“Sir John says well,” observed Doctor Cox. “Conferences and disputations on religious subjects are requisite now, in order to refute error and convince men’s understanding. Nowhere can such discussions be more advantageously held than at your Majesty’s universities of Oxford and Cambridge.”
“Our cause is so good, that it should need neither justification nor defence,” rejoined Edward. “Nevertheless, at a season of difficulty and danger no precautions ought to be neglected. To secure the permanent establishment of the Protestant Church, all its ablest and stoutest supporters must be rallied round it. Pre-eminent amongst these are the wise and good men you have mentioned, whose lives give an assurance of the sincerity of their opinions. The Protestant leaders are much harassed in Germany, as I hear, and they may, therefore, be glad of an asylum here. It will rejoice me to see them, to profit by their teaching, and to be guided by their judgment and counsels. His Grace of Canterbury shall invite them to England, and if they come, they shall have a reception which shall prove the esteem in which they are held. Peter Martyr would fill a theological chair as well at Oxford as at Strasburg, and I will find fitting posts for Bucer and the others.”
At this point the conversation dropped. Seeing the king disinclined for further discussion, his preceptors did not press the subject, and he soon afterwards retired to his own chamber.
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Chapter II
FROM WHICH IT WILL BE SEEN THAT THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH WAS NOT ENTIRELY CURED OF HER PASSION
Like her royal brother, the Princess Elizabeth had been an inmate of the Tower during the time of her august father’s funeral, but as she kept her chamber, owing to indisposition, as it was alleged, Edward saw nothing of her until on the evening of the third day, when she sent to beg him to come to her.
The amiable young monarch at once complied with the request. On his arrival at his sister’s apartments, he found Mistress Ashley with her, but on seeing him the governess withdrew. The young pair were then alone together, for Edward had left his own attendants in the waiting-chamber. Elizabeth looked ill, and had evidently been weeping. Much distressed by her appearance, Edward flew to her, embraced her tenderly, and inquired, with great solicitude, what ailed her?
“I do not think the air of the Tower agrees with me,” she replied, with a faint smile. “I have never been well since I came here. I would pray your Majesty’s permission to depart to-morrow for Hatfield.”
“I shall be sorry to lose you, dear Bess,” replied the king, affectionately; “but, in good sooth, you do not look well, and if you think change of air will be of service to you, e’en try it. I hoped you would accompany me to Whitehall, in order to attend my coronation. I promise you it will be a goodly show.”
“I do not doubt it,” she rejoined. “But I am not in spirits for grand solemnities at present, and quite shrink from them. Therefore, with your Majesty’s leave, I will be gone to-morrow. Most of the court, they tell me, will return from Windsor to-night, and, as I care not to mingle with them again, I will depart betimes.”
“Be it as you please, dear Bess. I will not force you to do aught against your inclinations, even though I myself shall be the loser. Depart at any hour you please. A fitting escort shall attend you. Sir Thomas Seymour, with the rest of the court, will be back from Windsor to-night. Shall I bid him go with you?”
“On no account,” replied Elizabeth, hastily; blushing deeply as she spoke.
“Wherein has Sir Thomas offended you, Bess? You used to like him better than any other. What has occasioned this sudden change of feeling? Can I not set matters right between you?”
“There is nothing to be set right. That I have completely altered my opinion of Sir Thomas Seymour, I will not deny—that I have quarrelled with him, is also true—but he is now perfectly indifferent to me.”
“Hum! I am not so sure of that, Bess. But if you refuse to confide the cause of your quarrel to me, I cannot tell whether you are right or wrong.”