“Yes, of course,” cried the King hastily. “Suppose Henry does find me out, and has got me there. Why, by my sword, Leoni, he’ll hold me to ransom, and instead of my getting back that one jewel he’ll make me give up my whole crown.”
“No, sir; no, sir,” cried Leoni earnestly. “Have more faith in yourself, and go forward. You cannot turn back now. You will soon get used to the part you assume, and it will be easy.”
“I don’t know so much about that,” said the King. “I am a bad actor. Why, you can’t keep it up yourself. If I hadn’t stopped you just now you’d have been down upon your knees to kiss my hand.”
“That was only my reverence and duty to my King.”
“Yes, I know,” said Francis angrily; “but just recollect that you have no king now, and let’s have no reverence, for if you get me regularly into trouble over this, good a servant as you have been to me, your friends will have to prepare your tomb, a short one too, for you will lose your head.”
“In the service of my country and my lord, sir,” said Leoni calmly. “I shall have done my duty. But we shall not fail.”