“I want words to thank your Highness,” said Seymour, with every appearance of the most fervent gratitude; “but the preference for me, which you so graciously exhibit, will, I fear, be distasteful to your new governor, who will expect you to reserve all your affection for him.”
“I see not why he should; but if he does, he will be disappointed,” rejoined Edward. “I may show him obedience, but I am not bound to give him the first place in my regard. I shall never love him so well as you, gentle uncle; that I can promise him. I have not yet had an opportunity of telling you how much my satisfaction was marred yesterday by learning that the council had not chosen you as my governor. Meseems I ought to have been consulted on the matter.”
“Had your Grace loved me less, or had I been less deserving of your love, because not so entirely devoted to you as I am, the council might—nay, would—have chosen me. But your uncle Hertford viewed me with a jealous eye, and the council were governed by his opinion.”
“So I guessed,” replied the king. “My Lord of Hertford has gone too far. He will gain nothing by his opposition to my expressed desires. He knew full well whither my inclinations tended.”
“And therefore ’twas he thwarted them,” rejoined Seymour. “Your Highness must dissemble your regard for me, if you would keep peace between me and the lord protector.”
“I hate dissimulation,” said Edward, “and ’twill be hard to practise it. Yet I will try to do so to prevent all chance of difference betwixt you and my Lord of Hertford, which would be greatly to be deplored.
“May it please your Grace, his highness the lord protector comes this way,” said the Marquis of Dorset, stepping forward.
As he spoke, the Earl of Hertford was seen advancing from the corridor, already described as communicating with the state apartments of the palace. From the magnificence of his apparel, and the splendor of his train, the lord protector would appear to have assumed a perfectly regal state. Preceded by a gentleman usher, and followed by a throng of esquires, henchmen, and pages, in superb habiliments, he was accompanied by the Constable of the Tower and Lord Lisle. His deportment was haughtier than it used to be, and now that he felt secure of his position, he seemed determined to assert his importance to the full.
“On my fay!” exclaimed Edward, “my uncle bears him bravely. One would think he were king and not lord protector.”
“Lord protector is only another name for king, your Highness,” observed Seymour, dryly.
“Stay with me, gentle uncle,” said Edward. “His highness looks angry. I hope he will not chide me.”
“Chide you, my liege!” exclaimed Seymour, almost fiercely. “He will not dare!”
“I am not so sure of it,” rejoined Edward. “But stand nigh me, and then I shall not heed him.”
“I do not quit your person without your Majesty’s commands,” answered Seymour.
As he drew nearer, it was evident that the lord protector was much chafed, and unable to conceal his displeasure. Sir John Gage addressed some observations to him, to which he made a very brief reply, keeping his eye all the while intently fixed upon the king and Sir Thomas. The latter hoped there might be an explosion of rage on the part of his brother, by which he could not fail to profit, but Hertford was too wary to damage himself by any such display of passion.
Making way for the lord protector and his train, the Marquis of Dorset and the Lady Jane Grey stationed themselves near Edward, while the luckless Fowler, who had not yet been dismissed, remained standing behind the young monarch. Sir Thomas Seymour did not move from his royal nephew’s side, but drew himself up to his full height as if prepared for the encounter.
Arrived at the proper distance from the king prescribed by court forms, the Constable of the Tower and Lord Lisle came to a halt; but the lord protector stepped forward, and after a profound salutation, which was courteously returned by his royal ward and nephew, said, with forced composure, “I have just been to your Grace’s chamber, and it greatly surprised me to learn from your chaplain that you had gone forth, nearly an hour ago, almost unattended, to walk and read within the privy garden. Permit me to observe to your highness that such a proceeding, not being altogether in accordance with princely decorum and needful self-restraint, it will be incumbent upon you, henceforth, to keep your room until I am able to wait upon you, when I will decide how it is meet your Majesty should go forth, and whither.”