Shortly afterwards, Ugo Harrington entered the cabinet.
“How now?” demanded the admiral. “Any more wrecks seized?”
“No, your Highness; but Captain Hornbeak, whom you liberated, has arrived at Gravesend with a large booty, and requires an order to land it.”
“Well, let him have the order,” replied the admiral. “Assign him his portion of the spoil, and see that the remainder be safely bestowed. As soon as his pinnace is fitted out again he must sail for the Scilly Isles.”
“Your Highness has then got possession of those long-coveted islands?”
“I am about to take possession of them,” replied Seymour, with a smile. “I have already despatched a small fleet of pirate vessels thither under the command of Captain Blades, and as the bulk of the navy is now employed off the coast of Scotland, they are not likely to meet with interruption. I mean to make the Scilly Isles a depository for stores and arms.”
“No safer place could be found,” replied Ugo; “and, as your Highness once observed, those islands may prove a refuge for you in case of need.”
“Such a necessity, I trust, will not arise,” replied the admiral. “I ought to go down to Holt to see that the castle is kept constantly provisioned; but I must trust to my deputy-governor, for I like not to be absent from London at this juncture.”
A sudden interruption was here offered to their conversation by the discharge of ordnance, evidently proceeding from the Tower. Immediately afterwards the guns of the palace responded, the bells of all the churches began to peal merrily, while shouts and acclamations were heard.
“Those sounds denote that a victory has been won by our army in Scotland,” cried the admiral. “An engagement, I know, was imminent. Hie thee forth, Ugo, and let me know what has happened.”
The esquire obeyed; and during his absence the ringing of bells and shouting continued, increasing Seymour’s impatience to learn the news. After a while, Ugo returned, with looks plainly indicating that he had most important intelligence to communicate.
“A great victory has been gained by the lord protector,” he said, “over the Scots on the field of Pinkey, near Musselburgh. The Scottish army is totally routed, about fourteen thousand of them being slain, and fifteen hundred made prisoners, among whom is the Earl of Huntly, with many gentlemen. The protector is master of Edinburgh, except the castle, which must speedily surrender.”
“My brother’s star is in the ascendant,” observed the admiral, moodily.
“The news runs that his highness will return at once to London, and leave the command of the army to the Earl of Warwick,” pursued Ugo.
“What brings him back so suddenly, I marvel?” said the admiral.
“Possibly he may have received intimation of your lordship’s proceedings, and may deem his presence necessary to check them,” said Ugo.
“It may be so,” rejoined Seymour, thoughtfully. “At any rate, the enterprise must be deferred to a more propitious opportunity. ‘Twill not be the moment to cope with him when he comes back covered with glory.”
“Had he been defeated, your Highness’s chance would undoubtedly have been greater,” observed Ugo. “The whole realm will ring with his triumphs for some time to come, and his name will be uppermost in all men’s minds. The lord mayor and the citizens will, no doubt, give him a magnificent reception. Your lordship is discreet to bide your time.”
“When his popularity wanes, the blow shall be struck,” said the admiral. “But I must to the palace, and offer my congratulations to the king on the glorious victory of Pinkey.”
As he went forth, he found the whole populace astir, and making extravagant demonstrations of delight. His brother’s name was on every man’s lips. Somerset’s reputation had risen to such an immeasurable height as to render any immediate attempt against him futile.
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Chapter II
SUDLEY CASTLE
About a year must now be allowed to elapse with very brief mention of what occurred during that interval. The brilliant victory gained over the Scots at Pinkey, alluded to in the previous chapter, consolidated the lord protector’s power, and his popularity rose to such a height as to defy all opposition.
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