Thus saith the king's majesty, who sendeth greeting to your
royal highness and prayeth that God will of His mercy quickly heal you
and have you now and ever in His holy keeping.'
The Lord St. John made reverence and stood aside. Tom replied,
resignedly:
'The king hath said it. None may palter with the king's command,
or fit it to his ease, where it doth chafe, with deft evasions. The
king shall be obeyed.'
Lord Hertford said:
'Touching the king's majesty's ordainment concerning books and
such like serious matters, it may peradventure please your highness to
ease your time with lightsome entertainment, lest you go wearied to
the banquet and suffer harm thereby.'
Tom's face showed inquiring surprise; and a blush followed when he
saw Lord St. John's eyes bent sorrowfully upon him. His lordship said:
'Thy memory still wrongeth thee, and thou hast shown surprise- but
suffer it not to trouble thee, for 'tis a matter that will not bide,
but depart with thy mending malady. My Lord of Hertford speaketh of
the city's banquet which the king's majesty did promise two months
flown, your highness should attend. Thou recallest it now?'
'It grieves me to confess it had indeed escaped me,' said Tom,
in a hesitating voice; and blushed again.
At that moment the Lady Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey were
announced. The two lords exchanged significant glances, and Hertford
stepped quickly toward the door. As the young girls passed him, he
said in a low voice:
'I pray ye, ladies, seem not to observe his humors, nor show
surprise when his memory doth lapse- it will grieve you to note how it
doth stick at every trifle.
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