There, rose the round church of the Temple, and the beautiful
gardens surrounding the buildings, half monastic, half military, and
already inhabited by lawyers. From a barge at the Temple stairs a legal
personage descended, with a square beard, and open, benevolent, shrewd
face, before whom Tibble removed his cap with eagerness, saying to
Ambrose, "Yonder is Master More, a close friend of the dean's, a good
and wise man, and forward in every good work."

Thus did they arrive at York House. Workmen were busy on some portions
of it, but it was inhabited by the great Archbishop, the king's chief
adviser. The approach of the boat seemed to be instantly notified, as
it drew near the stone steps giving entrance to the gardens, with an
avenue of trees leading up to the principal entrance.

Four or five yeomen ran down the steps, calling out to Tibble that their
corslets had tarried a long time, and that Sir Thomas Drury had been
storming for him to get his tilting armour into order.

Tibble followed the man who had undertaken to conduct him through a path
that led to the offices of the great house, bidding the boys keep with
him, and asking for their uncle Master Harry Randall.

The yeoman shook his head. He knew no such person in the household, and
did not think there ever had been such. Sir Thomas Drury was found in
the stable court, trying the paces of the horse he intended to use in
the approaching joust. "Ha! old Wrymouth," he cried, "welcome at last!
I must have my new device damasked on my shield. Come hither, and I'll
show it thee."

Private rooms were seldom enjoyed, even by knights and gentlemen, in
such a household, and Sir Thomas could only conduct Tibble to the
armoury, where numerous suits of armour hung on blocks, presenting the
semblance of armed men. The knight a good-looking personage, expatiated
much on the device he wished to dedicate to his lady-love, a pierced
heart with a forget-me-not in the midst and it was not until the
directions were finished that Tibble ventured to mention the inquiry for
Randall.

"I wot of no such fellow," returned Sir Thomas, "you had best go to the
comptroller, who keeps all the names."

Tibble had to go to this functionary at any rate, to obtain an order for
payment for the corslets he had brought home. Ambrose and Stephen
followed him across an enormous hall, where three long tables were being
laid for dinner.

The comptroller of the household, an esquire o