“The Earl of Surrey!” exclaimed Henry, in surprise. “How come you here, my lord? Methought you were under arrest at the guard-house.”
“He was set free by my orders,” said the Duke of Richmond.
“First of all I must entreat your majesty to turn your resentment against me,” said the earl. “I am solely to blame, and I would not have the Lady Anne suffer for my fault. I forced myself into her presence. She knew not of my coming.”
“And wherefore did you so, my lord?” demanded Henry sternly.
“Liberated from the guard-house at the Duke of Richmond's instance, my liege, I came to entreat the Lady Anne to mediate between me and your majesty, and to use her influence with your highness to have me betrothed to the Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald.”
“Is this so, madam?” asked the king.
Anne bowed her head.
“But why was the door barred?” demanded Henry, again frowning suspiciously.
“I barred it myself,” said Surrey, “and vowed that the Lady Anne should not go forth till she had granted my request.”
“By our lady you have placed yourself in peril, my lord,” said Henry sternly.