THE DEVIL AT COURT It was half-past two of the clock when Cicely, who carried her boy in her arms, accompanied by Emlyn, Thomas Bolle and Jacob Smith, found herself in the great courtyard of the Palace of Whitehall.

The place was full of people waiting there upon one business or another, through whom messengers and armed men thrust their way continually, crying, "Way! In the King's name, way!" So great was the press, indeed, that for some time even Jacob could command no attention, till at length he caught sight of the herald who had visited his house in the morning, and beckoned to him.
"I was looking for you, Master Smith, and for the Lady Harflete," the man said, bowing to her.

"You have an appointment with his Grace, have you not?
but God knows if it can be kept.

The ante-chambers are full of folk bringing news about the rebellion in the north, and of great lords and councillors who wait for commands or money, most of them for money.
In short the King has given order that all appointments are cancelled; he can see no one to-day.

The Lord Cromwell told me so himself." Jacob took a golden angel from his pouch and began to play with it between his fingers.
"I understand, noble herald," he said.