I greatly feared I should not come in time; but it is plain that Heaven preserves Your Majesty for better days." In the revulsion of feeling, Monmouth's eyes shone moist.

Grey sheathed his sword with an awkward laugh, and a still more awkward word of apology to Wilding.

The Duke, moved by a sudden impulse to make amends for his unworthy suspicions, for his perhaps unworthy reception of Wilding earlier that evening in the council-room, drew the sword on which his hand still rested.

He advanced a step.
"Kneel, Mr.Wilding," he said in a voice stirred by emotion.

But Wilding's stern spirit scorned this all too sudden friendliness of Monmouth's as much as he scorned the accolade at Monmouth's hands.
"There are more pressing matters to demand Your Majesty's attention," said Mr.Wilding coldly, advancing to the table as he spoke, and taking up a napkin to wipe his blade, "than the reward of an unworthy servant." Monmouth felt his sudden enthusiasm chilled by that tone and manner.
"Mr.Newlington," said Mr.Wilding, after the briefest of pauses, and the fat, sinful merchant started forward in alarm.