Also learn, that for a
higher service, in that he saved his sovereign stripes and shame,
taking these upon himself, he is a peer of England, Earl of Kent,
and shall have gold and lands meet for the dignity. More- the
privilege which he hath just exercised is his by royal grant; for we
have ordained that the chiefs of his line shall have and hold the
right to sit in the presence of the majesty of England henceforth, age
after age, so long as the crown shall endure. Molest him not.'
Two persons, who, through delay, had only arrived from the country
during this morning, and had now been in this room only five
minutes, stood listening to these words and looking at the king,
then at the scarecrow, then at the king again, in a sort of torpid
bewilderment. These were Sir Hugh and the Lady Edith. But the new earl
did not see them. He was still staring at the monarch, in a dazed way,
and muttering:
'Oh, body o' me! This my pauper! This my lunatic! This is he
whom I would show what grandeur was, in my house of seventy rooms
and seven and twenty servants! This is he who had never known aught
but rags for raiment, kicks for comfort, and offal for diet! This is
he whom I adopted and would make respectable! Would God I had a bag to
hide my head in!'
Then his manners suddenly came back to him, and he dropped upon
his knees, with his hands between the king's, and swore allegiance and
did homage for his lands and titles. Then he rose and stood
respectfully aside, a mark still for all eyes- and much envy, too.
Pages:
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244