第10章

Heraisedhisclenchedfistthreateninglytoheaven，andhiseyesdartedlightning。"Buthow！"saidhe，afterapause——"hashenotrecentlyreadbeforeusapoemtohisGeraldine，inwhichhethanksherforherlove，andacknowledgeshimselfeternallyherdebtorforthekissshegavehim？"

"HehasreadbeforeyourmajestysuchapoemtoGeraldine。"

Thekingutteredalowcry，andraisedhimselfinhisseat。

"Proofs，"saidhe，inahoarse，hollowvoice——"proofs——or，Itellyou，yourownheadshallatoneforthisaccusation！"

"Thisproof，yourmajesty，Iwillgiveyou！"saidEarlDouglas，solemnly。"Itpleasesyourmajesty，inthefulnessofyourgentlenessandmercy，towanttodoubttheaccusationofthenobleduchess。Well，now，IwillfurnishyouinfallibleproofthatHenryHoward，EarlofSurrey，reallylovesthequeen，andthathereallydarestoextolandadoretheking\'swifeashisGeraldine。Youshallwithyourownears，sire，hearhowEarlSurreyswearshislovetothequeen。"

Thescreamwhichthekingnowutteredwassofrightful，andgaveevidenceofsomuchinwardagonyandrage，thatitstrucktheearldumb，andmadethecheeksoftheladiesturnpale。

"Douglas，Douglas，bewarehowyourousethelion！"gaspedtheking。

"Thelionmightrendyouyourselfinpieces！"

"ThisverynightIwillgiveyoutheproofthatyoudemand，sire。

ThisverynightyoushallhearhowEarlSurrey，sittingatthefeetofhisGeraldine，swearstoherhislove。"

"Itiswell！"saidtheking。"Thisnight，then！Woetoyou，Douglas，ifyoucannotredeemyourword！"

"Iwilldoso，yourmajesty。Forthis，itisonlynecessarythatyouwillbegraciouslypleasedtosweartomethatyouwillnot，byasighorabreath，betrayyourself。Theearlissuspicious；andthefearofanevilconsciencehassharpenedhisear。Hewouldrecognizeyoubyyoursigh，andhislipswouldnotspeakthosewordsandavowalswhichyoudesiretohear。"

"IsweartoyouthatIwillnotbyanysighorbreathbetraymypresence！"saidtheking，solemnly。"IswearthistoyoubytheholymotherofGod！Butnowletthatsuffice。Air——air——Isuffocate！

Everythingswimsbeforemyeyes。Openthewindow，thatalittleairmayflowin！Ah！thatisgood！Thisairatleastispure，andnotinfectedwithsinandslander！"

AndthekinghadEarlDouglasrollhimtotheopenedwindow，andinspiredinlongdraughtsthatpurefreshair。Thenheturnedtotheladieswithanagreeablesmile。

"Myladies，"saidhe，"Ithankyou！Youhaveto-dayshownyourselvesmytrueanddevotedfriends！Ishalleverrememberit，andIbegofyou，ifatanytimeyouneedafriendandprotector，toapplytouswithallconfidence。Weshallneverforgetwhatgreatserviceyouhaveto-dayrenderedus。"

Henoddedtotheminafriendlymanner，whilst，withamajesticwaveofthehand，hedismissedthem，andconcludedtheaudience。

"Andnow，Douglas，"exclaimedtheking，vehemently，assoonastheladieshadretired——"nowIhavehadenoughofthisdreadfultorture！

Oh，yousayIamtopunishthetraitors——theseSurreys——andyouinflictonmethemostfrightfulpainsoftherack！"

"Sire，therewasnoothermeansofdeliveringupthisSurreytoyou。

Youwerewishingthathewereacriminal；andIshallprovetoyouthatheisso。"

"Oh，Ishallthenbeableatleasttotreadhishatedheadundermyfeet"saidtheking，grindinghisteeth。"Ishallnomoretremblebeforethismaliciousenemy，whogoesaboutamongmypeoplewithhishypocriticaltongue，whileI，torturedwithpain，sitinthedungeonofmysickroom。Yes，yes，Ithankyou，Douglas，thatyouwillhandhimovertomyarmofvengeance；andmysoulisfullofjoyandserenityatit。Ah，whywereyouobligedtocloudthisfair，thissublimehour？Whywasitnecessarytoweavethequeenintothisgloomywebofguiltandcrime？Hercheerfulsmileandherradiantlookshaveeverbeenanenjoymentsodeartomyeyes。"

"Sire，Idonotbyanymeanssaythatthequeenisguilty。OnlytherewasnoothermeanstoprovetoyouEarlSurrey\'sguiltthanthatyoushouldhearforyourselfhisconfessionoflovetothequeen。"

"AndIwillhearit！"criedtheking，whohadnowalreadyovercomethesentimentalemotionofhisheart。

"Yes，IwillhavefullconvictionofSurrey\'sguilt；andwoetothequeen，shouldIfindheralsoguilty！Thisnight，then，earl！Buttillthen，silenceandsecrecy！Wewillhavefatherandsonseizedandimprisonedatthesamehour；forotherwisetheimprisonmentoftheonemighteasilyserveasawarningtotheother，andhemightescapemyjustwrath。Ah，theyaresosly——theseHowards——andtheirheartsaresofullofcunningandmalice！Butnowtheyshallescapemenomore；nowtheyareours！Howitdoesmegoodtothinkthat！

Andhowbrisklyandlightlymyheartleaps！Itisasthoughastreamofnewlifewererushingthroughmyveins，andanewpowerwereinfusedintomyblood。Oh，itwastheseHowardsthatmademesick。I

shallbewellagainwhenIknowthattheyareintheTower。Yes，yes，myheartleapswithjoy，andthisistobeahappyandblessedday。Callthequeenhithertome，thatImayoncemoreenjoyherrosyfacebeforeImakeitturnpalewithterror。Yes，letthequeencome，andletheradornherself；Iwanttoseeheroncemoreinthefullsplendorofheryouthandherroyalty，beforeherstargoesoutindarkness。IwilloncemoredelightmyselfwithherbeforeImakeherweep。Ah，knowyou，Douglas，thatthereisnoenjoymentkeener，moredevilish，andmoreheavenly，thantoseesuchapersonwhosmilesandsuspectsnothing，whilesheisalreadycondemned；whostilladornsherheadwithroses，whiletheexecutionerisalreadysharpeningtheaxethatistolaythatheadlow；whostillhashopesofthefuture，andofjoyandhappiness，whileherhouroflifehasalreadyrunout；whileIhavealreadybiddenherstopanddescendintothegrave！So，callthequeentome；andtellherthatweareinamerrymood，andwanttojestandlaughwithher！Callalltheladiesandlordsofourcourt；andhavetheroyalsaloonsopened；

andletthemberadiantwiththebrilliancyofthelights；andletushavemusic——loud，crashingmusic——forwewantatleasttomakethisamerrydayforussinceitseemsasthoughweshouldhaveasadandunhappynight。Yes，yes，amerrydaywewillhave；andafterthat，letcomewhatcomemay！Thesaloonsshallresoundwithlaughterandjoyfulness；andnaughtbutrejoicingandfunshallbeheardinthegreatroyalsaloons。AndinvitealsotheDukeofNorfolk，mynoblecousin，whoshareswithmemyroyalcoat-of-arms。

Yes，invitehim，thatImayenjoyoncemorehishaughtyandimposingbeautyandgrandeurbeforethisaugustsunisextinguishedandleavesusagaininnightanddarkness。TheninvitealsoWriothesley，thehighchancellor，andlethimbringwithhimafewgallantandbravesoldiersofourbody-guard。Theyaretobethenobleduke\'ssuite，whenhewishestoleaveourfeastandgohomeward——homeward——

ifnottohispalace，yettotheTower，andtothegrave。Go，go，Douglas，andattendtoallthisforme！Andsendmeheredirectlymymerryfool，JohnHeywood。Hemustpassawaythetimeformetillthefeastbegins。Hemustmakemelaughandbegay。"

"Iwillgoandfulfilyourorders，sire，"saidEarlDouglas。"Iwillorderthefeast，andimpartyourcommandstothequeenandyourcourt。Andfirstofall，IwillsendJohnHeywoodtoyou。Butpardonme，yourmajesty，ifIventuretoremindyouthatyouhavegivenmeyourroyalwordnottobetrayoursecretbyasinglesyllable，orevenbyasigh。"

"Igavemyword，andIwillkeepit！"saidtheking。"Gonow，EarlDouglas，anddowhatIhavebiddenyou！"

Whollyexhaustedbythisparoxysmofcrueldelight，thekingsankbackinhisseat，andmoaningandgroaningherubbedhisleg，thepiercingpainsofwhichhehadforamomentforgotten，butwhichnowremindedhimoftheirpresencewithsomuchthemorecruelfury。

"Ah，ah！"moanedtheking。"Heboastsofbeingabletosleepwhenhepleases。Well，thistimewewillbetheonetolullthishaughtyearltosleep。Butitwillbeasleepoutofwhichheisnevertoawakeagain！"

Whilethekingthuswailedandsuffered，EarlDouglashastenedwithquick，firmstepthroughthesuiteofroyalapartments。Aproud，triumphantsmileplayedabouthislips，andajoyfulexpressionofvictoryflashedfromhiseyes。

"Triumph！triumph！weshallconquer！"saidhe，ashenowenteredhisdaughter\'schamberandextendedhishandtoLadyJane。"Jane，wehaveatlastreachedthegoal，andyouwillsoonbeKingHenry\'sseventhwife！"

ArosyshimmerflittedforamomentoverLadyJane\'spale，colorlesscheeks，andasmileplayedaboutherlips——asmile，however，whichwasmoresadthanloudsobscouldhavebeen。

"Ah，"saidsheinalowtone，"Ifearonlythatmypoorheadwillbetooweaktoweararoyalcrown。"

"Courage，courage，Jane，liftupyourhead，andbeagainmystrong，prouddaughter！"

"But，Isuffersomuch，myfather，"sighedshe。"Itishellthatburnswithinme！"

"Butsoon，Jane，soonyoushallfeelagaintheblissofheaven！I

hadforbiddenyoutograntHenryHowardameeting，becauseitmightbringusdanger。Well，then，nowyourtenderheartshallbesatisfied。To-nightyoushallembraceyourloveragain！"

"Oh，"murmuredshe，"hewillagaincallmehisGeraldine，anditwillnotbeI，butthequeen，thathekissesinmyarms！"

"Yes，to-day，itwillstillbeso，Jane；butIsweartoyouthatto-

dayisthelasttimethatyouareobligedtoreceivehimthus。"

"ThelasttimethatIseehim？"askedJane，withanexpressionofalarm。

"No，Jane，onlythelasttimethatHenryHowardlovesinyouthequeen，andnotyouyourself。"

"Oh，hewillneverloveme！"murmuredshe，sadly。

"Hewillloveyou，foryouitwillbethatwillsavehislife。

Hasten，then。Jane，haste！Writehimquicklyoneofthosetendernotesthatyouinditewithsomasterlyahand。Invitehimtoameetingto-nightattheusualtimeandplace。"

"Oh，Ishallatlasthavehimagain！"whisperedLadyJane；andshesteppedtothewriting-tableandwithtremblinghandbegantowrite。

Butsuddenlyshestopped，andlookedatherfathersharplyandsuspiciously。

"Yousweartome，myfather，thatnodangerthreatenshimifhecomes？"

"Isweartoyou，Jane，thatyoushallbetheonetosavehislife！I

sweartoyou，Jane，thatyoushalltakevengeanceonthequeen——

vengeanceforalltheagony，thehumiliationanddespairthatyouhavesufferedbyher。To-daysheisyetQueenofEngland！To-morrowshewillbenothingmorethanacriminal，whosighsintheconfinementoftheTowerforthehourofherexecution。AndyouwillbeHenry\'sseventhqueen。Write，then，mydaughter，write！Andmaylovedictatetoyoutheproperwords！"

CHAPTERXXX。

THEFEASTOFDEATH。

Foralongtimethekinghadnotappearedinsuchgoodspiritsasonthisfestiveevening。Foralongtimehehadnotbeensocompletelythetenderhusband，thegood-naturedcompanion，thecheerfulbon-

vivant。

Thepainsofhislegseemedtohavedisappeared，andeventheweightofhisbodyseemedtobelessburdensomethanusual，formorethanonceherosefromhischair，andwalkedafewstepsthroughthebrilliantlylightedsaloon，inwhichtheladiesandlordsofhiscourt，infestiveattire，weremovinggentlytoandfro；inwhichmusicandlaughterresounded。Howtenderheshowedhimselftowardthequeento-day；withwhatextraordinarykindnesshemettheDukeofNorfolk；withwhatsmilingattention，helistenedtotheEarlofSurrey，ashe，attheking\'sdesire，recitedsomenewsonnetstoGeraldine！

ThismarkedpreferenceforthenobleHowardsenrapturedtheRomanCatholicpartyatcourt，andfilleditwithnewhopesandnewconfidence。

ButonetherewaswhodidnotallowhimselftobedeceivedbythismaskwhichKingHenryhadto-dayputonoverhiswrathfulface。

JohnHeywoodhadfaithneitherintheking\'scheerfulnessnorinhistenderness。Heknewtheking；hewasawarethatthosetowhomhewasmostfriendlyoftenhadthemosttofearfromhim。Therefore，hewatchedhim；andhesaw，beneaththismaskoffriendliness，theking\'srealangrycountenancesometimesflashoutinaquick，hastylook。

TheresoundingmusicandthemadrejoicingnomoredeceivedJohnHeywood。HebeheldDeathstandingbehindthisdazzlinglife；hesmeltthereekofcorruptionconcealedbeneaththeperfumeofthesebrilliantflowers。

JohnHeywoodnolongerlaughedandnolongerchatted。Hewatched。

Forthefirsttimeinalongwhilethekingdidnotneedto-daytheexcitingjestandthestingingwitofhisfoolinordertobecheerfulandingoodhumor。

Sothefoolhadtimeandleisuretobeareasonableandobservantman；andheimprovedthetime。

HesawthelooksofmutualunderstandingandsecuretriumphthatEarlDouglasexchangedwithGardiner，anditmadehimmistrustfultonoticethatthefavoritesoftheking，atothertimessojealous，didnotseemtobeatalldisturbedbytheextraordinarymarksoffavorwhichtheHowardswereenjoyingthisevening。

OnceheheardhowGardineraskedWriothesley，ashepassedby，"AndthesoldiersoftheTower？"andhowherepliedjustaslaconically，"Theystandnearthecoach，andwait。"

Itwas，therefore，perfectlyclearthatsomebodywouldbecommittedtoprisonthisveryday。Therewas，therefore，amongthelaughing，richly-attired，andjestingguestsofthiscourt，onewhothisverynight，whenheleftthesehallsradiantwithsplendorandpleasure，wastobeholdthedarkandgloomychambersoftheTower。

Theonlyquestionwas，whothatonewasforwhomthebrilliantcomedyofthiseveningwastobechangedtososadadrama。

JohnHeywoodfelthisheartoppressedwithanunaccountableapprehension，andtheking\'sextraordinarytendernesstowardthequeenterrifiedhim。

AsnowhesmiledonCatharine，ashenowstrokedhercheeks，sohadthekingsmiledonAnneBoleyninthesamehourthatheorderedherarrest；sohadhestrokedBuckingham\'scheekonthesamedaythathesignedhisdeath-warrant。

Thefoolwasalarmedatthisbrilliantfeast，resoundingmusic，andthemadmerrimentoftheking。Hewashorrifiedatthelaughingfacesandfrivolousjests，whichcamestreamingfromallthosemirthfullips。

OHeaven！theylaughed，anddeathwasinthemidstofthem；theylaughed，andthegatesoftheTowerwerealreadyopenedtoadmitoneofthosemerryguestsofthekingintothathousewhichnooneinthosedaysofHenrytheEighthleftagain，savetogotothestakeortoascendthescaffold！

Whowasthecondemned？Forwhomwerethesoldiersbelowatthecarriagewaiting？JohnHeywoodinvainrackedhisbrainwiththisquestion。

Nowherecouldhespyatracethatmightleadhimontherighttrack；

nowhereaclewthatmightconducthimthroughthislabyrinthofhorrors。

"Whenyouareafraidofthedevil，youdowelltoputyourselfunderhisimmediateprotection，"mutteredJohnHeywood；andsadanddespondentatheart，hecreptbehindtheking\'sthroneandcroucheddownbyitontheground。

JohnHeywoodhadsuchalittle，diminutiveform，andtheking\'sthronewassolargeandbroad，thatitaltogetherconcealedthelittlecrouchingfool。

NoonehadnoticedthatJohnHeywoodwasconcealedtherebehindtheking。Nobodysawhislarge，keeneyespeepingoutfrombehindthethroneandsurveyingandwatchingthewholehall。

JohnHeywoodcouldseeeverythingandheareverythinggoingoninthevicinityoftheking。Hecouldobserveeveryonewhoapproachedthequeen。

HesawLadyJanelikewise，whowasstandingbythequeen\'sseat。HesawhowEarlDouglasdrewnearhisdaughter，andhowsheturneddeadlypaleashesteppeduptoher。

JohnHeywoodheldhisbreathandlistened。

EarlDouglasstoodnearhisdaughter，andnoddedtoherwithapeculiarsmile。"Go，now，Jane，goandchangeyourdress。Itistime。OnlyseehowimpatientlyandlonginglyHenryHowardisalreadylookingthisway，andwithwhatlanguishingandenamoredglancesheseemstogiveahinttothequeen。Gothen，Jane，andthinkofyourpromise。"

"Andwillyou，myfather，alsothinkofyourpromise？"inquiredLadyJane，withtremblinglips。"Willnodangerthreatenhim？"

"Iwill，Jane。Butnowmakehaste，mydaughter，andbeprudentandadroit。"

LadyJanebowed，andmurmuredafewunintelligiblewords。Thensheapproachedthequeen，andbeggedpermissiontoretirefromthefeast，becauseasevereindispositionhadsuddenlyovertakenher。

LadyJane\'scountenancewassopaleanddeathlike，thatthequeenmightwellbelieveintheindispositionofherfirstmaidofhonor，andsheallowedhertoretire。LadyJaneleftthehall。ThequeencontinuedtheconversationwithLordHertford，whowasstandingbyher。Itwasaverylivelyandwarmconversation，andthequeenthereforedidnotheedwhatwaspassingaroundher；andsheheardnothingoftheconversationbetweenthekingandEarlDouglas。

JohnHeywood，stillcrouchingbehindtheking\'sthrone，observedeverythingandheardeverywordofthissoftlywhisperedconversation。

"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，"itislateandthehourofmidnightisdrawingnigh。Willyourmajestybepleasedtoconcludethefeast？

Foryouwellknowthatatmid-nightwemustbeoverthereinthegreensummer-house，anditisalongwaythere。"

"Yes，yes，atmidnight！"mutteredtheking。"Atmidnightthecarnivalisatanend；andweshalltearoffourmask，andshowourwrathfulcountenancetothecriminals！Atmidnightwemustbeoverinthegreensummer-house。Yes，Douglas，wemustmakehaste；foritwouldbecrueltoletthetenderSurreywaitstilllonger。SowewillgivehisGeraldinelibertytoleavethefeast；andweourselvesmustbeginourjourney。Ah，Douglas，itisahardpaththatwehavetotread，andthefuriesandgodsofvengeancebearourtorches。Towork，then——towork！"

Thekingarosefromhisseat，andsteppedtothequeen，towhomhepresentedhishandwithatendersmile。

"Mylady，itislate，"saidhe；"andwe，whoarekingofsomanysubjects——weare，nevertheless，inturn，thesubjectofaking。Thisisthephysician，andwemustobeyhim。Hehasorderedmetoseekmycouchbeforemidnight，and，asaloyalsubjectmustdo，Iobey。Wewishyou，therefore，agood-night，Kate；andmayyourbeautifuleyesonthemorrowalsoshineasstarlikeastheydoto-night。"

"Theywillshineto-morrowasto-night，ifmylordandhusbandisstillasgracioustometo-morrowasto-day，"saidCatharine，withperfectartlessnessandwithoutembarrassment，asshegaveherhandtotheking。Henrycastonherasuspicious，searchinglook，andapeculiar，maliciousexpressionwasmanifestedinhisface。

"Doyoubelievethen，Kate，thatwecaneverbeungracioustoyou？"

askedhe。

"Astothat，Ithink，"saidshe，withasmile，"thateventhesundoesnotalwaysshine；andthatagloomynightalwayssucceedshissplendor。"

Thekingdidnotreply。Helookedhersteadilyintheface，andhisfeaturessuddenlyassumedagentlerexpression。

Perhapshehadcompassiononhisyoungwife。Perhapshefeltpityforheryouthandherenchantingsmile，whichhadsooftenrevivedandrefreshedhisheart。

EarlDouglasatleastfearedso。

"Sire，"saidhe，"itislate。Thehourofmidnightisdrawingnigh。"

"Thenletusgo，"exclaimedtheking，withasigh。"Yesonceagain，good-night，Kate！Nay，donotaccompanyme！Iwillleavethehallquiteunobserved；andIshallbepleased，ifmyguestswillstillprolongthefairfeasttillmorning。Allofyouremainhere！NoonebutDouglasaccompaniesme。"

"Andyourbrother，thefool！"saidJohnHeywood，wholongbeforehadcomeoutofhishiding-placeandwasnowstandingbytheking。"Yes，come，brotherHenry；letusquitthisfeast。Itisnotbecomingforwisemenofoursorttograntourpresencestilllongertothefeastoffools。Cometoyourcouch，king，andIwilllullyoureartosleepwiththesayingsofmywisdom，andenlivenyoursoulwiththemannaofmylearning。"

WhileJohnHeywoodthusspoke，itdidnotescapehimthatthefeaturesoftheearlsuddenlycloudedandadarkfrownsettledonhisbrow。

"Spareyourwisdomforto-day，John，"saidtheking；"foryouwouldindeedbepreachingonlytodeafears。Iamtired，andIrequirenotyourerudition，butsleep。Good-night，John。"

Thekingleftthehall，leaningonEarlDouglas\'sarm。

"EarlDouglasdoesnotwishmetoaccompanytheking，"whisperedJohnHeywood。"Heisafraidthekingmightblabouttomealittleofthatdiabolicalworkwhichtheywillcommenceatmidnight。Well，Icallthedevil，aswellastheking，mybrother，andwithhishelpItoowillbeinthegreen-roomatmidnight。Ah，thequeenisretiring；andthereistheDukeofNorfolkleavingthehall。Ihaveaslightlongingtoseewhetherthedukegoeshenceluckilyandwithoutdanger，orifthesoldierswhostandnearthecoach，asWriothesleysays，willperchancebetheduke\'sbodyguardforthisnight。"

Slippingoutofthehallwiththequicknessofacat，JohnHeywoodpassedthedukeintheanteroomandhurriedontotheoutergateway，beforewhichthecarriagesweredrawnup。

JohnHeywoodleanedagainstapillarandwatched。Afewminutes，andtheduke\'stallandproudformappearedintheentrance-hall；andthefootman，hurryingforward，calledhiscarriage。

Thecarriagerolledup；thedoorwasopened。

Twomenwrappedinblackmantlessatbythecoachman；twoothersstoodbehindasfootmen，whileafifthwasbytheopendoorofthecarriage。

Thedukefirstnoticedhimashisfoothadalreadytouchedthestepofthecarriage。

"Thisisnotmyequipage！Thesearenotmypeople！"saidhe；andhetriedtostepback。Butthepretendedservantforcedhimviolentlyintothecarriageandshutthedoor。"Forward！"orderedhe。Thecarriagerolledon。Amomentstill，JohnHeywoodsawtheduke\'spalefaceappearattheopencarriagewindow，anditseemedtohimasthoughhewerestretchingouthisarms，callingforhelp——thenthecarriagedisappearedinthenight。"Poorduke！"murmuredJohnHeywood。"ThegatesoftheTowerareheavy，andyourarmwillnotbestrongenoughtoopenthemagain，whentheyhaveonceclosedbehindyou。Butitavailsnothingtothinkmoreabouthimnow。Thequeenisalsoindanger。Away，then，tothequeen！"

WithfleetfootJohnHeywoodhastenedbackintothecastle。Throughpassagesandcorridorsheslippedhurriedlyalong。

Nowhestoodinthecorridorwhichledtotheapartmentsofthequeen。

"Iwillconstituteherguardto-night，"mutteredJohnHeywood，ashehidhimselfinoneofthenichesinthecorridor。"Thefoolbyhisprayerswillkeepfarfromthedoorofhissaintthetricksofthedevil，andprotectherfromthesnareswhichthepiousBishopGardinerandthecraftycourtierDouglaswanttolayforherfeet。

Myqueenshallnotfallandberuined。Thefoolyetlivestoprotecther。"

CHAPTERXXXI。

THEQUEEN

FromthenicheinwhichJohnHeywoodhadhidhimselfhecouldsurveytheentirecorridorandallthedoorsopeningintoit——couldseeeverythingandheareverythingwithoutbeinghimselfseen，fortheprojectingpilastercompletelyshadedhim。

SoJohnHeywoodstoodandlistened。Allwasquietinthecorridor。

Inthedistancewasnowandthenheardthedeadenedsoundofthemusic；andtheconfusedhumofmanyvoicesfromthefestivehallsforceditswaytothelistener\'sear。

ThiswastheonlythingthatJohnHeywoodperceived。Allelsewasstill。Butthisstillnessdidnotlastlong。Thecorridorwaslightedup，andthesoundofrapidlyapproachingfootstepswasheard。

Itwasthegold-lacedlackeys，whoborethelargesilvercandelabratolightthequeen，who，withhertrainofladies，waspassingthroughthecorridor。

Shelookedwondrouslybeautiful。Theglareofthecandlesbornebeforeherilluminedhercountenance，whichbeamedwithcheerfulness。AsshepassedthepillarbehindwhichJohnHeywoodwasstanding，shewastalkinginunrestrainedgayetywithhersecondmaidofhonor；andaclearandlivelylaughrangfromherlips，whichdisclosedbothrowsofherdazzlingwhiteteeth。Hereyessparkled；hercheckswereflushedwitharichred；brightasstarsglitteredthediamondsinthediademthatencircledherloftybrow；

likeliquidgoldshoneherdressofgoldbrocade，thelongtrailofwhich，trimmedwithblackermine，wasbornebytwolovelypages。

Arrivedatthedoorofherbed-chamber，thequeendismissedherpagesandlackeys，andpermittedonlythemaidofhonortocrossthethresholdofherchamberwithher。

Inharmlessgossipthepagesglideddownthecorridorandthestaircase。Thencamethelackeyswhoborethecandelabra。Theyalsoleftthecorridor。

Nowallwasquietagain。StillJohnHeywoodstoodandlistened，firmlyresolvedtospeaktothequeenyetthatnight，evenshouldhebeobligedtowakeherfromsleep。Onlyhewantedtowaittillthemaidofhonoralsohadleftthequeen\'sroom。

Nowthedooropened，andthemaidofhonorcameout。Shecrossedthecorridortothatsidewhereherownapartmentsweresituated。JohnHeywoodheardheropenthedoorandthenslidetheboltontheinside。

"Nowbutabrieftimelonger，andIwillgotothequeen，"mutteredJohnHeywood。

Hewasjustgoingtoleavehislurking-place，whenheperceivedanoiseasifadoorwereslowlyandcautiouslyopened。

JohnHeywoodcoweredagainclosebehindthepillar，andheldhisbreathtolisten。

Abrightlightfelloverthecorridor。Adresscamerustlingnearerandnearer。

JohnHeywoodgazedastoundedandamazedatthefigure，whichjustbrushedpastwithoutseeinghim。

ThatfigurewasLadyJaneDouglas——LadyJane，who，onaccountofindisposition，hadretiredfromthefeastinordertobetakeherselftorest。Now，whenallrested，shewatched——whenalllaidasidetheirfestivegarments，shehadadornedherselfwiththesame。Likethequeen，sheworeadressofgoldbrocade，trimmedwithermine，and，likeher，adiademofdiamondsadornedLadyJane\'sbrow。

Nowshestoodbeforethequeen\'sdoorandlistened。Thenafiercesneerflittedacrossherdeathlypaleface，andherdarkeyesflashedstillmore。

"Shesleeps，"mutteredshe。"Onlysleep，queen——sleeptillweshallcometowakeyou！Sleep，sothatIcanwakeforyou。"

Sheraisedherarmthreateninglytowardthedoor，andwildlyshookherhead。Herlongblackringletsencircledanddancedaroundhersullenbrowlikethesnakesofthefuries；andpaleandcolorless，andwithdemon-likebeauty，sheresembledaltogetherthegoddessofvengeance，inscornfultriumphpreparingtotreadhervictimbeneathherfeet。

Withalowlaughshenowglidedadownthecorridor，butnottothatstaircaseyonder，butfartherdowntotheend，whereonthewallhungalife-sizepictureofHenrytheSixth。Shepressedonaspring；thepictureflewopen，andthroughthedoorconcealedbehinditLadyJaneleftthecorridor。

"Sheisgoingtothegreen-roomtoameetingwithHenryHoward！"

whisperedJohnHeywood，whonowsteppedforthfrombehindthepillar。"Oh，nowIcomprehenditall；nowthewholeofthisdevilishplotiscleartome；LadyJaneisEarlSurrey\'slady-love，andtheywanttomakethekingbelievethatitisthequeen。DoubtlessthisSurreyiswiththemintheconspiracy，andperhapshewillcallJaneDouglasbythenameofthequeen。Theywillletthekingseeherbutamoment。Shewearsagoldbrocadedressandadiamonddiademlikethequeen；andtherebytheyhopetodeceiveHenry。Shehasthequeen\'sformprecisely；andeverybodyknowstheastonishingsimilarityandlikenessofLadyJane\'svoicetothatofthequeen。

Oh，oh，itisatolerablycunningplot！Butneverthelessyoushallnotsucceed，andyoushallnotyetgainthevictory。Patience，onlypatience！Welikewisewillbeinthegreen-room，andfacetofacewiththisroyalcounterfeitwewillplacethegenuinequeen！"

WithhurriedstepJohnHeywoodalsoleftthecorridor，whichwasnowlonelyandstill，forthequeenhadgonetorest。

Yes，thequeenslept，andyetoveryonderinthegreen-roomeverythingwaspreparedforherreception。

Itwastobeaverybrilliantandextraordinaryreception；fortheking，inhisownperson，hadbetakenhimselftothatwingofthecastle，andthechiefmasterofceremonies，EarlDouglas，hadaccompaniedhim。

Totheking，thisexcursion，whichhehadtomakeonfoot，hadbeenverytroublesome；andthisinconveniencehadmadehimonlystillmorefuriousandexcited，andthelasttraceofcompassionforhisqueenhaddisappearedfromtheking\'sbreast，foronCatharine\'saccounthehadbeenobligedtomakethislongjourneytothegreen-

room；andwithagrimjoyHenrythoughtonlyhowterriblewastobehispunishmentforHenryHowardandalsoforCatharine。

NowthatEarlDouglashadbroughthimhither，thekingnolongerhadanydoubtsatallofthequeen\'sguilt。Itwasnolongeranaccusation——itwasproof。ForneverintheworldwouldEarlDouglashavedaredtobringhim，theking，hither，ifhewerenotcertainthathewouldgivehimhereinfallibleproofs。

Theking，therefore，nolongerdoubted；atlastHenryHowardwasinhispower，andhecouldnomoreescapehim。Sohewascertainofbeingabletobringthesetwohatedenemiestotheblock，andoffeelinghissleepnolongeddisturbedbythoughtsofhistwopowerfulrivals。

TheDukeofNorfolkhadalreadypassedthegatesoftheTower，andhissonmustsoonfollowhimthither。

Atthisthoughtthekingfeltanecstasysosavageandbloodthirsty，thatbewhollyforgotthatthesameswordthatwastostrikeHenryHoward\'sheadwasdrawnonhisqueenalso。

Theywerenowstandinginthegreen-room，andthekingleanedpantingandmoaningonEarlDouglas\'sarm。

Thelargewideroom，withitsantiquefurnitureanditsfadedglory，wasonlygloomilyandscantilylightedinthemiddlebythetwowaxcandlesofthecandelabrumthatEarlDouglashadbroughtwithhim；

whilefurtherawayitwasenvelopedindeepgloom，andseemedtotheeyethroughthisgloomtostretchouttoaninterminablelength。

"Throughthedoorovertherecomesthequeen，"saidDouglas；andhehimselfshrankattheloudsoundofhisvoice，whichinthelarge，desolateroombecameofawfulfulness。"Andthat，there，isHenryHoward\'sentrance。Oh，heknowsthatpathverythoroughly；forhehasoftenenoughalreadytravelleditinthedarknight，andhisfootnolongerstumblesonanystoneofoffence！"

"Buthewillperchancestumbleontheheadsman\'sblock！"mutteredtheking，withacruellaugh。

"Inowtakethelibertyofaskingonequestionmore，"saidDouglas；

andthekingdidnotsuspecthowstormilytheearl\'sheartbeatatthisquestion。"Isyourmajestysatisfiedtoseetheearlandthequeenmaketheirappearanceatthismeeting？Or，doyoudesiretolistentoalittleoftheearl\'stenderprotestations？"

"Iwillhearnotalittle，butall！"saidtheking。"Ah，letusallowtheearlyettosinghisswan-likesongbeforeheplungesintotheseaofblood！"

"Then，"saidEarlDouglas，"thenwemustputoutthislight，andyourmajestymustbecontentmerelytoheartheguiltyones，andnottoseethemalso。Wewillthenbetakeourselvestotheboudoirhere，whichIhaveopenedforthispurpose，andinwhichisaneasy-chairforyourmajesty。Wewillplacethischairneartheopendoor，andthenyourmajestywillbeabletoheareverywordoftheirtenderwhisperings。"

"Buthowshallwe，ifweextinguishthisouronlylight，atlastattaintoasightofthisdearlovingpair，andbeabletoaffordthemthedramaticsurpriseofourpresence？"

"Sire，assoonastheEarlofSurreyenters，twentymenoftheking\'sbodyguardwilloccupytheanteroomthroughwhichtheearlmustpass；anditneedsbutacallfromyoutohavethementerthehallwiththeirtorches。Ihavetakencarealsothatbeforetheprivatebackgateofthepalacetwocoachesstandready，thedriversofwhichknowverywellthestreetthatleadstotheTower！"

"Twocoaches？"saidtheking，laughing。"Ah，ah，Douglas，howcruelwearetoseparatethetender，lovingpaironthisjourneywhichisyettobetheirlast！Well，perhapswecancompensatethemforit，andallowtheseturtledovestomakethelasttrip——thetriptothestake——together。No，no，wewillnotseparatethemindeath。

Togethertheymaylaytheirheadsontheblock。"

Thekinglaughed，quitedelightedwithhisjest，while，leaningontheearl\'sarm，hecrossedtothelittleboudoirontheotherside，andtookhisplaceinthearmchairsetnearthedoor。

"Nowwemustextinguishthelight；andmayitpleaseyourmajestytoawaitinsilencethethingsthataretocome。"

Theearlextinguishedthelight，anddeepdarknessandagrave-likestillnessnowfollowed。

Butthisdidnotlastlong。Nowwasheardquitedistinctlythesoundoffootsteps。Theycamenearerandnearer——nowadoorwasheardtoopenandshutagain，anditwasasthoughsomeonewerecreepingsoftlyalongonhistoesinthehall。

"HenryHoward！"whisperedDouglas。

Thekingcouldscarcelyrestrainthecryofsavage，maliciousdelightthatforceditswaytohislips。

Thehatedenemywastheninhispower；hewasconvictedofthecrime；hewasinevitablylost。

"Geraldine！"whisperedavoice，"Geraldine！"

Andasifhislowcallhadalreadybeensufficienttodrawhitherthelovedone，thesecretdoorherequiteclosetotheboudoiropened。Therustlingofadresswasverydistinctlyheard，andthesoundoffootsteps。

"Geraldine！"repeatedEarlSurrey。

"HereIam，myHenry！"

Withanexclamationofdelight，thewomanrushedforwardtowardthesoundofthelovedvoice。

"Thequeen！"mutteredHenry；andinspiteofhimselfhefelthisheartseizedwithbittergrief。

Hesawwithhisinwardeyehowtheyheldeachotherintheirembrace。Heheardtheirkissesandthelowwhisperoftheirtendervows，andalltheagoniesofjealousyandwrathfilledhissoul。Butyetthekingprevaileduponhimselftobesilentandswallowdownhisrage。Hewantedtoheareverything，toknoweverything。

Heclenchedhishandsconvulsively，andpressedhislipsfirmlytogethertoholdinhispantingbreath。Hewantedtohear。

Howhappytheybothwere！Henryhadwhollyforgottenthathehadcometoreproachherforherlongsilence；shedidnotthinkaboutthisbeingthelasttimeshemightseeherlover。

Theywerewitheachother，andthishourwastheirs。Whatdidthewholeworldmattertothem？Whatcaredtheywhetherornotmischiefandruinthreatenedthemhereafter？

Theysatbyeachotheronthedivan，quiteneartheboudoir。Theyjestedandlaughed；andHenryHowardkissedawaythetearsthatthehappinessofthepresentcausedhisGeraldinetoshed。

Hesworetohereternalandunchanginglove。Inblissfulsilenceshedrankinthemusicofhiswords；andthenshereiterated，withjubilantjoy，hisvowsoflove。

Thekingcouldscarcelyrestrainhisfury。

TheheartofEarlDouglasleapedwithsatisfactionandgratification。"AluckythingthatJanehasnosuspicionofourpresence，"thoughthe——"otherwiseshewouldhavebeenlessunrestrainedandardent，andtheking\'searwouldhaveimbibedlesspoison。"

LadyJanethoughtnotatallofherfather；shescarcelyrememberedthatthisverynightwoulddestroyherhatedrivalthequeen。

HenryHowardhadcalledherhisGeraldineonly。Janehadentirelyforgotthatitwasnotshetowhomherloverhadgiventhisname。

Buthehimselffinallyremindedherofit。

"Doyouknow，Geraldine，"saidEarlSurrey——andhisvoice，whichhadbeenhithertosocheerfulandsprightly，wasnowsad——"doyouknow，Geraldine，thatIhavehaddoubtsofyou？Oh，thosewerefrightful，horriblehours；andintheagonyofmyheartIcameatlasttotheresolutionofgoingtothekingandaccusingmyselfofthislovethatwasconsumingmyheart。Oh，fearnaught！Iwouldnothaveaccusedyou。Iwouldhaveevendeniedthatlovewhichyouhavesooftenandwithsuchtransportingrealitysworntome。IwouldhavedoneitinordertoseewhethermyGeraldinecouldatlastgaincourageandstrengthtolover。Hesawhowhepressedherhandstohislips；howheputhishandtoherheadtoraiseitfromthefloor。

Thekingwasspeechlesswithrage。Hecouldonlylifthisarmtobeckonthesoldierstoapproach；topointtoHenryHoward，whohadnotyetsucceededinraisingthequeen\'sheadfromthefloor。

"Arresthim！"saidEarlDouglas，lendingwordstotheking\'smutesign。"Intheking\'snamearresthim，andconducthimtotheTower！"

"Yes，arresthim！"saidtheking；and，aswithyouthfulspeedhewalkeduptoHenryHowardandputhishandheavilyonhisshoulder，hewithterriblecalmnesscontinued:"HenryHoward，yourwishshallbefulfilled；youshallmountthescaffoldforwhichyouhavesomuchlonged！"

Theearl\'snoblecountenanceremainedcalmandunmoved；hisbrightbeamingeyefearlesslyencounteredtheeyeofthekingflashingwithwrath。

"Sire，"saidhe，"mylifeisinyourhand，andIverywellknowthatyouwillnotspareit。Idonotevenaskyoutodoso。Butsparethisnobleandbeautifulwoman，whoseonlycrimeisthatshehasfollowedthevoiceofherheart。Sire，Ialoneamtheguiltyone。

Punishme，then——tortureme，ifyoulike——butbemercifultoher。"

Thekingbrokeoutintoaloudlaugh。"Ah，hebegsforher！"saidhe。"ThislittleEarlSurreypresumestothinkthathissentimentallove-plaintcanexerciseaninfluenceontheheartofhisjudge！No，no，HenryHoward；youknowmebetter。Yousay，indeed，thatIamacruelman，andthatbloodcleavestomycrown。Well，now，itisourpleasuretosetinourcrownanewblood-redruby；andifwewanttotakeitfromGeraldine\'sheart\'sblood，yoursonnetswillnothinderusfromdoingso，mygoodlittleearl。ThatisallthereplyIhavetomaketoyou；andIthinkitwillbethelasttimethatweshallmeetonearth！"

"Thereaboveweshallseeeachotheragain，KingHenryofEngland！"

saidEarlSurrey，solemnly。"ThereButstillthishourwashers，andshewouldenjoyit。Sheclungfasttohisbreast；shedrewhimwithirresistibleforcetoherheart，whichnowtremblednolongerforlove，butfromanamelessanxiety。

"Letusfly！Letusfly！"repeatedshe，breathlessly。See！Thishourisyetours。Letusavailourselvesofit；forwhoknowswhetherthenextwillstillbelongtous？"

"No！itisnolongeryours，"yelledtheking，ashespranglikearousedlionfromhisseat。"Yourhoursarenumbered，andthenextalreadybelongstothehangman！"

ApiercingshriekburstfromGeraldine\'slips。Thenwasheardadullfall。

"Shehasfainted，"mutteredEarlDouglas。

"Geraldine，Geraldine，mylovedone！"criedHenryHoward。"MyGod，myGod！sheisdying！Youhavekilledher！Woetoyou！"

"Woetoyourself！"saidtheking，solemnly。"Herewiththelight！

Here，youfolks！"

Thedooroftheanteroomopened，andinitappearedfoursoldierswithtorchesintheirhands。

"Lightthecandles，andguardthedoor！"saidtheking，whosedazzledeyeswerenotyetabletobearthisbrightglareoflightwhichnowsuddenlystreamedthroughtheroom。

Thesoldiersobeyedhisorders。Apauseensued。Thekinghadputhishandbeforehiseyes，andwasstrugglingforbreathandself-

control。

Whenatlengthhelethishandglidedown，hisfeatureshadassumedaperfectlycalm，almostasereneexpression。

Withahastyglancehesurveyedtheroom。Hesawthequeeninherdressglisteningwithgold；hesawhowshelayonthefloor，stretchedatfulllength，herfaceturnedtotheground，motionlessandrigid。

HesawHenryHoward，whokneltbyhisbelovedandwasbusyaboutherwithalltheanxietyandagonyofaacknowledgeherloveopenlyandfrankly；whetherherhearthadthepowertoburstthatironbandwhichthedeceitfulrulesoftheworldhadplacedaroundit；whethershewouldacknowledgeherloverwhenhewaswillingtodieforher。

Yes，Geraldine，Iwantedtodoit，thatImightfinallyknowwhichfeelingisstrongerinyou——loveorpride——andwhetheryoucouldthenstillpreservethemaskofindifference，whendeathwashoveringoveryourlover\'shead。Oh，Geraldine，Ishoulddeemitafairerfatetodieunitedwithyou，thantobeobligedtostilllongerendurethislifeofconstraintandhatefuletiquette。"

"No，no，"saidshe，trembling，"wewillnotdie。MyGod，lifeisindeedsobeautifulwhenyouarebymyside！Andwhoknowswhetherafelicitousandblissfulfuturemaynotstillawaitus？"

"Oh，shouldwedie，thenshouldwebecertainofthisblissfulfuture，myGeraldine。There，above，thereisnomoreseparation——nomorerenunciationforus。Thereabove，youaremine，andthebloodyimageofyourhusbandnolongerstandsbetweenus。"

"Itshallnolongerdoso，evenhereonearth，"whisperedGeraldine。

"Come，mybeloved；letusflyfar，farhence，wherenooneknowsus——

wherewecancastfromusallthishatedsplendor，toliveforeachotherandforlove。"

Shethrewherarmsaboutherlover，andintheecstasyofherloveshehadwhollyforgottenthatshecouldneverindeedthinktofleewithhim，thathebelongedtoheronlysolongashesawhernot。

Aninexplicableanxietyoverpoweredherheart；andinthisanxietysheforgoteverything——eventhequeenandthevengeanceshehadvowed。

Shenowrememberedherfather\'swords，andshetrembledforherlover\'slife。

Ifnowherfatherhadnottoldherthetruth——ifnowhehadnotwithstandingsacrificedHenryHowardinordertoruinthequeen——

ifshewasnotabletosavehim，andthroughherfaultheweretoperishonthescaffold——aboveHenrytheEighthwillnomorebethejudge，butthecondemnedcriminal；andyourbloodyandaccurseddeedswillwitnessagainstyou！"

Thekinglaughed。"Youavailyourselfofyouradvantage，"saidhe。

"Becauseyouhavenothingmoretoloseandthescaffoldissureofyou，youdonotstickatheapingupthemeasureofyoursinsalittlemore，andyourevileyourlegitimate，God-appointedking！Butyoushouldbearinmind，earl，thatbeforethescaffoldthereisyettherack，andthatitisverypossibleindeedthatapainfulquestionmighttherebeputtothenobleEarlSurrey，towhichhisagoniesmightpreventhimfromreturningananswer。Now，awaywithyou！Wehavenothingmoretosaytoeachotheronearth！"

Hemotionedtothesoldiers，whoapproachedtheEarlofSurrey。Astheyreachedtheirhandstowardhim，heturnedonthemalooksoproudandcommandingthattheyinvoluntarilyrecoiledastep。

"Followme！"saidHenryHoward，calmly；and，withoutevendeigningthekingasinglelookmore，withheadproudlyerect，hewalkedtothedoor。

Geraldinestilllayontheground——herfaceturnedtothefloor。Shestirrednot。Sheseemedtohavefallenintoadeepswoon。

OnlyasthedoorwithasullensoundclosedbehindEarlSurrey，alowwailandmoanwasperceived——suchasiswonttostruggleforthatthelasthourfromthebreastofthedying。

Thekingdidnotheedit。Hestillgazed，witheyessternandflashingwithanger，towardthedoorthroughwhichEarlSurreyhadpassed。

"Heisunyielding，"mutteredhe。"Noteventherackaffrightshim；

andinhisblasphemoushaughtinesshemovesalonginthemidstofthesoldiers，notasaprisoner，butasacommander。Oh，theseHowardsaredestinedtotormentme；andeventheirdeathwillscarcelybeafullsatisfactiontome。"

"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，whohadobservedthekingwithakeen，penetratingeye，andknewthathehadnowreachedtheheightofhiswrath，atwhichheshrankfromnodeedofviolenceandnocruelty——

"sire，youhavesentEarlSurreytotheTower。Butwhatshallbedonewiththequeen，wholiesthereonthefloorinaswoon？"

Thekingrousedhimselffromhisreverie；andhisbloodshoteyeswerefixedonGeraldine\'smotionlessformwithsodarkanexpressionofhateandrage，thatEarlDouglasexultinglysaidtohimself:"Thequeenislost！Hewillbeinexorable！"

"Ah，thequeen！"criedHenry，withasavagelaugh。"Yea，verily，I

forgotthequeen。IdidnotthinkofthischarmingGeraldine！Butyouareright，Douglas；wemustthinkofherandoccupyourselvesalittlewithher！Didyounotsaythatasecondcoachwasready？

Well，then，wewillnothinderGeraldinefromaccompanyingherbeloved。Sheshallbewhereheis——intheTower，andonthescaffold！Wewillthereforewakethissentimentalladyandshowherthelastdutyofacavalierbyconductinghertohercarriage！"

Hewasabouttoapproachthefigureofthequeenlyingonthefloor。

EarlDouglasheldhimback。

"Sire，"saidhe，"itismyduty——asyourfaithfulsubject，wholovesyouandtremblesforyourwelfare——itismydutytoimploreyoutospareyourselfandpreserveyourpreciousandadoredpersonfromthevenomousstingofangerandgrief。Iconjureyou，therefore，donotdeigntolookagainonthiswoman，whohassodeeplyinjuredyou。

Givemeyourorders——whatamItodowithher——andallowmefirstofalltoaccompanyyoutoyourapartments。"

"Youareright，"saidtheking，"sheisnotworthyofhavingmyeyesrestonheragain；andsheiseventoocontemptibleformyanger！Wewillcallthesoldiersthattheymayconductthistraitoressandadulteresstothetower，astheyhavedoneherparamour。"

"Yetforthatthereisneededstillaformality。ThequeenwillnotbeadmittedintotheTowerwithouttheking\'swrittenandsealedorder。"

"ThenIwilldrawupthatorder。"

"Sire，inthatcabinetyondermaybefoundthenecessarywriting-

materials，ifitpleaseyourmajesty。"

Thekingleanedinsilenceontheearl\'sarm，andallowedhimselftobeledagainintothecabinet。

WithofficioushasteEarlDouglasmadethenecessaryarrangements。

Herolledthewriting-tableuptotheking；heplacedthelargesheetofwhitepaperinorder，andslippedthepenintotheking\'shand。

"WhatshallIwrite？"askedtheking，who，bytheexertionofhisnight\'sexcursion，andofhisangerandvexation，beganatlengthtobeexhausted。

"Anorderforthequeen\'simprisonment，sire。"

Thekingwrote。EarlDouglasstoodbehindhim，witheagerattention，inbreathlessexpectation，hislooksteadilyfixedonthepaperoverwhichtheking\'shand，white，fleshy，andsparklingwithdiamonds，glidedalonginhastycharacters。

Hehadatlengthreachedhisgoal。Whenatlastheshouldholdinhishandthepaperwhichthekingwasthenwriting——whenhehadinducedHenrytoreturntohisapartmentsbeforetheimprisonmentofthequeenhadtakenplace——thenwashevictorious。Notthatwomantherewouldhethenimprison；but，withthewarrantinhishand，hewouldgototherealqueen，andtakehertotheTower。

OnceintheTower，thequeencouldnolongerdefendherself；forthekingwouldseehernomore；andifbeforetheParliamentsheprotestedherinnocenceineversosacredoaths，stilltheking\'stestimonymustconvicther；forhehadhimselfsurprisedherwithherparamour。

No，therewasnoescapeforthequeen。Shehadoncesucceededinclearingherselfofanaccusation，andprovingherinnocence，byarebuttingalibi。Butthistimeshewasirretrievablylost，andnoalibicoulddeliverher。

Thekingcompletedhisworkandarose，whilstDouglas，athiscommand，wasemployedinsettingtheking\'ssealtothefatalpaper。

Fromthehallwasheardaslightnoise，asthoughsomepersonwerecautiouslymovingaboutthere。

EarlDouglasdidnotnoticeit；hewasjustintheactofpressingthesignethardonthemeltedsealing-wax。

Thekingheardit，andsupposedthatitwasGeraldine，andthatshewasjustwakingfromherswoonandrising。

Hesteppedtothedoorofthehall，andlookedtowardtheplacewhereshewaslying。Butno——shehadnotyetrisen；shestilllaystretchedatfulllengthonthefloor。

"Shehascometo；butshestillpretendstobeinaswoon，"thoughttheking；andheturnedtoDouglas。

"Wearedone，"saidhe；"thewarrantforimprisonmentisprepared，andthesentenceoftheadulterousqueenisspoken。Wehavedonewithherforever；andnevershallsheagainbeholdourface，oragainhearourvoice。Sheissentencedanddamned，andtheroyalmercyhasnothingmoretodowiththissinner。Acurseontheadulteress！Acurseontheshamelesswomanwhodeceivedherhusband，andgaveherselfuptoatraitorousparamour！Woetoher，andmayshameanddisgraceforevermarkhername，which——"

Suddenlythekingstoppedandlistened。Thenoisethathehadheardjust，beforewasnowrepeatedlouderandquicker；itcamenearerandnearer。

Andnowthedooropenedandafigureentered——afigurewhichmadethekingstarewithastonishmentandadmiration。Itcamenearerandnearer，light，graceful，andwiththefreshnessofyouth；agold-

brocadedressenvelopedit；adiademofdiamondssparkledonthebrow；andbrighteryetthanthediamondsbeamedtheeyes。

"No，thekingwasnotmistaken。Itwasthequeen，Shewasstandingbeforehim——andyetshestilllaymotionlessandstiffupontheflooryonder。

Thekingutteredacry，and，turningpale，reeledastepbackward。

"Thequeen！"exclaimedDouglas，interror；andhetrembledsoviolentlythatthepaperinhishandrattledandfluttered。

"Yes，thequeen！"saidCatharine，withahaughtysmile。"Thequeen，whocomestoscoldherhusband，that，contrarytohisphysician\'sorders，hestillrefrainsfromhisslumbersatsolateanhourofthenight。"

"Andthefool！"saidJohnHeywood，aswithhumorouspathoshesteppedforwardfrombehindthequeen——"thefool，whocomestoaskEarlDouglashowhedareddepriveJohnHeywoodofhisoffice，andusurptheplaceofking\'sfooltoHenry，anddeceivehismostgraciousmajestywithallmannerofsillypranksandcarnivaltricks。"

"Andwho"——askedtheking，inavoicequiveringwithrage，fasteninghisflashinglooksonDouglaswithanannihilatingexpression——"

who，then，isthatwomanthere？Whohasdaredwithsuchcursedmummerytodeceivetheking，andcalumniatethequeen？"

"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，whoverywellknewthathisfutureandthatofhisdaughterdependedonthepresentmoment，andwhomthisconsciousnesshadspeedilyrestoredtohisself-possessionandcalmness——"sire，Ibeseechyourmajestyforamomentofprivateexplanation；andIshallbeentirelysuccessfulinvindicatingmyself。"

"Donotgrantithim，brotherHenry，"saidJohnHeywood；"heisadangerousjuggler；andwhoknowswhetherhemaynotyet，inhisprivateconversation，convinceyouthatheisking，andyounothingmorethanhislickspittle，fawning，hypocriticalservantEarlArchibaldDouglas。"

"Mylordandhusband，Ibegyoutoheartheearl\'sjustification，"

saidCatharine，assheextendedherhandtothekingwithabewitchingsmile。"Itwouldbecrueltocondemnhimunheard，Iwillhearhim，butitshallbedoneinyourpresence，Kate，andyouyourselfshalldecidewhetherornothisjustificationissufficient。"

"Noindeed，myhusband；letmeremainanentirestrangertothisnight\'sconspiracy，sothatspiteandangermaynotfillmyheartandrobmeofthesupremeconfidencewhichIneed，tobeabletowalkonatyoursidehappyandsmilinginthemidstofmyenemies。"

"Youareright，Kate，"saidtheking，thoughtfully。"Youhavemanyenemiesatourcourt；andwehavetoaccuseourselvesthatwehavenotalwayssucceededinstoppingoureartotheirmaliciouswhisperings，andinkeepingourselvespurefromthepoisonousbreathoftheircalumny。Ourheartisstilltooartless，andwecannotevenyetcomprehendthatmenareadisgusting，corruptrace，whichoneshouldtreadbeneathhisfeet，butnevertaketohisheart。Come，EarlDouglas，Iwillhearyou；butwoetoyou，ifyouareunabletojustifyyourself！"

Heretiredtotheembrasureofthelargewindowoftheboudoir。EarlDouglasfollowedhimthither，andlettheheavyvelvetcurtaindropbehindthem。

"Sire，"saidhe，hardilyandresolutely，"thequestionnowisthis:

Whoseheadwouldyourathergiveovertotheexecutioner，mineortheEarlofSurrey\'s？Youhavethechoicebetweenthetwo。YouareawarethatIhaveventuredforamomenttodeceiveyou。Well，sendmetotheTowerthen，andsetfreethenobleHenryHoward，thathemayhenceforthdisturbyoursleepandpoisonyourdays；thathemayfurthercourttheloveofthepeople，andperhapssomedayrobyoursonofthethronethatbelongstohim。Hereismyhead，sire；itisforfeitedtotheheadsman\'saxe，andEarlSurreyisfree！"

"No，heisnotfree，andnevershallbe！"saidtheking，grindinghisteeth。

"Then，myking，Iamjustified；andinsteadofbeingangrywithme，youwillthankme？ItistrueIhaveplayedahazardousgame，butI

didsointheserviceofmyking。IdiditbecauseIlovedhim，andbecauseIreadonyourloftycloudedbrowthethoughtsthatbegirtwithdarknessmymaster\'ssoul，anddisturbedthesleepofhisnights。YouwantedtohaveHenryHowardinyourpower；andthiscraftyandhypocriticalearlknewhowtoconcealhisguiltsosecurelyunderthemaskofvirtueandloftinessofsoul！ButIknewhim，andbehindthismaskIhadseenhisfacedistortedwithpassionandcrime。Iwantedtounmaskhim；butforthis，itwasnecessarythatIshoulddeceivefirsthim，andthenforthehourevenyourself。Iknewthatheburnedwithanadulterousloveforthequeen，andIwantedtoavailmyselfofthemadnessofthispassion，inordertobringhimsurelyandunavoidablytoarichly-deservedpunishment。ButIwouldnotdrawthepureandexaltedpersonofthequeenintothisnetwithwhichwewantedtosurroundEarlSurrey。I

wasobliged，then，toseekasubstituteforher；andIdidso。Therewasatyourcourtawomanwhosewholeheartbelongs，afterGod，tothekingalone；andwhosomuchadoreshim，thatshewouldbereadyatanyhourgladlytosacrificeforthekingherheart\'sblood，herwholebeing——ay，ifneedbe，evenherhonoritself——awoman，sire，wholivesbyyoursmile，andworshipsyouasherredeemerandsavior——awomanwhomyoumight，asyoupleased，makeasaintorastrumpet；andwho，topleaseyou，wouldbeashamelessPhyrneorachasteveilednun。"

"Tellmehername，Douglas，"saidtheking，"tellmeit！Itisarareandpreciousstrokeoffortunetobesoloved；anditwouldbeasinnottowanttoenjoythisgoodfortune。"

"Sire，Iwilltellyouhernamewhenyouhavefirstforgivenme，"

saidDouglas，whoseheartleapedforjoy，andwhowellunderstoodthattheking\'sangerwasalreadymollifiedandthedangernowalmostovercome。"Isaidtothiswoman:\'Youaretodothekingagreatservice；youaretodeliverhimfromapowerfulanddangerousfoe！YouaretosavehimfromHenryHoward！\'\'TellmewhatImustdo！\'criedshe，herlooksbeamingwithjoy。\'HenryHowardlovesthequeen。Youmustbethequeentohim。Youmustreceivehisletters，andanswertheminthequeen\'sname。Youmustgranthiminterviewsbynight，and，favoredbythedarknessofthenight，makehimbelievethatitisthequeenwhomheholdsinhisarms。Hemustbeconvincedthatthequeenishislady-love；andinhisthoughts，asinhisdeeds，hemustbeplacedbeforethekingasatraitorandcriminalwhoseheadisforfeitedtotheheadsman\'saxe。OnedaywewillletthekingbeawitnessofameetingthatHenryHowardbelieveshehaswiththequeen；itwillthenbeinhispowertopunishhisenemyforhiscriminalpassion，whichisworthyofdeath！\'AndasIthusspoketothewoman，sire，shesaidwithasadsmile:\'Itisadisgracefulanddishonorablepartthatyouassignme；butIundertakeit，foryousayImaytherebyrenderaservicetotheking。Ishalldisgracemyselfforhim；buthewillperhapsbestowuponmeinreturnagracioussmile；andthenIshallbeabundantlyrewarded。\'"

"Butthiswomanisanangel！"criedtheking，ardently——"anangelwhomweshouldkneeltoandadore。Tellmehername，Douglas！"

"Sire，assoonasyouhaveforgivenme！Youknownowallmyguiltandallmycrime。For，asIbadethatnoblewoman，soitcametopass，andHenryHowardhasgonetotheTowerinthefirmbeliefthatitwasthequeenwhomhejustnowheldinhisarms。"

"Butwhydidyouleavemeinthisbelief，Douglas？Whydidyoufillmyheartwithwrathagainstthenobleandvirtuousqueenalso？"

"Sire，IdarednotrevealthedeceptiontoyoubeforeyouhadsentencedSurrey，foryournobleandjustmoralsensewouldhavebeenreluctanttopunishhimonaccountofacrimethathehadnotcommitted；andinyourfirstwrathyouwouldalsohaveblamedthisnoblewomanwhohassacrificedherselfforherking。"

"Itistrue，"saidtheking，"Ishouldhavemisjudgedthisnoblewoman，and，insteadofthankingher，Ishouldhavedestroyedher。"

"Therefore，myking，Iquietlyallowedyoutomakeoutanorderforthequeen\'sincarceration。Butyourememberwell，sire，Ibeggedyoutoreturntoyourapartmentsbeforethequeenwasarrested。Well，now，thereIshouldhavedisclosedtoyouthewholesecret，whichI

couldnottellyouinthepresenceofthatwoman。Forshewoulddieofshameifshesuspectedthatyouknewofherlovefortheking，sopureandself-sacrificing，andcherishedinsuchheroicsilence。"

"Sheshallneverknowit，Douglas！Butnowatlengthsatisfymydesire。Tellmehername。"

"Sire，youhaveforgivenme，then？YouarenolongerangrywithmethatIdaredtodeceiveyou？"

"Iamnolongerangrywithyou，Douglas；foryouhaveactedrightly。

Theplan，whichyouhavecontrivedandcarriedoutwithsuchhappyresults，wasascraftyasitwasdaring。"

"Ithankyou，sire；andIwillnowtellyouthename。Thatwoman，sire，whoatmywishgaveherselfupasacrificetothisadulterousearl，whoenduredhiskisses，hisembraces，hisvowsoflove，inordertorenderaservicetoherking——thatwomanwasmydaughter，LadyJaneDouglas！"

"LadyJane！"criedtheking。"No，no，thisisanewdeception。Thathaughty，chaste，andunapproachableLadyJane——thatwonderfullybeautifulmarblestatuereallyhasthenaheartinherbreast，andthatheartbelongstome？LadyJane，thepureandchastevirgin，hasmadeformethisprodigioussacrifice，ofreceivingthishatedSurreyasherlover，inorder，likeasecondDelilah，todeliverhimintomyhand？No，Douglas，youarelyingtome。LadyJanehasnotdonethat！"

"Mayitpleaseyourmajestytogoyourselfandtakealookatthatfaintingwoman，whowastoHenryHowardthequeen。"

Thekingdidnotreplytohim；buthedrewbackthecurtainandreenteredthecabinet，inwhichthequeenwaswaitingwithJohnHeywood。

Henrydidnotnoticethem。Withyouthfulprecipitationhecrossedthecabinetandthehall。NowhestoodbythefigureofGeraldinestilllyingonthefloor。

Shewasnolongerinaswoon。Shehadlongsinceregainedherconsciousness；andterribleweretheagoniesandtorturesthatrentherheart。HenryHowardhadincurredthepenaltyoftheheadsman\'saxe，anditwasshethathadbetrayedhim。

Butherfatherhadsworntoherthatsheshouldsaveherlover。

Shedurstnotdiethen。ShemustlivetodeliverHenryHoward。

Therewereburning，asitwere，thefiresofhellinherpoorheart；

butshewasnotatlibertytoheedthesepains。Shecouldnotthinkofherself——onlyofhim——ofHenryHoward，whomshemustdeliver，whomshemustsavefromanignominiousdeath。

ForhimshesentupherferventprayerstoGod；forhimherhearttrembledwithanxietyandagony，asthekingnowadvancedtoher，and，bendingdown，gazedintohereyeswithastrangeexpression，atoncescrutinizingandsmiling。

"LadyJane，"saidhethen，ashepresentedherhishand，"arisefromthegroundandallowyourkingtoexpresstoyouhisthanksforyoursublimeandwonderfulsacrifice！Verily，itisafairlottobeaking；forthenonehasatleastthepowerofpunishingtraitors，andofrewardingthosethatserveus。Ihaveto-daydonetheone，andI

willnotneglecttodotheotheralso。Standup，then，LadyJane；itdoesnotbecomeyoutolieonyourkneesbeforeme。"

"Oh，letmekneel，myking，"saidshe，passionately；"letmebeseechyouformercy，forpity！Havecompassion，KingHenry——compassionontheanxietyandagonywhichIendure。Itisnotpossiblethatthisisallareality！thatthisjugglingistobechangedintosuchterribleearnest！Tellme，KingHenry——IconjureyoubytheagonieswhichIsufferforyoursake——tellme，whatwillyoudowithHenryHoward？WhyhaveyousenthimtotheTower？"

"Topunishthetraitorashedeserves，"saidtheking，ashecastadarkandangrylookacrossatDouglas，whohadalsoapproachedhisdaughter，andwasnowstandingclosebyher。

LadyJaneutteredaheartrendingcry，andsankdownagain，senselessandcompletelyexhausted。

Thekingfrowned。"Itispossible，"saidhe——"andIalmostbelieveit——thatIhavebeendeceivedinmanywaysthisevening，andthatnowagainmyguilelessnesshasbeenplayeduponinordertoimposeuponmeacharmingstory。However，Ihavegivenmywordtopardon；

anditshallnotbesaidthatHenrytheEighth，whocallshimselfGod\'svicegerent，haseverbrokenhisword；noreventhathehaspunishedthosewhomhehasassuredofexemptionfrompunishment。MyLordDouglas，Iwillfulfilmypromise。Iforgiveyou。"

HeextendedhishandtoDouglas，whokisseditfervently。Thekingbentdownclosertohim。"Douglas，"whisperedhe，"youareascunningasaserpent；andInowseethroughyourartfully-wovenweb！