“If my ambition needed any spur, your words would furnish it, princess,” cried Sir Thomas. “That I have dared to raise my eyes to your Highness is a proof that I aspire to greatness, and no obstacle, however seemingly insurmountable, shall prevent me from obtaining it. I need scarcely tell you,” he added, lowering his voice, “I that I am the king your brother’s favorite uncle, and that if I choose to exert the influence I have over my royal nephew, the dignity you have pointed out as needful to the claimant of your hand must be mine. As my consort, your Highness shall be second to none in the kingdom.”
“But Edward may oppose our union,” said Elizabeth.
“His majesty will refuse me nothing—not even your hand,” he rejoined.
“But the lord protector—and the council?”
“All obstacles must yield to determination.”
“If Edward remains under the lord protector’s control, you will soon lose your influence over him,” observed Elizabeth.
“Be that my care to prevent,” he rejoined, significantly. “I am resolved to play for the highest stake, and to win it, or lose all. But to gain power without the prize that alone would render power valuable, would be to accomplish nothing. I am content to wait till such time as my position shall enable me to ask your hand in marriage. Meanwhile, as an incitement to present effort, and as a security for the future, I pray you let us plight our troth together.”
“I like not to bind myself so,” hesitated Elizabeth.
“Nay, I beseech you, refuse me not!” urged Seymour.
After a brief internal struggle, during which her lover pleaded yet more ardently, Elizabeth yielded, saying, “Be it as you will. What I have said I will abide by. Mistress Ashley shall witness our betrothal.”
With this, she gave her hand to Seymour, who pressed it to his lips, and they were proceeding together towards the recess in which the governess was still seated, when a piece of arras on the right of the chamber was suddenly drawn aside, and Queen Catherine stood before them.
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Elizabeth and Seymour Discovered by Catherine
“Nay, I beseech you, refuse me not?” urged Seymour.
After a brief internal struggle, during which her lover pleaded yet more ardently, Elizabeth yielded, saying: “Be it as you will. What I have said I will abide by. Mistress Ashley shall witness our betrothal.”
“With this, she gave her hand to Seymour, who pressed it to his lips, * * * when a piece of arras on the right of the chamber was suddenly drawn aside, and Queen Catherine stood before them.”
Chapter XIII
HOW THE COUNTESS OF HERTFORD WAS BALKED OF HER REVENGE; AND IN WHAT MANNER XIT SOUGHT TO DIVERT THE KING
The injured queen was pale as death. But her eyes flashed lightnings upon the startled pair, and she looked as if she would willingly annihilate them. Catherine indeed was very terrible at this moment, and it required no little courage to meet her glances. This courage Elizabeth possessed in an eminent degree, and though somewhat alarmed on the infuriated queen’s first appearance, she almost instantly recovered herself, and eyed Catherine with a glance almost as ireful and vindictive as her own.
Sir Thomas Seymour’s position was very different, and infinitely more embarrassing. By this unexpected occurrence he had every reason to fear he should lose both Elizabeth and the queen. By the latter his perfidy had evidently been detected—immediate exposure to the princess in all probability awaited him. But he was not easily daunted, and though the situation was in the highest degree perplexing, almost desperate, he did not for a moment lose his presence of mind.
“Hold!” cried Catherine, extending her hand menacingly towards them, as they recoiled on beholding her. “No troth-plight can take place between you. I forbid it in the name of the council. Such a contract would be in direct violation of your august father’s will, Elizabeth; and by the reverence you owe his memory, I charge you to forbear.”
“You have much reverence for the king my father’s memory, I must needs own, madam,” rejoined the princess, scornfully.
“I deserve the taunt, but it comes with an ill grace from your lips,” said Catherine.