Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
CHAPTER VII.
His Grace of Wessex,

There are several portraits extant of
| Robert Esclade, fifth Duke of Wessex,
notably the one by Antonio Moro, in
! the Pitt galley at Florence.
But in the somewhat stiff portraItiIre
of that epoch it is perhaps little diff
cult to trace the real image, the inner in
dividuality, of one OF the most interest
ing personalities at the court of Mary
Tudor.
There Is, however. a miniature of him.
attributed to Holbein, and certainly
drawn by the hand of great master
which renders with greater truth and low
ing accuracy the peculiar charm made up
of half-indolent nonchalance, gracious
condescension and naughty reserve which
characterized the Duke of WesseX-so
justly styled his grace,
The reserve was 80 little apparent The
hauteur only came to the surface in re-
Spouse to unwelcome familiarity But
the debonnair Incidence was always there
the lazy droop of the eyelds the non
chalant shrug of the shoulders when
grave matters were discussed; and also
that obvious fastidiousness, a love of
everything that was beautiful, from a
fine horse down to a piece of delicate
lace, which annoyed the more sedate-
minded ccurtiers of the queen. .t't
And. with it all, that wonderful virility
dllu NlSpT, that JOY Oh lie ana uellGIt Ill
gayety and laughter, which lent to the
grave face at times spark of almost
boyish exuberance; that mad, merry,
proud insouciance, which throughout his
life made him meet every danger, aye!
every sorrow and disgrace, with the same
bright smile on his lips.
Scheyne in his letters to the Emperor
Charles V says Of the Duke of WeSSeX
that he was insufferably conceted al
est tres orgueilleuX de sa beaute person
oil 10 MI.
Gre"
Noailles, too. speaks of him as 'moult
fatueux ct vaniteux de sa personne."
But it was hardly likely that these for
eign delegates. each bent upoon his own
schemes, would look with favor upon lbs
grace. HIS only merit in their eyes was
.hat same characteristic Incidence Of
his, which caused a man of his great
wealth and boundless influence to abstain
from politics.
Certes. no one could accuse him of in
triguing for his own political advance
ment. Mary Tudor's own avowed pen
chant for him was so well known that
he had but to say the word and the crown
of England would be his, to share with
the queen.
Yet since the death of Edward VI he
had not been seen at court. Small Won
der. therefore, that al sight of the duke
all four men seemed amazed
His grace OF WeSseX!" they calculated
in one breath.
But already Lord Everingham had put
up his sword, and gone to WesseX with
hands outstretched.
'WesseXt" he said, with unmistakable
delight; by our lady. this is a joyful
surprse"'
The ether two Englishmen also shook
the duke warmly by the hand.
Il did not know you were in England,
my lord" said the one.
Right glad are we to welcome you
back" added the other.
"Well, Harry. my friend quoth the
duke. gaily, "methinks you and L are not
to be spiked after ALL"
Harry Plantagenet however, was look
ing doubtfully at the young Spaniard.
who had remained somewhat in the back
ground. regarding the first illusions Of
his friends with a certain ill-concealed
mpatience. With almost human intelli-
gence the dog seemed to understand that
here was a person who was nimcal to
his master, and in his faithful eyes there :
came that unmistakable furtive look and
blink with which dogs invariably show
their mistrust and dislike
But Don Miguel de Suarez was above
all a diplcnlatist. Capricious and fond
of adventure, not prescriptions as to
the choice of his pleasures, yet he never
allowed his dearest within to interfere
with political necessities.
Go be Continued Next Sunday)