Читать книгу Cardinal Pole; Or, The Days of Philip and Mary. An Historical Romance онлайн

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The negotiations in regard to the marriage, so rudely interrupted by the outbreak, were now renewed, and Count D’Egmont and the other ambassadors returned to the English court, with the treaty duly ratified and signed by the Emperor. Introduced by the Lord High Admiral and the Earl of Pembroke to the royal oratory, they there found her Majesty surrounded by the lords of the council. After an address from the Queen, delivered with a dignity and feeling that powerfully moved the auditors, she exchanged the ratification of the treaty with the Count D’Egmont, who now acted as Philip’s proxy. No better representative of the proud Prince of Spain could have been chosen than D’Egmont, himself one of the first lords of the Low Countries, and as distinguished for graces of person as he was for military genius and prowess in the field.

Kneeling at the altar beside the Queen, D’Egmont espoused her on the part of the Prince; and at the close of the ceremonial, which was performed by Gardiner, the Count placed on her Majesty’s finger a diamond ring of great value, sent to her by the Emperor.