When the nuts were all gone, he stumbled upon some
inviting books in a closet, among them one about the etiquette of
the English court. This was a prize. He lay down upon a sumptuous
divan, and proceeded to instruct himself with honest zeal. Let us
leave him there for the present.
CHAPTER VIII
The Question of the Seal
ABOUT five o'clock Henry VIII awoke out of an unrefreshing nap,
and muttered to himself, 'Troublous dreams, troublous dreams! Mine end
is now at hand; so say these warnings, and my failing pulses do
confirm it.' Presently a wicked light flamed up in his eye, and he
muttered, 'Yet will not I die till he go before.'
His attendants perceiving that he was awake, one of them asked his
pleasure concerning the Lord Chancellor, who was waiting without.
'Admit him, admit him!' exclaimed the king eagerly.
The Lord Chancellor entered, and knelt by the king's couch,
saying:
'I have given order, and, according to the king's command, the
peers of the realm, in their robes, do now stand at the bar of the
House, where, having confirmed the Duke of Norfolk's doom, they humbly
wait his majesty's further pleasure in the matter.'
The king's face lit up with a fierce joy. Said he:
'Lift me up! In mine own person will I go before my Parliament,
and with mine own hand will I seal the warrant that rids me of-'
His voice failed; an ashen pallor swept the flush from his cheeks;
and the attendants eased him back upon his pillows, and hurriedly
assisted him with restoratives.
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