Never had London seen such a Christmastide.

Every man was moody and careworn, and the bell of Paul's as it tolled the hours seemed a sullen prophet of woe.
His servant met him on the stair.
"He is here," he said.

"I waited for him in the Bell Yard and brought him in secretly." Lovel nodded, and stripped off his cloak, giving it to the man.

"Watch the door like a dragon, Matthew," he told him.

"For an hour we must be alone.