Leaping on his palfrey, Hastings rode back to the Tower, dismounted at
the gate, passed on to the little postern in the inner court, and
paused not till he was in Warner's room. "How now, friend Adam? Thou
art idle."

"Lord Hastings, I am ill."

"And thy child not with thee?"

"She is gone to her grace the duchess, to pray her to grant me leave
to go home, and waste no more life on making gold."

"Home! Go hence! We cannot hear it! The duchess must not grant it.
I will not suffer the king to lose so learned a philosopher."

"Then pray the king to let the philosopher achieve that which is in
the power of labour." He pointed to the Eureka. "Let me be heard in
the king's council, and prove to sufficing judges what this iron can
do for England."

"Is that all? So be it. I will speak to his highness forthwith. But
promise that thou wilt think no more of leaving the king's palace."

"Oh, no, no! If I may enter again into mine own palace, mine own
royalty of craft and hope, the court or the dungeon all one to me!"

"Father," said Sibyll, entering, "be comforted. The duchess forbids
thy departure, but we will yet flee--" She stopped short as she saw
Hastings. He approached her timidly, and with so repentant, so