第4章

Buttheearl？Didheloveherinreturn？Didheunderstandthechild\'sheart？Hadhe，beneaththechildishface，alreadyrecognizedthepassionate，proudwoman？Hadheguessedthesecretsofthissoul，atoncesomaidenlyandchaste，andyetsopassionateandenergetic？

ThomasSeymourneverbetrayedasecret，andwhathehad，itmaybe，readintheeyesoftheprincess，andwhathehad，perhaps，spokentoherinthequietshadywalksofHamptonCourt，orinthelong，darkcorridorsofWhitehall，wasknowntonoonesavethosetwo。ForElizabethhadastrong，masculinesoul；sheneedednoconfidanttosharehersecrets；andThomasSeymourhadfearedeven，liketheimmortalhair-dresserofKingMidas，todigaholeandutterhissecrettherein；forheknewverywellthat，ifthereedgrewupandrepeatedhiswords，hemight，forthesewords，layhisheadontheblock。

PoorElizabeth！Shedidnotevensuspecttheearl\'ssecretandherownwerenot，however，thesame；shedidnotsuspectthatThomasSeymour，ifheguessedhersecret，might，perhaps，availhimselfofittomakethereofabrilliantfoilforhisownsecret。

Hehad，likeher，everbeforehiseyesthediamondcrownontheheadoftheyoungqueen，andhehadnoticedwellhowoldandfeeblethekinghadbecomeoflate。

Ashenowrodebythesideofthetwoprincesses，hefelthisheartswellwithaproudjoy，andboldandambitiousschemesaloneoccupiedhissoul。

Thetwowomenunderstoodnothingofthis。Theywerebothtoomuchoccupiedwiththeirownthoughts；andwhileCatharine\'seyessweptwithbeaminglookthelandscapefarandwide，thebrowoftheprincesswasslightlyclouded，andhersharpeyerestedwithafixedandwatchfulgazeonThomasSeymour。

Shehadnoticedtheimpassionedlookwhichhehadnowandthenfastenedonthequeen。Theslight，scarcelyperceptibletremorofhisvoice，whenhespoke，hadnotescapedher。

PrincessElizabethwasjealous；shefeltthefirsttorturingmotionsofthathorriblediseasewhichshehadinheritedfromherfather，andinthefeverishparoxysmsofwhichthekinghadsenttwoofhiswivestothescaffold。

Shewasjealous，butnotofthequeen；muchmore，shedreamednotthatthequeenmightshareandreturnSeymour\'slove。Itnevercameintohermindtoaccusethequeenofanunderstandingwiththeearl。

Shewasjealousonlyofthelookswhichhedirectedtowardthequeen；andbecauseshewaswatchingthoselooks，shecouldnotatthesametimereadtheeyesofheryoungstepmotheralso；shecouldnotseethegentleflameswhich，kindledbythefireofhislooks，glowedinhers。

ThomasSeymourhadseenthem，andhadhenowbeenalonewithCatharine，hewouldhavethrownhimselfatherfeetandconfidedtoherallthedeepanddangeroussecretsthathehadsolongharboredinhisbreast；hewouldhavelefttoherthechoiceofbringinghimtotheblock，orofacceptingthelovewhichheconsecratedtoher。

Butthere，behindthem，werethespying，all-observing，all-

surmisingcourtiers；therewasthePrincessElizabeth，who，hadheventuredtospeaktothequeen，wouldhaveconjecturedfromhismannerthewordswhichshecouldnotunderstand；forloveseessoclearly，andjealousyhassuchkeenears！

Catharinesuspectednothingofthethoughtsofhercompanions。Shealonewashappy；shealonegaveherselfupwithfullsoultotheenjoymentofthemoment。Shedrewinwithintensedelightthepureair；shedrankintheodorofthemeadowblossoms；shelistenedwiththirstyeartothemurmuringsongwhichthewindwaftedtoherfromtheboughsofthetrees。Herwishesextendednotbeyondthehour；

sherestedinthefullenjoymentofthepresenceofherbeloved。Hewasthere——whatneededshemoretomakeherhappy？

Herwishesextendednotbeyondthishour。Shewasonlyconscioushowdelightfulitwasthustobeatherbeloved\'sside，tobreathethesameair，toseethesamesun，thesameflowersonwhichhiseyesrested，andonwhichtheirglancesatleastmightmeetinkisseswhichweredeniedtotheirlips。

Butastheythusrodealong，silentandmeditative，eachoccupiedwithhisownthoughts，therecametheassistanceforwhichThomasSeymourhadprayed，flutteringalongintheshapeofafly。

Atfirstthisflysportedandbuzzedaboutthenoseofthefiery，proudbeastwhichthequeenrode；andasnoonenoticedit，itwasnotdisturbedbyHector\'stossingofhismane，butcreptsecurelyandquietlytothetopofthenoblecourser\'shead，pausingalittlehereandthere，andsinkinghisstingintothehorse\'sflesh，sothatherearedandbeganloudlytoneigh。

ButCatharinewasaboldanddexterousrider，andtheproudspiritofherhorseonlyaffordedherdelight，andgavethemasterofhorseanopportunitytopraiseherskillandcoolness。

Catharinereceivedwithasweetsmiletheencomiumsofherbeloved。

Buttheflykeptcreepingon，and，impelledbyadiabolicdelight，nowpenetratedthehorse\'sear。Thepoor，tormentedanimalmadeaspringforward。Thisspring，insteadoffreeinghimfromhisenemy，madehimpenetratetheearstillfarther，andsinkhisstingstilldeeperintothesoftfleshypartofthesame。

Stungbythemaddeningpain，thehorsecastoffallcontrol，and，heedlessofbridleandscorningthebit，dashedforwardinafuriousrun——forwardoverthemeadowswiftasanarrow，resistlessasthelightning。

"On，on，tothequeen\'srescue！"thunderedthemasterofhorse，andwithmadhaste，awayflewhealsooverthemeadow。

"Tothehelpofthequeen！"repeatedPrincessElizabeth，andshelikewisespurredherhorseandhurriedforward，accompaniedbythewholesuite。

Butwhatisthespeedofahorseeversoswift，butyetinhissenses，comparedwiththeravingmadnessofacrazycourser，that，despisingallsubjection，andmockingatthebridle，dashesahead，foamingwiththesenseoffreedomandunrestraint，uncontrollableasthesurgelashedbythestorm！

Alreadyfarbehindthemlaythemeadows，farbehindthemtheavenuesleadingthroughthewoods，andoverbrooksandditches，overmeadowsandwastes，Hectorwasdashingon。

Thequeenstillsatfirmlyinthesaddle；hercheekswerecolorless；

herlipstrembled；buthereyewasstillbrightandclear。Shehadnotyetlostherpresenceofmind；shewasperfectlyconsciousofherdanger。Thedinofscreaming，screechingvoices，whichsheheardatfirst，hadlongsincediedawayinsilencebehindher。Animmensesolitude，thedeepsilenceofthegrave，wasaroundher。

Naughtwasheardsavethepantingandsnortingofthehorse；naughtbutthecrashandclatterofhishoofs。Suddenly，however，thissoundseemedtofindanecho。Itwasrepeatedoveryonder。Therewasthesamesnortingandpanting；therewasthesameresoundingtramplingofhoofs。Andnow，oh，now，struckonCatharine\'scarthesoundofavoiceonlytoowellloved，andmadeherscreamaloudwithdelightanddesire。

Butthiscryfrightenedanewtheenragedanimal。Foramoment，exhaustedandpanting，hehadslackenedinhismadrace；nowhesprangforwardwithrenewedenergy；nowheflewonasifimpelledbythewingsofthewind。Butevernearerandnearersoundedthelovedvoiceevernearerthetrampofhishorse。

Theywerenowuponalargeplain，shutinonallsidesbywoods。

Whilethequeen\'shorsecircledtheplaininawidecircuit，Seymour\'s，obedienttotherein，speddirectlyacrossit，andwasclosebehindthequeen。

"Onlyamomentmore！Onlyholdyourarmsfirmlyaroundtheanimal\'sneck，thattheshockmaynothurlyouoff，whenIlayholdoftherein！"shoutedSeymour，andhesethisspursintohishorse\'sflanks，sothathesprangforwardwithawildcry。

ThiscryrousedHectortonewfury。Pantingforbreath，heshotforwardwithfearfulleaps，nowstraightintothethicketofthewoods。

"Ihearhisvoicenomore，"murmuredCatharine。Andatlengthovercomewithanxietyandthedizzyrace，andwornoutwithherexertions，sheclosedhereyes；hersensesappearedtobeaboutleavingher。

Butatthismoment，afirmhandseizedwithirongraspthereinofherhorse，sothathebowedhishead，shaking，trembling，andalmostashame，asthehorsehadfoundhislordandmaster。

"Saved！Iamsaved！"falteredCatharine，andbreathless，scarcelyinhersenses，sheleanedherheadonSeymour\'sshoulder。

Heliftedhergentlyfromthesaddle，andplacedheronthesoftmossbeneathanancientoak。Thenhetiedthehorsestoabough，andCatharine，tremblingandfaint，sankonherkneestorestaftersuchviolentexertion。

CHAPTERXII。

THEDECLARATION。

ThomasSeymourreturnedtoCatharine。Shestilllaytherewithclosedeyes，paleandmotionless。

Hegazedonherlongandsteadily；hiseyesdrankin，inlongdraughts，thesightofthisbeautifulandnoblewoman，andheforgotatthatmomentthatshewasaqueen。

Hewasatlengthalonewithher。Atlast，aftertwoyearsoftorture，ofresignation，ofdissimulation，Godhadgrantedhimthishour，forwhichhehadsolongyearned，whichhehadsolongconsideredunattainable。Nowitwasthere，nowitwashis。

Andhadthewholecourt，hadKingHenryhimself，comerightthen，ThomasSeymourwouldnothaveheededit；itwouldnothaveaffrightedhim。Thebloodhadmountedtohisheadandovercomehisreason。Hisheart，stillagitatedandbeatingviolentlyfromhisfuriousrideandhisanxietyforCatharine，allowedhimtohearnoothervoicethanthatofpassion。

Hekneltbythequeenandseizedherhand。

Perhapsitwasthistouchwhichrousedherfromherunconsciousness。

Sheraisedhereyesandgazedaroundwithaperplexedlook。

"WhereamI？"breathedsheinalowtone。

ThomasSeymourpressedherhandtohislips。"Youarewiththemostfaithfulanddevotedofyourservants，queen！"

"Queen！"Thiswordrousedherfromherstupor，andcausedhertoraiseherselfhalfup。

"Butwhereismycourt？WhereisthePrincessElizabeth？Wherearealltheeyesthatheretoforewatchedme？Whereareallthelistenersandspieswhoaccompanythequeen？"

"Theyarefarawayfromhere，"saidSeymourinatonewhichbetrayedhissecretdelight。"Theyarefarawayfromhere，andneedatleastanhour\'stimetocomeupwithus。Anhour，queen！areyouawarewhatthatistome？Anhouroffreedom，aftertwoyearsofimprisonment！Anhourofhappiness，aftertwoyearsofdailytorture，dailyenduranceofthetormentsofhell！"

Catharine，whohadatfirstsmiled，hadnowbecomegraveandsad。

Hereyerestedonthecapwhichhadfallenfromherheadandlaynearheronthegrass。

Shepointedwithtremblingfingertothecrown，andsaidsoftly，"Recognizeyouthatsign，mylord？"

"Irecognizeit，mylady；butinthishour，Inolongershrinkbackatit。Therearemomentsinwhichlifeisatitscrowningpoint，andwhenoneheedsnottheabyssthatthreatensclosebeneath。Suchanhouristhepresent。Iamawarethatthishourmakesmeguiltyofhightreasonandmaysendmetotheblock；butneverthelessIwillnotbesilent。Thefirewhichburnsinmybreastconsumesme。Imustatlengthgiveitvent。Myheart，thatforyearshasburneduponafuneralpyre，andwhichissostrongthatinthemidstofitsagoniesithasstilleverfeltasensationofitsblessedness——myheartmustatlengthfinddeathorfavor。Youshallhearme，queen！"

"No，no，"saidshe，almostinanguish，"Iwillnot，Icannothearyou！RememberthatIamHenrytheEighth\'swife，andthatitisdangeroustospeaktoher。Silence，then，earl，silence，andletusrideon。"

Shewouldhavearisen，butherownexhaustionandLordSeymour\'shandcausedhertosinkbackagain。

"No，Iwillnotbesilent，"saidhe。"IwillnotbesilentuntilI

havetoldyouallthatragesandglowswithinme。TheQueenofEnglandmayeithercondemnmeorpardonme，butsheshallknowthattomesheisnotHenrytheEighth\'swife，butonlythemostcharmingandgraceful，thenoblestandloveliestwomaninEngland。IwilltellherthatIneverrecollectsheismyqueen，or，ifIdoso，itisonlytocursetheking，whowaspresumptuousenoughtosetthisbrightlysparklingjewelinhisbloodycrown。"

Catharine，almosthorrified，laidherhandonSeymour\'slips。

"Silence，unhappyman，silence！Knowyouthatitisyoursentenceofdeathwhichyouarenowuttering？Yoursentenceofdeath，ifanysoulhearsyou？"

"Butnoonehearsme。Noonesavethequeen，andGod，who，however，isperhapsmorecompassionateandmercifulthanthequeen。Accusemethen，queen；goandtellyourkingthatThomasSeymourisatraitor；

thathedareslovethequeen。Thekingwillsendmetothescaffold，butIshallneverthelessdeemmyselfhappy，forIshallatleastdiebyyourinstrumentality。Queen，ifIcannotliveforyou，thenbeautifulitistodieforyou！"

Catharinelistenedtohimwhollystupefied，whollyintoxicated。Thiswas，forher，languagewhollynewandneverheardbefore，atwhichherhearttrembledinblissfulawe，whichrushedaroundherinenchantingmelodiesandlulledherintoasweetstupefaction。Nowsheherselfevenforgotthatshewasqueen，thatshewasthewifeofHenry，thebloodthirstyandthejealous。Shewasconsciousonlyofthis，thatthemanwhomshehadsolongloved，wasnowkneelingatherside。Withraptureshedrankinhiswords，whichstruckuponherearlikeexquisitemusic。

ThomasSeymourcontinued。Hetoldherallhehadsuffered。Hetoldherhehadoftenresolvedtodie，inordertoputanendtothesetortures，butthatthenaglanceofhereye，awordfromherlips，hadgivenhimstrengthtolive，andstilllongerendurethesetortures，whichwereatthesametimesofullofrapture。

"Butnow，queen，nowmystrengthisexhausted，anditisforyoutogivemelifeordeath。To-morrowIwillascendthescaffold，oryoushallpermitmetolive，toliveforyou。"

Catharinetrembledandlookedathimwellnighastounded。Heseemedsoproudandimperative，shealmostfeltafearforhim，butitwasthehappyfearofaloving，meekwomanbeforeastrong，commandingman。

"Knowyou，"saidshe，withacharmingsmile，"thatyoualmosthavetheappearanceofwishingtocommandmetoloveyou？"

"No，queen，"saidhe，proudly，"Icannotcommandyoutoloveme，butIbidyoutellmethetruth。Ibidyoudothis，forIamamanwhohastherighttodemandthetruthofawomanfacetoface。AndI

havetoldyou，youarenotthequeentome。Youarebutabeloved，anadoredwoman。Thislovehasnothingtodowithyourroyalty，andwhileIconfessittoyou，Idonotthinkthatyouabaseyourselfwhenyoureceiveit。Forthetrueloveofamanisevertheholiestgiftthathecanpresenttoawoman，andifabeggardedicatesittoaqueen，shemustfeelherselfhonoredbyit。Oh，queen，Iamabeggar。Ilieatyourfeetandraisemyhandsbeseechinglytoyou；

butIwantnotcharity，Iwantnotyourcompassionandpity，whichmay，perhaps，grantmeanalmstolessenmymisery。No，Iwantyouyourself。Irequireallornothing。Itwillnotsatisfymethatyouforgivemyboldness，anddrawtheveilofsilenceovermymadattempt。No，Iwishyoutospeak，topronouncemycondemnationorabenedictiononme。Oh，Iknowyouaregenerousandcompassionate，andevenifyoudespisemyloveandwillnotreturnit，yet，itmaybe，youwillnotbetrayme。Youwillspareme，andbesilent。ButI

repeatit，queen，Idonotacceptthisofferofyourmagnanimity。

Youaretomakemeeitheracriminaloragod；forIamacriminalifyoucondemnmylove，agodifyoureturnit。"

"Anddoyouknow，earl，"whisperedCatharine，"thatyouareverycruel？Youwantmetobeeitheranaccuseroranaccomplice。Youleavemenochoicebutthatofbeingeitheryourmurderessoraperjuredandadulterouswoman——awifewhoforgetsherplightedfaithandhersacredduty，anddefilesthecrownwhichmyhusbandhasplaceduponmyheadwithstains，whichHenrywillwashoutwithmyownbloodandwithyoursalso。"

"Letitbeso，then，"criedtheearl，almostjoyfully。"Letmyheadfall，nomatterhoworwhen，ifyoubutloveme；forthenIshallstillbeimmortal；foramomentinyourarmsisaneternityofbliss。"

"ButIhavealreadytoldyouthatnotonlyyourhead，butminealso，isconcernedinthismatter。Youknowtheking\'sharshandcrueldisposition。Themeresuspicionisenoughtocondemnme。Ah，ifheknewwhatwehavejustnowspokenhere，hewouldcondemnme，ashecondemnedCatharineHoward，thoughIamnotguiltyasshewas。Ah，I

shudderatthethoughtoftheblock；andyou，EarlSeymour，youwouldbringmetothescaffold，andyetyousayyouloveme！"

Seymoursunkhisheadmournfullyuponhisbreastandsigheddeeply。

"Youhavepronouncedmysentence，queen，andthoughyouaretoonobletotellmethetruth，yetIhaveguessedit。No，youdonotloveme，foryouseewithkeeneyesthedangerthatthreatensyou，andyoufearforyourself。No，youlovemenot，elseyouwouldthinkofnothingsavelovealone。Thedangerswouldanimateyou，andtheswordwhichhangsoveryourheadyouwouldnotsee，oryouwouldwithrapturegraspitsedgeandsay，\'Whatisdeathtome，sinceI

amhappy！WhatcareIfordying，sinceIhavefeltimmortalhappiness！\'Ah，Catharine，youhaveacoldheartandacoolhead。

MayGodpreservethembothtoyou；thenwillyoupassthroughlifequietlyandsafely；butyouwillyetbeapoor，wretchedwoman，andwhenyoucometodie，theywillplacearoyalcrownuponyourcoffin，butlovewillnotweepforyou。Farewell，Catharine，QueenofEngland，andsinceyoucannotlovehim，giveThomasSeymour，thetraitor，yoursympathyatleast。"

Hebowedlowandkissedherfeet，thenhearoseandwalkedwithfirmsteptothetreewherehehadtiedthehorses。ButnowCatharinearose，nowsheflewtohim，andgraspinghishand，asked，tremblingandbreathless，"Whatareyouabouttodo？whitherareyougoing？"

"Totheking，mylady。"

"Andwhatwillyoudothere？"

"Iwillshowhimatraitorwhohasdaredlovethequeen。Youhavejustkilledmyheart；hewillkillonlymybody。Thatislesspainful，andIwillthankhimforit。"

Catharineutteredacry，andwithpassionatevehemencedrewhimbacktotheplacewhereshehadbeenresting。

"Ifyoudowhatyousay，youwillkillme，"saidshe，withtremblinglips。"Hearme，hear！Themomentyoumountyourhorsetogototheking，Imountminetoo；butnottofollowyou，nottoreturntoLondon，buttoplungewithmyhorsedownyonderprecipice。Oh，fearnothing；theywillnotaccuseyouofmymurder。TheywillsaythatI

plungeddowntherewithmyhorse，andthattheraginganimalcausedmydeath。"

"Queen，takegoodheed，considerwellwhatyousay！"exclaimedThomasSeymour，hiscountenanceclearingupandhisfaceflamingwithdelight。"Bearinmindthatyourwordsmustbeeitheracondemnationoranavowal。Iwishdeath，oryourlove！Nottheloveofaqueen，whothinkstobegracioustohersubject，whenforthemomentsheelevateshimtoherself；buttheloveofawomanwhobowsherheadinmeeknessandreceivesherloverasatthesametimeherlord。Oh，Catharine，bewellonyourguard！Ifyoucometomewiththeprideofaqueen，iftherebeevenonethoughtinyouwhichtellsyouthatyouarebestowingafavoronasubjectasyoutakehimtoyourheart，thenbesilentandletmegohence。Iamproud，andasnoblybornasyourself，andhoweverlovethrowsmeconqueredatyourfeet，yetitshallnotbowmyheadinthedust！Butifyousaythatyouloveme，Catharine，forthatIwillconsecratemywholelifetoyou。Iwillbeyourlord，butyourslavealso。Thereshallbeinmenothought，nofeeling，nowishthatisnotdevotedandsubservienttoyou。AndwhenIsaythatIwillheyourlord，ImeannottherebythatIwillnotlieforeveratyourfeetandbowmyheadinthedust，andsaytoyou:Treadonit，ifitseemgoodtoyou，forIamyourslave！"

Andspeakingthus，hedroppedonhiskneesandpressedtoherfeethisface，whoseglowingandnobleexpressionravishedCatharine\'sheart。

Shehentdowntohim，andgentlyliftinghishead，lookedwithanindescribableexpressionofhappinessandlovedeepintohisbeamingeyes。

"Doyouloveme？"askedSeymour，asheputhisarmsoftlyaroundherslenderwaist，andarosefromhiskneelingattitude。

"Iloveyou！"saidshe，withafirmvoiceandahappysmile。"Iloveyou，notasaqueen，butasawoman；andifperchancethislovehringusbothtothescaffold，wellthenweshallatleastdietogether，tomeetagainthereabove！"

"No，thinknotnowofdying，Catharine，thinkofliving——ofthebeautiful，enchantingfuturewhichisbeckoningtous。Thinkofthedayswhichwillsooncome，andinwhichourlovewillnolongerrequiresecresyoraveil，butwhenwewillmanifestittothewholeworld，andcanproclaimourhappinessfromafullgladbreast！Oh，Catharine，letushopethatcompassionateandmercifuldeathwilllooseatlasttheunnaturalbondsthatbindyoutothatoldman。

Then，whenHenryisnomore，thenwillyoubemine，minewithyonrentirebeing，withyourwholelife；andinsteadofaproudregalcrown，acrownofmyrtleshalladornyourhead！Swearthattome，Catharine；swearthatyouwillbecomemywife，assoonasdeathhassetyoufree。"

Thequeenshudderedandhercheeks。grewpale。"Oh，"saidshewithasigh，"deaththenisourhopeandperhapsthescaffoldourend！"

"No，Catharine，loveisourhope，andhappinessourend。Thinkoflife，ofourfuture！Godgrantmyrequest。SweartomehereinthefaceofGod，andofsacredandcalmnaturearoundus，sweartome，thatfromthedaywhendeathfreesyoufromyourhusbandyouwillbemine，mywife，myconsort！Sweartome，thatyou，regardlessofetiquetteandunmindfuloftyrannicalcustom，willbeLordSeymour\'swife，beforetheknellforHenry\'sdeathhasdiedaway。Wewillfindapriest，whomayblessourloveandsanctifythecovenantthatwehavethisdayconcludedforeternity！Sweartome，that，tillthatwished——forday，youwillkeepformeyourtruthandlove，andneverforgetthatmyhonorisyoursalso，thatyourhappinessisalsomine！"

"Iswearit！"saidCatharine，solemnly。"Youmaydependuponmeatalltimesandatallhours。NeverwillIbeuntruetoyou；neverwillIhaveathoughtthatisnotyours。IwillloveyouasThomasSeymourdeservestobeloved，thatiswithadevotedandfaithfulheart。Itwillbemypridetosubjectmyselftoyou，andwithgladsoulwillIserveandfollowyou，asyourtrueandobedientwife。"

"Iacceptyouroath！"saidSeymour，solemnly。"ButinreturnIswearthatIwillhonorandesteemyouasmyqueenandmistress。Isweartoyouthatyoushallneverfindamoreobedientsubject，amoreunselfishcounsellor，amorefaithfulhusband，abraverchampion，thanIwillbe。\'Mylifeformyqueen，myentireheartformybeloved\'；thishenceforthshallbemymotto，andmayIbedisownedanddespisedbyGodandbyyou，ifeverIviolatethisoath。"

"Amen！"saidCatharine，withabewitchingsmile。

Thenbothweresilent。Itwasthatsilencewhichonlyloveandhappinessknows——thatsilencewhichissorichinthoughtsandfeelings，andthereforesopoorinwords！

Thewindrustledwhisperinglyinthetrees，amongwhosedarkbrancheshereandthereabird\'swarblingorflute-likenotesresounded。Thesunthrewhisemeraldlightoverthesoftvelvetycarpetoftheground，which，risingandfallingingentle，undulatinglines，formedlovelylittlehollowsandhillocks，onwhichnowandthenwasseenhereandtheretheslenderandstatelyfigureofahart，oraroe，that，lookingaroundsearchinglywithhisbrighteyes，startedbackfrightenedintothethicketonobservingthesetwohumanfiguresandthegroupofhorsesencampedthere。

Suddenlythisquietwasinterruptedbytheloudsoundofthehunter\'shorn，andinthedistancewereheardconfusedcriesandshouts，whichwereechoedbythedenseforestandrepeatedinathousandtones。

Withasighthequeenraisedherheadfromtheearl\'sshoulder。

Thedreamwasatanend；theangelcamewithflamingswordtodriveherfromparadise。

Forshewasnolongerworthyofparadise。Thefatalwordhadbeenspoken，andwhileitbroughtherlove，ithadperjuredher。

Henry\'swife，hisbyhervowtakenbeforethealtar，hadbetrothedherselftoanother，andgivenhimthelovethatsheowedherhusband。

"Itispassed，"saidhe，mournfully。"Thesesoundscallmebacktomyslavery。Wemustbothresumeourroles。Imustbecomequeenagain。"

"Butfirstsweartomethatyouwillneverforgetthishour；thatyouwilleverthinkupontheoathswhichwehavemutuallysworn。"

Shelookedathimalmostastounded。"MyGod！cantruthandlovebeforgotten？"

"Youwillremainevertrue，Catharine？"

Shesmiled。"See，now，myjealouslord，doIaddresssuchquestionstoyou？"

"Oh，queen，youwellknowthatyoupossessthecharmthatbindsforever。"

"Whoknows？"saidshedreamily，assheraisedherenthusiasticlooktoheaven，andseemedtofollowthebrightsilverycloudswhichweresailingslowlyacrosstheblueether。

Thenhereyesfellonherbeloved，andlayingherhandsoftlyuponhisshoulder，shesaid:"LoveislikeGod——eternal，primeval，andeverpresent！Butyoumustbelieveinittofeelitspresence；youmusttrustittobeworthyofitsblessing！"

Butthehallooingandtheclangorofthehornscamenearerandnearer。Evennowwasheardthebarkingofthedogsandthetrampofhorses。

Theearlhaduntiedthehorses，andledHector，whowasnowquietandgentleasalamb，tohismistress。

"Queen，"saidThomasSeymour，"twodelinquentsnowapproachyou！

Hectorismyaccomplice，andhaditnotbeenthattheflyInowseeonhisswollenearhadmadehimraving，Ishouldbethemostpitiableandunhappymaninyourkingdom，whilenowIamthehappiestandmostenviable。"

Thequeenmadenoanswer，butsheputbothherarmsaroundtheanimal\'sneckandkissedhim。

"Henceforth，"saidshe，"thenIwillrideonlyHector，andwhenheisoldandunfitforservice——"

"HeshallbetendedandcaredforinthestudofCountessCatharineSeymour！"interruptedThomasSeymour，asheheldthequeen\'sstirrupandassistedherintothesaddle。

Thetworodeinsilencetowardthesoundofthevoicesandhorns，bothtoomuchoccupiedbytheirownthoughtstointerruptthembytriflingwords。

"Helovesme！"thoughtCatharine。"Iamahappy，enviablewoman，forThomasSeymourlovesme。"

"Shelovesme！"thoughthe，withaproud，triumphantsmile。"I

shall，therefore，onedaybecomeRegentofEngland。"

Justthentheycameoutonthelargelevelmeadow，throughwhichtheyhadpreviouslyridden，andoverwhichnowcame，scatteredhereandthereinmotleyconfusion，theentireroyalsuite，PrincessElizabethatthehead。

"Onethingmore！"whisperedCatharine。"Ifyoueverneedamessengertome，applytoJohnHeywood。Heisafriendwhomwecantrust。"

Andshesprangforwardtomeettheprincess，torecounttoheralltheparticularsofheradventure，andherhappyrescuebythemasterofhorse。

Elizabeth，however，listenedtoherwithglowinglooksandthoughtsdistracted，andasthequeenthenturnedtotherestofhersuite，and，surroundedbyherladiesandlords，receivedtheircongratulations，aslightsignfromtheprincesscalledThomasSeymourtoherside。

Sheallowedherhorsetocurvetsomepacesforward，bywhichsheandtheearlfoundthemselvesseparatedalittlefromtherest，andweresureofbeingoverheardbynoone。

"Mylord，"saidshe，inavehement，almostthreateningvoice，"youhaveoftenandinvainbesoughtmetograntyouaninterview。Ihavedeniedyou。Youintimatedthatyouhadmanythingstosaytome，forwhichwemustbealone，andwhichmustreachnolistener\'sear。

Well，now，to-dayIgrantyouaninterview，andIamatlastinclinedtolistentoyou。"

Shepausedandwaitedforareply。Buttheearlremainedsilent。Heonlymadeadeepandrespectfulbow，bendingtotheveryneckofhishorse。"Wellandgood；IwillgotothisrendezvouswereitbuttoblindElizabeth\'seyes，thatshemaynotseewhatsheneveroughttosee。Thatwasall。"

Theyoungprincesscastonhimanangrylook，andadarkscowlgatheredonherbrow。"Youunderstandwellhowtocontrolyourjoy，"

saidshe；"andanyonetoseeyoujustnowwouldthink——"

"ThatThomasSeymourisdiscreetenoughnottoletevenhisrapturebereadinhiscountenanceatthisdangerouscourt，"interruptedtheearlinalowmurmur。"When，princess，mayIseeyouandwhere？"

"WaitforthemessagethatJohnHeywoodwillbringyouto-day，"

whisperedElizabeth，asshesprangforwardandagaindrewnearthequeen。

"JohnHeywood，again！"mutteredtheearl。"Theconfidantofboth，andsomyhangman，ifhewishestobe！"

CHAPTERXIII。

"LEROIS\'ENNUIT。"

KingHenrywasaloneinhisstudy。Hehadspentafewhoursinwritingonadevoutandedifyingbook，whichhewaspreparingforhissubjects，andwhich，invirtueofhisdignityassupremelordoftheChurch，hedesignedtocommendtotheirreadinginsteadoftheBible。

Henowlaiddownhispen，and，withinfinitecomplacency，lookedoverthewrittensheets，whichweretobetohispeopleanewproofofhispaternalloveandcare，andsoconvincethemthatHenrytheEighthwasnotonlythenoblestandmostvirtuousofkings，butalsothewisest。

Butthisreflectionfailedtomakethekingmorecheerfulto-day；

perhapsbecausehehadalreadyindulgedinittoofrequently。Tobealone，annoyedanddisturbedhim——therewereinhisbreastsomanysecretandhiddenvoices，whosewhispershedreaded，andwhich，therefore，hesoughttodrown——thereweresomanyrecollectionsofblood，whicheverandagainrosebeforehim，howeveroftenhetriedtowashthemoutinfreshblood，andwhichthekingwasafraidof，thoughheassumedtheappearanceofneverrepenting，neverfeelingdisquietude。

Withhastyhandhetouchedthegoldbellstandingbyhim，andhisfacebrightenedashesawthedooropenimmediately，andEarlDouglasmakehisappearanceonthethreshold。

"Oh，atlength！"saidthelord，whohadverywellunderstoodtheexpressionofHenry\'sfeatures；"atlength，thekingcondescendstobegracioustohispeople。"

"Igracious？"askedtheking，utterlyastonished。"Well，howamI

so？"

"Byyourmajesty\'srestingatlengthfromhisexertions，andgivingalittlethoughttohisvaluableandneedfulhealth。Whenyouremember，sire，thatEngland\'swealdependssolelyandaloneonthewealofherking，andthatyoumustbeandremainhealthy，thatyourpeople，likewisemaybehealthy。"

Thekingsmiledwithsatisfaction。Itnevercameintohisheadtodoubttheearl\'swords。Itseemedtohimperfectlynaturalthatthewealofhispeopledependedonhisperson；butyetitwasalwaysaloftyandbeautifulsong，andhelovedtohavehiscourtiersrepeatit。

Theking，aswehavesaid，smiled，buttherewassomethingunusualinthatsmile，whichdidnotescapetheearl。

"Heisintheconditionofahungryanaconda，"saidEarlDouglastohimself。"Heisonthewatchforprey，andhewillbebrightandlivelyagainjustassoonashehastastedalittlehumanfleshandblood。Ah，luckilywearewellsuppliedinthatway。Therefore，wewillrenderuntothekingwhatistheking\'s。Butwemustbecautiousandgotoworkwarily。"

Heapproachedthekingandimprintedakissonhishand。

"Ikissthishand，"saidhe，"whichhasbeento-daythefountainthroughwhichthewisdomoftheheadhasbeenpouredforthonthisblessedpaper。Ikissthispaper，whichwillannounceandexplaintohappyEnglandGod\'spureandunadulteratedword；butyetIsayletthissufficeforthepresent，myking；takerest；rememberawhilethatyouarenotonlyasage，butalsoaman。"

"Yesandtrulyaweakanddecrepitone！"sighedtheking，aswithdifficultyheessayedtorise，andinsodoingleanedsoheavilyandtheearl\'sarmthathealmostbrokedownunderthemonstrousload。

"Decrepit！"saidEarlDouglas，reproachfully。"Yourmajestymovesto-daywithasmucheaseandfreedomasayouth，andmyarmwasbynomeansneededtohelpyouup。"

"Nevertheless，wearegrowingold！"saidtheking，who，fromhisweariness，wasunusuallysentimentalandlow-spiritedto-day。

"Old！"repeatedEarlDouglas。"Old，withthoseeyesdartingfire，andthatloftybrow，andthatface，ineveryfeaturesonoble！No，yourmajesty，kingshavethisincommonwiththegods——theynevergrowold。"

"Andthereintheyresembleparrotstoahair！"saidJohnHeywood，whojustthenenteredtheroom。"Iownaparrotwhichmygreat-

grandfatherinheritedfromhisgreat-grandfather，whowashair-

dressertoHenrytheFourth，andwhichto-daystillsingswiththesamevolubilityashedidahundredyearsago:\'Longlivetheking！

longlivethisparagonofvirtue，sweetness，beauty，andmercy！Longlivetheking！\'Hehascriedthisforhundredsofyears，andhehasrepeateditforHenrytheFifthandHenrytheSixth，forHenrytheSeventhandHenrytheEighth！Andwonderful，thekingshavechanged，butthesongofpraisehasalwaysbeenappropriate，andhaseverbeenonlythesimpletruth！Justlikeyours，myLordDouglas！Yourmajestymaydependuponit，hespeaksthetruth，forheisnearakintomyparrot，whichalwayscallshim\'Mycousin，\'andhastaughthimhisimmortalsongofpraisetokings。"

Thekinglaughed，whileEarlDouglascastatJohnHeywoodasharp，spitefullook。

"Heisanimpudentimp，ishenot，Douglas？"saidtheking。

"Heisafool！"repliedhe，withashrug。

"Exactly，andthereforeIjustnowtoldyouthetruth。Foryouknowchildrenandfoolsspeakthetruth。AndIbecameafooljustonthisaccount，thattheking，whomyoualldeceivebyyourlies，mayhaveabouthimsomecreature，besideshislooking-glass，totellhimthetruth。"

"Well，andwhattruthwillyouserveupformetoday？"

"Itisalreadyserved，yourmajesty。Solayasideforalittleyourregalcrownandyourhighpriesthood，andconcludetobeforawhileacarnivorousbeast。Itisveryeasytobecomeaking。Forthat，nothingmoreisnecessarythantobebornofaqueenunderacanopy。

Butitisverydifficulttobeamanwhohasagooddigestion。Itrequiresahealthystomachandalightconscience。Come，KingHenry，andletusseewhetheryouarenotmerelyaking，butalsoamanthathasagoodstomach。"Andwithamerrylaughhetooktheking\'sotherarmandledhimwiththeearlintothedining-room。

Theking，whowasanextraordinaryeater，silentlybeckonedhissuitetotaketheirplacesatthetable，afterhehadseatedhimselfinhisgildedchair。Withgraveandsolemnairhethenreceivedfromthehandsofthemasterofceremoniestheivorytabletonwhichwasthebilloffarefortheday。Theking\'sdinnerwasasolemnandimportantaffair。Amultitudeofpost-wagonsandcourierswereeveronthewaytobringfromtheremotestendsoftheearthdaintiesfortheroyaltable。Thebilloffare，therefore，to-day，asever，exhibitedthechoicestandrarestdishes；andalwayswhenthekingfoundoneofhisfavoriteoneswrittendownhemadeanassentingandapprovingmotionofthehead，whichalwayslightedupthefaceofthemasterofceremonieslikeasunbeam。Therewerebirds\'nestsbroughtfromtheEastIndiesbyafast-sailingvessel，builtspeciallyforthepurpose。TherewerehensfromCalcuttaandtrufflesfromLanguedoc，whichthepoet-king，FrancistheFirstofFrance，hadthedaybeforesenttohisroyalbrotherasaspecialtokenofaffection。TherewasthesparklingwineofChampagne，andthefierywineoftheIslandofCyprus，whichtheRepublicofVenicehadsenttothekingasamarkofrespect。ThereweretheheavywinesoftheRhine，whichlookedlikeliquidgold，anddiffusedthefragranceofawholebouquetofflowers，andwithwhichtheProtestantprincesofNorthernGermanyhopedtofuddletheking，whomtheywouldhavegladlyplacedattheheadoftheirleague。

There，too，werethemonstrous，giganticpartridgepastries，whichtheDukeofBurgundyhadsent，andthegloriousfruitsofthesouth，fromtheSpanishcoast，withwhichtheEmperorCharlestheFifthsuppliedtheKingofEngland\'stable。Foritwaswellknownthat，inordertomaketheKingofEnglandpropitious，itwasnecessaryfirsttosatiatehim；thathispalatemustfirstbetickled，inordertogainhisheadorhisheart。

Butto-dayallthesethingsseemedinsufficienttogivethekingtheblissfulpleasurewhich，atothertimes，waswonttobewithhimwhenhesatattable。HeheardJohnHeywood\'sjestsandbitingepigramswithamelancholysmile，andacloudwasonhisbrow。

Tobeincheerfulhumor，thekingabsolutelyneededthepresenceofladies。Heneededthemasthehunterneedstheroetoenjoythepleasureofthechase——thatpleasurewhichconsistsinkillingthedefencelessandindeclaringwaragainsttheinnocentandpeaceful。

Thecraftycourtier，EarlDouglas，readilydivinedHenry\'sdissatisfaction，andunderstoodthesecretmeaningofhisfrownsandsighs。Hehopedmuchfromthem，andwasfirmlyresolvedtodrawsomeadvantagetherefrom，tothebenefitofhisdaughter，andtheharmofthequeen。

"Yourmajesty，"saidhe，"Iamjustonthepointofturningtraitor，andaccusingmykingofaninjustice。"

Thekingturnedhisflashingeyesuponhim，andputhishand，sparklingwithjewelledrings，tothegoldengobletfilledwithRhenishwine。

"Ofaninjustice——me——yourking？"askedhe，withstammeringtongue。

"Yes，ofaninjustice，inasmuchasyouareformeGod\'svisiblerepresentativeonearth。IwouldblameGodifHewithdrewfromusforadaythebrightnessofthesun，thegorgeousnessandperfumeofHisflowers，forsincewechildrenofmenareaccustomedtoenjoytheseglories，wehaveinacertainmeasuregainedarighttothem。

SoIaccuseyoubecauseyouhavewithdrawnfromustheembodiedflowersandtheincarnatesuns；becauseyouhavebeensocruel，sire，astosendthequeentoEppingForest。"

"Notso；thequeenwantedtoride，"saidHenry，peevishly。"Thespringweatherattractedher，andsinceI，alas！donotpossessGod\'sexaltedattributeofubiquity，Iwas，nodoubt，obligedtocometotheresolutionofbeingdeprivedofherpresence。ThereisnohorsecapableofcarryingtheKingofEngland。"

"ThereisPegasus，however，andinmasterlymanneryouknowhowtomanagehim。Buthow，yourmajesty！thequeenwantedtoride，thoughshewasdeprivedofyourpresencethereby？Shewantedtoride，thoughthispleasure-ridewasatthesametimeaseparationfromyou？Ohhowcoldandselfisharewomen\'shearts！WereIawoman，I

wouldneverdepartfromyourside，Iwouldcovertnogreaterhappinessthantobenearyou，andtolistentothathighandexaltedwisdomwhichpoursfromyourinspiredlips。WereIawoman——

"

"Earl，Iopinethatyourwishisperfectlyfulfilled，"saidJohnHeywoodseriously。"Youmakeinallrespectstheimpressionofanoldwoman！"

Alllaughed。Butthekingdidnotlaugh；heremainedseriousandlookedgloomilybeforehim。

"Itistrue，"mutteredhe，"sheseemedexcitedwithjoyaboutthisexcursion，andinhereyesshoneafireIhaveseldomseenthere。

Theremustbesomepeculiarcircumstanceconnectedwiththisride。

Whoaccompaniedthequeen？"

"PrincessElizabeth，"saidJohnHeywood，whohadheardeverything，andsawclearlythearrowthattheearlhadshotatthequeen。

"PrincessElizabeth，hertrueanddearfriend，whoneverleavesherside。Besides，hermaidsofhonor，who，likethedragoninthefable，keepwatchoverthebeautifulprincess。"

"Whoelseisinthequeen\'scompany？"inquiredHenry，sullenly。

"Themasterofhorse，EarlofSudley，"saidDouglas，"and——"

"Thatisanobservationinthehighestdegreesuperfluous，"

interruptedJohnHeywood；"itisperfectlywellunderstoodbyitselfthatthemasterofhorseaccompaniesthequeen。Thatisjustasmuchhisofficeasitisyourstosingthesongofyourcousin，myparrot。"

"Heisright，"saidthekingquickly。"ThomasSeymourmustaccompanyher，anditismywillalso。ThomasSeymourisafaithfulservant，andthishehasinheritedfromhissisterJane，mymuchlovedqueen，nowatrestwithGod，thatheisdevotedtohiskinginsteadfastaffection。"

"ThetimehasnotyetcomewhenonemayassailtheSeymours，"

thoughttheearl。"Thekingisyetattachedtothem；sohewillfeelhostiletowardthefoesoftheSeymours。LetusthenbeginourattackonHenryHoward——thatistosay，onthequeen。"

"Whoaccompaniedthequeenbesides？"inquiredHenrytheEighth，emptyingthegoldenbeakeratadraught，asthoughhewouldtherebycoolthefirewhichalreadybegantoblazewithinhim。ButthefieryRhenishwineinsteadofcoolingonlyheatedhimyetmore；itdrove，likeatempest，thefirekindledinhisjealousheartinbrightflamestohishead，andmadehisbrainglowlikehisheart。

"Whoelseaccompaniedherbesidethese？"askedEarlDouglascarelessly。"Well，Ithink，thelordchamberlain，EarlofSurrey。"

Adarkscowngatheredontheking\'sbrow。Thelionhadscentedhisprey。

"Thelordchamberlainisnotinthequeen\'strain！"saidJohnHeywoodearnestly。

"No，"exclaimedEarlDouglas。"Thepoorearl。Thatwillmakehimverysad。"

"Andwhythinkyouthatwillmakehimsad？"askedthekinginavoiceveryliketherollofdistantthunder。

"BecausetheEarlofSurreyisaccustomedtoliveinthesunshineofroyalfavor，sire；becauseheresemblesthatflowerwhichalwaysturnsitsheadtothesun，andreceivesfromitvigor，color，andbrilliancy。"

"Lethimtakecarethatthesundoesnotscorchhim，"mutteredtheking。

"Earl，"saidJohnHeywood，"youmustputonyourspectaclessothatyoucanseebetter。Thistimeyouhaveconfoundedthesunwithoneofitssatellites。EarlSurreyisfartooprudentamantobesofoolishastogazeatthesun，andtherebyblindhiseyesandparchhisbrain。Andsoheissatisfiedtoworshiponeoftheplanetsthatcircleroundthesun。"

"Whatdoesthefoolintendtosaybythat？"askedtheearlcontemptuously。

"Thewisewilltherebygiveyoutounderstandthatyouhavethistimemistakenyourdaughterforthequeen，"saidJohnHeywood，emphasizingsharplyeveryword，"andthatithashappenedtoyou，astomanyagreatastrologer，youhavetakenaplanetforasun。"

EarlDouglascastadark，spitefullookatJohnHeywood，whoanswereditwithoneequallypiercingandfurious。

Theireyeswerefirmlyfixedoneachother\'s，andinthoseeyestheybothreadallthehatredandallthebitternesswhichwereworkinginthedepthsoftheirsouls。Bothknewthattheyhadfromthathoursworntoeachotheranenmityburningandfullofdanger。

Thekinghadnoticednothingofthisdumbbutsignificantscene。Hewaslookingdown，broodingoverhisgloomythoughts，andthestorm-

cloudsrollingaroundhisbrowgathereddarkeranddarker。

Withanimpetuousmovementhearosefromhisseat，andthistimeheneedednohelpinghandtostandup。Wrathwasthemightyleverthatthrewhimup。

Thecourtiersarosefromtheirseatsinsilence，andnobodybesidesJohnHeywoodobservedthelookofunderstandingwhichEarlDouglasexchangedwithGardiner，bishopofWinchester，andWriothesley，thelordchancellor。

"Ah，whyisnotCranmerhere？"saidJohnHeywoodtohimself。"Iseethethreetiger-catsprowling，sotheremustbepreytodevoursomewhere。Well，Iwillatanyratekeepmyearsopenwideenoughtoheartheirroaring。"

"Thedinnerisover，gentlemen！"saidthekinghastily；andthecourtiersandgentlemeninwaitingsilentlywithdrewtotheanteroom。

OnlyEarlDouglas，Gardiner，andWriothesley，remainedinthehall，whileJohnHeywoodcreptsoftlyintotheking\'scabinetandconcealedhimselfbehindthehangingofgoldbrocadewhichcoveredthedoorleadingfromtheking\'sstudytotheouteranteroom。

"Mylords，"saidtheking，"followmeintomycabinet。Aswearedull，themostadvisablethingforustodoistodivertourselveswhileweoccupyourselveswiththewealofourbelovedsubjects，andconsultconcerningtheirhappinessandwhatisconducivetotheirwelfare。Followmethen，andwewillholdageneralconsultation。"

"EarlDouglas，yourarm！"andasthekingleanedonitandwalkedslowlytowardthecabinet，attheentranceofwhichthelordchancellorandtheBishopofWinchesterwerewaitingforhim，heaskedinalowvoice:"YousaythatHenryHowarddareseverintrudehimselfintothequeen\'spresence？"

"Sire，Ididnotsaythat；Imeantonlythatheisconstantlytobeseeninthequeen\'spresence。"

"Oh，youmeanthatsheperhapsauthorizeshimtodoso，"saidtheking，grindinghisteeth。

"Sire，Iholdthequeentobeanobleanddutifulwife。"

"Ishouldbequiteinclinedtolayyourheadatyourfeetifyoudidnot！"saidtheking，inwhosefacethefirstlightningoftheburstingcloudofwrathbegantoflash。

"Myheadbelongstotheking！"saidEarlDouglasrespectfully。"Lethimdowithitashepleases。"

"ButHoward——youmean，then，thatHowardlovesthequeen？"

"Yes，sire，Idareaffirmthat。"

"Now，bytheMotherofGod，Iwilltreadtheserpentundermyfeet，asIdidhissister！"exclaimedHenry，fiercely。"TheHowardsareanambitious，dangerous，andhypocriticalrace。"

"Aracethatneverforgetsthatadaughteroftheirhousehassatonyourthrone。"

"Buttheyshallforgetit，"criedtheking，"andImustwashtheseproudandhaughtythoughtsoutoftheirbrainwiththeirownblood。

Theyhavenotthenlearned，fromtheexampleoftheirsister，howI

punishdisloyalty。Thisinsolentraceneedsanotherfreshexample。

Well，theyshallhaveit。Onlyputthemeansinmyhand，Douglas，onlyalittlehookthatIcanstrikeintothefleshoftheseHowards，andItellyou，withthatlittlehookIwilldragthemtothescaffold。Givemeproofoftheearl\'scriminallove，andI

promiseyouthatforthisIwillgrantyouwhatyouask。"

"Sire，Iwillgiveyouthisproof。"

"When？"

"Infourdays，sire！Atthegreatcontestofthepoets，whichyouhaveorderedtotakeplaceonthequeen\'sbirthday。"

"Ithankyou，Douglas，Ithankyou，"saidthekingwithanexpressionalmostofjoy。InfourdaysyouwillhaveridmeofthetroublesomeraceofHowards。"

"But，sire，ifIcannotgivetheproofyoudemandwithoutaccusingoneotherperson？"

Theking，whowasjustabouttopassthedoorofhiscabinet，stoodstill，andlookedsteadilyintotheearl\'seyes。"Then，"saidhe，inatonepeculiarlyawful，"youmeanthequeen？Well，ifsheisguilty，Iwillpunishher。GodhasplacedtheswordinmyhandthatImaybearittoHishonorandtotheterrorofmankind。Ifthequeenhassinned，shewillbepunished。FurnishmetheproofofHoward\'sguilt，anddonottroubleyourselfifwetherebydiscovertheguiltofothers。Weshallnottimidlyshrinkback，butletjusticetakeitscourse。"

CHAPTERXIV。

THEQUEEN\'SFRIEND。

EarlDouglas，Gardiner，andWriothesley，hadaccompaniedthekingintohiscabinet。

Atlastthegreatblowwastobestruck，andtheplanofthethreeenemiesofthequeen，solongmaturedandwell-considered，wastobeatlengthputinexecution。Therefore，astheyfollowedtheking，whowithunwontedactivityprecededthem，theyexchangedwitheachotheronemorelookofmutualunderstanding。

BythatlookEarlDouglassaid，"Thehourhascome。Beready！"

Andthelooksofhisfriendsresponded，"Weareready！"

JohnHeywood，who，hiddenbehindthehangings，sawandobservedeverything，couldnotforbearaslightshudderatthesightofthesefourmen，whosedarkandhardfeaturesseemedincapableofbeingtouchedbyanyrayofpityormercy。

Therewasfirsttheking，thatmanwiththeProteancountenance，acrosswhichstormandsunshine，Godandthedeviltracedeachminutenewlines；whocouldbenowaninspiredenthusiast，andnowabloodthirstytyrant；nowasentimentalwit，andanonawantonreveler；theking，onwhoseconstancynobody，notevenhimself，couldrely；everready，asitsuitedhiscapriceorhisinterest，tobetrayhismostfaithfulfriend，andtosendtothescaffoldto-daythosewhombutyesterdayhehadcaressedandassuredofhisunchangingaffection；theking，whoconsideredhimselfprivilegedtoindulgewithimpunityhislowappetites，hisrevengefulimpulses，hisbloodthirstyinclinations；whowasdevoutfromvanity，becausedevotionaffordedhimanopportunityofidentifyinghimselfwithGod，andofregardinghimselfinsomesortthepatronofDeity。

TherewasEarlDouglas，thecraftycourtierwithever-smilingface，whoseemedtoloveeverybody，whileinfacthehatedall；whoassumedtheappearanceofperfectharmlessness，andseemedtobeindifferenttoeverythingbutpleasure，whileneverthelesssecretlyheheldinhishandallthestringsofthatgreatnetwhichencompassedalikecourtandking——EarlDouglas，whomthekinglovedforthisalone，becausehegenerallygavehimthetitleofgrandandwisehigh-priestoftheChurch，andwhowas，notwithstandingthis，Loyola\'svicegerent，andatrueandfaithfuladherentofthatpopewhohaddamnedthekingasadegeneratesonandgivenhimovertothewrathofGod。

Lastly，therewerethetwomenwithdark，malignantlooks，withinflexible，stonyfaces，whichuereneverlightedupbyasmile，oragleamofjoy；whoalwayscondemned，alwayspunished，andwhosecountenancesneverbrightenedsavewhenthedyingshriekofthecondemned，orthegroansofsomepoorwretchupontherack，fellupontheirears；whowerethetormentorsofhumanity，whiletheycalledthemselvestheministersandservantsofGod。

"Sire，"saidGardiner，whenthekinghadslowlytakenhisseatupontheottoman——"sire，letusfirstasktheblessingoftheLordourGodonthishourofconference。MayGod，whoislove，butwhoiswrathalso，mayHeenlightenandblessus！"

Thekingdevoutlyfoldedhishands，butitwasonlyaprayerofwraththatanimatedhissoul。

"Grant，OGod，thatImaypunishThineenemies，andeverywheredashinpiecestheguilty！"

"Amen！"saidGardiner，asherepeatedwithsolemnearnestnesstheking\'swords。

"SendusthethunderboltofThywrath，"prayedWriothesley，"thatwemayteachtheworldtorecognizeThypowerandglory！"

EarlDouglastookcarenottoprayaloud。WhathehadtorequestofGodwasnotallowedtoreachtheearoftheking。

"Grant，OGod，"prayedheinhisheart，"grantthatmyworkmayprosper，andthatthisdangerousqueenmayascendthescaffold，tomakeroomformydaughter，whoisdestinedtobringbackintothearmsofourholymother，theChurch——guiltyandfaithlessking。"

"Nowmylords，"saidtheking，fetchingalongbreath，"nowtellmehowstandmattersinmykingdom，andatmycourt？"

"Badly，"saidGardiner。"Unbeliefagainliftsupitshead。Itisahydra。Ifyoustrikeoffoneofitsheads，twoothersimmediatelyspringupinitsplace。Thiscursedsectofreformistsandatheistsmultipliesdaybyday，andourprisonsarenolongersufficienttocontainthem；andwhenwedragthemtothestake，theirjoyfulandcourageousdeathalwaysmakesfreshproselytesandfreshapostates。"

"Yes，mattersarebad，"saidtheLordChancellorWriothesley；"invainhavewepromisedpardonandforgivenesstoallthosewhowouldreturnpenitentandcontrite；theylaughtoscornouroffersofpardon，andpreferadeathoftorturetotheroyalclemency。WhatavailsitthatwehaveburnttodeathMilesCoverdale，whohadthehardihoodtotranslatetheBible？Hisdeathappearstohavebeenonlythetocsinthatarousedotherfanatics，and，withoutourbeingabletodivineorsuspectwhereallthesebookscomefrom，theyhaveoverflowedanddelugedthewholeland；andwenowalreadyhavemorethanfourtranslationsoftheBible。Thepeoplereadthemwitheagerness；andthecorruptseekofmentalilluminationandfree-

thinkingwaxesdailymorepowerfulandmorepernicious。"

"Andnowyou，EarlDouglas？"askedtheking，whenthelordchancellorceased。"Thesenoblelordshavetoldmehowmattersstandinmykingdom。Youwilladvisemewhatistheaspectofthingsatmycourt。"

"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，slowlyandsolemnly——forhewishedeachwordtosinkintotheking\'sbreastlikeapoisonedarrow——"sire，thepeoplebutfollowtheexamplewhichthecourtsetsthem。Howcanyourequirefaithofthepeople，whenundertheirowneyesthecourtturnsfaithtoridicule，andwheninfidelsfindatcourtaidandprotection？"

"Youaccuse，butgivenonames，"saidtheking，impatiently。"Whodaresatmycourtbeaprotectorofheretics？"

"Cranmer，ArchbishopofCanterbury！"saidthethreemen，aswithonemouth。Thesignal-wordwasspoken，thestandardofabloodystrugglesetup。

"Cranmer？"repeatedthekingthoughtfully。"Hehas，however，alwaysbeenafaithfulservantandanattentivefriendtome。ItwashewhodeliveredmefromtheunholybondwithCatharineofAragon:itwashetoowhowarnedmeofCatharineHoward，andfurnishedmewithproofsofherguilt。Ofwhatmisdemeanordoyouaccusehim？"

"Hedeniesthesixarticles，"saidGardiner，whosemaliciousfacenowglowedwithbitterhatred。"Hereprobatesauricularconfession，andbelievesnotthatthevoluntarilytakenvowsofcelibacyarebinding。"

"Ifhedoesthat，thenheisatraitor！"criedtheking，whowasfondofalwaysthrowingareverenceforchastityandmodesty，asakindofholymantle，overhisownprofligateandlewdlife；andwhomnothingmoreembitteredthantoencounteranotheronthatpathofvicewhichhehimself，byvirtueofhisroyalprerogative，andhiscrownbythegraceofGod，couldtravelinperfectsafety。

"Ifhedoesthat，thenheisatraitor！Myarmofvengeancewillsmitehim！"repeatedthekingagain。"ItwasIwhogavemypeoplethesixarticles，asasacredandauthoritativedeclarationoffaith；andIwillnotsufferthisonlytrueandrightdoctrinetobeassailedandobscured。Butyouaremistaken，mylords。IamacquaintedwithCranmer，andIknowthatheisloyalandfaithful。"

"Andyetitishe，"saidGardiner，"whoconfirmsthesehereticsintheirobduracyandstiff-neckedness。Heisthecausewhytheselostwretchesdonot，fromthefearofdivinewrathatleast，returntoyou，theirsovereignandhigh-priest。ForhepreachestothemthatGodisloveandmercy；heteachesthemthatChristcameintotheworldinordertobringtotheworldloveandtheforgivenessofsins，andthattheyaloneareChrist\'struedisciplesandservantswhoemulateHislove。Doyounotseethen，sire，thatthisisacovertandindirectaccusationagainstyourself，andthatwhilehepraisespardoninglove，heatthesametimecondemnsandaccusesyourrighteousandpunitorywrath？"

Thekingdidnotanswerimmediately，butsatwithhiseyesfixed，graveandpondering。Thefanaticalpriesthadgonetoofar；and，withoutbeingawareofit，itwashehimselfwhowasthatveryinstantaccusingtheking。

EarlDouglasfeltthis。Hereadintheking\'sfacethathewasjusttheninoneofthosemomentsofcontritionwhichsometimescameoverhimwhenhissoulheldinvoluntaryintercoursewithitself。Itwasnecessarytoarousethesleepingtigerandpointouttohimsomeprey，soastomakehimagainbloodthirsty。

"ItwouldbeproperifCranmerpreachedonlyChristianlove，"saidhe。"ThenwouldhebeonlyafaithfulservantofhisLord，andafollowerofhisking。Buthegivestotheworldanabominableexampleofadisobedientandperfidiousservant；hedeniesthetruthofthesixarticles，notinwords，butindeeds。YouhaveorderedthatthepriestsoftheChurchremainsingle。Now，then，theArchbishopofCanterburyismarried！"

"Married！"criedtheking，hisvisageglowingwithrage。"Ah，Iwillchastisehim，thistransgressorofmyholylaws！AministeroftheChurch，apriest，whosewholelifeshouldbenaughtbutanexhibitionofholiness，anendlesscommunionwithGod，andwhosehighcallingitistorenouncefleshlylustsandearthlydesires！

Andheismarried！Iwillmakehimfeelthewholeweightofmyroyalanger！Heshalllearnfromhisownexperiencethattheking\'sjusticeisinexorable，andthatineverycasehesmitestheheadofthesinner，behewhohemay！"

"Yourmajestyistheembodimentofwisdomandjustice，"saidDouglas，"andyourfaithfulservantswellknow，iftheroyaljusticeissometimestardyinsmitingguiltyoffenders，thishappensnotthroughyourwill，butthroughyourservantswhoventuretostaythearmofjustice。"

"Whenandwherehasthishappened？"askedHenry；andhisfaceflushedwithrageandexcitement。"WhereistheoffenderwhomIhavenotpunished？WhereinmyrealmlivesabeingwhohassinnedagainstGodorhisking，andwhomIhavenotdashedtoatoms？"

"Sire，"saidGardinersolemnly，"AnneAskewisyetalive。"

"Shelivestomockatyourwisdomandtoscoffatyourholycreed！"

criedWriothesley。

"Shelives，becauseBishopCranmerwillsthatsheshouldnotdie，"

saidDouglas，shrugginghisshoulders。Thekingbrokeoutintoashort，drylaugh。"Ah，CranmerwillsnotthatAnneAskewdie！"saidhe，sneering。"Hewillsnotthatthisgirl，whohassofearfullyoffendedagainstherking，andagainstGod，shouldhepunished！"

"Yes，shehasoffendedfearfully，andyettwoyearshavepassedawaysinceheroffence，"criedGardiner——"twoyearswhichshehasspentinderidingGodandmockingtheking！"

"Ah，"saidtheking，"wehavestillhopedtoturnthisyoung，misguidedcreaturefromthewaysofsinanderrortothepathofwisdomandrepentance。Wewishedforoncetogiveourpeopleashiningexampleofourwillingnesstoforgivethosewhorepentandrenouncetheirheresy，andtorestorethemtoaparticipationofourroyalfavor。Thereforeitwasthatwecommissionedyou，mylordhishop，byvirtueofyourprayersandyourforcibleandconvincingwords，topluckthispoorchildfromtheclawsofthedevil，whohascharmedherear。"

"Butsheisunbending，"saidGardiner，grindinghisteeth。"InvainhaveIdepictedtoherthepainsofhell，whichawaitherifshereturnnottothefaith；invainhaveIsubjectedhertoeveryvarietyoftortureandpenance；invainhaveIsenttoherinprisonotherconverts，andhadthempraywithhernightanddayincessantly；sheremainsunyielding，hardasstone，andneitherthefearofpunishmentnortheprospectoffreedomandhappinesshasthepowertosoftenthatmarbleheart。"

"Thereisonemeansyetuntried，"saidWriothesley——"ameans，moreover，whichisamoreeffectivepreacherofrepentancethanthemostenthusiasticoratorsandthemostferventprayers，andwhichI

havetothankforbringingbacktoGodandthefaithmanyofthemosthardenedheretics。"

"Andthismeansis——"

"Therack，yourmajesty。"

"Ah，therack！"repliedtheking，withaninvoluntaryshudder。

"Allmeansaregoodthatleadtotheholyend！"saidGardiner，devoutlyfoldinghishands。

"Thesoulmustbesaved，thoughthebodybepiercedwithwounds！"

criedWriothesley。

"Thepeoplemustbeconvinced，"saidDouglas，"thattheloftyspiritofthekingsparesnoteventhosewhoareundertheprotectionofinfluentialandmightpersonages。Thepeoplemurmurthatthistimejusticeisnotpermittedtoprevail，becauseArchbishopCranmerprotectsAnneAskew，andthequeenisherfriend。"

"Thequeenisneverthefriendofacriminal！"saidHenry，vehemently。

"PerchanceshedoesnotconsiderAnneAskewacriminal，"respondedKarlDouglas，withaslightsmile。"Itisknown，indeed，thatthequeenisagreatfriendoftheReformation；andthepeople，whodarenotcallheraheretic——thepeoplecallher\'theProtestant。\'"

"Isit，then，reallybelievedthatitisCatharinewhoprotectsAnneAskew，andkeepsherfromthestake？"inquiredtheking，thoughtfully。

"Itissothought，yourmajesty。"

"Theyshallsoonseethattheyaremistaken，andthatHenrytheEighthwelldeservestobecalledtheDefenderoftheFaithandtheHeadofhisChurch！"criedtheking，withburningrage。"ForwhenhaveIshownmyselfsolong-sufferingandweakinpunishing，thatpeoplebelievemeinclinedtopardonanddealgently？HaveInotsenttothescaffoldevenThomasMoreandCromwell，tworenownedandinacertainrespectnobleandhigh-mindedmen，becausetheydareddefymysupremacyandopposethedoctrineandordinancewhichI

commandedthemtobelieve？HaveInotsenttotheblocktwoofmyqueens——twobeautifulyoungwomen，inwhommyheartwaswellpleased，evenwhenIpunishedthem——becausetheyhadprovokedmywrath？Who，aftersuchbrilliantexamplesofourannihilatingjustice，whodareaccuseusofforbearance？"

"Butatthattime，sire，"saidDouglas，inhissoft，insinuatingvoice，"butatthattimenoqueenasyetstoodatyoursidewhocalledhereticstruebelievers，andfavoredtraitorswithherfriendship。"

Thekingfrowned，andhiswrathfullookencounteredthefriendlyandsubmissivecountenanceoftheearl。"YouknowIhatethesecovertattacks，"saidhe。"Ifyoucantaxthequeenwithanycrime，wellnow，doso。Ifyoucannot，holdyourpeace！"

"Thequeenisanobleandvirtuouslady，"saidtheearl，"onlyshesometimespermitsherselftobeledawaybyhermagnanimousspirit。

Orhow，yourmajesty，canitpossiblybewithyourpermissionthatmyladythequeenmaintainsacorrespondencewithAnneAskew？"

"Whatsayyou？ThequeenincorrespondencewithAnneAskew？"criedthekinginavoiceofthunder。"Thatisalie，ashamelesslie，hatcheduptoruinthequeen；foritisverywellknownthatthepoorking，whohasbeensooftendeceived，sooftenimposedupon，believeshimselftohaveatlastfoundinthiswomanabeingwhomhecantrust，andinwhomhecanputfaith。Andtheygrudgehimthat。