BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY. The Constable of the Tower. AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE.* BY WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH. Book the Third. PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT. I. OF THE ARRANGEMENT MADE BY THE ADMIRAL WITH THE MASTER OF THE MINT AT BRISTOL. SEVERAL months flew by, during which no further difference occurred between the Lord Protector and the Admiral. A semblance of good understanding was maintained between them, both being exceedingly careful to do no act to betray the secret animosity they still nourished towards each other. Somerset strove to conciliate his brother by fresh favours, but ineffectually. The Admiral's greedy ambition was not to be thus easily satisfied, though he professed unbounded gratitude. Towards the end of August, 1547, the Protector had completed. his preparations for his long meditated warlike expedition against Scotland. The invading army comprised about twenty thousand men, more than a third of whom, however, consisted of German, Spanish, and Italian mercenaries. Some apprehension being entertained of an invasion from France, aid having been promised by the reigning monarch, Henri II., to the Scots, all needful precautions were taken for the security of the English shores. The Admiral was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of the South, and the defence of the whole south coast was entrusted to him. He had indulged the hope that during his absence his brother would delegate his powers to him, but the Protector was far too wary, pre * All rights reserved. VOL. L. B ferring to place the temporary government of the kingdom in the hands of the council. Consequently, the chief management of affairs was entrusted to Sir William Paget, principal secretary of state, in whom Somerset had entire reliance. All arrangements being made, and a numerous and well-manned fleet, under the command of Lord Clinton, designed to attend the army on its march along the coast, having set sail, the Lord Protector, accompanied by the Earl of Warwick, as second in command, took formal leave of his royal nephew, and set forth on the expedition. By the departure of his brother, the stage was left free to the Admiral, and he availed himself of the opportunity to prosecute his machinations more actively than ever. Aware, however, that he was surrounded by the spies of the council, and that all his proceedings would be reported to his brother by Sir William Paget, he observed extreme caution. In a scheme so gigantic as that on which he was engaged, the possession of large supplies of money was indispensable, but how were these to be promptly obtained? At last he hit upon an expedient which he put in practice without hesitation. Having received private information from one of the officers that Sir William Sharington, master of the mint at Bristol, had been guilty of certain fraudulent practices, he judged him to be a man fit for his purpose, and accordingly despatched Ugo Harrington to him with a letter, ordering him to come up to London at once. Sharington complied, and, returning with the messenger, immediately waited on Seymour. He was received very coldly, the Admiral's object being to work upon his fears. Motioning him to take a seat, Seymour forbore to address him till they were alone. Sir William Sharington was a man of middle age, tall, well proportioned, sallow complexioned, bald, with a black beard slightly tinged with grey. His eyes were dark and quick, and though his features were good, there was something equivocal in his look. He was plainly but handsomely attired in a murrey-coloured velvet doublet, over which he wore a gown of the same colour, lined and faced with sable. Eyeing the Admiral keenly, he perceived that mischief was intended him. "Sir William Sharington," said Seymour, in a stern tone, and with a severe look, "your mal-practices have been revealed to me by your assay-master. You have alloyed the gold and silver entrusted to you. Attempt not to deny your guilt, or I will have you taken to the Tower, where the torture will soon wring a full confession from you." "Have mercy upon me!" cried Sharington, in extremity of terror. "I will repair the wrong I have done-I will give up all my possessions. Do not let me be put to the torture." Seymour shook his head sternly. "All thy possessions will be confiscated by the crown," he said, "and thou thyself wilt be hanged." "Pity me! pity me!" cried Sharington, falling upon his knees before him. Take all I have, and let me go." Having sufficiently terrified him for his purpose, the Admiral said: "Thou seest that thy life is in my power. What wilt thou do if I save thee?" "I will do whatever your highness commands," replied Sharington, beginning to breathe more freely. "Well, then, I have occasion for ten thousand pounds. Canst thou procure it for me?" "Ten thousand pounds!" exclaimed Sharington, in despair. "Your highness is too hard upon me. I have not the half, nor the third of that sum. Will not less content you?" "I tell thee I must have ten thousand," rejoined the Admiral. "Nay, before I have done with thee, I must have forty thousand." "Better send me to the Tower at once," groaned Sharington. "'Tis impossible for me to comply with your highness's conditions." "Hark ye, Sharington," cried the Admiral, altering his tone, "I will trifle with you no longer. It is true that your life is in my power, but I do not mean to harm you. Let us understand each other." "I am all anxiety to learn your highness's wishes," said Sharington, eagerly. "You are master of the mint at Bristol. The whole of the officers are under your control. The pix is in your keeping, and you have charge of all the gold and silver in bullion." "All this is true, your highness." "Tis plain you are not overburdened by any foolish scruples, therefore what I have to propose will not shock you. You have already alloyed the gold for your own benefit-you must continue to alloy it for mine. Nay, you must do more. You must clip all the gold and silver pieces, the rials, angels, rose-nobles, and marks that fall into your hands. Moreover, you must coin base money." "All this I would willingly do to pleasure your lordship. But such practices, if long continued, would be sure to be discovered by the moneyers, melters, and blanchers." "Your present officers must be dismissed, and others more tractable found. I will silence the assay-master who has dared to denounce you. He shall pass a few months at the Fleet." "Nay, if I have your highness's support, and I can find cunning artificers to aid me, I doubt not but it may be done, and that I may be able to provide you with the large sum you mention. Forty thousand, I think your highness said?" "Forty, or fifty thousand, Sir William. You will employ your time badly if you make not as much for yourself." "I will do the best I can, your highness, but there will be heavy fees to the moneyers and melters, and such as sweat and pare the coin. They will not do the work for nothing." "It cannot be expected. But you may proceed without fear, Sir William. Ere another year is over our heads the government of this realm will be in my hands, and I will take good care you are not molested." "Ah! if your highness should be once at the head of affairs all will be well," cried Sharington. "Meantime, you will not, perhaps, object to give me an order." "An order for what?" "For the money you require. It will prevent my being called in question hereafter." "You are a cunning knave," cried the Admiral. shall have the order." And he wrote it out, and gave it him. “Well, you "I shall preserve this carefully," said Sharington, securing it in his doublet. "Return to Bristol," pursued Seymour, "and commence operations forthwith. Within a week I shall expect ten thousand pounds." "I hope to be able to satisfy your highness, but if any unforeseen difficulties should arise "I will have no excuses. If you are not punctual, I will enforce payment in a manner that may not be agreeable to you. I have a long arm, and can easily reach those who displease me. The next time you are sent for it will not be to talk matters over thus." Sharington made no reply, but, bowing respectfully to the Admiral, withdrew. "I have found a useful instrument in that man," thought Seymour, as he was left alone, "but I must keep a wary eye upon him. He looks treacherous." Shortly afterwards, Ugo Harrington entered the cabinet. "How now?" demanded the Admiral. 66 Any more wrecks seized?" "No, your highness; but Captain Hornbeak, whom you liberated, has arrived at Gravesend with a large booty, and requires an order to land it." "Well, let him have the order," replied the Admiral. "Assign him his portion of the spoil, and see that the remainder be safely bestowed. As soon as his pinnace is fitted out again he must sail for the Scilly Isles." "Your highness has then got possession of those long-coveted islands?" "I am about to take possession of them," replied Seymour, with |