He looked forward to hearing what Thamys would have to say about the play, but meanwhile had to join Basset and Ellis in bowing as Master Penteney presented them, first, to Lord Lovell, then to another man who, like Thamys, wore a scholar’s dark gown. It was the gown of a far wealthier scholar than Thamys was—amply cut and of a worsted so fine it looked almost like silk, with the turned-out collar of deep velvet open at the throat to show a black doublet of worked damask underneath. Add to that the wide, jeweled rings enriching the hand fondling the gold chain spread across the man’s chest and over his shoulder, and Joliffe altered his assessment from wealthy to very wealthy scholar. “Doctor Thomas Gascoigne,” Master Penteney said. “Chancellor of the University.” The players all bowed, and Doctor Gascoigne with rather heavy graciousness said, “You gave an interesting display. I have seen worse in my time.” There was no telling whether he meant that for a back-handed compliment or simply failed to see the insult in it at all; but while Master Penteney’s face went stiff and Lord Lovell frowned, none of the players was so unskilled as to show offense.
