“It shall be done, your Highness,” replied Ugo, glancing at the paper.
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Chapter XV
HOW THE ADMIRAL’S LETTER WAS COPIED BY THE KING
From what has been narrated in the previous chapter, it will be seen that the state of subjection in which the young king was kept, and the total want of deference paid to his inclinations and requests, had gradually alienated his affections from his elder uncle. Edward’s great desire was now to emancipate himself from the lord protector’s guardianship, and this object he hoped to accomplish by the admiral’s help. With this view, the letter to the Houses of Parliament, complaining of his grievances, was concocted. Fowler, to whom the draft of the intended address was intrusted, waited till the king retired to his cabinet, and then delivered it to him, saying that it came from the admiral, and that if his majesty approved it on perusal, he was to transcribe it and sign it.
“Let me look at it, Fowler,” replied Edward, opening the paper, and scanning its contents. “‘Tis well worded,” he added, “and I do not think my request can be refused.”
“I hope not,” rejoined Fowler. “All will be well if the admiral should be appointed your guardian. Ah, how different he is from your Majesty’s elder uncle! The one is all affability and condescension,—generous, kindly, and noble; the other, austere, severe, rapacious, and parsimonious.”
“Nay, Fowler, you must not malign the lord protector,” said Edward.
“I do not malign him, my gracious liege,” replied Fowler. “I speak nothing but the truth. But I cannot bear to see your Majesty thus treated. With the lord admiral you would not be kept in this sort of durance, only allowed to go forth at stated times, and in a stated manner, deprived of all pleasant companionship, and compelled to study, study, study, till your brain must be quite addled.”
“Nay, not quite so bad as that, good Fowler,” rejoined Edward; “but in sooth I begin to find the life I lead somewhat wearisome. There is a strange contrariety in the lord protector’s disposition for which I cannot account. He seems to delight in thwarting my inclinations. If I prefer a request, I am certain to have it refused. If I would do one thing, he would have me do another. If I would go here, he makes me go there. He refuses me money, because he says I am too lavish with it. Every day some new restriction is placed upon me, till, if this system be continued much longer, I shall have no power whatever left.”
“That is quite certain,” remarked Fowler.
“At what hour shall I see the admiral to-morrow night, Fowler?”
“At nine o’clock, your Majesty. He is to be introduced by the back staircase as soon as your chaplain and tutors have left you. It may be well to copy the letter before-hand.”
“I will transcribe it at once,” rejoined the king. “Stay with me while I do it.”
With this, Edward sat down to a desk on which writing materials were placed, and was engaged in the task, when Xit suddenly entered, and called out in a warning voice that the lord protector was close at hand.
“If he sees this letter I am undone!” exclaimed Edward, in alarm. “Where shall I hide it?”
“Give it to me, sire,” cried Fowler, snatching the papers, and thrusting them into his doublet. Scarcely was this accomplished, when the Duke of Somerset abruptly entered the closet. Without troubling himself to make more than a slight obeisance, he looked sternly and inquiringly at his royal nephew.
“Your Majesty appears confused,” he said.
“I may well be so when your Highness enters thus unceremoniously,” rejoined Edward.
“I would not suffer the henchmen to announce me,” said Somerset, “because in a hasty visit like the present, form may be dispensed with. I have only a few words to say to your Majesty.”
“Be pleased to say them, then,” rejoined Edward.
“What I have to say relates to the lord admiral. I am told he is much offended because I will not allow him to approach your Majesty.”
“Your Highness can scarcely be surprised at that. I hope you are come to tell me that you have removed the interdiction.”