“Since your Majesty will have it so, I must yield,” he said. “But I should have ill discharged my duty had I not remonstrated. One thing is quite certain, that the admiral would never have obtained my consent, nor that of the council, to the alliance.”
“It is well, then, that he did not ask it,” remarked Edward, with a smile. “But since you refer to the council, we will have the opinion of some of them without more ado. How say you, my lords?” he said to several, who were standing nigh—”do you blame my lord admiral for his marriage? Do you blame him, my lord of Warwick?—or you, my lord of Arundel?”
“So far from blaming him, my liege, I give him infinite credit for what he has done,” said Warwick. “I would the chance had been mine own.”
“He has gained a prize of which he may well be proud,” added Arundel.
“What says Sir John Gage?” demanded Edward, of the Constable of the Tower, who stood near him.
“I have nothing to say against the marriage, since it meets with your Majesty’s approval,” replied Sir John. “The lord admiral is bold and fortunate.”
“Are there any dissentient voices?” inquired the king.
“None, sire—none!” cried the rest of the council.
“That is well,” said Edward. “But we must leave nothing undone. Where is our sister? Oh! you are here. Will you not offer your congratulations to the queen, Elizabeth?”
Seymour did not venture to raise his eyes towards the princess as this request was made.
“With all my heart, sire,” replied Elizabeth, who by this time had entirely recovered her composure; “I congratulate her majesty and the lord admiral on their union. Her highness, I am persuaded, could not have found a better or more devoted husband; while on his part the admiral may justly esteem himself the most fortunate of men.”
Catherine next received the congratulations of the Marchioness of Dorset and the Lady Jane Grey. After a brief converse with them, she turned to the king, and said, “When your Majesty honors me with a visit, you will always have a companion of your own age.”
“How so, madam?” inquired Edward.
“Because the Lady Jane Grey is henceforth to be my daughter,” replied Catherine. “Her mother has consented to place her under my custody.”
“I am right glad to hear it,” exclaimed the king. “Your Ladyship could not have done better,” he added to the marchioness.
“The lord admiral is to be her guardian, and to have the disposal of her hand in marriage, if it meets with your Majesty’s approval,” observed Dorset.
“Nay, my lord marquis, you are the best judge in the matter,” replied Edward; “and if you choose to consign so precious a charge to him, I cannot object to it.”
“The admiral to be her guardian, and have the disposal of her hand!” muttered Somerset. “I now see why the duchess’s offer was declined. ‘T is a preconcerted scheme.”
At this moment, an usher, accompanied by the chamberlain and vice-chamberlain, with several other officers of the household, bearing white wands, ceremoniously approached the admiral, and informed him that the supper was served in the banqueting-chamber.
“Will it please your Majesty to proceed thither?” said Seymour.
Edward bowed a gracious assent, and tendering his hand to the queen, said, “Let us conduct you to it, madam.”
“Is this as it should be?” said the Duchess of Somerset, aside to her lord. “Ought she now to take precedence of me?”
“Seek not to contest the point,” he rejoined. “Ere long her pride shall be lowered.”
Trumpets were sounded as the king entered the banquet-hall with the queen-dowager. A cloth of state, embroidered with the royal arms, was placed over the seat assigned to his majesty. On his right sat the queen-dowager, and on the other side the lord protector. Special care was taken by the admiral that the Lady Jane Grey should be placed opposite the king.
The supper was magnificent, and was marked by the same unbounded luxury and prodigality that had distinguished the whole entertainment. Though the guests were very numerous, all were well served. The admiral himself waited upon the king.
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