Buttheearl？Didheloveherinreturn？Didheunderstandthechild'sheart？Hadhe，beneaththechildishface，alreadyrecognizedthepassionate，proudwoman？Hadheguessedthesecretsofthissoul，atoncesomaidenlyandchaste，andyetsopassionateandenergetic？
ThomasSeymourneverbetrayedasecret，andwhathehad，itmaybe，readintheeyesoftheprincess，andwhathehad，perhaps，spokentoherinthequietshadywalksofHamptonCourt，orinthelong，darkcorridorsofWhitehall，wasknowntonoonesavethosetwo。ForElizabethhadastrong，masculinesoul；sheneedednoconfidanttosharehersecrets；andThomasSeymourhadfearedeven，liketheimmortalhair-dresserofKingMidas，todigaholeandutterhissecrettherein；forheknewverywellthat，ifthereedgrewupandrepeatedhiswords，hemight，forthesewords，layhisheadontheblock。
PoorElizabeth！Shedidnotevensuspecttheearl'ssecretandherownwerenot，however，thesame；shedidnotsuspectthatThomasSeymour，ifheguessedhersecret，might，perhaps，availhimselfofittomakethereofabrilliantfoilforhisownsecret。
Hehad，likeher，everbeforehiseyesthediamondcrownontheheadoftheyoungqueen，andhehadnoticedwellhowoldandfeeblethekinghadbecomeoflate。
Ashenowrodebythesideofthetwoprincesses，hefelthisheartswellwithaproudjoy，andboldandambitiousschemesaloneoccupiedhissoul。
Thetwowomenunderstoodnothingofthis。Theywerebothtoomuchoccupiedwiththeirownthoughts；andwhileCatharine'seyessweptwithbeaminglookthelandscapefarandwide，thebrowoftheprincesswasslightlyclouded，andhersharpeyerestedwithafixedandwatchfulgazeonThomasSeymour。
Shehadnoticedtheimpassionedlookwhichhehadnowandthenfastenedonthequeen。Theslight，scarcelyperceptibletremorofhisvoice，whenhespoke，hadnotescapedher。
PrincessElizabethwasjealous；shefeltthefirsttorturingmotionsofthathorriblediseasewhichshehadinheritedfromherfather，andinthefeverishparoxysmsofwhichthekinghadsenttwoofhiswivestothescaffold。
Shewasjealous，butnotofthequeen；muchmore，shedreamednotthatthequeenmightshareandreturnSeymour'slove。Itnevercameintohermindtoaccusethequeenofanunderstandingwiththeearl。
Shewasjealousonlyofthelookswhichhedirectedtowardthequeen；andbecauseshewaswatchingthoselooks，shecouldnotatthesametimereadtheeyesofheryoungstepmotheralso；shecouldnotseethegentleflameswhich，kindledbythefireofhislooks，glowedinhers。
ThomasSeymourhadseenthem，andhadhenowbeenalonewithCatharine，hewouldhavethrownhimselfatherfeetandconfidedtoherallthedeepanddangeroussecretsthathehadsolongharboredinhisbreast；hewouldhavelefttoherthechoiceofbringinghimtotheblock，orofacceptingthelovewhichheconsecratedtoher。
Butthere，behindthem，werethespying，all-observing，all-
surmisingcourtiers；therewasthePrincessElizabeth，who，hadheventuredtospeaktothequeen，wouldhaveconjecturedfromhismannerthewordswhichshecouldnotunderstand；forloveseessoclearly，andjealousyhassuchkeenears！
Catharinesuspectednothingofthethoughtsofhercompanions。Shealonewashappy；shealonegaveherselfupwithfullsoultotheenjoymentofthemoment。Shedrewinwithintensedelightthepureair；shedrankintheodorofthemeadowblossoms；shelistenedwiththirstyeartothemurmuringsongwhichthewindwaftedtoherfromtheboughsofthetrees。Herwishesextendednotbeyondthehour；
sherestedinthefullenjoymentofthepresenceofherbeloved。Hewasthere——whatneededshemoretomakeherhappy？
Herwishesextendednotbeyondthishour。Shewasonlyconscioushowdelightfulitwasthustobeatherbeloved'sside，tobreathethesameair，toseethesamesun，thesameflowersonwhichhiseyesrested，andonwhichtheirglancesatleastmightmeetinkisseswhichweredeniedtotheirlips。
Butastheythusrodealong，silentandmeditative，eachoccupiedwithhisownthoughts，therecametheassistanceforwhichThomasSeymourhadprayed，flutteringalongintheshapeofafly。
Atfirstthisflysportedandbuzzedaboutthenoseofthefiery，proudbeastwhichthequeenrode；andasnoonenoticedit，itwasnotdisturbedbyHector'stossingofhismane，butcreptsecurelyandquietlytothetopofthenoblecourser'shead，pausingalittlehereandthere，andsinkinghisstingintothehorse'sflesh，sothatherearedandbeganloudlytoneigh。
ButCatharinewasaboldanddexterousrider，andtheproudspiritofherhorseonlyaffordedherdelight，andgavethemasterofhorseanopportunitytopraiseherskillandcoolness。
Catharinereceivedwithasweetsmiletheencomiumsofherbeloved。
Buttheflykeptcreepingon，and，impelledbyadiabolicdelight，nowpenetratedthehorse'sear。Thepoor，tormentedanimalmadeaspringforward。Thisspring，insteadoffreeinghimfromhisenemy，madehimpenetratetheearstillfarther，andsinkhisstingstilldeeperintothesoftfleshypartofthesame。
Stungbythemaddeningpain，thehorsecastoffallcontrol，and，heedlessofbridleandscorningthebit，dashedforwardinafuriousrun——forwardoverthemeadowswiftasanarrow，resistlessasthelightning。
"On，on，tothequeen'srescue！"thunderedthemasterofhorse，andwithmadhaste，awayflewhealsooverthemeadow。
"Tothehelpofthequeen！"repeatedPrincessElizabeth，andshelikewisespurredherhorseandhurriedforward，accompaniedbythewholesuite。
Butwhatisthespeedofahorseeversoswift，butyetinhissenses，comparedwiththeravingmadnessofacrazycourser，that，despisingallsubjection，andmockingatthebridle，dashesahead，foamingwiththesenseoffreedomandunrestraint，uncontrollableasthesurgelashedbythestorm！
Alreadyfarbehindthemlaythemeadows，farbehindthemtheavenuesleadingthroughthewoods，andoverbrooksandditches，overmeadowsandwastes，Hectorwasdashingon。
Thequeenstillsatfirmlyinthesaddle；hercheekswerecolorless；
herlipstrembled；buthereyewasstillbrightandclear。Shehadnotyetlostherpresenceofmind；shewasperfectlyconsciousofherdanger。Thedinofscreaming，screechingvoices，whichsheheardatfirst，hadlongsincediedawayinsilencebehindher。Animmensesolitude，thedeepsilenceofthegrave，wasaroundher。
Naughtwasheardsavethepantingandsnortingofthehorse；naughtbutthecrashandclatterofhishoofs。Suddenly，however，thissoundseemedtofindanecho。Itwasrepeatedoveryonder。Therewasthesamesnortingandpanting；therewasthesameresoundingtramplingofhoofs。Andnow，oh，now，struckonCatharine'scarthesoundofavoiceonlytoowellloved，andmadeherscreamaloudwithdelightanddesire。
Butthiscryfrightenedanewtheenragedanimal。Foramoment，exhaustedandpanting，hehadslackenedinhismadrace；nowhesprangforwardwithrenewedenergy；nowheflewonasifimpelledbythewingsofthewind。Butevernearerandnearersoundedthelovedvoiceevernearerthetrampofhishorse。
Theywerenowuponalargeplain，shutinonallsidesbywoods。
Whilethequeen'shorsecircledtheplaininawidecircuit，Seymour's，obedienttotherein，speddirectlyacrossit，andwasclosebehindthequeen。
"Onlyamomentmore！Onlyholdyourarmsfirmlyaroundtheanimal'sneck，thattheshockmaynothurlyouoff，whenIlayholdoftherein！"shoutedSeymour，andhesethisspursintohishorse'sflanks，sothathesprangforwardwithawildcry。
ThiscryrousedHectortonewfury。Pantingforbreath，heshotforwardwithfearfulleaps，nowstraightintothethicketofthewoods。
"Ihearhisvoicenomore，"murmuredCatharine。Andatlengthovercomewithanxietyandthedizzyrace，andwornoutwithherexertions，sheclosedhereyes；hersensesappearedtobeaboutleavingher。
Butatthismoment，afirmhandseizedwithirongraspthereinofherhorse，sothathebowedhishead，shaking，trembling，andalmostashame，asthehorsehadfoundhislordandmaster。
"Saved！Iamsaved！"falteredCatharine，andbreathless，scarcelyinhersenses，sheleanedherheadonSeymour'sshoulder。
Heliftedhergentlyfromthesaddle，andplacedheronthesoftmossbeneathanancientoak。Thenhetiedthehorsestoabough，andCatharine，tremblingandfaint，sankonherkneestorestaftersuchviolentexertion。
CHAPTERXII。
THEDECLARATION。
ThomasSeymourreturnedtoCatharine。Shestilllaytherewithclosedeyes，paleandmotionless。
Hegazedonherlongandsteadily；hiseyesdrankin，inlongdraughts，thesightofthisbeautifulandnoblewoman，andheforgotatthatmomentthatshewasaqueen。
Hewasatlengthalonewithher。Atlast，aftertwoyearsoftorture，ofresignation，ofdissimulation，Godhadgrantedhimthishour，forwhichhehadsolongyearned，whichhehadsolongconsideredunattainable。Nowitwasthere，nowitwashis。
Andhadthewholecourt，hadKingHenryhimself，comerightthen，ThomasSeymourwouldnothaveheededit；itwouldnothaveaffrightedhim。Thebloodhadmountedtohisheadandovercomehisreason。Hisheart，stillagitatedandbeatingviolentlyfromhisfuriousrideandhisanxietyforCatharine，allowedhimtohearnoothervoicethanthatofpassion。
Hekneltbythequeenandseizedherhand。
Perhapsitwasthistouchwhichrousedherfromherunconsciousness。
Sheraisedhereyesandgazedaroundwithaperplexedlook。
"WhereamI？"breathedsheinalowtone。
ThomasSeymourpressedherhandtohislips。"Youarewiththemostfaithfulanddevotedofyourservants，queen！"
"Queen！"Thiswordrousedherfromherstupor，andcausedhertoraiseherselfhalfup。
"Butwhereismycourt？WhereisthePrincessElizabeth？Wherearealltheeyesthatheretoforewatchedme？Whereareallthelistenersandspieswhoaccompanythequeen？"
"Theyarefarawayfromhere，"saidSeymourinatonewhichbetrayedhissecretdelight。"Theyarefarawayfromhere，andneedatleastanhour'stimetocomeupwithus。Anhour，queen！areyouawarewhatthatistome？Anhouroffreedom，aftertwoyearsofimprisonment！Anhourofhappiness，aftertwoyearsofdailytorture，dailyenduranceofthetormentsofhell！"
Catharine，whohadatfirstsmiled，hadnowbecomegraveandsad。
Hereyerestedonthecapwhichhadfallenfromherheadandlaynearheronthegrass。
Shepointedwithtremblingfingertothecrown，andsaidsoftly，"Recognizeyouthatsign，mylord？"
"Irecognizeit，mylady；butinthishour，Inolongershrinkbackatit。Therearemomentsinwhichlifeisatitscrowningpoint，andwhenoneheedsnottheabyssthatthreatensclosebeneath。Suchanhouristhepresent。Iamawarethatthishourmakesmeguiltyofhightreasonandmaysendmetotheblock；butneverthelessIwillnotbesilent。Thefirewhichburnsinmybreastconsumesme。Imustatlengthgiveitvent。Myheart，thatforyearshasburneduponafuneralpyre，andwhichissostrongthatinthemidstofitsagoniesithasstilleverfeltasensationofitsblessedness——myheartmustatlengthfinddeathorfavor。Youshallhearme，queen！"
"No，no，"saidshe，almostinanguish，"Iwillnot，Icannothearyou！RememberthatIamHenrytheEighth'swife，andthatitisdangeroustospeaktoher。Silence，then，earl，silence，andletusrideon。"
Shewouldhavearisen，butherownexhaustionandLordSeymour'shandcausedhertosinkbackagain。
"No，Iwillnotbesilent，"saidhe。"IwillnotbesilentuntilI
havetoldyouallthatragesandglowswithinme。TheQueenofEnglandmayeithercondemnmeorpardonme，butsheshallknowthattomesheisnotHenrytheEighth'swife，butonlythemostcharmingandgraceful，thenoblestandloveliestwomaninEngland。IwilltellherthatIneverrecollectsheismyqueen，or，ifIdoso，itisonlytocursetheking，whowaspresumptuousenoughtosetthisbrightlysparklingjewelinhisbloodycrown。"
Catharine，almosthorrified，laidherhandonSeymour'slips。
"Silence，unhappyman，silence！Knowyouthatitisyoursentenceofdeathwhichyouarenowuttering？Yoursentenceofdeath，ifanysoulhearsyou？"
"Butnoonehearsme。Noonesavethequeen，andGod，who，however，isperhapsmorecompassionateandmercifulthanthequeen。Accusemethen，queen；goandtellyourkingthatThomasSeymourisatraitor；
thathedareslovethequeen。Thekingwillsendmetothescaffold，butIshallneverthelessdeemmyselfhappy，forIshallatleastdiebyyourinstrumentality。Queen，ifIcannotliveforyou，thenbeautifulitistodieforyou！"
Catharinelistenedtohimwhollystupefied，whollyintoxicated。Thiswas，forher，languagewhollynewandneverheardbefore，atwhichherhearttrembledinblissfulawe，whichrushedaroundherinenchantingmelodiesandlulledherintoasweetstupefaction。Nowsheherselfevenforgotthatshewasqueen，thatshewasthewifeofHenry，thebloodthirstyandthejealous。Shewasconsciousonlyofthis，thatthemanwhomshehadsolongloved，wasnowkneelingatherside。Withraptureshedrankinhiswords，whichstruckuponherearlikeexquisitemusic。
ThomasSeymourcontinued。Hetoldherallhehadsuffered。Hetoldherhehadoftenresolvedtodie，inordertoputanendtothesetortures，butthatthenaglanceofhereye，awordfromherlips，hadgivenhimstrengthtolive，andstilllongerendurethesetortures，whichwereatthesametimesofullofrapture。
"Butnow，queen，nowmystrengthisexhausted，anditisforyoutogivemelifeordeath。To-morrowIwillascendthescaffold，oryoushallpermitmetolive，toliveforyou。"
Catharinetrembledandlookedathimwellnighastounded。Heseemedsoproudandimperative，shealmostfeltafearforhim，butitwasthehappyfearofaloving，meekwomanbeforeastrong，commandingman。
"Knowyou，"saidshe，withacharmingsmile，"thatyoualmosthavetheappearanceofwishingtocommandmetoloveyou？"
"No，queen，"saidhe，proudly，"Icannotcommandyoutoloveme，butIbidyoutellmethetruth。Ibidyoudothis，forIamamanwhohastherighttodemandthetruthofawomanfacetoface。AndI
havetoldyou，youarenotthequeentome。Youarebutabeloved，anadoredwoman。Thislovehasnothingtodowithyourroyalty，andwhileIconfessittoyou，Idonotthinkthatyouabaseyourselfwhenyoureceiveit。Forthetrueloveofamanisevertheholiestgiftthathecanpresenttoawoman，andifabeggardedicatesittoaqueen，shemustfeelherselfhonoredbyit。Oh，queen，Iamabeggar。Ilieatyourfeetandraisemyhandsbeseechinglytoyou；
butIwantnotcharity，Iwantnotyourcompassionandpity，whichmay，perhaps，grantmeanalmstolessenmymisery。No，Iwantyouyourself。Irequireallornothing。Itwillnotsatisfymethatyouforgivemyboldness，anddrawtheveilofsilenceovermymadattempt。No，Iwishyoutospeak，topronouncemycondemnationorabenedictiononme。Oh，Iknowyouaregenerousandcompassionate，andevenifyoudespisemyloveandwillnotreturnit，yet，itmaybe，youwillnotbetrayme。Youwillspareme，andbesilent。ButI
repeatit，queen，Idonotacceptthisofferofyourmagnanimity。
Youaretomakemeeitheracriminaloragod；forIamacriminalifyoucondemnmylove，agodifyoureturnit。"
"Anddoyouknow，earl，"whisperedCatharine，"thatyouareverycruel？Youwantmetobeeitheranaccuseroranaccomplice。Youleavemenochoicebutthatofbeingeitheryourmurderessoraperjuredandadulterouswoman——awifewhoforgetsherplightedfaithandhersacredduty，anddefilesthecrownwhichmyhusbandhasplaceduponmyheadwithstains，whichHenrywillwashoutwithmyownbloodandwithyoursalso。"
"Letitbeso，then，"criedtheearl，almostjoyfully。"Letmyheadfall，nomatterhoworwhen，ifyoubutloveme；forthenIshallstillbeimmortal；foramomentinyourarmsisaneternityofbliss。"
"ButIhavealreadytoldyouthatnotonlyyourhead，butminealso，isconcernedinthismatter。Youknowtheking'sharshandcrueldisposition。Themeresuspicionisenoughtocondemnme。Ah，ifheknewwhatwehavejustnowspokenhere，hewouldcondemnme，ashecondemnedCatharineHoward，thoughIamnotguiltyasshewas。Ah，I
shudderatthethoughtoftheblock；andyou，EarlSeymour，youwouldbringmetothescaffold，andyetyousayyouloveme！"
Seymoursunkhisheadmournfullyuponhisbreastandsigheddeeply。
"Youhavepronouncedmysentence，queen，andthoughyouaretoonobletotellmethetruth，yetIhaveguessedit。No，youdonotloveme，foryouseewithkeeneyesthedangerthatthreatensyou，andyoufearforyourself。No，youlovemenot，elseyouwouldthinkofnothingsavelovealone。Thedangerswouldanimateyou，andtheswordwhichhangsoveryourheadyouwouldnotsee，oryouwouldwithrapturegraspitsedgeandsay，'Whatisdeathtome，sinceI
amhappy！WhatcareIfordying，sinceIhavefeltimmortalhappiness！'Ah，Catharine，youhaveacoldheartandacoolhead。
MayGodpreservethembothtoyou；thenwillyoupassthroughlifequietlyandsafely；butyouwillyetbeapoor，wretchedwoman，andwhenyoucometodie，theywillplacearoyalcrownuponyourcoffin，butlovewillnotweepforyou。Farewell，Catharine，QueenofEngland，andsinceyoucannotlovehim，giveThomasSeymour，thetraitor，yoursympathyatleast。"
Hebowedlowandkissedherfeet，thenhearoseandwalkedwithfirmsteptothetreewherehehadtiedthehorses。ButnowCatharinearose，nowsheflewtohim，andgraspinghishand，asked，tremblingandbreathless，"Whatareyouabouttodo？whitherareyougoing？"
"Totheking，mylady。"
"Andwhatwillyoudothere？"
"Iwillshowhimatraitorwhohasdaredlovethequeen。Youhavejustkilledmyheart；hewillkillonlymybody。Thatislesspainful，andIwillthankhimforit。"
Catharineutteredacry，andwithpassionatevehemencedrewhimbacktotheplacewhereshehadbeenresting。
"Ifyoudowhatyousay，youwillkillme，"saidshe，withtremblinglips。"Hearme，hear！Themomentyoumountyourhorsetogototheking，Imountminetoo；butnottofollowyou，nottoreturntoLondon，buttoplungewithmyhorsedownyonderprecipice。Oh，fearnothing；theywillnotaccuseyouofmymurder。TheywillsaythatI
plungeddowntherewithmyhorse，andthattheraginganimalcausedmydeath。"
"Queen，takegoodheed，considerwellwhatyousay！"exclaimedThomasSeymour，hiscountenanceclearingupandhisfaceflamingwithdelight。"Bearinmindthatyourwordsmustbeeitheracondemnationoranavowal。Iwishdeath，oryourlove！Nottheloveofaqueen，whothinkstobegracioustohersubject，whenforthemomentsheelevateshimtoherself；buttheloveofawomanwhobowsherheadinmeeknessandreceivesherloverasatthesametimeherlord。Oh，Catharine，bewellonyourguard！Ifyoucometomewiththeprideofaqueen，iftherebeevenonethoughtinyouwhichtellsyouthatyouarebestowingafavoronasubjectasyoutakehimtoyourheart，thenbesilentandletmegohence。Iamproud，andasnoblybornasyourself，andhoweverlovethrowsmeconqueredatyourfeet，yetitshallnotbowmyheadinthedust！Butifyousaythatyouloveme，Catharine，forthatIwillconsecratemywholelifetoyou。Iwillbeyourlord，butyourslavealso。Thereshallbeinmenothought，nofeeling，nowishthatisnotdevotedandsubservienttoyou。AndwhenIsaythatIwillheyourlord，ImeannottherebythatIwillnotlieforeveratyourfeetandbowmyheadinthedust，andsaytoyou:Treadonit，ifitseemgoodtoyou，forIamyourslave！"
Andspeakingthus，hedroppedonhiskneesandpressedtoherfeethisface，whoseglowingandnobleexpressionravishedCatharine'sheart。
Shehentdowntohim，andgentlyliftinghishead，lookedwithanindescribableexpressionofhappinessandlovedeepintohisbeamingeyes。
"Doyouloveme？"askedSeymour，asheputhisarmsoftlyaroundherslenderwaist，andarosefromhiskneelingattitude。
"Iloveyou！"saidshe，withafirmvoiceandahappysmile。"Iloveyou，notasaqueen，butasawoman；andifperchancethislovehringusbothtothescaffold，wellthenweshallatleastdietogether，tomeetagainthereabove！"
"No，thinknotnowofdying，Catharine，thinkofliving——ofthebeautiful，enchantingfuturewhichisbeckoningtous。Thinkofthedayswhichwillsooncome，andinwhichourlovewillnolongerrequiresecresyoraveil，butwhenwewillmanifestittothewholeworld，andcanproclaimourhappinessfromafullgladbreast！Oh，Catharine，letushopethatcompassionateandmercifuldeathwilllooseatlasttheunnaturalbondsthatbindyoutothatoldman。
Then，whenHenryisnomore，thenwillyoubemine，minewithyonrentirebeing，withyourwholelife；andinsteadofaproudregalcrown，acrownofmyrtleshalladornyourhead！Swearthattome，Catharine；swearthatyouwillbecomemywife，assoonasdeathhassetyoufree。"
Thequeenshudderedandhercheeks。grewpale。"Oh，"saidshewithasigh，"deaththenisourhopeandperhapsthescaffoldourend！"
"No，Catharine，loveisourhope，andhappinessourend。Thinkoflife，ofourfuture！Godgrantmyrequest。SweartomehereinthefaceofGod，andofsacredandcalmnaturearoundus，sweartome，thatfromthedaywhendeathfreesyoufromyourhusbandyouwillbemine，mywife，myconsort！Sweartome，thatyou，regardlessofetiquetteandunmindfuloftyrannicalcustom，willbeLordSeymour'swife，beforetheknellforHenry'sdeathhasdiedaway。Wewillfindapriest，whomayblessourloveandsanctifythecovenantthatwehavethisdayconcludedforeternity！Sweartome，that，tillthatwished——forday，youwillkeepformeyourtruthandlove，andneverforgetthatmyhonorisyoursalso，thatyourhappinessisalsomine！"
"Iswearit！"saidCatharine，solemnly。"Youmaydependuponmeatalltimesandatallhours。NeverwillIbeuntruetoyou；neverwillIhaveathoughtthatisnotyours。IwillloveyouasThomasSeymourdeservestobeloved，thatiswithadevotedandfaithfulheart。Itwillbemypridetosubjectmyselftoyou，andwithgladsoulwillIserveandfollowyou，asyourtrueandobedientwife。"
"Iacceptyouroath！"saidSeymour，solemnly。"ButinreturnIswearthatIwillhonorandesteemyouasmyqueenandmistress。Isweartoyouthatyoushallneverfindamoreobedientsubject，amoreunselfishcounsellor，amorefaithfulhusband，abraverchampion，thanIwillbe。'Mylifeformyqueen，myentireheartformybeloved'；thishenceforthshallbemymotto，andmayIbedisownedanddespisedbyGodandbyyou，ifeverIviolatethisoath。"
"Amen！"saidCatharine，withabewitchingsmile。
Thenbothweresilent。Itwasthatsilencewhichonlyloveandhappinessknows——thatsilencewhichissorichinthoughtsandfeelings，andthereforesopoorinwords！
Thewindrustledwhisperinglyinthetrees，amongwhosedarkbrancheshereandthereabird'swarblingorflute-likenotesresounded。Thesunthrewhisemeraldlightoverthesoftvelvetycarpetoftheground，which，risingandfallingingentle，undulatinglines，formedlovelylittlehollowsandhillocks，onwhichnowandthenwasseenhereandtheretheslenderandstatelyfigureofahart，oraroe，that，lookingaroundsearchinglywithhisbrighteyes，startedbackfrightenedintothethicketonobservingthesetwohumanfiguresandthegroupofhorsesencampedthere。
Suddenlythisquietwasinterruptedbytheloudsoundofthehunter'shorn，andinthedistancewereheardconfusedcriesandshouts，whichwereechoedbythedenseforestandrepeatedinathousandtones。
Withasighthequeenraisedherheadfromtheearl'sshoulder。
Thedreamwasatanend；theangelcamewithflamingswordtodriveherfromparadise。
Forshewasnolongerworthyofparadise。Thefatalwordhadbeenspoken，andwhileitbroughtherlove，ithadperjuredher。
Henry'swife，hisbyhervowtakenbeforethealtar，hadbetrothedherselftoanother，andgivenhimthelovethatsheowedherhusband。
"Itispassed，"saidhe，mournfully。"Thesesoundscallmebacktomyslavery。Wemustbothresumeourroles。Imustbecomequeenagain。"
"Butfirstsweartomethatyouwillneverforgetthishour；thatyouwilleverthinkupontheoathswhichwehavemutuallysworn。"
Shelookedathimalmostastounded。"MyGod！cantruthandlovebeforgotten？"
"Youwillremainevertrue，Catharine？"
Shesmiled。"See，now，myjealouslord，doIaddresssuchquestionstoyou？"
"Oh，queen，youwellknowthatyoupossessthecharmthatbindsforever。"
"Whoknows？"saidshedreamily，assheraisedherenthusiasticlooktoheaven，andseemedtofollowthebrightsilverycloudswhichweresailingslowlyacrosstheblueether。
Thenhereyesfellonherbeloved，andlayingherhandsoftlyuponhisshoulder，shesaid:"LoveislikeGod——eternal，primeval，andeverpresent！Butyoumustbelieveinittofeelitspresence；youmusttrustittobeworthyofitsblessing！"
Butthehallooingandtheclangorofthehornscamenearerandnearer。Evennowwasheardthebarkingofthedogsandthetrampofhorses。
Theearlhaduntiedthehorses，andledHector，whowasnowquietandgentleasalamb，tohismistress。
"Queen，"saidThomasSeymour，"twodelinquentsnowapproachyou！
Hectorismyaccomplice，andhaditnotbeenthattheflyInowseeonhisswollenearhadmadehimraving，Ishouldbethemostpitiableandunhappymaninyourkingdom，whilenowIamthehappiestandmostenviable。"
Thequeenmadenoanswer，butsheputbothherarmsaroundtheanimal'sneckandkissedhim。
"Henceforth，"saidshe，"thenIwillrideonlyHector，andwhenheisoldandunfitforservice——"
"HeshallbetendedandcaredforinthestudofCountessCatharineSeymour！"interruptedThomasSeymour，asheheldthequeen'sstirrupandassistedherintothesaddle。
Thetworodeinsilencetowardthesoundofthevoicesandhorns，bothtoomuchoccupiedbytheirownthoughtstointerruptthembytriflingwords。
"Helovesme！"thoughtCatharine。"Iamahappy，enviablewoman，forThomasSeymourlovesme。"
"Shelovesme！"thoughthe，withaproud，triumphantsmile。"I
shall，therefore，onedaybecomeRegentofEngland。"
Justthentheycameoutonthelargelevelmeadow，throughwhichtheyhadpreviouslyridden，andoverwhichnowcame，scatteredhereandthereinmotleyconfusion，theentireroyalsuite，PrincessElizabethatthehead。
"Onethingmore！"whisperedCatharine。"Ifyoueverneedamessengertome，applytoJohnHeywood。Heisafriendwhomwecantrust。"
Andshesprangforwardtomeettheprincess，torecounttoheralltheparticularsofheradventure，andherhappyrescuebythemasterofhorse。
Elizabeth，however，listenedtoherwithglowinglooksandthoughtsdistracted，andasthequeenthenturnedtotherestofhersuite，and，surroundedbyherladiesandlords，receivedtheircongratulations，aslightsignfromtheprincesscalledThomasSeymourtoherside。
Sheallowedherhorsetocurvetsomepacesforward，bywhichsheandtheearlfoundthemselvesseparatedalittlefromtherest，andweresureofbeingoverheardbynoone。
"Mylord，"saidshe，inavehement，almostthreateningvoice，"youhaveoftenandinvainbesoughtmetograntyouaninterview。Ihavedeniedyou。Youintimatedthatyouhadmanythingstosaytome，forwhichwemustbealone，andwhichmustreachnolistener'sear。
Well，now，to-dayIgrantyouaninterview，andIamatlastinclinedtolistentoyou。"
Shepausedandwaitedforareply。Buttheearlremainedsilent。Heonlymadeadeepandrespectfulbow，bendingtotheveryneckofhishorse。"Wellandgood；IwillgotothisrendezvouswereitbuttoblindElizabeth'seyes，thatshemaynotseewhatsheneveroughttosee。Thatwasall。"
Theyoungprincesscastonhimanangrylook，andadarkscowlgatheredonherbrow。"Youunderstandwellhowtocontrolyourjoy，"
saidshe；"andanyonetoseeyoujustnowwouldthink——"
"ThatThomasSeymourisdiscreetenoughnottoletevenhisrapturebereadinhiscountenanceatthisdangerouscourt，"interruptedtheearlinalowmurmur。"When，princess，mayIseeyouandwhere？"
"WaitforthemessagethatJohnHeywoodwillbringyouto-day，"
whisperedElizabeth，asshesprangforwardandagaindrewnearthequeen。
"JohnHeywood，again！"mutteredtheearl。"Theconfidantofboth，andsomyhangman，ifhewishestobe！"
CHAPTERXIII。
"LEROIS'ENNUIT。"
KingHenrywasaloneinhisstudy。Hehadspentafewhoursinwritingonadevoutandedifyingbook，whichhewaspreparingforhissubjects，andwhich，invirtueofhisdignityassupremelordoftheChurch，hedesignedtocommendtotheirreadinginsteadoftheBible。
Henowlaiddownhispen，and，withinfinitecomplacency，lookedoverthewrittensheets，whichweretobetohispeopleanewproofofhispaternalloveandcare，andsoconvincethemthatHenrytheEighthwasnotonlythenoblestandmostvirtuousofkings，butalsothewisest。
Butthisreflectionfailedtomakethekingmorecheerfulto-day；
perhapsbecausehehadalreadyindulgedinittoofrequently。Tobealone，annoyedanddisturbedhim——therewereinhisbreastsomanysecretandhiddenvoices，whosewhispershedreaded，andwhich，therefore，hesoughttodrown——thereweresomanyrecollectionsofblood，whicheverandagainrosebeforehim，howeveroftenhetriedtowashthemoutinfreshblood，andwhichthekingwasafraidof，thoughheassumedtheappearanceofneverrepenting，neverfeelingdisquietude。
Withhastyhandhetouchedthegoldbellstandingbyhim，andhisfacebrightenedashesawthedooropenimmediately，andEarlDouglasmakehisappearanceonthethreshold。
"Oh，atlength！"saidthelord，whohadverywellunderstoodtheexpressionofHenry'sfeatures；"atlength，thekingcondescendstobegracioustohispeople。"
"Igracious？"askedtheking，utterlyastonished。"Well，howamI
so？"
"Byyourmajesty'srestingatlengthfromhisexertions，andgivingalittlethoughttohisvaluableandneedfulhealth。Whenyouremember，sire，thatEngland'swealdependssolelyandaloneonthewealofherking，andthatyoumustbeandremainhealthy，thatyourpeople，likewisemaybehealthy。"
Thekingsmiledwithsatisfaction。Itnevercameintohisheadtodoubttheearl'swords。Itseemedtohimperfectlynaturalthatthewealofhispeopledependedonhisperson；butyetitwasalwaysaloftyandbeautifulsong，andhelovedtohavehiscourtiersrepeatit。
Theking，aswehavesaid，smiled，buttherewassomethingunusualinthatsmile，whichdidnotescapetheearl。
"Heisintheconditionofahungryanaconda，"saidEarlDouglastohimself。"Heisonthewatchforprey，andhewillbebrightandlivelyagainjustassoonashehastastedalittlehumanfleshandblood。Ah，luckilywearewellsuppliedinthatway。Therefore，wewillrenderuntothekingwhatistheking's。Butwemustbecautiousandgotoworkwarily。"
Heapproachedthekingandimprintedakissonhishand。
"Ikissthishand，"saidhe，"whichhasbeento-daythefountainthroughwhichthewisdomoftheheadhasbeenpouredforthonthisblessedpaper。Ikissthispaper，whichwillannounceandexplaintohappyEnglandGod'spureandunadulteratedword；butyetIsayletthissufficeforthepresent，myking；takerest；rememberawhilethatyouarenotonlyasage，butalsoaman。"
"Yesandtrulyaweakanddecrepitone！"sighedtheking，aswithdifficultyheessayedtorise，andinsodoingleanedsoheavilyandtheearl'sarmthathealmostbrokedownunderthemonstrousload。
"Decrepit！"saidEarlDouglas，reproachfully。"Yourmajestymovesto-daywithasmucheaseandfreedomasayouth，andmyarmwasbynomeansneededtohelpyouup。"
"Nevertheless，wearegrowingold！"saidtheking，who，fromhisweariness，wasunusuallysentimentalandlow-spiritedto-day。
"Old！"repeatedEarlDouglas。"Old，withthoseeyesdartingfire，andthatloftybrow，andthatface，ineveryfeaturesonoble！No，yourmajesty，kingshavethisincommonwiththegods——theynevergrowold。"
"Andthereintheyresembleparrotstoahair！"saidJohnHeywood，whojustthenenteredtheroom。"Iownaparrotwhichmygreat-
grandfatherinheritedfromhisgreat-grandfather，whowashair-
dressertoHenrytheFourth，andwhichto-daystillsingswiththesamevolubilityashedidahundredyearsago:'Longlivetheking！
longlivethisparagonofvirtue，sweetness，beauty，andmercy！Longlivetheking！'Hehascriedthisforhundredsofyears，andhehasrepeateditforHenrytheFifthandHenrytheSixth，forHenrytheSeventhandHenrytheEighth！Andwonderful，thekingshavechanged，butthesongofpraisehasalwaysbeenappropriate，andhaseverbeenonlythesimpletruth！Justlikeyours，myLordDouglas！Yourmajestymaydependuponit，hespeaksthetruth，forheisnearakintomyparrot，whichalwayscallshim'Mycousin，'andhastaughthimhisimmortalsongofpraisetokings。"
Thekinglaughed，whileEarlDouglascastatJohnHeywoodasharp，spitefullook。
"Heisanimpudentimp，ishenot，Douglas？"saidtheking。
"Heisafool！"repliedhe，withashrug。
"Exactly，andthereforeIjustnowtoldyouthetruth。Foryouknowchildrenandfoolsspeakthetruth。AndIbecameafooljustonthisaccount，thattheking，whomyoualldeceivebyyourlies，mayhaveabouthimsomecreature，besideshislooking-glass，totellhimthetruth。"
"Well，andwhattruthwillyouserveupformetoday？"
"Itisalreadyserved，yourmajesty。Solayasideforalittleyourregalcrownandyourhighpriesthood，andconcludetobeforawhileacarnivorousbeast。Itisveryeasytobecomeaking。Forthat，nothingmoreisnecessarythantobebornofaqueenunderacanopy。
Butitisverydifficulttobeamanwhohasagooddigestion。Itrequiresahealthystomachandalightconscience。Come，KingHenry，andletusseewhetheryouarenotmerelyaking，butalsoamanthathasagoodstomach。"Andwithamerrylaughhetooktheking'sotherarmandledhimwiththeearlintothedining-room。
Theking，whowasanextraordinaryeater，silentlybeckonedhissuitetotaketheirplacesatthetable，afterhehadseatedhimselfinhisgildedchair。Withgraveandsolemnairhethenreceivedfromthehandsofthemasterofceremoniestheivorytabletonwhichwasthebilloffarefortheday。Theking'sdinnerwasasolemnandimportantaffair。Amultitudeofpost-wagonsandcourierswereeveronthewaytobringfromtheremotestendsoftheearthdaintiesfortheroyaltable。Thebilloffare，therefore，to-day，asever，exhibitedthechoicestandrarestdishes；andalwayswhenthekingfoundoneofhisfavoriteoneswrittendownhemadeanassentingandapprovingmotionofthehead，whichalwayslightedupthefaceofthemasterofceremonieslikeasunbeam。Therewerebirds'nestsbroughtfromtheEastIndiesbyafast-sailingvessel，builtspeciallyforthepurpose。TherewerehensfromCalcuttaandtrufflesfromLanguedoc，whichthepoet-king，FrancistheFirstofFrance，hadthedaybeforesenttohisroyalbrotherasaspecialtokenofaffection。TherewasthesparklingwineofChampagne，andthefierywineoftheIslandofCyprus，whichtheRepublicofVenicehadsenttothekingasamarkofrespect。ThereweretheheavywinesoftheRhine，whichlookedlikeliquidgold，anddiffusedthefragranceofawholebouquetofflowers，andwithwhichtheProtestantprincesofNorthernGermanyhopedtofuddletheking，whomtheywouldhavegladlyplacedattheheadoftheirleague。
There，too，werethemonstrous，giganticpartridgepastries，whichtheDukeofBurgundyhadsent，andthegloriousfruitsofthesouth，fromtheSpanishcoast，withwhichtheEmperorCharlestheFifthsuppliedtheKingofEngland'stable。Foritwaswellknownthat，inordertomaketheKingofEnglandpropitious，itwasnecessaryfirsttosatiatehim；thathispalatemustfirstbetickled，inordertogainhisheadorhisheart。
Butto-dayallthesethingsseemedinsufficienttogivethekingtheblissfulpleasurewhich，atothertimes，waswonttobewithhimwhenhesatattable。HeheardJohnHeywood'sjestsandbitingepigramswithamelancholysmile，andacloudwasonhisbrow。
Tobeincheerfulhumor，thekingabsolutelyneededthepresenceofladies。Heneededthemasthehunterneedstheroetoenjoythepleasureofthechase——thatpleasurewhichconsistsinkillingthedefencelessandindeclaringwaragainsttheinnocentandpeaceful。
Thecraftycourtier，EarlDouglas，readilydivinedHenry'sdissatisfaction，andunderstoodthesecretmeaningofhisfrownsandsighs。Hehopedmuchfromthem，andwasfirmlyresolvedtodrawsomeadvantagetherefrom，tothebenefitofhisdaughter，andtheharmofthequeen。
"Yourmajesty，"saidhe，"Iamjustonthepointofturningtraitor，andaccusingmykingofaninjustice。"
Thekingturnedhisflashingeyesuponhim，andputhishand，sparklingwithjewelledrings，tothegoldengobletfilledwithRhenishwine。
"Ofaninjustice——me——yourking？"askedhe，withstammeringtongue。
"Yes，ofaninjustice，inasmuchasyouareformeGod'svisiblerepresentativeonearth。IwouldblameGodifHewithdrewfromusforadaythebrightnessofthesun，thegorgeousnessandperfumeofHisflowers，forsincewechildrenofmenareaccustomedtoenjoytheseglories，wehaveinacertainmeasuregainedarighttothem。
SoIaccuseyoubecauseyouhavewithdrawnfromustheembodiedflowersandtheincarnatesuns；becauseyouhavebeensocruel，sire，astosendthequeentoEppingForest。"
"Notso；thequeenwantedtoride，"saidHenry，peevishly。"Thespringweatherattractedher，andsinceI，alas！donotpossessGod'sexaltedattributeofubiquity，Iwas，nodoubt，obligedtocometotheresolutionofbeingdeprivedofherpresence。ThereisnohorsecapableofcarryingtheKingofEngland。"
"ThereisPegasus，however，andinmasterlymanneryouknowhowtomanagehim。Buthow，yourmajesty！thequeenwantedtoride，thoughshewasdeprivedofyourpresencethereby？Shewantedtoride，thoughthispleasure-ridewasatthesametimeaseparationfromyou？Ohhowcoldandselfisharewomen'shearts！WereIawoman，I
wouldneverdepartfromyourside，Iwouldcovertnogreaterhappinessthantobenearyou，andtolistentothathighandexaltedwisdomwhichpoursfromyourinspiredlips。WereIawoman——
"
"Earl，Iopinethatyourwishisperfectlyfulfilled，"saidJohnHeywoodseriously。"Youmakeinallrespectstheimpressionofanoldwoman！"
Alllaughed。Butthekingdidnotlaugh；heremainedseriousandlookedgloomilybeforehim。
"Itistrue，"mutteredhe，"sheseemedexcitedwithjoyaboutthisexcursion，andinhereyesshoneafireIhaveseldomseenthere。
Theremustbesomepeculiarcircumstanceconnectedwiththisride。
Whoaccompaniedthequeen？"
"PrincessElizabeth，"saidJohnHeywood，whohadheardeverything，andsawclearlythearrowthattheearlhadshotatthequeen。
"PrincessElizabeth，hertrueanddearfriend，whoneverleavesherside。Besides，hermaidsofhonor，who，likethedragoninthefable，keepwatchoverthebeautifulprincess。"
"Whoelseisinthequeen'scompany？"inquiredHenry，sullenly。
"Themasterofhorse，EarlofSudley，"saidDouglas，"and——"
"Thatisanobservationinthehighestdegreesuperfluous，"
interruptedJohnHeywood；"itisperfectlywellunderstoodbyitselfthatthemasterofhorseaccompaniesthequeen。Thatisjustasmuchhisofficeasitisyourstosingthesongofyourcousin，myparrot。"
"Heisright，"saidthekingquickly。"ThomasSeymourmustaccompanyher，anditismywillalso。ThomasSeymourisafaithfulservant，andthishehasinheritedfromhissisterJane，mymuchlovedqueen，nowatrestwithGod，thatheisdevotedtohiskinginsteadfastaffection。"
"ThetimehasnotyetcomewhenonemayassailtheSeymours，"
thoughttheearl。"Thekingisyetattachedtothem；sohewillfeelhostiletowardthefoesoftheSeymours。LetusthenbeginourattackonHenryHoward——thatistosay，onthequeen。"
"Whoaccompaniedthequeenbesides？"inquiredHenrytheEighth，emptyingthegoldenbeakeratadraught，asthoughhewouldtherebycoolthefirewhichalreadybegantoblazewithinhim。ButthefieryRhenishwineinsteadofcoolingonlyheatedhimyetmore；itdrove，likeatempest，thefirekindledinhisjealousheartinbrightflamestohishead，andmadehisbrainglowlikehisheart。
"Whoelseaccompaniedherbesidethese？"askedEarlDouglascarelessly。"Well，Ithink，thelordchamberlain，EarlofSurrey。"
Adarkscowngatheredontheking'sbrow。Thelionhadscentedhisprey。
"Thelordchamberlainisnotinthequeen'strain！"saidJohnHeywoodearnestly。
"No，"exclaimedEarlDouglas。"Thepoorearl。Thatwillmakehimverysad。"
"Andwhythinkyouthatwillmakehimsad？"askedthekinginavoiceveryliketherollofdistantthunder。
"BecausetheEarlofSurreyisaccustomedtoliveinthesunshineofroyalfavor，sire；becauseheresemblesthatflowerwhichalwaysturnsitsheadtothesun，andreceivesfromitvigor，color，andbrilliancy。"
"Lethimtakecarethatthesundoesnotscorchhim，"mutteredtheking。
"Earl，"saidJohnHeywood，"youmustputonyourspectaclessothatyoucanseebetter。Thistimeyouhaveconfoundedthesunwithoneofitssatellites。EarlSurreyisfartooprudentamantobesofoolishastogazeatthesun，andtherebyblindhiseyesandparchhisbrain。Andsoheissatisfiedtoworshiponeoftheplanetsthatcircleroundthesun。"
"Whatdoesthefoolintendtosaybythat？"askedtheearlcontemptuously。
"Thewisewilltherebygiveyoutounderstandthatyouhavethistimemistakenyourdaughterforthequeen，"saidJohnHeywood，emphasizingsharplyeveryword，"andthatithashappenedtoyou，astomanyagreatastrologer，youhavetakenaplanetforasun。"
EarlDouglascastadark，spitefullookatJohnHeywood，whoanswereditwithoneequallypiercingandfurious。
Theireyeswerefirmlyfixedoneachother's，andinthoseeyestheybothreadallthehatredandallthebitternesswhichwereworkinginthedepthsoftheirsouls。Bothknewthattheyhadfromthathoursworntoeachotheranenmityburningandfullofdanger。
Thekinghadnoticednothingofthisdumbbutsignificantscene。Hewaslookingdown，broodingoverhisgloomythoughts，andthestorm-
cloudsrollingaroundhisbrowgathereddarkeranddarker。
Withanimpetuousmovementhearosefromhisseat，andthistimeheneedednohelpinghandtostandup。Wrathwasthemightyleverthatthrewhimup。
Thecourtiersarosefromtheirseatsinsilence，andnobodybesidesJohnHeywoodobservedthelookofunderstandingwhichEarlDouglasexchangedwithGardiner，bishopofWinchester，andWriothesley，thelordchancellor。
"Ah，whyisnotCranmerhere？"saidJohnHeywoodtohimself。"Iseethethreetiger-catsprowling，sotheremustbepreytodevoursomewhere。Well，Iwillatanyratekeepmyearsopenwideenoughtoheartheirroaring。"
"Thedinnerisover，gentlemen！"saidthekinghastily；andthecourtiersandgentlemeninwaitingsilentlywithdrewtotheanteroom。
OnlyEarlDouglas，Gardiner，andWriothesley，remainedinthehall，whileJohnHeywoodcreptsoftlyintotheking'scabinetandconcealedhimselfbehindthehangingofgoldbrocadewhichcoveredthedoorleadingfromtheking'sstudytotheouteranteroom。
"Mylords，"saidtheking，"followmeintomycabinet。Aswearedull，themostadvisablethingforustodoistodivertourselveswhileweoccupyourselveswiththewealofourbelovedsubjects，andconsultconcerningtheirhappinessandwhatisconducivetotheirwelfare。Followmethen，andwewillholdageneralconsultation。"
"EarlDouglas，yourarm！"andasthekingleanedonitandwalkedslowlytowardthecabinet，attheentranceofwhichthelordchancellorandtheBishopofWinchesterwerewaitingforhim，heaskedinalowvoice:"YousaythatHenryHowarddareseverintrudehimselfintothequeen'spresence？"
"Sire，Ididnotsaythat；Imeantonlythatheisconstantlytobeseeninthequeen'spresence。"
"Oh，youmeanthatsheperhapsauthorizeshimtodoso，"saidtheking，grindinghisteeth。
"Sire，Iholdthequeentobeanobleanddutifulwife。"
"Ishouldbequiteinclinedtolayyourheadatyourfeetifyoudidnot！"saidtheking，inwhosefacethefirstlightningoftheburstingcloudofwrathbegantoflash。
"Myheadbelongstotheking！"saidEarlDouglasrespectfully。"Lethimdowithitashepleases。"
"ButHoward——youmean，then，thatHowardlovesthequeen？"
"Yes，sire，Idareaffirmthat。"
"Now，bytheMotherofGod，Iwilltreadtheserpentundermyfeet，asIdidhissister！"exclaimedHenry，fiercely。"TheHowardsareanambitious，dangerous，andhypocriticalrace。"
"Aracethatneverforgetsthatadaughteroftheirhousehassatonyourthrone。"
"Buttheyshallforgetit，"criedtheking，"andImustwashtheseproudandhaughtythoughtsoutoftheirbrainwiththeirownblood。
Theyhavenotthenlearned，fromtheexampleoftheirsister，howI
punishdisloyalty。Thisinsolentraceneedsanotherfreshexample。
Well，theyshallhaveit。Onlyputthemeansinmyhand，Douglas，onlyalittlehookthatIcanstrikeintothefleshoftheseHowards，andItellyou，withthatlittlehookIwilldragthemtothescaffold。Givemeproofoftheearl'scriminallove，andI
promiseyouthatforthisIwillgrantyouwhatyouask。"
"Sire，Iwillgiveyouthisproof。"
"When？"
"Infourdays，sire！Atthegreatcontestofthepoets，whichyouhaveorderedtotakeplaceonthequeen'sbirthday。"
"Ithankyou，Douglas，Ithankyou，"saidthekingwithanexpressionalmostofjoy。InfourdaysyouwillhaveridmeofthetroublesomeraceofHowards。"
"But，sire，ifIcannotgivetheproofyoudemandwithoutaccusingoneotherperson？"
Theking，whowasjustabouttopassthedoorofhiscabinet，stoodstill，andlookedsteadilyintotheearl'seyes。"Then，"saidhe，inatonepeculiarlyawful，"youmeanthequeen？Well，ifsheisguilty，Iwillpunishher。GodhasplacedtheswordinmyhandthatImaybearittoHishonorandtotheterrorofmankind。Ifthequeenhassinned，shewillbepunished。FurnishmetheproofofHoward'sguilt，anddonottroubleyourselfifwetherebydiscovertheguiltofothers。Weshallnottimidlyshrinkback，butletjusticetakeitscourse。"
CHAPTERXIV。
THEQUEEN'SFRIEND。
EarlDouglas，Gardiner，andWriothesley，hadaccompaniedthekingintohiscabinet。
Atlastthegreatblowwastobestruck，andtheplanofthethreeenemiesofthequeen，solongmaturedandwell-considered，wastobeatlengthputinexecution。Therefore，astheyfollowedtheking，whowithunwontedactivityprecededthem，theyexchangedwitheachotheronemorelookofmutualunderstanding。
BythatlookEarlDouglassaid，"Thehourhascome。Beready！"
Andthelooksofhisfriendsresponded，"Weareready！"
JohnHeywood，who，hiddenbehindthehangings，sawandobservedeverything，couldnotforbearaslightshudderatthesightofthesefourmen，whosedarkandhardfeaturesseemedincapableofbeingtouchedbyanyrayofpityormercy。
Therewasfirsttheking，thatmanwiththeProteancountenance，acrosswhichstormandsunshine，Godandthedeviltracedeachminutenewlines；whocouldbenowaninspiredenthusiast，andnowabloodthirstytyrant；nowasentimentalwit，andanonawantonreveler；theking，onwhoseconstancynobody，notevenhimself，couldrely；everready，asitsuitedhiscapriceorhisinterest，tobetrayhismostfaithfulfriend，andtosendtothescaffoldto-daythosewhombutyesterdayhehadcaressedandassuredofhisunchangingaffection；theking，whoconsideredhimselfprivilegedtoindulgewithimpunityhislowappetites，hisrevengefulimpulses，hisbloodthirstyinclinations；whowasdevoutfromvanity，becausedevotionaffordedhimanopportunityofidentifyinghimselfwithGod，andofregardinghimselfinsomesortthepatronofDeity。
TherewasEarlDouglas，thecraftycourtierwithever-smilingface，whoseemedtoloveeverybody，whileinfacthehatedall；whoassumedtheappearanceofperfectharmlessness，andseemedtobeindifferenttoeverythingbutpleasure，whileneverthelesssecretlyheheldinhishandallthestringsofthatgreatnetwhichencompassedalikecourtandking——EarlDouglas，whomthekinglovedforthisalone，becausehegenerallygavehimthetitleofgrandandwisehigh-priestoftheChurch，andwhowas，notwithstandingthis，Loyola'svicegerent，andatrueandfaithfuladherentofthatpopewhohaddamnedthekingasadegeneratesonandgivenhimovertothewrathofGod。
Lastly，therewerethetwomenwithdark，malignantlooks，withinflexible，stonyfaces，whichuereneverlightedupbyasmile，oragleamofjoy；whoalwayscondemned，alwayspunished，andwhosecountenancesneverbrightenedsavewhenthedyingshriekofthecondemned，orthegroansofsomepoorwretchupontherack，fellupontheirears；whowerethetormentorsofhumanity，whiletheycalledthemselvestheministersandservantsofGod。
"Sire，"saidGardiner，whenthekinghadslowlytakenhisseatupontheottoman——"sire，letusfirstasktheblessingoftheLordourGodonthishourofconference。MayGod，whoislove，butwhoiswrathalso，mayHeenlightenandblessus！"
Thekingdevoutlyfoldedhishands，butitwasonlyaprayerofwraththatanimatedhissoul。
"Grant，OGod，thatImaypunishThineenemies，andeverywheredashinpiecestheguilty！"
"Amen！"saidGardiner，asherepeatedwithsolemnearnestnesstheking'swords。
"SendusthethunderboltofThywrath，"prayedWriothesley，"thatwemayteachtheworldtorecognizeThypowerandglory！"
EarlDouglastookcarenottoprayaloud。WhathehadtorequestofGodwasnotallowedtoreachtheearoftheking。
"Grant，OGod，"prayedheinhisheart，"grantthatmyworkmayprosper，andthatthisdangerousqueenmayascendthescaffold，tomakeroomformydaughter，whoisdestinedtobringbackintothearmsofourholymother，theChurch——guiltyandfaithlessking。"
"Nowmylords，"saidtheking，fetchingalongbreath，"nowtellmehowstandmattersinmykingdom，andatmycourt？"
"Badly，"saidGardiner。"Unbeliefagainliftsupitshead。Itisahydra。Ifyoustrikeoffoneofitsheads，twoothersimmediatelyspringupinitsplace。Thiscursedsectofreformistsandatheistsmultipliesdaybyday，andourprisonsarenolongersufficienttocontainthem；andwhenwedragthemtothestake，theirjoyfulandcourageousdeathalwaysmakesfreshproselytesandfreshapostates。"
"Yes，mattersarebad，"saidtheLordChancellorWriothesley；"invainhavewepromisedpardonandforgivenesstoallthosewhowouldreturnpenitentandcontrite；theylaughtoscornouroffersofpardon，andpreferadeathoftorturetotheroyalclemency。WhatavailsitthatwehaveburnttodeathMilesCoverdale，whohadthehardihoodtotranslatetheBible？Hisdeathappearstohavebeenonlythetocsinthatarousedotherfanatics，and，withoutourbeingabletodivineorsuspectwhereallthesebookscomefrom，theyhaveoverflowedanddelugedthewholeland；andwenowalreadyhavemorethanfourtranslationsoftheBible。Thepeoplereadthemwitheagerness；andthecorruptseekofmentalilluminationandfree-
thinkingwaxesdailymorepowerfulandmorepernicious。"
"Andnowyou，EarlDouglas？"askedtheking，whenthelordchancellorceased。"Thesenoblelordshavetoldmehowmattersstandinmykingdom。Youwilladvisemewhatistheaspectofthingsatmycourt。"
"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，slowlyandsolemnly——forhewishedeachwordtosinkintotheking'sbreastlikeapoisonedarrow——"sire，thepeoplebutfollowtheexamplewhichthecourtsetsthem。Howcanyourequirefaithofthepeople，whenundertheirowneyesthecourtturnsfaithtoridicule，andwheninfidelsfindatcourtaidandprotection？"
"Youaccuse，butgivenonames，"saidtheking，impatiently。"Whodaresatmycourtbeaprotectorofheretics？"
"Cranmer，ArchbishopofCanterbury！"saidthethreemen，aswithonemouth。Thesignal-wordwasspoken，thestandardofabloodystrugglesetup。
"Cranmer？"repeatedthekingthoughtfully。"Hehas，however，alwaysbeenafaithfulservantandanattentivefriendtome。ItwashewhodeliveredmefromtheunholybondwithCatharineofAragon:itwashetoowhowarnedmeofCatharineHoward，andfurnishedmewithproofsofherguilt。Ofwhatmisdemeanordoyouaccusehim？"
"Hedeniesthesixarticles，"saidGardiner，whosemaliciousfacenowglowedwithbitterhatred。"Hereprobatesauricularconfession，andbelievesnotthatthevoluntarilytakenvowsofcelibacyarebinding。"
"Ifhedoesthat，thenheisatraitor！"criedtheking，whowasfondofalwaysthrowingareverenceforchastityandmodesty，asakindofholymantle，overhisownprofligateandlewdlife；andwhomnothingmoreembitteredthantoencounteranotheronthatpathofvicewhichhehimself，byvirtueofhisroyalprerogative，andhiscrownbythegraceofGod，couldtravelinperfectsafety。
"Ifhedoesthat，thenheisatraitor！Myarmofvengeancewillsmitehim！"repeatedthekingagain。"ItwasIwhogavemypeoplethesixarticles，asasacredandauthoritativedeclarationoffaith；andIwillnotsufferthisonlytrueandrightdoctrinetobeassailedandobscured。Butyouaremistaken，mylords。IamacquaintedwithCranmer，andIknowthatheisloyalandfaithful。"
"Andyetitishe，"saidGardiner，"whoconfirmsthesehereticsintheirobduracyandstiff-neckedness。Heisthecausewhytheselostwretchesdonot，fromthefearofdivinewrathatleast，returntoyou，theirsovereignandhigh-priest。ForhepreachestothemthatGodisloveandmercy；heteachesthemthatChristcameintotheworldinordertobringtotheworldloveandtheforgivenessofsins，andthattheyaloneareChrist'struedisciplesandservantswhoemulateHislove。Doyounotseethen，sire，thatthisisacovertandindirectaccusationagainstyourself，andthatwhilehepraisespardoninglove，heatthesametimecondemnsandaccusesyourrighteousandpunitorywrath？"
Thekingdidnotanswerimmediately，butsatwithhiseyesfixed，graveandpondering。Thefanaticalpriesthadgonetoofar；and，withoutbeingawareofit，itwashehimselfwhowasthatveryinstantaccusingtheking。
EarlDouglasfeltthis。Hereadintheking'sfacethathewasjusttheninoneofthosemomentsofcontritionwhichsometimescameoverhimwhenhissoulheldinvoluntaryintercoursewithitself。Itwasnecessarytoarousethesleepingtigerandpointouttohimsomeprey，soastomakehimagainbloodthirsty。
"ItwouldbeproperifCranmerpreachedonlyChristianlove，"saidhe。"ThenwouldhebeonlyafaithfulservantofhisLord，andafollowerofhisking。Buthegivestotheworldanabominableexampleofadisobedientandperfidiousservant；hedeniesthetruthofthesixarticles，notinwords，butindeeds。YouhaveorderedthatthepriestsoftheChurchremainsingle。Now，then，theArchbishopofCanterburyismarried！"
"Married！"criedtheking，hisvisageglowingwithrage。"Ah，Iwillchastisehim，thistransgressorofmyholylaws！AministeroftheChurch，apriest，whosewholelifeshouldbenaughtbutanexhibitionofholiness，anendlesscommunionwithGod，andwhosehighcallingitistorenouncefleshlylustsandearthlydesires！
Andheismarried！Iwillmakehimfeelthewholeweightofmyroyalanger！Heshalllearnfromhisownexperiencethattheking'sjusticeisinexorable，andthatineverycasehesmitestheheadofthesinner，behewhohemay！"
"Yourmajestyistheembodimentofwisdomandjustice，"saidDouglas，"andyourfaithfulservantswellknow，iftheroyaljusticeissometimestardyinsmitingguiltyoffenders，thishappensnotthroughyourwill，butthroughyourservantswhoventuretostaythearmofjustice。"
"Whenandwherehasthishappened？"askedHenry；andhisfaceflushedwithrageandexcitement。"WhereistheoffenderwhomIhavenotpunished？WhereinmyrealmlivesabeingwhohassinnedagainstGodorhisking，andwhomIhavenotdashedtoatoms？"
"Sire，"saidGardinersolemnly，"AnneAskewisyetalive。"
"Shelivestomockatyourwisdomandtoscoffatyourholycreed！"
criedWriothesley。
"Shelives，becauseBishopCranmerwillsthatsheshouldnotdie，"
saidDouglas，shrugginghisshoulders。Thekingbrokeoutintoashort，drylaugh。"Ah，CranmerwillsnotthatAnneAskewdie！"saidhe，sneering。"Hewillsnotthatthisgirl，whohassofearfullyoffendedagainstherking，andagainstGod，shouldhepunished！"
"Yes，shehasoffendedfearfully，andyettwoyearshavepassedawaysinceheroffence，"criedGardiner——"twoyearswhichshehasspentinderidingGodandmockingtheking！"
"Ah，"saidtheking，"wehavestillhopedtoturnthisyoung，misguidedcreaturefromthewaysofsinanderrortothepathofwisdomandrepentance。Wewishedforoncetogiveourpeopleashiningexampleofourwillingnesstoforgivethosewhorepentandrenouncetheirheresy，andtorestorethemtoaparticipationofourroyalfavor。Thereforeitwasthatwecommissionedyou，mylordhishop，byvirtueofyourprayersandyourforcibleandconvincingwords，topluckthispoorchildfromtheclawsofthedevil，whohascharmedherear。"
"Butsheisunbending，"saidGardiner，grindinghisteeth。"InvainhaveIdepictedtoherthepainsofhell，whichawaitherifshereturnnottothefaith；invainhaveIsubjectedhertoeveryvarietyoftortureandpenance；invainhaveIsenttoherinprisonotherconverts，andhadthempraywithhernightanddayincessantly；sheremainsunyielding，hardasstone，andneitherthefearofpunishmentnortheprospectoffreedomandhappinesshasthepowertosoftenthatmarbleheart。"
"Thereisonemeansyetuntried，"saidWriothesley——"ameans，moreover，whichisamoreeffectivepreacherofrepentancethanthemostenthusiasticoratorsandthemostferventprayers，andwhichI
havetothankforbringingbacktoGodandthefaithmanyofthemosthardenedheretics。"
"Andthismeansis——"
"Therack，yourmajesty。"
"Ah，therack！"repliedtheking，withaninvoluntaryshudder。
"Allmeansaregoodthatleadtotheholyend！"saidGardiner，devoutlyfoldinghishands。
"Thesoulmustbesaved，thoughthebodybepiercedwithwounds！"
criedWriothesley。
"Thepeoplemustbeconvinced，"saidDouglas，"thattheloftyspiritofthekingsparesnoteventhosewhoareundertheprotectionofinfluentialandmightpersonages。Thepeoplemurmurthatthistimejusticeisnotpermittedtoprevail，becauseArchbishopCranmerprotectsAnneAskew，andthequeenisherfriend。"
"Thequeenisneverthefriendofacriminal！"saidHenry，vehemently。
"PerchanceshedoesnotconsiderAnneAskewacriminal，"respondedKarlDouglas，withaslightsmile。"Itisknown，indeed，thatthequeenisagreatfriendoftheReformation；andthepeople，whodarenotcallheraheretic——thepeoplecallher'theProtestant。'"
"Isit，then，reallybelievedthatitisCatharinewhoprotectsAnneAskew，andkeepsherfromthestake？"inquiredtheking，thoughtfully。
"Itissothought，yourmajesty。"
"Theyshallsoonseethattheyaremistaken，andthatHenrytheEighthwelldeservestobecalledtheDefenderoftheFaithandtheHeadofhisChurch！"criedtheking，withburningrage。"ForwhenhaveIshownmyselfsolong-sufferingandweakinpunishing，thatpeoplebelievemeinclinedtopardonanddealgently？HaveInotsenttothescaffoldevenThomasMoreandCromwell，tworenownedandinacertainrespectnobleandhigh-mindedmen，becausetheydareddefymysupremacyandopposethedoctrineandordinancewhichI
commandedthemtobelieve？HaveInotsenttotheblocktwoofmyqueens——twobeautifulyoungwomen，inwhommyheartwaswellpleased，evenwhenIpunishedthem——becausetheyhadprovokedmywrath？Who，aftersuchbrilliantexamplesofourannihilatingjustice，whodareaccuseusofforbearance？"
"Butatthattime，sire，"saidDouglas，inhissoft，insinuatingvoice，"butatthattimenoqueenasyetstoodatyoursidewhocalledhereticstruebelievers，andfavoredtraitorswithherfriendship。"
Thekingfrowned，andhiswrathfullookencounteredthefriendlyandsubmissivecountenanceoftheearl。"YouknowIhatethesecovertattacks，"saidhe。"Ifyoucantaxthequeenwithanycrime，wellnow，doso。Ifyoucannot，holdyourpeace！"
"Thequeenisanobleandvirtuouslady，"saidtheearl，"onlyshesometimespermitsherselftobeledawaybyhermagnanimousspirit。
Orhow，yourmajesty，canitpossiblybewithyourpermissionthatmyladythequeenmaintainsacorrespondencewithAnneAskew？"
"Whatsayyou？ThequeenincorrespondencewithAnneAskew？"criedthekinginavoiceofthunder。"Thatisalie，ashamelesslie，hatcheduptoruinthequeen；foritisverywellknownthatthepoorking，whohasbeensooftendeceived，sooftenimposedupon，believeshimselftohaveatlastfoundinthiswomanabeingwhomhecantrust，andinwhomhecanputfaith。Andtheygrudgehimthat。