On no previous occasion had Xit exhibited so much consequence as the present, and his accoutrements and fantastically-plumed casque added to his ludicrous appearance. He advanced slowly and majestically towards the chair of state in which Mary was seated, ever and anon turning his head to see that Bret was close behind him, and when within a short distance of the royal person, he made a profound salutation. Unluckily, in doing so, his helmet fell from his head, and rolled to the queen’s feet. Slightly discomposed by the accident, and still more by Mary’s frowns, he picked up his helmet, and stammered forth—
“I am come to inform your highness that I have taken a prisoner, taken him with my own hands”—
“Who is it?” interrupted Mary, glancing sternly at the captive, who remained with his arms folded upon his breast, and his eyes cast upon the floor. “Who is it?” she asked, in an imperious tone.
“The arch-traitor Bret,” answered Xit, “the captain of the London Trained Bands, who revolted from the Duke of Norfolk, and joined the rebels at Rochester.”
“Bret!” ejaculated Mary, in a tone that made Xit recoil several steps with fright, while the prisoner himself looked up. “Aha! is the traitor then within our power? Take him without, and let the headsman deal with him.”
“Your highness!” cried Bret, prostrating himself.
“Away with him!” interrupted Mary. “Do you, my lord,” she added, to Gardiner, “see that my commands are obeyed.”
The prisoner was accordingly removed, and Xit, who was completely awed by the queen’s furious looks, was about to slink off, when she commanded him to remain.
“Stay!” she cried. “I have promised on my queenly word, that whoso brought this traitor Bret to me, should have whatever he demanded. Art thou in good truth his captor? Take heed thou triflest not with me. I am in no mood for jesting.”
“So I perceive, gracious madam,” replied Xit. “But I swear to you, I took him with my own hand, in fair and open combat. My companion Magog, if he survives the fray, will vouch for the truth of my statement—nay, Bret himself will not gainsay it.”
“Bret will gainsay little more,” rejoined Mary sternly; ” his brain will contrive no further treason against us, nor his tongue give utterance to it. But I believe thee, the rather that I am persuaded thou darest not deceive me. Make thy request, it is granted.”
“If I dared to raise my hopes so high,” said Xit, bashfully.
“What means the knave?” cried Mary. “I have said the request shall be granted.”
“Whatever I ask?” inquired Xit.
“Whatever thou mayest ask in reason, sirrah!” returned Mary, somewhat perplexed.
“Well, then,” replied Xit, “I should have claimed a dukedom. But as your highness might possibly think the demand unreasonable, I will limit myself to knighthood.”
In spite of herself, Mary could not repress a smile at the dwarf’s extravagant request, and the terms in which it was couched.
“I have made many efforts to obtain this distinction,” pursued Xit, “and for a while unsuccessfully. But fortune, or rather my bravery, has at length favoured me. I desire knighthood at your majesty’s hands.”
“Thou shalt have it,” replied Mary; “and it will be a lesson to me to make no rash promises in future. Hereafter, when affairs are settled, thou wilt not fail to remind me of my promise.”
“Your highness may depend upon it, I will not fail to do so,” replied Xit, bowing and retiring. “Huzza!” he cried, as soon as he gained the antechamber. “Huzza!” he repeated, skipping in the air, and cutting as many capers as his armour would allow him, “at length, I have reached the height of my ambition. I shall be knighted. The queen has promised it. Aha! my three noble giants, I am now a taller man than any of you. My lofty title will make up for my want of stature. Sir Xit!—that does not sound well. I must change my name for one more euphonious, or at least find out my surname. Who am I? It is strange I never thought of tracing out my history before. I feel I am of illustrious origin. I must clear up this point before I am knighted. Stand aside, base grooms,” he continued to the grinning and jeering attendants, “and let me pass.”