“His Grace the Duke of Somerset.”

“What Duke of Somerset?”

“Marry, there is but one — Seymour, Earl of Hertford.”

The King asked sharply —

“Since when is he a duke, and Lord Protector?”

“Since the last day of January.”

“And prithee who made him so?”

“Himself and the Great Council — with help of the King.”

His Majesty started violently. “The King!” he cried. “What king, good sir?”

“What king, indeed! (God-a-mercy, what aileth the boy?)