“Ah, the lip of the House of Austria—how well I know it! It maketh me to shudder to hear you,” said Mrs Rose. “Yet if his complexion be Cain-colour, he is changed from what he was. In his young years was it very fair and clear,—as fair as Walter.”
“He is mighty unlike Walter now,” said Dr Thorpe.
“And what is thy view, Robin?”
“I have not to add to what Father hath said,” replied he, “saving that I thought there was a gloomy and careworn look upon the King’s face. He is stately and majestical of his carriage; but his nether part of his face cometh forward in a fashion rather strong than seemly. It struck me he should be a man not easily turned from his purpose.”
Mr Underhill presented himself in the evening.
“Well,” said he, “saw you our goodly King Philip?”
“Nay,” said Dr Thorpe, “I saw a mighty ill-favoured.”
Mr Underhill laughed. “Verily,” said he, “I would be bond that I could match him for beauty with any the first man I should meet withal in the City. There were two swords carried afore him—”
“Ay,” said Dr Thorpe, “to cut off all heads withal that be left yet unmown.”
“I fear so much,” answered Mr Underhill, more gravely than was his wont. “Were you forth this even?”