"In having aided Francis King of France," replied Henry, smiling, "to storm our castle of Guisnes, and take his liege lord and sovereign prisoner."
"Oh! if that be the case," cried Francis, "I give him up to your royal indignation; but still we have a boon to ask, which our gracious brother will not refuse."
"Name it! name it!" exclaimed Henry. "By St. Mary! it shall go to pay our ransom, whatever it be."
"You have in your court," replied Francis, "one Lady Constance de Grey, who, though your born subject, is no less vassal to the crown of France; owing homage for the counties of Boissy and the Val de Marne, assured to your late subject the Lord de Grey by Charles the Eighth when he gave him in marriage Constance Countess of Boissy, as a reward for services rendered in Italy----"
"We see your object, oh most Christian king!" cried Henry, laughing. "We see your object! What a messenger of Cupid are you! Well, have your wish. We give her to your highness so to dispose of as you may think fit; but at the same time claim Lord Osborne Darnley at your hands, to punish according to his demerits. What say you? ha!"
"Agreed, agreed!" replied the King of France. "He waits me, as I said, even now, in the corridor without, and doubtless thinks I sue for him in vain. Those guards must have passed him in the corridor."
"No, no; they came the other way," said Henry. "Ho! without there! Sergeant-at-arms, take four stout halberdiers, and, going into the west corridor, attach me for high treason the Lord Osborne Darnley, whom you will there find waiting. Hist! hear me, man! Use him with all gentleness (we do but jest with him), and make some fair excuse to shut him up in one of the chambers of the new palace, the nearer to the great hall the better. Away! make speed! and above all return quick, and let me know where you have put him; but take heed, and let him not see that we mock him: haste! My good lord cardinal," he continued, turning to Wolsey, "though it be an unmeet task for one of your grave dignity to bear a message to a lady, yet on this day of joy, when our good brother France comes here to greet us in brotherly love, even wise men shall forget their seriousness and be as gay as boys. Hie then, good Wolsey, to our lady queen. Tell her to call all the fair flowers of England round about her in our great hall, to welcome Francis of France, and that I will be there immediately upon your steps."
The cardinal bowed low, and instantly obeyed; and Henry proceeded in whispering consultation with Francis till the return of the sergeant-at-arms; then turning to the worthy clothier, who, when he found all the killing and slaying was over, had come out from behind the arras to enjoy the air of royalty, "Come, good Jekin," cried Henry, "now a task for thee. Hark, man!" and he whispered something to honest Groby, who instantly replied, "Lord 'a mercy! yes, your grace! I know Wilson Goldsmith well; I'll go to him directly; no trouble in life. Lord! I guess how it's going to be. Well, I'm vastly glad, I do declare. Lord 'a mercy! I hope your grace's worship will let me be there!"
"Ay, man, ay!" cried the king; "make speed and come with him. Ho, Snell! give me a gown of tissue; bid the guard be ready: we will cross the green to the palace. Let the marshals be called to clear the way."
In a very few minutes all was prepared; and as the two kings were descending the grand staircase of the castle, news was brought that a band of French nobles, anxious for the safety of their king, had come over from Ardres at all speed to seek him. Francis sent his commands that they should dismount in the court; and on issuing out of the castle, the monarch found a splendid party of the English and French nobility mingled together, waiting to give them the good morrow.