The King maintained a forbidding silence, his green bulk inert and dangerous.
'This lady's cousin,' Throckmorton pronounced his words slowly, 'is new come from France whence he hath driven out from Paris town the Cardinal Pole.'
The King lifted one hand from his thigh, and, heavily, let it fall again.
Throckmorton felt his way still further.
'This lady's cousin would speak with this lady in cousin-ship. He was set in my care by my lord Privy Seal. I have brought him thus far in safety. For some have made attacks upon him with swords.'
Katharine's hand went to her throat where she stood, tall and half turning from the King to Throckmorton. The word 'Wherefore?' came from her lips.
'Wherefore, I know not,' Throckmorton answered her steadily. His eyes shifted for a moment from the King and rested upon her face. 'But this I know, that I have him in my safe keeping.'
'Belike,' the King said, 'these swordsmen were friends of Pole.'
'Belike,' Throckmorton answered.
He fingered nonchalantly the rim of his cap that lay beside his knees.