"
"Noble lady," said the officer, lowering his wand of office, "it
grieves me to gainsay you, but his Majesty is busied on matters
of life and death."
"And we seek also to speak with him on matters of life and
death," said Edith. "I will make entrance for your Grace." And
putting aside the chamberlain with one hand, she laid hold on the
curtain with the other.
"I dare not gainsay her Majesty's pleasure," said the
chamberlain, yielding to the vehemence of the fair petitioner;
and as he gave way, the Queen found herself obliged to enter the
apartment of Richard.
The Monarch was lying on his couch, and at some distance, as
awaiting his further commands, stood a man whose profession it
was not difficult to conjecture. He was clothed in a jerkin of
red cloth, which reached scantly below the shoulders, leaving the
arms bare from about half way above the elbow; and as an upper
garment, he wore, when about as at present to betake himself to
his dreadful office, a coat or tabard without sleeves, something
like that of a herald, made of dressed bull's hide, and stained
in the front with many a broad spot and speckle of dull crimson.
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