grace, that I was bidden to deliver the
message," he said.

"My lord here is ears and eyes to me," said the King, a little stiffly,
and my lord smiled to hear him, and laid his hand on the King's knee.

That was answer enough for the holy youth, who was attendant only for
God's will; so he began straightway, and told the King of his
contemplation of eight days before, and of the dryness that fell on him
when he strove to put away his thoughts, and of his words with me who
was his priest, and his coming to London and an the rest. Then he told
him of how he heard mass at saint Edward's altar, and how at the
elevation of the sacring our Lord had told him what tidings he was to
take.

The King observed him very closely, leaning his head on his hand and his
elbow on the table, and my lord, who had begun by playing with his
chain, ceased, and watched him too.

Master Richard told me that there was a great silence everywhere when he