"
"It is true the king recalled you from the army; but this was done
in order to give you the first place at his court--to appoint you
lord chamberlain to the queen."
Henry Howard trembled and was silent. "It is true," he then
muttered; "I am obliged to the king for this place."
"And then," continued the duchess, with an innocent air, "then I do
not believe either that Lord Hertford is to blame for your recall.
To prove this to you, he has made a proposal to the king, and to me
also, which is to testify to you and to all the world how great an
honor Lord Hertford esteems it to be allied to the Howards, and
above all things to you, by the most sacred bonds."
"Ah, that noble, magnanimous lord!" cried Henry Howard, with a
bitter laugh. "As matters do not advance well with laurels, he tries
the myrtles; since he can win no battles, he wants to make
marriages. Now, sister, let me hear what he has to propose."
"A double marriage, Henry. He asks my hand for his brother Thomas
Seymour, provided you choose his sister, Lady Margaret, for your
wife."
"Never!" cried the earl. "Never will Henry Howard present his hand
to a daughter of that house; never condescend so far as to elevate a
Seymour to be his wife. That is well enough for a king--not for a
Howard!
Brother, you insult the king!"
"Well, I insult him, then! He has insulted me, too, in arranging
this base scheme."
"Brother, reflect; the Seymours are powerful, and stand high in the
king's favor.
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