Respectfully saluting Sir Thomas, he waited till the latter had hastily explained his business to him, and then declaring he was ready to proceed on the errand at once, inquired if his patron had any further commands.
“Thou shalt take a short missive from me to the princess, Ugo,” replied Sir Thomas. “Thou canst make such preparations for the journey as are needful while I prepare it.”
Signifying his ready assent, the esquire retired to an inner chamber, while Seymour sat down at a table on which writing materials were placed, and commenced the letter.
Apparently, what he wrote did not satisfy him, for, on reading it, he tore up the paper, and threw it into a wood fire, which was blazing cheerily on the hearth. He then began anew, but the second letter pleased him no better than the first, and was likewise consigned to the flames. The third essay proved more successful. Glancing over the note with a complacent smile, he muttered, “Methinks this will do!” and then placed it in a cover, secured the tender despatch with a silken thread, and sealed it with his signet ring.
While he was writing the third letter, his esquire, habited for the journey, returned to the room, but remained standing at a respectful distance, watching him with a very singular expression of countenance.
“Deliver this into the princess’s own hands, Ugo, at a convenient opportunity. Thou understandest?—ha!” said Seymour, giving him the missive.
“Perfettamente, monsignore,” replied Harrington. “But I confess I did not expect to be the bearer of a biglietto amoroso at this moment, when I had reason to believe your lordship to be on the brink of an engagement in another quarter.”
“Thy conclusion that it is a billet d’amour with which I have charged thee is altogether erroneous, Ugo,” said Seymour, with a smile. “I have merely indicted a few words of good counsel to the princess, which I think she ought to receive before she arrives at the Tower. Presume not too much on my familiarity towards thee, amico, and, above all, never seek to penetrate my secrets. Be content to act as I direct thee, without inquiring into the motive. The time will come when thou wilt be well rewarded for any services thou mayst render me now.”
“Per Sant’ Antonio! I am sufficiently rewarded already,” rejoined Harrington. “You have been a most munificent patron to me, monsignore.”
“Nothing to what I will be, Ugo. But I must have blind obedience to my behests.”
“You have only to command, monsignore. But I would I might prevail upon you to abandon this dangerous game, in which, I fear me much, you will fail; while you will assuredly jeopardize that of which you are at present secure. It seems to me a vain pursuit—gettare la sustenza e prendere l’ombra.”
“I am resolved to risk it,” cried Seymour, “be the consequences what they may. To speak truth, Ugo, I am so madly in love with the charming princess that I cannot endure the thought of yoking myself to another.”
“Your lordship was wont to be more prudent,” observed the esquire, shrugging his shoulders. “Eperchè questa subita mutazione?—Una pollastrina non ancora buena per la tavola.”
“Hold thy ribald tongue!” cried Seymour. “My passion may overmaster my reason. But setting aside my uncontrollable love for the princess, which would carry me to any lengths, however desperate, she is a far richer prize than the other. Possession of her hand would place me near the throne.”
“You are irresistible, monsignore—that I well know—and the princess, like any other donzella, will no doubt accept you. But that will avail you little. The council will never sanction the match, and by the late king’s will their consent must be obtained.”
“Thou prat’st in vain, Harrington. I am immovable. Let me win the princess’s consent, and all the rest will follow. And, by my halidame! I shall win it.”
“To resolve to win, is to be sure to win, monsignore. I am all obedience. Not only shall this letter be delivered with the utmost discretion to the adorable princess with the tresses of gold, which seem to have ensnared your lordship, and which I must needs own are most ravishingly beautiful, but I will lose no opportunity of sounding your praises in her ear.”