“You are reluctant to speak out, gentle uncle, and perhaps fear my displeasure. But you are needlessly alarmed. Let me ask you another question. Do you think it likely our mother, the queen-dowager, will marry again?”
“In sooth, I cannot say, my liege. Not as yet, I should suppose.”
“No, not as yet—but hereafter. If she should—I say if she should—it would not surprise me if her choice were to fall on you.”
“On me, sire!” exclaimed Seymour, affecting astonishment.
“Ay, on you, gentle uncle. Nay, you need not affect mystery with me. I am in possession of your secret. Rest easy. If such a marriage were contemplated, I should not object to it.”
“What is this I hear?” cried the lord protector, who had overheard what was said. “Have you dared to raise your eyes to the queen-dowager?” he added to his brother.
“By what right does your Highness put the question to me?” demanded Seymour, haughtily.
“By every right,” rejoined Somerset, furiously. “If the notion has been entertained, it must be abandoned. Such a marriage never can take place.”
“Wherefore not?” demanded Edward, sharply.
“For many reasons, which it is needless now to explain to your Majesty,” rejoined Somerset. “But to make an end of the matter, I forbid it—peremptorily forbid it.”
“It will require more than your prohibition to hinder it, should it be in contemplation,” rejoined Seymour.
“Beware, lest pride and presumption work your ruin!” cried Somerset, foaming with rage.
“Take back the warning,” rejoined Seymour, with equal fierceness. “You have more need of it than I.”
“My inadvertence has caused this,” cried Edward, much pained by the quarrel. “But it must proceed no further. Not another word, I charge your Grace, on your allegiance,” he added to the lord protector.
And still keeping his favorite uncle beside him, he proceeded to the palace.
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Chapter IV
HOW LORD SEYMOUR OF SUDLEY WAS CLANDESTINELY MARRIED TO QUEEN CATHERINE PARR, IN SAINT PETER’S CHAPEL IN THE TOWER
On quitting the king, Lord Seymour proceeded to the Wardrobe Tower, where he found his esquire awaiting him. Ugo began to express his delight at his patron’s elevation, when Seymour cut him short impatiently, exclaiming:
“Basta! Ugo. Reserve thy congratulations for another opportunity. I have got the title I coveted and the office. I am Lord High Admiral of England—”
“And therefore in possession of an office of the highest honor and emolument, monsignore,” interrupted Ugo, bowing.
“I will not gainsay it. My importance is doubtless increased, but I am likely to lose the prize I thought secure. The Lord Protector has found out that I aspire to the hand of the queen-dowager, and will use all his power to prevent the marriage.” And he proceeded to detail the quarrel that had just occurred between himself and his brother in the king’s presence. “His Majesty good-naturedly endeavored to patch up the dispute,” he continued; “but I know Somerset will not forgive me, and will do his utmost to thwart my project. It is well he made not this discovery sooner,” he added, with a laugh, “or I should not have been in the list of those who have this day gained a peerage. Thus much I have secured, at all events.”
“And believe me it is no slight matter, my Lord. Have you any reason to fear the consequences of a secret marriage with the queen?”
“Once wedded to her Majesty, I should fear nothing—not even my omnipotent and vindictive brother, who is taking steps to clothe himself with regal power. I do not fear him as it is—but he may thwart my schemes. Thy hint is a good one, Ugo,—the marriage must be secret.”
“Speedy as well as secret, monsignore. The sooner it takes place the better. You have other enemies besides the Lord Protector, who will work against you. Have you influence sufficient with the queen, think you, to prevail upon her to consent to such a step?”
“Methinks I have,” rejoined Seymour. “But I will put her to the proof—and that right speedily. She has agreed to grant me an interview this very morning, and if my reception be favorable, I will urge the imperative necessity of the course thou hast suggested, backing my suit with all the arguments in my power.”