第8章

"See，itisatthesametimetastefulandrich，foradiamondclaspconfinesitinthemiddle。Willyouallowmetofastenthisrosetteonyourshoulder，andwillyougiveittotheEarlofSurrey？"

"Yes，Jane，Iwillgiveittohim，becauseyouwishit。But，poorJane，whatdo，yougainbymydoingit？"

"Atanyrate，afriendlysmile，queen。"

"Andisthatenoughforyou？Doyoulovehimsomuch，then？"

"Yes，Ilovehim！"saidJaneDouglas，withasighofpain，asshefastenedtherosetteonthequeen\'sshoulder。

"Andnow，Jane，goandannouncetothemasterofceremoniesthatI

amready，assoonasthekingwishesit，toresorttothegallery。"

LadyJaneturnedtoleavethechamber。But，alreadyuponthethreshold，shereturnedoncemore。

"Forgiveme，queen，forventuringtomakeonemorerequestofyou。

Youhave，however，justshownyourselftoomuchthenobleandtruefriendofearlierdaysformenottoventureonemorerequest。"

"Now，whatisit，poorJane？"

"Ihaveintrustedmysecretnottothequeen，buttoCatharineParr，thefriendofmyyouth。Willshekeepit，andbetraytononemydisgraceandhumiliation？"

"Mywordforthat，Jane。NobodybutGodandourselvesshalleverknowwhatwehavespoken。"

LadyJanehumblykissedherhandandmurmuredafewwordsofthanks；

thensheleftthequeen\'sroomtogoinquestofthemasterofceremonies。

Inthequeen\'santeroomshestoppedamoment，andleanedagainstthewall，exhausted，andasitwerecrushed。Nobodywasherewhocouldobserveandlistentoher。Shehadnoneedtosmile，noneedtoconceal，beneathacalmandequableappearance，allthosetempestuousanddespairingfeelingswhichwereworkingwithin。Shecouldallowherhatredandherresentment，herrageandherdespair，topourforthinwordsandgestures，intearsandimprecations，insobsandsighs。ShecouldfallonherkneesandbeseechGodforgraceandmercy，andcallonthedevilforrevengeanddestruction。

Whenshehadsodone，shearose，andherdemeanorresumeditswontedcoldandcalmexpression。Onlyhercheekswerestillpaler；onlyastillgloomierfiredartedfromhereyes，andascornfulsmileplayedaboutherthin，compressedlips。

Shetraversedtheroomsandcorridors，andnowsheenteredtheking\'santeroom。AssheobservedGardiner，whowasstandingaloneandseparatedfromtherestintheembrasureofthewindow，shewentuptohim；andJohnHeywood，whowasstillhiddenbehindthecurtain，shudderedatthefrightfulandscornfulexpressionofherfeatures。

Sheofferedthebishopherhand，andtriedtosmile。"Itisdone"

saidshe，almostinaudibly。

"What！Thequeenwearstherosette？"askedGardinervivaciously。

"Shewearstherosette，andwillgiveittohim。"

"Andthenoteisinit？"

"Itisconcealedunderthediamondclasp。"

"Oh，thensheislost！"mutteredGardiner。"Ifthekingfindsthispaper，Catharine\'sdeath-warrantissigned。"

"Hush！"saidLadyJane。"See！LordHertfordiscomingtowardus。Letusgotomeethim。"

Theybothleftthewindowandwalkedoutintothehall。

JohnHeywoodimmediatelyslippedfrombehindthecurtain，and，softlyglidingalongbythewall，leftthehallperceivedbynoone。

Outside，hestoppedandreflected。

"Imustseethisconspiracytothebottom，"saidhetohimself。"I

mustfindoutthroughwhomandbywhattheywishtodestroyher；andImusthavesureandundeniableproofinmyhands，inordertobeabletoconvictthem，andsuccessfullyaccusethemtotheking。

Thereforeitisnecessarytobecautiousandprudent。Soletusconsiderwhattodo。Thesimplestthingwouldbetobegthequeennottoweartherosette。Butthatisonlytodemolishthewebforthistime，without，however，beingabletokillthespiderthatwoveit。Soshemustweartherosette；forbesides，withoutthatIshouldneverbeableeithertofindouttowhomsheistogiveit。Butthepaperthatisconcealedintherosette——thatImusthave——thatmustnotbeinit。\'Ifthekingfindsthispaper。Catharine\'sdeath-

warrantissigned。\'Now，myreverendpriestofthedevil，thekingwillnotfindthatpaper，forJohnHeywoodwillnothaveitso。ButhowshallIbegin？ShallItellthequeenwhatIheard？No！Shewouldlosehercheerfulspiritandbecomeembarrassed，andtheembarrassmentwouldbeintheking\'seyesthemostconvincingproofofherguilt。No，Imusttakethispaperoutoftherosettewithoutthequeen\'sbeingawareofit。Boldlytowork，then！Imusthavethispaper，andtweakthesehypocritesbythenose。Howitcanbedone，itisnotcleartomeyet；butIwilldoit——thatisenough。

Halloo，forwardtothequeen！"

Withprecipitanthasteheranthroughthehallsandcorridors，whilewithasmilehemutteredawaytohimself:"ThankGod，Ienjoythehonorofbeingthefool；foronlythekingandthefoolhavetheprivilegeofbeingabletoenterunannouncedeveryroom，eventhequeen\'s。"

Catharinewasaloneinherboudoir，whenthesmalldoor，throughwhichthekingwasaccustomedtoresorttoher，wassoftlyopened。

"Oh，thekingiscoming！"saidshe，walkingtothedoortogreetherhusband。

"Yes，thekingiscoming，forthefoolisalreadyhere，"saidJohnHeywood，whoenteredthroughtheprivatedoor。"Arewealone，queen？

Doesnobodyoverhearus？"

"No，JohnHeywood，weareallalone。Whatdoyoubringme？"

"Aletter，queen。"

"Fromwhom？"askedshe，andaglowingcrimsonflittedoverhercheek。

"Fromwhom？"repeatedJohnHeywood，withawaggishsmile。"Idonotknow，queen；butatanyrateitisabeggingletter；andwithoutdoubtyouwoulddowellnottoreaditatall；forIbetyou，theshamelesswriterofthisletterdemandsofyousomeimpossibility——

itmaybeasmile，orapressureofthehand，alockofyourhair，orperchanceevenakiss。So，queen，donotreadthebeggingletteratall。"

"John，"saidshe，smiling，andyettremblingwithimpatience，"John，givemetheletter。"

"Iwillsellittoyou，queen。Ihavelearnedthatfromtheking，wholikewisegivesnothingawaygenerously，withouttakinginreturnmorethanhegives。Soletustrade。Igiveyoutheletter；yougivemetherosettewhichyouwearonyourshoulderthere。"

"Nay，indeed，John；choosesomethingelse——Icannotgiveyoutherosette。"

"Andbythegodsbeitsworn！"exclaimedJohn，withcomicpathos，"I

giveyounottheletter，ifyoudonotgivemetherosette。"

"Sillyloon，"saidthequeen，"ItellyouIcannot！Choosesomethingelse，John；andIconjureyou，dearJohn，givemetheletter。"

"Thenonly，whenyougivemetherosette。Ihaveswornitbythegods，andwhatIvowtothem，thatIstickto！No，no，queen——notthosesullenairs，notthatangryfrown。ForifIcannotinearnestreceivetherosetteasapresent，thenletusdoliketheJesuitsandpapists，whoeventradewiththedearGod，andsnaptheirfingersatHim。Imustkeepmyoath！Igiveyoutheletter，andyougivemetherosette；butlisten——youonlylendittome；andwhenI

haveitinmyhandamoment，Iamgenerousandbountiful，liketheking，andImakeyouapresentofyourownproperty。"

Withaquickmotionthequeentoretherosettefromhershoulder，andhandedittoJohnHeywood。

"Nowgivemetheletter，John。"

"Hereitis，"saidJohnHeywoodashereceivedtherosette。"Takeit；andyouwillseethatThomasSeymourismybrother。"

"Yourbrother？"askedCatharinewithasmile，aswithtremblinghandshebroketheseal。

"Yes，mybrother，forheisafool！Ah，Ihaveagreatmanybrothers。Thefamilyoffoolsissoverylarge！"

Thequeennolongerheard。Shewasreadingtheletterofherlover。

Shehadeyesonlyforthoselines，thattoldherthatThomasSeymourlovedher，adoredher，andwaspiningawaywithlongingafterher。

ShedidnotseehowJohnHeywood，withnimblehand，unfastenedthediamondclaspfromtherosette，andtookoutofitthelittlepaperthatwasconcealedinthefoldsoftheribbon。

"Sheissaved！"murmuredhe，whilehethrustthefatalpaperintohisdoublet，andfastenedtheclaspagainwiththepin。"Sheissaved，andthekingwillnotsignherdeath-warrantthistime。"

Catharinehadreadthelettertotheend，andhiditinherbosom。

"Queen，youhavesworntoburnupeveryletterthatIbringyoufromhim；for，forbiddenlove-lettersaredangerousthings。Onedaytheymayfindatongueandtestifyagainstyou！Queen，Iwillnotbringyouagainanotherletter，ifyoudonotfirstburnthatone。"

"John，IwillburnitupwhenonceIhavereallyreadit。JustnowI

readitonlywithmyheart，notwithmyeyes。Allowme，then，towearitonmyheartafewhoursmore。"

"Doyousweartomethatyouwillburnitupthisveryday？"

"Iswearit。"

"ThenIwillbesatisfiedthistime。Hereisyourrosette；andlikethefamousfoxinthefable，thatpronouncedthegrapessourbecausehecouldnotgetthem，Isay，takeyourrosetteback；Iwillhavenoneofit。"

Hehandedthequeentherosette，andshesmilinglyfasteneditonhershoulderagain。

"John，"saidshe，withabewitchingsmile，extendingherhandtohim，"John，whenwillyouatlengthpermitmetothankyouotherwisethanwithwords？Whenwillyouatlengthallowyourqueentorewardyouforallthisserviceoflove，otherwisethanwithwords？"

JohnHeywoodkissedherhand，andsaidmournfully:"Iwilldemandarewardofyouonthedaywhenmytearsandmyprayerssucceedinpersuadingyoutorenouncethiswretchedanddangerouslove。OnthatdayIshallhavereallydeservedareward，andIwillacceptitfromyouwithaproudheart。"

"PoorJohn！So，then，youwillneverreceiveyourreward；forthatdaywillnevercome！"

"So，then，Ishallprobablyreceivemyreward，butfromtheking；

anditwillbearewardwherebyoneloseshearingandsight，andheadtoboot。Well，weshallsee！Tillthen，farewell，queen！Imusttotheking；forsomebodymightsurprisemehere，andcometotheshrewdconclusionthatJohnHeywoodisnotalwaysafool，butsometimesalsothemessengeroflove！Ikissthehemofyourgarment；farewell，queen！"

Heglidedagainthroughtheprivatedoor。

"Nowwewillatonceexaminethispaper，"saidhe，ashereachedthecorridorandwassureofbeingseenbynoone。

Hedrewthepaperoutofhisdoubletandopenedit。"Idonotknowthehand-writing，"mutteredher，"butitwasawomanthatwroteit。"

"Theletterread:"Doyoubelievemenow，mybeloved？Isworetodelivertoyouto-day，inthepresenceofthekingandallofmycourt，thisrosette；andIhavedoneso。ForyouIgladlyriskmylife，foryouaremylife；andstillmorebeautifulwereittodiewithyou，thantolivewithoutyou。IliveonlywhenIrestinyourarms；andthosedarknights，whenyoucanbewithme，arethelightandsunshineofmydays。LetusprayHeavenadarknightmaysooncome；forsuchanightrestorestomethelovedone，andtoyou，yourhappywife，Geraldine。"

"Geraldine！whoisGeraldine？"mutteredJohnHeywood，slippingthepaperintohisdoubletagain。"Imustdisentanglethisweboflyinganddeceit。Imustknowwhatallthismeans。Forthisismorethanaconspiracy——afalseaccusation。Itconcerns，asitseems，areality。

Thisletterthequeenistogivetoaman；andinit，sweetrecollections，happynights，arespokenof。SohewhoreceivesthisletterisinleaguewiththemagainstCatharine，andIdaresayherworstenemy，forhemakesuseofloveagainsther。Sometreacheryorknaveryisconcealedbehindthis。Eitherthemantowhomthisletterisaddressedisdeceived——andheisunintentionallyatoolinthehandsofthepapists——orheisinleaguewiththem，andhasgivenhimselfuptothevillainyofplayingthepartofalovertothequeen。Butwhocanhebe？Perchance，ThomasSeymour。Itwerepossible；forhehasacoldanddeceitfulheart，andhewouldbecapableofsuchtreachery。Butwoebetohimifitishe！ThenitwillbeIwhoaccuseshimtotheking；and，byGod！hisheadshallfall！Nowawaytotheking！"

Justasheenteredtheking\'santeroom，thedoorofthecabinetopened，andtheDuchessofRichmond，accompaniedbyEarlDouglas，walkedout。

LadyJaneandGardinerwerestanding，asifbyaccident，nearthedoor。

"Well，haveweattainedourendtherealso？"askedGardiner。

"Wehaveattainedit，"saidEarlDouglas。"Theduchesshasaccusedherbrotherofaliaisonwiththequeen。Shehasdeposedthathesometimesleavesthepalacebynight，anddoesnotreturntoitbeforemorning。Shehasdeclaredthatforfournightssheherselfdoggedherbrotherandsawhimasheenteredthewingofthecastleoccupiedbythequeen；andoneofthequeen\'smaidshascommunicatedtotheduchessthatthequeenwasnotinherroomonthatnight。"

"Andthekinglistenedtotheaccusation，anddidnotthrottleyouinhiswrath！"

"Heisjustinthatdullstateofrageinwhichthelavathatthecraterwillafterwardpourforth，isjustprepared。Asyetallisquiet，butbesuretherewillbeaneruption，andthestreamofred-

hotlavawillbusythosewhohavedaredexcitethegodVulcan。"

"Anddoesheknowabouttherosette？"askedLadyJane。

"Heknowseverything。Anduntilthatmomenthewillallownoonetosuspecthiswrathandfury。Hesayshewillmakethequeenperfectlysecure，inordertogetintohishandstherebysureproofofherguilt。Well，wewillfurnishhimthisevidence；andhenceitfollowsthatthequeenisinevitablylost。"

"Buthark！Thedoorsareopened，andthemasterofceremoniescomestosummonustothegoldengallery。"

"Justwalkin，"mutteredJohnHeywood，glidingalongbehindthem。"I

amstillhere；andIwillbethemousethatgnawsthenetinwhichyouwanttocatchmynoble-mindedlioness。"

CHAPTERXXV。

THEQUEEN\'SROSETTE。

Thegoldengallery，inwhichthetourneyofthepoetswastotakeplace，presentedto-dayatrulyenchantingandfairy-likeaspect。

Mirrorsofgiganticsize，setinbroadgiltframes，ornamentedwiththemoatperfectcarvedwork，coveredthewalls，andthrewback，athousandtimesreflected，theenormouschandelierswhich，withtheirhundredsandhundredsofcandles，shedthelightofdayinthevasthall。Hereandtherewereseen，arrangedinfrontofthemirrors，clustersoftherarestandchoicestflowers，whichpouredthroughthehalltheirfragrance，stupefyingandyetsoenchanting，andoutshoneinbrilliancyofcolorseventheTurkishcarpet，whichstretchedthroughthewholeroomandchangedthefloorintooneimmenseflower-bed。Betweentheclumpsofflowerswereseentableswithgoldenvases，inwhichwererefreshingbeverages；whileattheotherendoftheenormousgallerystoodagiganticsideboard，whichcontainedthechoicestandrarestdishes。Atpresentthedoorsofthesideboard，which，whenopen，formedaroomofitself，wereclosed。

Theyhadnotyetcometothematerialenjoyments；theywerestilloccupiedinabsorbingthespiritual。Thebrilliantandselectcompanythatfilledthehallwasstillforsometimecondemnedtobesilent，andtoshutupwithinthemtheirlaughterandgossip，theirbackbitingandslander，theirflatteryandhypocrisy。

Justnowapauseensued。Theking，withCroke，hadrecitedtohiscourtascenefrom"Antigone"；andtheywerejusttakingbreathfromthewonderfulandexaltedenjoymentofhavingjustheardalanguageofwhichtheyunderstoodnotaword，butwhichtheyfoundtobeverybeautiful，sincethekingadmiredit。

HenrytheEighthhadagainleanedbackonhisgoldenthrone，and，panting，restedfromhisprodigiousexertion；andwhileherestedanddreamed，aninvisiblebandplayedapieceofmusiccomposedbythekinghimself，andwhich，withitsseriousandsolemnmovement，strangelycontrastedwiththisroomsobrilliantandcheerful——withthissplendid，laughingandjestingassembly。

Forthekinghadbiddenthemamusethemselvesandbegay；togivethemselvesuptounrestrainedchit-chat。Itwas，therefore，naturalforthemtolaugh，andtoappearnottonoticetheking\'sexhaustionandrepose。

Besides，theyhadnotforalongtimeseenHenrysocheerful，sofullofyouthfullife，sosparklingwithwitandhumor，asonthisevening。Hismouthwasoverflowingwithjeststhatmadethegentlemenlaugh，andthebeautiful，brilliantwomenblush，and，aboveall，theyoungqueen，whosatbyhimontherichandsplendidthrone，andnowandthenthrewstolenandlongingglancesatherlover，forwhomshewouldwillinglyandgladlyhavegivenherroyalcrownandherthrone。

WhenthekingsawhowCatharineblushed，heturnedtoher，andinhistenderesttonebeggedherpardonforhisjest，which，however，initssauciness，servedonlytomakehisqueenstillmorebeautiful，stillmorebewitching。Hiswordswerethensotenderandheartfelt，hislookssofullofloveandadmiration，thatnobodycoulddoubtbutthatthequeenwasinhighestfavorwithherhusband，andthathelovedhermosttenderly。

Onlythefewwhoknewthesecretofthistendernessoftheking，soopenandsounreservedlydisplayed，comprehendedfullythedangerwhichthreatenedthequeen；forthekingwasnevermoretobedreadedthanwhenheflattered；andonnoonedidhiswrathfallmorecrushinglythanonhimwhomhehadjustkissedandassuredofhisfavor。

ThiswaswhatEarlDouglassaidtohimself，whenhesawwithwhatacordiallookHenrytheEighthchattedwithhisconsort。

BehindthethroneoftheroyalpairwasseenJohnHeywood，inhisfantasticanddressycostume，withhisfaceatoncenobleandcunning；andthekingjustthenbrokeoutintoloud，resoundinglaughterathissarcasticandsatiricalobservations。

"King，yourlaughdoesnotpleasemeto-day，"saidJohnHeywood，earnestly。"Itsmacksofgall。Doyounotfinditso，queen？"

Thequeenwasstartledfromhersweetreveries，andthatwaswhatJohnHeywoodhadwished。He，therefore，repeatedhisquestion。

"No，indeed，"saidshe:"Ifindthekingto-dayquitelikethesun。

Heisradiantandbright，likeit。"

"Queen，youdonotmeanthesun，butthefullmoon，"saidJohnHeywood。"Butonlysee，Henry，howcheerfullyEarlArchibaldDouglasoverthereischattingwiththeDuchessofRichmond！Ilovethatgoodearl。Healwaysappearslikeablind-worm，whichisjustinthenotionofstingingsomeoneontheheel，andhenceitcomesthat，whenneartheearl，Ialwaystransformmyselfintoacrane。Istandononeleg；becauseIamthensuretohavetheotheratleastsafefromtheearl\'ssting。King，wereIlikeyou，Iwouldnothavethosekilledthattheblind-wormhasstung；butIwouldrootouttheblind-worms，thatthefeetofhonorablemenmightbesecurefromthem。"

Thekingcastathimaquick，searchinglook，whichJohnHeywoodansweredwithasmile。

"Killtheblind-worms，KingHenry，"saidhe；"andwhenyouareonceatworkdestroyingvermin，itwilldonoharmifyouoncemoregivethesepriestsalsoagoodkick。Itisnowalongtimesinceweburntanyofthem，andtheyareagainbecomingarrogantandmalicious，astheyalwayswereandalwayswillbe。IseeeventhepiousandmeekbishopofWinchester，thenobleGardiner，whoisentertaininghimselfwithLadyJaneoverthere，smilingverycheerfully，andthatisabadsign；forGardinersmilesonlywhenhehasagaincaughtapoorsoul，andprepareditasabreakfastforhislord。Idonotmeanyou，king，buthislord——thedevil。Forthedevilisalwayshungryfornoblehumansouls；andtohimwhocatchesoneforhimhegivesindulgenceforhissinsforanhour。ThereforeGardinercatchessomanysouls；forsincehesinseveryhour，everyhourheneedsindulgence。"

"Youareveryspitefulto-day，JohnHeywood，"saidthequeen，smiling，whilethekingfixedhiseyesontheground，thoughtfulandmusing。

JohnHeywood\'swordshadtouchedthesoreplaceofhisheart，and，inspiteofhimself，filledhissuspicioussoulwithnewdoubts。

Hemistrustednotmerelytheaccused，buttheaccusersalso；andifhepunishedtheoneascriminals，hewouldhavewillinglypunishedtheothersasinformants。

Heaskedhimself:"WhataimhadEarlDouglasandGardinerinaccusingthequeen；andwhyhadtheystartledhimoutofhisquietandconfidence？"Atthatmoment，whenhelookedonhisbeautifulwife，whosatbyhiminsuchserenetranquillity，unembarrassedandsmiling，hefeltadeepangerfillhisheart，notagainstCatharine，butagainstJane，whoaccusedher。Shewassolovelyandbeautiful！

Whydidtheyenvyhimher？Whydidtheynotleavehiminhissweetdelusion？Butperhapsshewasnotguilty。No，shewasnot。Theeyeofaculpritisnotthusbrightandclear。Theairofinfidelityisnotthusunembarrassed——ofsuchmaidenlydelicacy。

Moreover，thekingwasexhaustedanddisgusted。Onecanbecomesatiatedevenwithcruelty；and，atthishour，Henryfeltcompletelysurfeitedwithbloodshed。

Hisheart——for，insuchmomentsofmentalrelaxationandbodilyenfeeblement，thekingevenhadaheart——hisheartwasalreadyinthemoodofpronouncingthewordpardon，whenhiseyefellonHenryHoward，who，withhisfather，theDukeofNorfolk，andsurroundedbyacircleofbrilliantandnoblelords，wasstandingnotfarfromtheroyalthrone。

Thekingfeltadeadlystabinhisbreast，andhiseyesdartedlightningovertowardthatgroup。

Howproudandimposingthefigureofthenobleearllooked；howhighheovertoppedallothers；hownobleandhandsomehiscountenance；

howkinglywashisbearingandwholeappearance！

Henrymustadmitallthis；andbecausehemustdoso，hehatedhim。

Nay！nomercyforCatharine！Ifwhatheraccusershadtoldhimweretrue——iftheycouldgivehimtheproofsofthequeen\'sguilt，thenshewasdoomed。Andhowcouldhedoubtit？Hadtheynottoldhimthatintherosette，whichthequeenwouldgiveEarlSurrey，wascontainedalove-letterfromCatharine，whichhewouldfind？HadnotEarlSurrey，inaconfidentialhour，yesterdayimpartedthistohissister，theDuchessofRichmond，whenhewishedtobribehertobethemessengeroflovebetweenthequeenandhimself？Hadshenotaccusedthequeenofhavingmeetingsbynightwiththeearlinthedesertedtower？

Nay，nocompassionforhisfairqueen，ifHenryHowardwasherlover。

Hemustagainlookoverathishatedenemy。Therehestillstoodbyhisfather，theDukeofNorfolk。Howsprightlyandgracefullytheolddukemoved；howslimhisform；andhowloftyandimposinghisbearing！Thekingwasyoungerthantheduke；andyethewasfetteredtohistruckle-chair；yethesatonhisthronelikeanimmovablecolossus，whilehemovedfreelyandlightly，andobeyedhisownwill，notnecessity。Henrycouldhavecrushedhim——thisproud，arrogantearl，whowasafreeman，whilsthiskingwasnothingbutaprisonertohisownflesh，aslaveofhisunwieldybody。

"Iwillexterminateit——thisproud，arrogantraceofHowards！"

mutteredtheking，asheturnedwithafriendlysmiletotheEarlofSurrey。

"Youhavepromisedussomeofyourpoems，cousin！"saidhe。"Soletusnowenjoythem；foryousee，indeed，howimpatientlyallthebeautifulwomenlookonEngland\'snoblestandgreatestpoet，andhowveryangrywithmetheywouldbeifIstilllongerwithholdthisenjoymentfromthem！Evenmyfairqueenisfulloflongingafteryoursongs，sorichinfancy；foryouwellknow，Howard，shelovespoetry，and，aboveallthings，yours。"

Catharinehadscarcelyheardwhatthekingsaid。HerlookshadencounteredSeymour\'s，andtheireyeswerefixedoneachother\'s。

Butshehadthencastdowntothefloorhereyes，stillcompletelyfilledwiththesightofherlover，inordertothinkofhim，sinceshenolongerdaredgazeathim。

Whenthekingcalledhername，shestartedupandlookedathiminquiringly。Shehadnotheardwhathehadsaidtoher。

"Notevenforamomentdoesshelooktowardme！"saidHenryHowardtohimself。"Oh，shelovesmenot！oratleastherunderstandingismightierthanherlove。Oh，Catharine，Catharine，fearestthoudeathsomuchthatthoucanstonthataccountdenythylove？"

Withdesperatehastehedrewouthisportfolio。"Iwillcompelhertolookatme，tothinkofme，torememberheroath，"thoughthe。

"Woetoher，ifshedoesnotfulfilit——ifshegivesmenottherosette，whichshepromisedmewithsosolemnavow！Ifshedoesitnot，thenIwillbreakthisdreadfulsilence，andbeforeherking，andbeforehercourt，accuseheroftreacherytoherlove。Then，atleast，shewillnotbeabletocastmeoff；forweshallmountthescaffoldtogether。"

"Doesmyexaltedqueenallowmetobegin？"askedhealoud，whollyforgettingthatthekinghadalreadygivenhimtheordertodoso，andthatitwasheonlywhocouldgrantsuchapermission。

Catharinelookedathiminastonishment。ThenherglancefellonLadyJaneDouglas，whowasgazingoveratherwithanimploringexpression。Thequeensmiled；forshenowrememberedthatitwasJane\'sbelovedwhohadspokentoher，andthatshehadpromisedthepooryounggirltoraiseagainthedejectedEarlofSurreyandtobegracioustohim。

"Janeisright，"thoughtshe；"heappearstobedeeplydepressedandsuffering。Ah，itmustbeverypainfultoseethosewhomonelovessuffering。Iwill，therefore，complywithJane\'srequest，forshesaysthismightrevivetheearl。"

WithasmileshebowedtoHoward。"Ibegyou，"saidshe，"tolendourfestivalitsfairestornament——toadornitwiththefragrantflowersofyourpoesy。Youseeweareallburningwithdesiretohearyourverses。"

Thekingshookwithrage，andacrushingwordwasalreadypoiseduponhislip。Butherestrainedhimself。Hewantedtohaveproofsfirst；hewantedtoseethemnotmerelyaccused，butdoomedalso；

andforthatheneededproofsoftheirguilt。

HenryHowardnowapproachedthethroneoftheroyalpair，andwithbeaminglooks，withanimatedcountenance，withavoicetremblingwithemotion，hereadhislove-songtothefairGeraldine。Amurmurofapplausearosewhenhehadreadhisfirstsonnet。Thekingonlylookedgloomily，withfixedeyes；thequeenaloneremaineduninterestedandcold。

"Sheisacompleteactress，"thoughtHenryHoward，inthemadnessofhispain。"Notamuscleofherfacestirs；andyetthissonnetmustremindherofthefairestandmostsacredmomentofourlove。"

Thequeenremainedunmovedandcold。ButhadHenryHowardlookedatLadyJaneDouglas，hewouldhaveseenhowsheturnedpaleandblushed；howshesmiledwithrapture，andhow，nevertheless，hereyesfilledwithtears。

EarlSurrey，however，sawnothingbutthequeen；andthesightofhermadehimtremblewithrageandpain。Hiseyesdartedlightning:

hiscountenanceglowedwithpassion；hiswholebeingwasindesperate，enthusiasticexcitement。AtthatmomenthewouldhavegladlybreathedouthislifeatGeraldine\'sfeet，ifshewouldonlyrecognizehim——ifshewouldonlyhavethecouragetocallhimherbeloved。

Buthersmilingcalmness，herfriendlycoolness，broughthimtodespair。

Hecrumpledthepaperinhishand；thelettersdancedbeforehiseyes；hecouldreadnomore。

Buthewouldnotremain，mute，either。Likethedyingswan，hewouldbreatheouthispaininalastsong，andgivesoundandwordstohisdespairandhisagony。Hecouldnolongerread；butheimprovised。

Likeaglowingstreamoflava，thewordsflowedfromhislips；infierydithyrambic，inimpassionedhymns，hepouredforthhisloveandpain。Thegeniusofpoesyhoveredoverhimandlighteduphisnobleandthoughtfulbrow。

Hewasradiantlybeautifulinhisenthusiasm；andeventhequeenfeltherselfcarriedawaybyhiswords。Hisplaintsoflove，hislongingpains，hisraptureandhissadfancies，foundanechoinherheart。Sheunderstoodhim；forshefeltthesamejoy，thesamesorrowandthesamerapture；onlyshedidnotfeelallthisforhim。

But，aswehavesaid，heenchantedher；thecurrentofhispassioncarriedheraway。Sheweptathislaments；shesmiledathishymnsofjoy。

WhenHenryHowardatlengthceased，profoundsilencereignedinthevastandbrillianthall。

Allfacesbetrayeddeepemotion；andthisuniversalsilencewasthepoet\'sfairesttriumph；foritshowedthatenvyandjealousyweredumb，andthatscornitselfcouldfindnowords。

Amomentarypauseensued；itresembledthatsultry，ominousstillnesswhichiswonttoprecedetheburstingofatempest；whenNaturestopsamomentinbreathlessstillness，togatherstrengthfortheuproarofthestorm。

Itwasasignificant，anawfulpause；butonlyafewunderstooditsmeaning。

LadyJaneleanedagainstthewall，completelyshatteredandbreathless。Shefeltthattheswordwashangingovertheirheads，andthatitwoulddestroyherifitstruckherbeloved。

EarlDouglasandtheBishopofWinchesterhadinvoluntarilydrawnneareachother，andstoodtherehandinhand，unitedforthisunholystruggle；whileJohnHeywoodhadcreptbehindtheking\'sthrone，andinhissarcasticmannerwhisperedinhisearsomeepigrams，thatmadethekingsmileinspiteofhimself。

Butnowthequeenarosefromherseat，andbeckonedHenryHowardnearertoher。

"Mylord，"saidshe，almostwithsolemnity，"asaqueenandasawomanIthankyouforthenobleandsublimelyricswhichyouhavecomposedinhonorofawoman！AndforthatthegraceofmykinghasexaltedmetobethefirstwomaninEngland，itbecomesme，inthenameofallwomen，toreturntoyoumythanks。Tothepoetisduearewardotherthanthatofthewarrior。Tothevictoronthebattlefieldisawardedalaurelcrown。Butyouhavegainedavictorynotlessglorious，foryouhaveconqueredhearts！Weacknowledgeourselvesvanquished，andinthenameofallthesenoblewomen，I

proclaimyoutheirknight！Intokenofwhich，acceptthisrosette，mylord。Itentitlesyoutowearthequeen\'scolors；itlaysyouunderobligationtobetheknightofallwomen！"

Sheloosenedtherosettefromhershoulder，andhandedittotheearl。

Hehadsunkononekneebeforeher，andalreadyextendedhishandtoreceivethispreciousandcovetedpledge。

Butatthismomentthekingarose，and，withanimperiousgesture，heldbackthequeen\'shand。

"Allowme，mylady，"saidhe，inavoicequiveringwithrage——"allowmefirsttoexaminethisrosette，andconvincemyselfthatitisworthenoughtobepresentedtothenobleearlashissolereward。

Letmeseethisrosette。"

Catharinelookedwithastonishmentintothatfaceconvulsedwithpassionandfury，butwithouthesitationshehandedhimtherosette。

"Wearelost！"murmuredEarlSurrey，whileEarlDouglasandGardinerexchangedwitheachotherlooksoftriumph；andJaneDouglasmurmuredinhertremblingheartprayersofanxietyanddread，scarcelyhearingthemaliciousandexultantwordswhichtheDuchessofRichmondwaswhisperinginherear。

Thekingheldtherosetteinhishandandexaminedit。Buthishandstrembledsomuchthathewasunabletounfastentheclaspwhichheldittogether。

He，therefore，handedittoJohnHeywood。"Thesediamondsarepoor，"

saidhe，inacurt，drytone。"Unfastentheclasp，fool；wewillreplaceitwiththispinhere。Thenwillthepresentgainfortheearladoublevalue；foritwillcomeatthesametimefrommeandfromthequeen。

Howgraciousyouareto-day！"saidJohnHeywood，smiling——"asgraciousasthecat，thatplaysalittlelongerwiththemousebeforeshedevoursit。"

"Unfastentheclasp！"exclaimedtheking，inathunderingvoice，nolongerabletoconcealhisrage。SlowlyJohnHeywoodunfastenedtheclaspfromtheribbon。Hediditwithintentionalslownessanddeliberation；heletthekingseeallhismovements，everyturnofhisfingers；anditdelightedhimtoholdthosewhohadwoventhisplotindreadfulsuspenseandexpectation。

Whilstheappearedperfectlyinnocentandunembarrassed，hiskeen，piercingglanceranoverthewholeassembly，andhenoticedwellthetremblingimpatienceofGardinerandEarlDouglas；anditdidnotescapehimhowpaleLadyJanewas，andhowfullofexpectationweretheintentfeaturesoftheDuchessofRichmond。

"Theyaretheoneswithwhomthisconspiracyoriginated，"saidJohnHeywoodtohimself。"ButIwillkeepsilencetillIcanonedayconvictthem。"

"There，hereistheclasp！"saidhethenaloudtotheking。"Itstuckastightlyintheribbonasmaliceintheheartsofpriestsandcourtiers！"

Thekingsnatchedtheribbonoutofhishand，andexamineditbydrawingitthroughhisfingers。

"Nothing！nothingatall！"saidhe，gnashinghisteeth；andnow，deceivedinhisexpectationsandsuppositions，hecouldnolongermusterstrengthtowithstandthatroaringtorrentofwrathwhichoverflowedhisheart。Thetigerwasagainarousedinhim；hehadcalmlywaitedforthemomentwhenthepromisedpreywouldbebroughttohim；now，whenitseemedtobeescapinghim，hissavageandcrueldispositionstartedupwithinhim。Thetigerpantedandthirstedforblood；andthathewasnottogetit，madehimragingwithfury。

Withawildmovementhethrewtherosetteontheground，andraisedhisarmmenacinglytowardHenryHoward。"Darenottotouchthatrosette，"criedhe，inavoiceofthunder，"beforeyouhaveexculpatedyourselffromtheguiltofwhichyouareaccused。"

EarlSurreylookedhimsteadilyandboldlyintheeye。"HaveIbeenaccused，then？"askedhe。"ThenIdemand，firstofall，thatIbeconfrontedwithmyaccusers，andthatmyfaultbenamed！"

"Ha，traitor！Doyoudaretobraveme？"yelledtheking，stampingfuriouslywithhisfoot。"Well，now，IwillbeyouraccuserandI

willbeyourjudge！"

"Andsurely，mykingandhusband，youwillbearighteousjudge，"

saidCatharine，assheinclinedimploringlytowardthekingandgraspedhishand。"YouwillnotcondemnthenobleEarlSurreywithouthavingheardhim；andifyoufindhimguiltless，youwillpunishhisaccusers？"

Butthisintercessionofthequeenmadethekingraging。Hethrewherhandfromhim，andgazedatherwithlooksofsuchflamingwrath，thatsheinvoluntarilytrembled。

"Traitoressyourself！"yelledhe，wildly。"Speaknotofinnocence——

youwhoareyourselfguilty；andbeforeyoudaredefendtheearl，defendyourself！"

Catharinerosefromherseatandlookedwithflashingeyesintotheking\'sfaceblazingwithwrath。"KingHenryofEngland，"saidshe，solemnly，"youhaveopenly，beforeyourwholecourt，accusedyourqueenofacrime。Inowdemandthatyounameit！"

Shewasofwondrousbeautyinherproud，holdbearing——inherimposing，majestictranquillity。

Thedecisivemomenthadcome，andshewasconsciousthatherlifeandherfuturewerestrugglingwithdeathforthevictory。

ShelookedovertoThomasSeymour，andtheireyesmet。Shesawhowhelaidhishandonhissword，andnoddedtoherasmilinggreeting。

"Hewilldefendme；andbeforehewillsuffermetobedraggedtotheTower，hehimselfwillplungehisswordintomybreast，"thoughtshe，andajoyous，triumphantassurancefilledherwholeheart。

Shesawnothingbuthim，whohadsworntodiewithherwhenthedecisivemomentcame。Shelookedwithasmileonthebladewhichhehadalreadyhalfdrawnfromitsscabbard；andshehaileditasadear，long-yearned-forfriend。

ShesawnotthatHenryHowardalsohadlainhishandonhissword；

thathe，too，wasreadyforherdefence，firmlyresolvedtoslaythekinghimself，beforehismouthutteredthesentenceofdeathoverthequeen。

ButLadyJaneDouglassawit。Sheunderstoodhowtoreadtheearl\'scountenance；shefeltthathewasreadytogotodeathforhisbeloved；anditfilledherheartatoncewithwoeandrapture。

She，too，wasnowfirmlyresolvedtofollowherheartandherlove；

and，forgettingallelsebesidesthese，shehastenedforward，andwasnowstandingbyHenryHoward。

"Beprudent，EarlSurrey，"saidshe，inalowwhisper。"Takeyourhandfromyoursword。Thequeen，bymymouth，commandsyoutodoso！"

HenryHowardlookedatherastonishedandsurprised；buthelethishandslipfromthehiltofhissword，andagainlookedtowardthequeen。

Shehadrepeatedherdemand；shehadoncemoredemandedoftheking——

who，speechlessandcompletelyovercomewithanger，hadfallenbackintohisseat——tonamethecrimeofwhichshewasaccused。

"Now，then，myqueen，youdemandit，andyoushallhearit，"criedhe。"Youwanttoknowthecrimeofwhichyouareaccused？Answermethen，mylady！Theyaccuseyouofnotalwaysstayingatnightinyoursleeping-room。Itisallegedthatyousometimesleaveitformanyhours；andthatnoneofyourwomenaccompaniedyouwhenyouglidedthroughthecorridorsandupthesecretstairstothelonelytower，inwhich，waswaitingforyouyourlover，whoatthesametimeenteredthetowerthroughthesmallstreetdoor。"

"Heknowsall！"mutteredHenryHoward；andagainhelaidhishandonhissword，andwasabouttoapproachthequeen。

LadyJaneheldhimback。"Waitfortheissue，"saidshe。"Thereisstilltimetodie！"

"Heknowsall！"thoughtthequeenalso；andnowshefeltwithinherselfthedaringcouragetoriskall，thatatleastshemightnotstandthereatraitoressintheeyesofherlover。

"HeshallnotbelievethatIhavebeenuntruetohim，"thoughtshe。

"Iwilltellall——confessall，thathemayknowwhyIwentandwhither。"

"Nowanswer，myLadyCatharine！"thunderedtheking。"Answer，andtellmewhetheryouhavebeenfalselyaccused。Isittruethatyou，eightdaysago，inthenightbetweenMondayandTuesday，leftyoursleeping-roomatthehourofmidnight，andwentsecretlytothelonelytower？Isittruethatyoureceivedthereamanwhoisyourlover？"

Thequeenlookedathiminangrypride。"Henry，Henry，woetoyou，thatyoudarethusinsultyourownwife！"criedshe。

"Answerme！Youwerenotonthatnightinyoursleeping-room？"

"No，"saidCatharine，withdignifiedcomposure，"Iwasnotthere。"

Thekingsankbackinhisseat，andarealroaroffurysoundedfromhislips。Itmadethewomenturnpale，andeventhemenfeltthemselvestremble。

Catharinealonehadnotheededitatall；shealonehadheardnothingsavethatcryofamazementwhichThomasSeymouruttered；andshesawonlytheangryandup-braidinglookswhichhethrewacrossather。Sheansweredtheselookswithafriendlyandconfidentsmile，andpressedbothherhandstoherheart，asshelookedathim。

"Iwilljustifymyselfbeforehimatleast，"thoughtshe。

Thekinghadrecoveredfromhisfirstshock。Heagainraisedhimselfup，andhiscountenancenowexhibitedafearful，threateningcoolness。

"Youconfess，then，"askedhe，"thatyouwerenotinyoursleeping-

roomonthatnight？"

"Ihavealreadysaidso，"exclaimedCatharine，impatiently。Thekingcompressedhislipssoviolently，thattheybled。"Andamanwaswithyou？"askedhe——"amanwithwhomyoumadeanassignation，andwhomyoureceivedinthelonelytower？"

"Amanwaswithme。ButIdidnotreceivehiminthelonelytower；

anditwasnoassignation。"

"Whowasthatman？"yelledtheking。"Answerme！Tellmehisname，ifyoudonotwantmetostrangleyoumyself！"

"KingHenry，Ifeardeathnolonger！"saidCatharine，withacontemptuoussmile。

"Whowasthatman？Tellmehisname！"yelledthekingoncemore。

Thequeenraisedherselfmoreproudly，andherdefiantlookranoverthewholeassembly。

"Theman，"saidshe，solemnly，"whowaswithmeonthatnight——heisnamed——"

"HeisnamedJohnHeywood！"saidthisindividual；asheseriouslyandproudlywalkedforwardfrombehindtheking\'sthrone。"Yes，Henry，yourbrother，thefoolJohnHeywood，hadonthatnighttheproudhonorofaccompanyingyourconsortonherholyerrand；but，I

assureyou，thathewaslessliketheking，thanthekingisjustnowlikethefool。"

Amurmurofsurpriseranthroughtheassembly。Thekingleanedbackinhisroyalseatspeechless。"Andnow，KingHenry，"saidCatharine，calmly——"nowIwilltellyouwhitherIwentwithJohnHeywoodonthatnight。"

Shewassilent，andforamomentleanedbackonherseat。Shefeltthatthelooksofallweredirectedtoher；sheheardtheking\'swrathfulgroan；shefeltherlover\'sflashing，reproachfulglances；

shesawthederisivesmileofthosehaughtyladies，whohadneverforgivenher——thatshe，fromasimplebaroness，hadbecomequeen。

Butallthismadeheronlystillbolderandmorecourageous。

Shehadarrivedattheturning-pointofherlife，whereshemustriskeverythingtoavoidsinkingintotheabyss。

ButLadyJanealsohadarrivedatsuchadecisivemomentofherexistence。She，too，saidtoherself:"Imustatthishourriskall，ifIdonotwanttoloseall。"ShesawHenryHoward\'spale，expectantface。Sheknew，ifthequeennowspoke，thewholeweboftheirconspiracywouldberevealedtohim。

Shemust，therefore，anticipatethequeen。ShemustwarnHenryHoward。

"Fearnothing！"whisperedshetohim。"Wewerepreparedforthat。I

haveputintoherhandsthemeansofescape！"

"Willyounowatlastspeak？"exclaimedtheking，quiveringwithimpatienceandrage。"Willyouatlasttelluswhereyouwereonthatnight？"

"Iwilltell！"exclaimedCatharine，risingupagainboldlyandresolutely"Butwoebetothosewhodrivemetothis！ForItellyoubeforehand，fromtheaccusedIwillbecomeanaccuserwhodemandsjustice，ifnotbeforethethroneoftheKingofEngland，yetbeforethethroneoftheLordofallkings！KingHenryofEngland，doyouaskmewhitherIwentonthatnightwithJohnHeywood？Imight，perhaps，asyourqueenandconsort，demandthatyouputthisquestiontomenotbeforesomanywitnesses，butinthequietofourchamber；butyouseekpublicity，andIdonotshunit。Well，hearthetruth，then，allofyou！Onthatnight，betweenMondayandTuesday，Iwasnotinmysleeping-apartment，becauseIhadagraveandsacreddutytoperform；becauseadyingwomancalledonmeforhelpandpity！Wouldyouknow，mylordandhusband，whothisdyingwomanwas？ItwasAnneAskew！"

"AnneAskew！"exclaimedthekinginastonishment；andhiscountenanceexhibitedalesswrathfulexpression。

"AnneAskew！"mutteredtheothers；andJohnHeywoodverywellsawhowBishopGardiner\'sbrowdarkened，andhowChancellorWriothesleyturnedpaleandcastdownhiseyes。

"Yes，IwaswithAnneAskew！"continuedthequeen——"withAnneAskew，whomthosepiousandwiselordsyonderhadcondemned，notsomuchonaccountofherfaith，butbecausetheyknewthatIlovedher。AnneAskewwastodie，becauseCatharineParrlovedher！Shewastogotothestake，thatmyheartalsomightburnwithfierypains！Andbecauseitwasso，Iwasobligedtoriskeverythinginordertosaveher。Oh，myking，sayyourself，didInotoweittothispoorgirltotryeverythinginordertosaveher？Onmyaccountshewastosufferthesetortures。FortheyhadshamefullystolenfrommealetterwhichAnneAskew，inthedistressofherheart，hadaddressedtome；andtheyshowedthislettertoyouinordertocastsuspiciononmeandaccusemetoyou。Butyournobleheartrepelledthesuspicion；andnowtheirwrathfellagainonAnneAskew，andshemustsuffer，becausetheydidnotfindmepunishable。Shemustatoneforhavingdaredtowritetome。Theyworkedmatterswithyousothatshewasputtotherack。Butwhenmyhusbandgavewaytotheirurging，yetthenoblekingremainedstillawakeinhim。\'Go，\'saidhe，\'rackherandkillher；butseefirstwhethershewillnotrecant。\'"

Henrylookedastonishedintohernobleanddefiantface。"Doyouknowthat？"askedhe。"Andyetwewerealone，andnohumanbeingpresent。Whocouldtellyouthat？"

"Whenmanisnolongerabletohelp，thenGodundertakes！"saidCatharinesolemnly。"ItwasGodwhocommandedmetogotoAnneAskew，andtrywhetherIcouldsaveher。AndIwent。Butthoughthewifeofanobleandgreatking，Iamstillbutaweakandtimidwoman。Iwasafraidtotreadthisgloomyanddangerouspathalone；I

neededastrongmanlyarmtoleanupon；andsoJohnHeywoodlentmehis。"

"AndyouwerereallywithAnneAskew，"interposedtheking，thoughtfully——"withthathardenedsinner，whodespisedmercy，andinthestubbornnessofhersoulwouldnotbeapartakerofthepardonthatIofferedher？"

"Mylordandhusband，"saidthequeen，withtearsinhereyes，"shewhomyouhavejustaccusedstandsevennowbeforethethroneoftheLord，andhasreceivedfromherGodtheforgivenessofhersins！

Therefore，doyoulikewisepardonher；andmaytheflamesofthestake，towhichyesterdaythenoblevirginbodyofthisgirlwasbound，haveconsumedalsothewrathandhatredwhichhadbeenkindledinyourheartagainsther！AnneAskewpassedawaylikeasaint；forsheforgaveallherenemiesandblessedhertormentors。"

"AnneAskewwasadamnablesinner，whodaredresistthecommandofherlordandking！"interruptedBishopGardiner，lookingdaggersather。

"Anddareyoumaintain，mylord，thatyouatthattimefulfilledthecommandsofyourroyalmastersimplyandexactly？"askedCatharine。

"DidyoukeepwithinthemwithrespecttoAnneAskew？No！Isay；forthekinghadnotorderedyoutotortureher；hehadnotbiddenyoutolacerateinblasphemouswrathanoblehumanform，anddistortthatlikenessofGodintoahorriblecaricature。Andthat，mylord，youdid！BeforeGodandyourking，Iaccuseyouofit——I，thequeen！

Foryouknow，mylordandhusband，IwastherewhenAnneAskewwasracked。Isawheragony，andJohnHeywoodsawitwithme。"

Theeyesofallwerenowdirectedinquiringlytotheking，ofwhoseferocityandcholereveryoneexpectedaviolentoutbreak。

Butthistimetheyweremistaken。Thekingwassowellsatisfiedtofindhisconsortclearofthecrimelaidtohercharge，thathewillinglyforgaveherforhavingcommittedacrimeoflessweightycharacter。Besides，itfilledhimwithrespecttoseehisconsortconfrontingheraccuserssoboldlyandproudly；andhefelttowardthemjustasburningwrathandhatredashehadbeforeharboredagainstthequeen。Hewaspleasedthatthemalignantandpersistentpersecutorsofhisfairandproudwifeshouldnowbehumbledbyherbeforetheeyesofallhiscourt。

Thereforehelookedatherwithanimperceptiblesmile，andsaidwithdeepinterest:"Buthowcouldthishappen，mylady？Bywhatpathdidyougetthither？"

"Thatisaninquirywhichanyoneexceptthekingisauthorizedtomake。KingHenryaloneknowsthewaythatIwent！"saidCatharine，withaslightsmile。

JohnHeywood，whowasstillstandingbehindtheking\'sthrone，nowbentdownclosetoHenry\'sear，andspokewithhimalongtimeinaquick，lowtone。

Thekinglistenedtohimattentively；thenhemurmuredsoloudthatthebystanderscouldverywellunderstandhim:"ByGod，sheisaspiritedandbravewoman；andweshouldbeobligedtoconfessthat，evenwereshenotourqueen！"

"Continue，mylady！"saidhethenaloud，turningtothequeenwithagraciouslook。"Relatetome，Catharine，whatsawyoutheninthetorture-chamber？"

"Oh，mykingandlord，ithorrifiesmeonlytothinkofit，"criedshe，shudderingandturningpale。"Isawapooryoungwomanwhowrithedinfearfulagony，andwhosestaringeyeswereraisedinmutesupplicationtoHeaven。Shedidnotbeghertormentorsformercy；

shewantedfromthemnocompassionandnopity；shedidnotscreamandwhinefromthepain，thoughherlimbscrackedandherfleshsnappedapartlikeglass；sheraisedherclaspedhandstoGod，andherlipsmurmuredlowprayers，which，perhaps，madetheangelsofheavenweep，butwerenotabletotouchtheheartsofhertormentors。Youhadorderedhertoberacked，ifshewouldnotretract。Theydidnotaskherwhethershewoulddothis——theyrackedher。Buthersoulwasstrongandfullofcourage；and，underthetorturesoftheexecutioner，herlipsremainedmute。LettheologianssayanddeterminewhetherAnneAskew\'sfaithwasafalseone；butthistheywillnotdaredeny:thatinthenobleenthusiasmofthisfaith，shewasaheroinewhoatleastdidnotdenyherGod。Atlength，wornoutwithsomuchuselessexertion，theassistantexecutionersdiscontinuedtheirbloodywork，torestfromthetortureswhichtheyhadpreparedforAnneAskew。ThelieutenantoftheTowerdeclaredtheworkoftherackended。Thehighestdegreeshadbeenapplied，andtheyhadprovedpowerless；crueltywasobligedtoacknowledgeitselfconquered。ButthepriestsoftheChurch，withsavagevehemence，demandedthatsheshouldberackedoncemore。Daredenythat，yelords，whomIbeholdstandingthereoppositewithfacespaleasdeath！Yes，myking，theservantsoftherackrefusedtoobeytheservantsofGod；forintheheartsofthehangman\'sdrudgestherewasmorepitythanintheheartsofthepriests！Andwhentheyrefusedtoproceedintheirbloodywork，andwhenthelieutenantoftheTower，invirtueoftheexistinglaw，declaredtherackingatanend，thenIsawoneofthefirstministersofourChurchthrowasidehissacredgarments；thenthepriestofGodtransformedhimselfintoahangman\'sdrudge，who，withbloodthirstydelight，laceratedanewthenoblemangledbodyoftheyounggirl，andmorecruelthantheattendantsoftherack，unsparinglytheybrokeanddislocatedthelimbs，whichtheyhadonlysqueezedintheirscrews。[Footnote:Burnet\'s"HistoryoftheReformation，"vol。

i，p。132。]Excuseme，myking，fromsketchingthissceneofhorrorstillfurther！Horrifiedandtrembling，Ifledfromthatfrightfulplace，andreturnedtomyroom，shatteredandsadatheart。"

Catharineceased，exhausted，andsankbackintoherseat。

Abreathlessstillnessreignedaround。Allfaceswerepaleandcolorless。GardinerandWriothesleystoodwiththeireyesfixed，gloomyanddefiant，expectingthattheking\'swrathwouldcrushanddestroythem。

Butthekingscarcelythoughtofthem；hethoughtonlyofhisfairyoungqueen，whoseboldnessinspiredhimwithrespect，andwhoseinnocenceandpurityfilledhimwithaproudandblissfuljoy。

Hewas，therefore，verymuchinclinedtoforgivethosewhoinrealityhadcommittednooffencefurtherthanthis，thattheyhadcarriedoutalittletooliterallyandstrictlytheordersoftheirmaster。

Alongpausehadensued——apausefullofexpectationandanxietyforallwhowereassembledinthehall。OnlyCatharinereclinedcalmlyinherchair，andwithbeamingeyeslookedacrosstoThomasSeymour，whosehandsomecountenancebetrayedtoherthegratificationandsatisfactionwhichhefeltatthisclearingupofhermysteriousnight-wandering。

Atlastthekingarose，and，bowinglowbeforehisconsort，saidinaloud，full-tonedvoice:"Ihavedeeplyandbitterlyinjuredyou，mynoblewife；andasIpubliclyaccusedyou，Iwillalsopubliclyaskyourforgiveness！Youhavearighttobeangrywithme；foritbehoovedme，aboveall，tobelievewithunshakenfirmnessinthetruthandhonorofmywife。Mylady，youhavemadeabrilliantvindicationofyourself；andI，theking，firstofallbowbeforeyou，andbegthatyoumayforgivemeandimposesomepenance。"

"Leaveittome，queen，toimposeapenanceonthisrepentantsinner！"criedJohnHeywood，gayly。"Yourmajestyismuchtoomagnanimous，muchtootimid，totreathimasroughlyasmybrotherKingHenrydeserves。Leaveittome，then，topunishhim；foronlythefooliswiseenoughtopunishthekingafterhisdeserts。"

Catharinenoddedtohimwithagratefulsmile。ShecomprehendedperfectlyJohnHeywood\'sdelicacyandnicetact；sheapprehendedthathewantedbyajoketorelieveherfromherpainfulsituation，andputanendtotheking\'spublicacknowledgment，whichatthesametimemustturntoherbitterreproach——bitter，thoughitwereonlyself-reproach。

"Well，"saidshe，smiling，"whatpunishment，then，willyouimposeupontheking？"

"Thepunishmentofrecognizingthefoolashisequal！"

"GodismywitnessthatIdoso！"criedtheking，almostsolemnly。

"Foolsweare，oneandall，andwefallshortoftherenownwhichwehavebeforemen。"

"Butmysentenceisnotyetcomplete，brother！"continuedJohnHeywood。"Ifurthermoregivesentence，thatyoualsoforthwithallowmetorecitemypoemtoyou，andthatyouopenyourearsinordertohearwhatJohnHeywood，thewise，hasindited！"

"Youhave，then，fulfilledmycommand，andcomposedanewinterlude？"criedtheking，vivaciously。

"Nointerlude，butawhollynovel，comicalaffair——aplayfulloflampoonsandjokes，atwhichyoureyesaretooverflow，yetnotwithweeping，butwithlaughter。TotherightnobleEarlofSurreybelongstheproudhonorofhavingpresentedtoourhappyEnglandherfirstsonnets。Well，now，Ialsowillgivehersomethingnew。I

presentherthefirstcomedy；andashesingsthebeautyofhisGeraldine，soIcelebratethefameofGammerGurton\'ssewing-needle——

GammerGurton\'sneedle——somypieceiscalled；andyou，KingHenry，shalllistentoitasapunishmentforyoursins！"

"Iwilldoso，"criedtheking，cheerfully，"providedyoupermitit，Kate！ButbeforeIdoso，Imakealsoonemorecondition——aconditionforyou，queen！Kate，youhavedisdainedtoimposeapenanceonme，butgrantmeatleastthepleasureofbeingallowedtofulfilsomewishofyours！Makemearequest，thatImaygrantityou！"

"Well，then，mylordandking，"saidCatharinewithacharmingsmile，"Ibegyoutothinknomoreoftheincidentsofthisday，andtoforgivethosewhomIaccused，onlybecausetheiraccusationwasmyvindication。Theywhobroughtchargesagainstmehaveinthishourfeltcontritionfortheirownfault。Letthatsuffice，king，andforgivethem，asIdo！"

"Youareanobleandgreatwoman，Kate！"criedtheking；and，ashisglancesweptovertowardGardinerwithanalmostcontemptuousexpression，hecontinued:"Yourrequestisgranted。Butwoetothemwhoshalldareaccuseyouagain！Andhaveyounothingfurthertodemand，Kate？"

"Nay，onethingmore，mylordandhusband！"Sheleanednearertotheking\'sear，andwhispered:"Theyhavealsoaccusedyournoblestandmostfaithfulservant；theyhaveaccusedCranmer。Condemnhimnot，king，withouthavingheardhim；andifImaybegafavorofyou，itisthis:talkwithCranmeryourself。Tellhimofwhattheyhavechargedhim，andhearhisvindication。"

"Itshallbeso，Kate，"saidtheking，"andyoushallbepresent！

Butletthisbeasecretbetweenus，Kate，andwewillcarryitoutinperfectsilence。Andnow，then，JohnHeywood，letushearyourcomposition；andwoetoyou，ifitdoesnotaccomplishwhatyoupromised——ifitdoesnotmakeuslaugh！Foryouwellknowthatyouaretheninevitablyexposedtotherodsofourinjuredladies。"

"Theyshallhaveleavetowhipmetodeath，ifIdonotmakeyoulaugh！"criedJohnHeywood，gayly，ashedrewouthismanuscript。

Soonthehallrangagainwithloudlaughter；andintheuniversalmerrimentnooneobservedthatBishopGardinerandEarlDouglasslippedquietlyaway。

Intheanteroomwithout，theystoppedandlookedateachotherlongandsilently；theircountenancesexpressedthewrathandbitternesswhichfilledthem；andtheyunderstoodthismutelanguageoftheirfeatures。

"Shemustdie！"saidGardinerinashortandquicktone。"Shehasforonceescapedfromoursnares；wewilltiethemallthetighternexttime！"

"AndIalreadyholdinmyhandthethreadsoutofwhichwewillformthesesnares，"saidEarlDouglas。"Wehaveto-dayfalselyaccusedherofalove-affair。Whenwedoitagain，weshallspeakthetruth。

DidyouseethelooksthatCatharineexchangedwiththehereticalEarlSudley，ThomasSeymour？"

"Isawthem，earl！"

"Fortheselooksshewilldie，mylord。ThequeenlovesThomasSeymour，andthislovewillbeherdeath。"

"Amen！"saidBishopGardiner，solemnly，asheraisedhiseyesdevoutlytoheaven。"Amen！Thequeenhasgrievouslyandbitterlyinjuredusto-day；shehasinsultedandabusedusbeforeallthecourt。Wewillrequiteherforitsomeday！Thetorture-chamber，whichshehasdepictedinsuchlivelycolors，mayyetonedayopenforher，too——notthatshemaybeholdanother\'sagonies，butthatshemaysufferagoniesherself。Weshallonedayavengeourselves！"

CHAPTERXXVI。

REVENGE。

MissHolland，thebeautifulandmuch-admiredmistressoftheDukeofNorfolk，wasaloneinhermagnificentlyadornedboudoir。Itwasthehourwhenordinarilythedukewaswonttobewithher；forthisreasonshewascharminglyattired，andhadwrappedherselfinthatlightandvoluptuousnegligeewhichthedukesomuchliked，becauseitsetofftosomuchadvantagethesplendidformofhisfriend。

Butto-daytheexpectedonedidnotmakehisappearance:inhissteadhisvalethadjustcomeandbroughtthefairmissanotefromhismaster。Thisnoteshewasholdinginherhand，whilewithpassionateviolenceshenowwalkedupanddownherboudoir。A

glowingcrimsonblazeduponhercheeks，andherlarge，haughtyeyesdartedwildflashesofwrath。

Shewasdisdained——she，LadyHolland，wasforcedtoendurethedisgraceofbeingdismissedbyherlover。

There，there，inthatletterwhichsheheldinherhand，andwhichburnedherfingerslikered-hotiron——thereitstoodinblackandwhite，thathewouldseehernomore；thatherenouncedherlove；

thathereleasedher。

Herwholeframeshookasshethoughtofthis。Itwasnottheanguishofalovingheartwhichmadehertremble；itwasthewoundedprideofthewoman。

Hehadabandonedher。Herbeauty，heryouthnolongerhadthepowertoenchainhim——themanwithwhitehairsandwitheredfeatures。

Hehadwrittenherthathewassatiatedandweary，notofher，butonlyofloveingeneral；thathishearthadbecomeoldandwitheredlikehisface:andthattherewasstillinhisbreastnomoreroomforlove，butonlyforambition。

Wasnotthatarevolting，anunheard-ofoutrage——toabandonthefinestwomaninEnglandforthesakeofempty，cold，sternambition？

Sheopenedtheletteroncemore。Oncemoreshereadthatplace。Thengrindingherteethwithtearsofangerinhereyes:"Heshallpaymeforthis！Iwilltakevengeanceforthisinsult！"Shethrusttheletterintoherbosom，andtouchedthesilverbell。

"Havemycarriagebroughtround！"washerordertotheservantwhoentered；andhewithdrewinsilence。

"Iwillavengemyself！"mutteredshe，aswithtremblinghandsshewrappedherselfinherlargeTurkishshawl。"Iwillavengemyself；

and，bytheEternal！itshallbeabloodyandswiftvengeance！I

willshowhimthatI，too，amambitious，andthatmyprideisnottobehumbled。Hesayshewillforgetme。Oh，Iwillcompelhimtothinkofme，eventhoughitbeonlytocurseme！"

Withhastystepshespedthroughtheglitteringapartments，whichtheliberalityofherloverhadfurnishedsomagnificently，anddescendedtothecarriagestandingreadyforher。

"TotheDuchessofNorfolk\'s！"saidshetothefootmanstandingatthedoorofthecarriage，assheenteredit。

Theservantlookedatherinastonishmentandinquiringly。

"TotheDukeofNorfolk；isitnot，mylady？"

"No，indeed，totheduchess！"criedshewithafrown，assheleanedbackonthecushion。

Afterashorttime，thecarriagedrewupbeforethepalaceoftheduchess，andwithhaughtytreadandcommandingairshepassedthroughtheporch。

"Announcemetotheduchessimmediately，"washerordertothelackeywhowashurryingtomeether。

"Yourname，mylady？"

"MissArabellaHolland。"

Theservantsteppedback，andstaredatherinsurprise。

"MissArabellaHolland！andyouordermetoannounceyoutotheduchess？"

Acontemptuoussmileplayedamomentaboutthethinlipsofthebeautifulmiss。"Iseeyouknowme，"saidshe，"andyouwonderalittletoseemehere。Wonderasmuchasyouplease，goodfriend；

onlyconductmeimmediatelytotheduchess。

Idoubtwhetherherladyshipreceivescallsto-day，"stammeredtheservant，hesitatingly。

"Thengoandask；and，thatImaylearnheranswerassoonaspossible，Iwillaccompanyyou。"

Withacommandingair，shemotionedtotheservanttogobeforeher；

andhecouldnotsummonupcouragetogainsaythisproudbeauty。

Insilencetheytraversedthesuiteofstatelyapartments，andatlengthstoodbeforeadoorhungwithtapestry。

"Imustbegyoutowaithereamoment，mylady，sothatIcanannounceyoutotheduchess，whoisthereinherboudoir。"

"No，indeed；Iwillassumethatofficemyself，"saidMissHolland，aswithstronghandshepushedbacktheservantandopenedthedoor。

Theduchesswassittingatherwriting-table，herbackturnedtothedoorthroughwhichArabellahadentered。Shedidnotturnround；

perhapsshehadnotheardthedooropen。Shecontinuedquietlywriting。

MissArabellaHollandwithstatelystepcrossedtheroom，andnowstoodclosetothechairoftheduchess。

"Duchess，Iwouldliketospeakwithyou，"saidshe，coollyandcalmly。

Theduchessutteredacryandlookedup。"MissHolland！"criedsheamazed，andhastilyrising。"MissHolland！youherewithme，inmyhouse！Whatdoyouwanthere？Howdareyoucrossmythreshold？"