Part 82 (1/2)
And I wish you to have some post about the Court; I must see what it is to be.”
Anthony's heart began to sink again as he watched the Queen's face as she sat tapping a foot softly and looking on the floor as she talked. Those lines of self-will about the eyes and mouth surely meant something.
Then she looked up, still with her cheek on her right hand.
”You do not thank me, Mr. Norris.”
Anthony made a great effort; but he heard his own voice quiver a little.
”I thank your Grace for your kindly intentions toward me, with all my heart.”
The Queen seemed satisfied, and looked down again.
”As to the oath, I will not ask you to take it formally, if you will give me an a.s.surance of your loyalty.”
”That, your Grace, I give most gladly.”
His heart was beating again in great irregular thumps in his throat; he had the sensation of swaying to and fro on the edge of a precipice, now towards safety and now towards death; it was the cruellest pain he had suffered yet. But how was it possible to have some post at Court without relinquis.h.i.+ng the exercise of his priesthood? He must think it out; what did the Queen mean?
”And, of course, you will not be able to say ma.s.s again; but I shall not hinder your hearing it at the Amba.s.sador's whenever you please.”
Ah! it had come; his heart gave a leap and seemed to cease.
”Your Grace must forgive me, but I cannot consent.”
There was a dead silence; when Anthony looked up, she was staring at him with the frankest astonishment.
”Did you think, Mr. Norris, you could be at Court and say ma.s.s too whenever you wished?” Her voice rang harsh and shrill; her anger was rising.
”I was not sure what your Grace intended for me.”
”The fellow is mad,” she said, still staring at him. ”Oh! take care, take care!”
”Your Grace knows I intend no insolence.”
”You mean to say, Mr. Norris, that you will not take a pardon and a post at Court on those terms?”
Anthony bowed; he could not trust himself to speak, so bitter was the reaction.
”But, see man, you fool; if you die as a traitor you will never say ma.s.s again either.”
”But that will not be with my consent, your Grace.”
”And you refuse the pardon?”
”On those terms, your Grace, I must.”
”Well----” and she was silent a moment, ”you are a fool, sir.”
Anthony bowed again.