But Roger had refused to comply with their request.
"King Hal, himself, would not expect me to go before him like a worm, if he gave me audience," he said to himself; "and I will not demean myself, as an Englishman, to bow as a slave before any other monarch.

Besides, to do so would be to acknowledge that I was his humble subject, and would at once show that I have no pretension, whatever, to be the superior creature they seem to consider me.

I will salute him as his nobles saluted me--paying due deference to his rank, and no more." The king himself did not seem displeased at Roger's breach of the usual etiquette.

He looked with admiration at the tall figure of this strange white man, and at the frank and honest expression of his pleasant face, his blue eyes, and sunny hair.
"Whoever he may be, he comes not as an enemy," he said in a low voice to his sister, who was standing next to him.

"There is neither deceit nor treachery in that face." Then he said aloud to Roger: "You are welcome, white stranger.