Who accompanied the queen?"
"Princess Elizabeth," said John Heywood, who had heard everything,
and saw clearly the arrow that the earl had shot at the queen.
"Princess Elizabeth, her true and dear friend, who never leaves her
side. Besides, her maids of honor, who, like the dragon in the
fable, keep watch over the beautiful princess."
"Who else is in the queen's company?" inquired Henry, sullenly.
"The master of horse, Earl of Sudley," said Douglas, "and--"
"That is an observation in the highest degree superfluous,"
interrupted John Heywood; "it is perfectly well understood by itself
that the master of horse accompanies the queen. That is just as much
his office as it is yours to sing the song of your cousin, my
parrot."
"He is right," said the king quickly. "Thomas Seymour must accompany
her, and it is my will also. Thomas Seymour is a faithful servant,
and this he has inherited from his sister Jane, my much loved queen,
now at rest with God, that he is devoted to his king in steadfast
affection."
"The time has not yet come when one may assail the Seymours,"
thought the earl. "The king is yet attached to them; so he will feel
hostile toward the foes of the Seymours. Let us then begin our
attack on Henry Howard--that is to say, on the queen."
"Who accompanied the queen besides?" inquired Henry the Eighth,
emptying the golden beaker at a draught, as though he would thereby
cool the fire which already began to blaze within him.
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