“It would rejoice us greatly!” said Sir John Fitz-James.
“Most surely,” cried the Duke of Norfolk.
“Ay, verily,” slowly repeated Cromwell.
“He will listen to nothing!” said the Abbot of Westminster.
“Noble lords, I am under infinite obligations to your lordships for the lively interest you have manifested in my case; but, by the help of God, I wish to continue to live and die in his grace. As to the accusation I have just heard, it is so long, the hatred which has dictated
it so violent, that I am seized with fear in realizing how little strength and understanding the sufferings of my body have left in my mind.”
“He should be permitted to sit down,” said Sir John Fitz-James in a low voice, the tears gathering in his eyes.
“Nobody objects,” said the Duke of Norfolk. “I demand it, on the contrary,” he added, elevating his voice.
“This will never end, then,” murmured Cromwell.
“Let a chair be brought to the accused,” said Audley, who dared not resist the Duke of Norfolk.