All eyes were directed toward the group in the middle of the room: all looked with eager attention upon the king and these two young men, who dared protect one whom he had sentenced.
"Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey!" exclaimed the king; and now an expression of wrath passed over his countenance.

"How! you, too, dare intercede for this girl?
You, then, grudge Thomas Seymour the pre-eminence of being the most discreet man at my court ?" "I will not allow him, sire, to think that he is the bravest," replied the young man, as he fixed on Thomas Seymour a look of haughty defiance, which the other answered by a cold, disdainful smile.
"Oh," said he, with a shrug of his shoulders, "I willingly allow you, my dear Earl of Surrey, to tread behind me, at your convenience, the path, the safety of which I first tested at the peril of my life.

You saw that I had not, as yet, lost either my head or my life in this reckless under taking, and that has given you courage to follow my example.

That is a new proof of your prudent valor, my Honorable Earl of Surrey, and I must praise you for it." A hot flush suffused the noble face of the earl, his eyes shot lightning, and, trembling with rage, he laid his hand on his sword.
"Praise from Thomas Seymour is--" "Silence!" interposed the king, imperatively.

"It must not be said that two of the noblest cavaliers of my court have turned the day, which should be one of festivity to all of you, into a day of contention.