“That reminds me that one of the most daring pirates that ever infested these northern seas, Captain Nicholas Hornbeak, has lately been captured. What will your Highness have done with him?”
“Hum! I must consider,” replied the admiral, musing. “Hornbeak is a bold fellow. ‘T would be a pity to hang him. I must talk with him. Is he in safe custody?”
“He is lodged in the Gatehouse prison, your Highness.”
“Let him be brought before me to-morrow.”
“I see that Captain Hornbeak has a good chance of commanding another crew of desperadoes,” observed Ugo.
“All will depend upon himself,” rejoined the admiral. “I have work to do, which men of Hornbeak’s stamp can accomplish better than any other. Ere long, I shall be lord of the Scilly Islands, Ugo. They are strong enough by nature, but I mean to make them impregnable. To those islands I design to convey stores and treasure, so that, if driven to extremities, I can retire thither with safety. These pirate vessels will then defend me from attack, and if a rebellion should break out in the land, they would materially aid it—if properly directed.”
“I begin to comprehend your Highness’s design,” observed Ugo. “‘T is a terrible conspiracy you are hatching.”
“Thou wilt say so, when thou art made acquainted with all its ramifications. I have a strong castle in Denbighshire, Holt, which I design to fortify, and make it another depository of arms and stores. In two months I shall have a dozen counties in my favor. Am I wrong in making provision by the readiest means in my power for the outbreak?”
“Assuredly not, my Lord; you are quite right to use any implements that will serve your purpose.”
At this juncture an usher entered, and with a respectful obeisance, stated that the Marquis of Dorset was without, and craved a moment’s private audience of the Lord Admiral.
“Admit his lordship instantly,” said Seymour to the usher. “Retire, Ugo,” he added to his esquire, “but wait within the ante-chamber. I may have need of thee. I can partly guess what brings Dorset hither.”
And as his esquire withdrew, the admiral arose.
“Welcome back to court, my Lord,” he cried to Dorset; “you have been too long absent from us.”
“Not more than a month, my good Lord,” replied the Marquis; “but I am flattered to find that I have been missed. Has his Majesty deigned to speak of me during my absence?”
“Very often, my Lord; and he has never failed to inquire whether you intended to bring your daughter, the Lady Jane Grey, with you on your return. I trust you have done so.”
“My daughter and the marchioness return from Bradgate to-morrow. You delight me by what you tell me respecting his majesty’s continued interest in my daughter. I feared he had ceased to think of her.”
“As yet, the impression she has made upon his youthful mind is strong as ever,” rejoined Seymour; “but if she had remained away much longer, it might have been effaced. I am rejoiced therefore to hear of her speedy return. But pray be seated, marquis. We can talk more at our ease, and I have much to say to you. The time has come for carrying out our arrangement in reference to the guardianship of your daughter. You have not changed your mind upon that score, I presume, but are still willing to resign her to my custody?”
“I am quite willing to fulfil my agreement with you, my lord admiral, but are you in a condition to receive her? Your secret marriage with her highness the queen-dowager is not yet acknowledged. Unforeseen difficulties may arise with the council, with the lord protector, or even with the king, and till that matter is settled you must excuse some hesitation on my part.”
“My marriage with the queen will be formally announced to my royal nephew and the lord protector to-morrow, and you shall have an opportunity, if you desire it, of seeing how the announcement is received. You will then be able to decide as to the policy of committing the Lady Jane to my care.”
“Your Highness has no fears, then, of the king’s displeasure, or of the lord protector’s anger?”