“But you will hold me harmless, Sire?” said Bonner.
“Nay, my lord, I care not to quarrel with the Cardinal,” rejoined Philip. “You must bear the brunt of his anger.”
“And also of the Queen’s displeasure,” remarked Father Alfonso. “Her Majesty takes great interest in this damsel, and had a special design in placing her under the Cardinal’s care. If her plan be thwarted——”
“Enough, good father, enough!” interrupted Bonner. “Unsupported by your Majesty, I dare not act in opposition to the Queen and the Cardinal, and consequently Mistress Constance must go back to Lambeth Palace.”
“Thank Heaven I am saved!” exclaimed Constance, clasping her hands fervently.
“Be not too sure of that,” muttered Bonner, with the growl of a tiger robbed of his prey.
“Your lordship is right,” observed Philip, who for a moment had been buried in thought. “Direct opposition to the Cardinal might be fraught with ill consequences. Let Mistress Constance go back to Lambeth Palace. But ere many days—perchance to-morrow—the Cardinal shall be compelled to yield her up to you. The Queen herself shall give you the order.”
“I do not think her Majesty will sign such an order,” observed Father Alfonso.
“Be content, my lord, you shall have it,” said the King significantly to Bonner.
“There is another prisoner in the Lollards’ Tower whom I would fain have, Sire,” observed the bishop.