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diff --git a/old/3476-h.htm.2021-01-27 b/old/3476-h.htm.2021-01-27 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0b89a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/3476-h.htm.2021-01-27 @@ -0,0 +1,18729 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Henry VIII and his Court, by Louise Muhlbach + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Henry VIII And His Court, by Louise Muhlbach + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Henry VIII And His Court + +Author: Louise Muhlbach + +Translator: H. N. Pierce + +Release Date: February 1, 2009 [EBook #3476] +Last Updated: October 14, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY VIII AND HIS COURT *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Franks, Ralph Zimmermann, The Online +Distributed Proofreading Team, and David Widger + + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + HENRY VIII AND HIS COURT + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + A HISTORICAL NOVEL + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Louise Muhlbach + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated From German, by H. N. Pierce + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> CHOOSING A + CONFESSOR. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> THE + QUEEN AND HER FRIEND <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. + </a> KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> + CHAPTER IV. </a> KING BY THE WRATH OF GOD. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> THE RIVALS. <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> THE INTERCESSION. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> HENRY + THE EIGHTH AND HIS WIVES. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER + VIII. </a> FATHER AND DAUGHTER. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> LENDEMAIN. <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> THE KING’S FOOL. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> THE + RIDE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> THE + DECLARATION. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> "LE + ROI S’ENNUIT.” <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> THE + QUEEN’S FRIEND. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> JOHN + HEYWOOD. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> THE + CONFIDANT. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> GAMMER + GUETON’S NEEDLE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> LADY + JANE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> LOYOLA’S + GENERAL. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> THE + PRISONER. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> PRINCESS + ELIZABETH. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> HENRY + HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER + XXIII. </a> BROTHER AND SISTER. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> THE QUEEN’S TOILET. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a> THE + QUEEN’S ROSETTE. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a> REVENGE. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. </a> THE + ACKNOWLEDGMENT. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. </a> INTRIGUES. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. </a> THE + ACCUSATION. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. </a> THE + FEAST OF DEATH. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. </a> THE + QUEEN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. </a> UNDECEIVED. + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII. </a> NEW + INTRIGUES. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV. </a> THE + KING AND THE PRIEST. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. + </a> CHESS-PLAY. <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER + XXXVI. </a> THE CATASTROPHE. <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII. </a> "LE + ROI EST MORT—VIVE LA REINE!” <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. CHOOSING A CONFESSOR. + </h2> + <p> + It was in the year 1543. King Henry the Eighth of England that day once + more pronounced himself the happiest and most enviable man in his kingdom, + for to-day he was once more a bridegroom, and Catharine Parr, the youthful + widow of Baron Latimer, had the perilous happiness of being selected as + the king’s sixth consort. + </p> + <p> + Merrily chimed the bells of all the steeples of London, announcing to the + people the commencement of that holy ceremony which sacredly bound + Catharine Parr to the king as his sixth wife. The people, ever fond of + novelty and show, crowded through the streets toward the royal palace to + catch a sight of Catharine, when she appeared at her husband’s side upon + the balcony, to show herself to the English people as their queen, and to + receive their homage in return. + </p> + <p> + Surely it was a proud and lofty success for the widow of a petty baron to + become the lawful wife of the King of England, and to wear upon her brow a + royal crown! But yet Catharine Parr’s heart was moved with a strange fear, + her cheeks were pale and cold, and before the altar her closely compressed + lips scarcely had the power to part, and pronounce the binding “I will.” + </p> + <p> + At last the sacred ceremony was completed. The two spiritual dignitaries, + Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, + then, in accordance with court etiquette, led the young bride into her + apartments, in order to bless them, and once more to pray with her, before + the worldly festivities should begin. + </p> + <p> + Catharine, however, pale and agitated, had yet sustained her part in the + various ceremonies of the day with a true queenly bearing and dignity; + and, as now with head proudly erect and firm step, she walked with a + bishop at either side through the splendid apartments, no one suspected + how heavy a burden weighed upon her heart, and what baleful voices were + whispering in her breast. + </p> + <p> + Followed by her new court, she had traversed with her companions the state + apartments, and now reached the inner rooms. Here, according to the + etiquette of the time, she must dismiss her court, and only the two + bishops and her ladies of honor were permitted to accompany the queen into + the drawing-room. But farther than this chamber even the bishops + themselves might not follow her. The king himself had written down the + order for the day, and he who swerved from this order in the most + insignificant point would have been proclaimed guilty of high treason, and + perhaps have been led out to death. + </p> + <p> + Catharine, therefore, turned with a languid smile to the two high + ecclesiastics, and requested them to await here her summons. Then + beckoning to her ladies of honor, she withdrew into her boudoir. + </p> + <p> + The two bishops remained by themselves in the drawing-room. The + circumstance of their being alone seemed to impress them both alike and + unpleasantly; for a dark scowl gathered on the brows of both, and they + withdrew, as if at a concerted signal, to the opposite sides of the + spacious apartment. + </p> + <p> + A long pause ensued. Nothing was heard save the regular ticking of a large + clock of rare workmanship which stood over the fireplace, and from the + street afar off, the rejoicing of the people, who surged toward the palace + like a roaring sea. + </p> + <p> + Gardiner had stepped to the window, and was looking up with his peculiar + dark smile at the clouds which, driven by the tempest, were sweeping + across the heavens. + </p> + <p> + Cranmer stood by the wall on the opposite side, and sunk in sad thoughts, + was contemplating a large portrait of Henry the Eighth, the masterly + production of Holbein. As he gazed on that countenance, indicative at once + of so much dignity and so much ferocity; as he contemplated those eyes + which shone with such gloomy severity, those lips on which was a smile at + once voluptuous and fierce, there came over him a feeling of deep sympathy + with the young woman whom he had that day devoted to such splendid misery. + He reflected that he had, in like manner, already conducted two wives of + the king to the marriage altar, and had blessed their union. But he + reflected, too, that he had also, afterward, attended both these queens + when they ascended the scaffold. + </p> + <p> + How easily might this pitiable young wife of the king fall a victim to the + same dark fate! How easily might Catharine Parr, like Anne Boleyn and + Catharine Howard, purchase her short-lived glory with an ignominious + death! At any time an inconsiderate word, a look, a smile, might be her + ruin. For the king’s choler and jealousy were incalculable, and, to his + cruelty, no punishment seemed too severe for those by whom he fancied + himself injured. + </p> + <p> + Such were the thoughts which occupied Bishop Cranmer. They softened him, + and caused the dark wrinkles to disappear from his brow. + </p> + <p> + He now smiled to himself at the ill-humor which he had felt shortly + before, and upbraided himself for having been so little mindful of his + holy calling, and for having exhibited so little readiness to meet his + enemy in a conciliating spirit. + </p> + <p> + For Gardiner was his enemy; that Cranmer very well knew. Gardiner had + often enough showed him this by his deeds, as he had also taken pains by + his words to assure him of his friendship. + </p> + <p> + But even if Gardiner hated him, it did not therefore follow that Cranmer + was obliged to return that hatred; that he should denominate him his + enemy, whom he, in virtue of their mutual high calling, was bound to honor + and love as his brother. + </p> + <p> + The noble Cranmer was, therefore, ashamed of his momentary ill-humor. A + gentle smile lighted up his peaceful countenance. With an air at once + dignified and friendly, he crossed the room and approached the Bishop of + Winchester. + </p> + <p> + Lord Gardiner turned toward him with morose looks, and, without advancing + from the embrasure of the window in which he was standing, waited for + Cranmer to advance to him. As he looked into that noble, smiling + countenance, he had a feeling as if he must raise his fist and dash it + into the face of this man, who had the boldness to wish to be his equal, + and to contend with him for fame and honor. + </p> + <p> + But he reflected in good time that Cranmer was still the king’s favorite, + and therefore he must proceed to work against him with great caution. + </p> + <p> + So he forced these fierce thoughts back into his heart, and let his face + again assume its wonted grave and impenetrable expression. + </p> + <p> + Cranmer now stood close before him, and his bright, beaming eye was fixed + upon Gardiner’s sullen countenance. + </p> + <p> + “I come to your highness,” said Cranmer, in his gentle, pleasant voice, + “to say to you that I wish with my whole heart the queen may choose you + for her confessor and spiritual director, and to assure you that, should + this be the case, there will not be in my soul, on that account, the least + rancor, or the slightest dissatisfaction. I shall fully comprehend it, if + her majesty chooses the distinguished and eminent Bishop of Winchester as + her confessor, and the esteem and admiration which I entertain for you can + only be enhanced thereby. In confirmation of this, permit me to offer you + my hand.” He presented his hand to Gardiner, who, however, took it + reluctantly and but for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Your highness is very noble, and at the same time a very subtle + diplomatist, for you only wish in an adroit and ingenious way to give me + to understand how I am to act should the queen choose you for her + spiritual director. But that she will do so, you know as well as I. It is, + therefore, for me only a humiliation which etiquette imposes when she + compels me to stand here and wait to see whether I shall be chosen, or + contemptuously thrust aside.” + </p> + <p> + “Why will you look at matters in so unfriendly a light?” said Cranmer, + gently. “Wherefore will you consider it a mark of contempt, if you are not + chosen to an office to which, indeed, neither merit nor worthiness can + call us, but only the personal confidence of a young woman?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! you admit that I shall not be chosen?” cried Gardiner, with a + malicious smile. + </p> + <p> + “I have already told you that I am wholly uninformed as to the queen’s + wish, and I think it is known that the Bishop of Canterbury is wont to + speak the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly that is known, but it is known also that Catharine Parr was a + warm admirer of the Bishop of Canterbury; and now that she has gained her + end and become queen, she will make it her duty to show her gratitude to + him.” + </p> + <p> + “You would by that insinuate that I have made her queen. But I assure your + highness, that here also, as in so many other matters which relate to + myself, you are falsely informed.” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly!” said Gardiner, coldly. “At any rate, it is certain that the + young queen is an ardent advocate of the abominable new doctrine which, + like the plague, has spread itself from Germany over all Europe and + scattered mischief and ruin through all Christendom. Yes, Catharine Parr, + the present queen, leans to that heretic against whom the Holy Father at + Rome has hurled his crushing anathema. She is an adherent of the + Reformation.” + </p> + <p> + “You forget,” said Cranmer, with an arch smile, “that this anathema was + hurled against the head of our king also, and that it has shown itself + equally ineffectual against Henry the Eighth as against Luther. Besides, I + might remind you that we no longer call the Pope of Rome, ‘Holy Father,’ + and that you yourself have recognized the king as the head of our church.” + </p> + <p> + Gardiner turned away his face in order to conceal the vexation and rage + which distorted his features. He felt that he had gone too far, that he + had betrayed too much of the secret thoughts of his soul. But he could not + always control his violent and passionate nature; and however much a man + of the world and diplomatist he might be, still there were moments when + the fanatical priest got the better of the man of the world, and the + diplomat was forced to give way to the minister of the church. + </p> + <p> + Cranmer pitied Gardiner’s confusion, and, following the native goodness of + his heart, he said pleasantly: “Let us not strive here about dogmas, nor + attempt to determine whether Luther or the pope is most in the wrong. We + stand here in the chamber of the young queen. Let us, therefore, occupy + ourselves a little with the destiny of this young woman whom God has + chosen for so brilliant a lot.” + </p> + <p> + “Brilliant?” said Gardiner, shrugging his shoulders. “Let us first wait + for the termination of her career, and then decide whether it has been + brilliant. Many a queen before this has fancied that she was resting on a + couch of myrtles and roses, and has suddenly become conscious that she was + lying on a red-hot gridiron, which consumed her.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” murmured Cranmer, with a slight shudder, “it is a dangerous + lot to be the king’s consort. But just on that account let us not make the + perils of her position still greater, by adding to them our own enmity and + hate. Just on that account I beg you (and on my part I pledge you my word + for it) that, let the choice of the queen be as it may, there may be no + feeling of anger, and no desire for revenge in consequence. My God, the + poor women are such odd beings, so unaccountable in their wishes and in + their inclinations!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it seems you know the women very intimately,” cried Gardiner, with a + malicious laugh. “Verily, were you not Archbishop of Canterbury, and had + not the king prohibited the marriage of ecclesiastics as a very grave + crime, one might suppose that you had a wife yourself, and had gained from + her a thorough knowledge of female character.” + </p> + <p> + Cranmer, somewhat embarrassed, turned away, and seemed to evade Gardiner’s + piercing look. “We are not speaking of myself,” said he at length, “but of + the young queen, and I entreat for her your good wishes. I have seen her + to-day almost for the first time, and have never spoken with her, but her + countenance has touchingly impressed me, and it appeared to me, her looks + besought us to remain at her side, ready to help her on this difficult + pathway, which five wives have already trod before her, and in which they + found only misery and tears, disgrace, and blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Let Catharine beware then that she does not forsake the right way, as her + five predecessors have done!” exclaimed Gardiner. “May she be prudent and + cautious, and may she be enlightened by God, that she may hold the true + faith, and have true wisdom, and not allow herself to be seduced into the + crooked path of the godless and heretical, but remain faithful and + steadfast with those of the true faith!” + </p> + <p> + “Who can say who are of the true faith?” murmured Cranmer, sadly. “There + are so many paths leading to heaven, who knows which is the right one?” + </p> + <p> + “That which we tread!” cried Gardiner, with all the overweening pride of a + minister of the church. “Woe to the queen should she take any other road! + Woe to her if she lends her ear to the false doctrines which come ringing + over here from Germany and Switzerland, and in the worldly prudence of her + heart imagines that she can rest secure! I will be her most faithful and + zealous servant, if she is with me; I will be her most implacable enemy if + she is against me.” + </p> + <p> + “And will you call it being against you, if the queen does not choose you + for her confessor?” + </p> + <p> + “Will you ask me to call it, being for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Now God grant that she may choose you!” exclaimed Cranmer, fervently, as + he clasped his hands and raised his eyes to heaven. “Poor, unfortunate + queen! The first proof of thy husband’s love may be thy first misfortune! + Why gave he thee the liberty of choosing thine own spiritual director? Why + did he not choose for thee?” + </p> + <p> + And Cranmer dropped his head upon his breast, and sighed deeply. + </p> + <p> + At this instant the door of the royal chamber opened, and Lady Jane, + daughter of Earl Douglas, and first maid of honor to the queen, made her + appearance on the threshold. Both bishops regarded her in breathless + silence. It was a serious, a solemn moment, the deep importance of which + was very well comprehended by all three. + </p> + <p> + “Her majesty the queen,” said Lady Jane, in an agitated voice, “her + majesty requests the presence of Lord Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, + in her cabinet, in order that she may perform her devotions with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor queen!” murmured Cranmer, as he crossed the room to go to Catharine—“poor + queen! she has just made an implacable enemy.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane waited till Cranmer had disappeared through the door, then + hastened with eager steps to the bishop of Winchester, and dropping on her + knee, humbly said, “Grace, your highness, grace! My words were in vain, + and were not able to shake her resolution.” + </p> + <p> + Gardiner raised up the kneeling maiden, and forced a smile. “It is well,” + said he, “I doubt not of your zeal. You are a true handmaid of the church, + and she will love and reward you for it as a mother! It is then decided. + The queen is—” + </p> + <p> + “Is a heretic,” whispered Lady Jane. “Woe to her!” + </p> + <p> + “And will you be true, and will you faithfully adhere to us?” + </p> + <p> + “True, in every thought of my being, and every drop of my heart’s blood.” + </p> + <p> + “So shall we overcome Catharine Parr, as we overcame Catharine Howard. To + the block with the heretic! We found means of bringing Catharine Howard to + the scaffold; you, Lady Jane, must find the means of leading Catharine + Parr the same way.” + </p> + <p> + “I will find them,” said Lady Jane, quietly. “She loves and trusts me. I + will betray her friendship in order to remain true to my religion.” + </p> + <p> + “Catharine Parr then is lost,” said Gardiner, aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she is lost,” responded Earl Douglas, who had just entered, and + caught the last words of the bishop. “Yes, she is lost, for we are her + inexorable and ever-vigilant enemies. But I deem it not altogether prudent + to utter words like these in the queen’s drawing-room. Let us therefore + choose a more favorable hour. Besides, your highness, you must betake + yourself to the grand reception-hall, where the whole court is already + assembled, and now only awaits the king to go in formal procession for the + young queen, and conduct her to the balcony. Let us go, then.” + </p> + <p> + Gardiner nodded in silence, and betook himself to the reception-hall. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas with his daughter followed him. “Catharine Parr is lost,” + whispered he in Lady Jane’s ear. “Catharine Parr is lost, and you shall be + the king’s seventh wife.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst this was passing in the drawing-room, the young queen was on her + knees before Cranmer, and with him sending up to God fervent prayers for + prosperity and peace. Tears filled her eyes, and her heart trembled as if + before some approaching calamity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE QUEEN AND HER FRIEND + </h2> + <p> + At last this long day of ceremonies and festivities drew near its close, + and Catharine might soon hope to be, for the time, relieved from this + endless presenting and smiling, from this ever-renewed homage. + </p> + <p> + At her husband’s side she had shown herself on the balcony to receive the + greetings of the people, and to bow her thanks. Then in the spacious + audience-chamber her newly appointed court had passed before her in formal + procession, and she had exchanged a few meaningless, friendly words with + each of these lords and ladies. Afterward she had, at her husband’s side, + given audience to the deputations from the city and from Parliament. But + it was only with a secret shudder that she had received from their lips + the same congratulations and praises with which the authorities had + already greeted five other wives of the king. + </p> + <p> + Still she had been able to smile and seem happy, for she well knew that + the king’s eye was never off of her, and that all these lords and ladies + who now met her with such deference, and with homage apparently so + sincere, were yet, in truth, all her bitter enemies. For by her marriage + she had destroyed so many hopes, she had pushed aside so many who believed + themselves better fitted to assume the lofty position of queen! She knew + that these victims of disappointment would never forgive her this; that + she, who was but yesterday their equal, had to-day soared above them as + queen and mistress; she knew that all these were watching with spying eyes + her every word and action, in order, it might be, to forge therefrom an + accusation or a death-warrant. + </p> + <p> + But nevertheless she smiled! She smiled, though she felt that the choler + of the king, so easily kindled and so cruelly vindictive, ever swung over + her head like the sword of Damocles. + </p> + <p> + She smiled, so that this sword might not fall upon her. + </p> + <p> + At length all these presentations, this homage and rejoicing were well + over, and they came to the more agreeable and satisfactory part of the + feast. + </p> + <p> + They went to dinner. That was Catharine’s first moment of respite, of + rest. For when Henry the Eighth seated himself at table, he was no longer + the haughty monarch and the jealous husband, but merely the proficient + artiste and the impassioned gourmand; and whether the pastry was well + seasoned, and the pheasant of good flavor, was for him then a far more + important question than any concerning the weal of his people, and the + prosperity of his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + But after dinner came another respite, a new enjoyment, and this time a + more real one, which indeed for a while banished all gloomy forebodings + and melancholy fears from Catharine’s heart, and suffused her countenance + with the rosy radiance of cheerfulness and happy smiles. For King Henry + had prepared for his young wife a peculiar and altogether novel surprise. + He had caused to be erected in the palace of Whitehall a stage, whereon + was represented, by the nobles of the court, a comedy from Plautus. + Heretofore there had been no other theatrical exhibitions than those which + the people performed on the high festivals of the church, the morality and + the mystery plays. King Henry the Eighth was the first who had a stage + erected for worldly amusement likewise, and caused to be represented on it + subjects other than mere dramatized church history. As he freed the church + from its spiritual head, the pope, so he wished to free the stage from the + church, and to behold upon it other more lively spectacles than the + roasting of saints and the massacre of inspired nuns. + </p> + <p> + And why, too, represent such mock tragedies on the stage, when the king + was daily performing them in reality? The burning of Christian martyrs and + inspired virgins was, under the reign of the Christian king Henry, such a + usual and every-day occurrence, that it could afford a piquant + entertainment neither to the court nor to himself. + </p> + <p> + But the representation of a Roman comedy, that, however, was a new and + piquant pleasure, a surprise for the young queen. He had the “Curculio” + played before his wife, and if Catharine indeed could listen to the + licentious and shameless jests of the popular Roman poet only with bashful + blushes, Henry was so much the more delighted by it, and accompanied the + obscenest allusions and the most indecent jests with his uproarious + laughter and loud shouts of applause. + </p> + <p> + At length this festivity was also over with, and Catharine was now + permitted to retire with her attendants to her private apartments. + </p> + <p> + With a pleasant smile, she dismissed her cavaliers, and bade her women and + her second maid of honor, Anna Askew, go into her boudoir and await her + call. Then she gave her arm to her friend Lady Jane Douglas, and with her + entered her cabinet. + </p> + <p> + At last she was alone, at last unwatched. The smile disappeared from her + face, and an expression of deep sadness was stamped upon her features. + </p> + <p> + “Jane,” said she, “pray thee shut the doors and draw the window curtains, + so that nobody can see me, nobody hear me, no one except yourself, my + friend, the companion of my happy childhood. Oh, my God, my God, why was I + so foolish as to leave my father’s quiet, lonely castle and go out into + the world, which is so full of terror and horror?” + </p> + <p> + She sighed and groaned deeply; and burying her face in her hands, she sank + upon the ottoman, weeping and trembling. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane observed her with a peculiar smile of malicious satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “She is queen and she weeps,” said she to herself. “My God, how can a + woman possibly feel unhappy, and she a queen?” + </p> + <p> + She approached Catharine, and, seating herself on the tabouret at her + feet, she impressed a fervent kiss on the queen’s drooping hand. + </p> + <p> + “Your majesty weeping!” said she, in her most insinuating tone. “My God, + you are then unhappy; and I received with a loud cry of joy the news of my + friend’s unexpected good fortune. I thought to meet a queen, proud, happy, + and radiant with joy; and I was anxious and fearful lest the queen might + have ceased to be my friend. Wherefore I urged my father, as soon as your + command reached us, to leave Dublin and hasten with me hither. Oh, my God! + I wished to see you in your happiness and in your greatness.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine removed her hands from her face, and looked down at her friend + with a sorrowful smile. “Well,” said she, “are you not satisfied with what + you have seen? Have I not the whole day displayed to you the smiling + queen, worn a dress embroidered with gold? did not my neck glitter with + diamonds? did not the royal diadem shine in my hair? and sat not the king + by my side? Let that, then, be sufficient for the present. You have seen + the queen all day long. Allow me now for one brief, happy moment to be + again the feeling, sensitive woman, who can pour into the bosom of her + friend all her complaint and her wretchedness. Ah, Jane, if you knew how I + have longed for this hour, how I have sighed after you as the only balm + for my poor smitten heart, smitten even to death, how I have implored + Heaven for this day, for this one thing—‘Give me back my Jane, so + that she can weep with me, so that I may have one being at my side who + understands me, and does not allow herself to be imposed upon by the + wretched splendor of this outward display!’” + </p> + <p> + “Poor Catharine!” whispered Lady Jane, “poor queen!” + </p> + <p> + Catharine started and laid her hand, sparkling with brilliants, on Jane’s + lips. “Call me not thus!” said she. “Queen! My God, is not all the fearful + past heard again in that word? Queen! Is it not as much as to say, + condemned to the scaffold and a public criminal trial? Ah, Jane! a deadly + tremor runs through my members. I am Henry the Eighth’s sixth queen; I + shall also be executed, or, loaded with disgrace, be repudiated.” + </p> + <p> + Again she hid her face in her hands, and her whole frame shook; so she saw + not the smile of malicious satisfaction with which Lady Jane again + observed her. She suspected not with what secret delight her friend heard + her lamentations and sighs. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I am at least revenged!” thought Jane, while she lovingly stroked the + queen’s hair. “Yes, I am revenged! She has robbed me of a crown, but she + is wretched; and in the golden goblet which she presses to her lips she + will find nothing but wormwood! Now, if this sixth queen dies not on the + scaffold, still we may perhaps so work it that she dies of anxiety, or + deems it a pleasure to be able to lay down again her royal crown at + Henry’s feet.” + </p> + <p> + Then said she aloud: “But why these fears, Catharine? The king loves you; + the whole court has seen with what tender and ardent looks he has regarded + you to-day, and with what delight he has listened to your every word. + Certainly the king loves you.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine seized her hand impulsively. “The king loves me,” whispered she, + “and I, I tremble before him. Yes, more than that, his love fills me with + horror! His hands are dipped in blood, and as I saw him to-day in his + crimson robes I shuddered, and I thought, How soon, and my blood, too, + will dye this crimson!” + </p> + <p> + Jane smiled. “You are sick, Catharine,” said she. “This good fortune has + taken you by surprise, and your overstrained nerves now depict before you + all sorts of frightful forms. That is all.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Jane; these thoughts have ever been with me. They have attended + me ever since the king selected me for his wife.” + </p> + <p> + “And why, then, did you not refuse him?” asked Lady Jane. “Why did you not + say ‘no’ to the king’s suit?” + </p> + <p> + “Why did I not do it, ask you? Ah, Jane, are you such a stranger at this + court as not to know, then, that one must either fulfil the king’s behests + or die? My God, they envy me! They call me the greatest and most potent + woman of England. They know not that I am poorer and more powerless than + the beggar of the street, who at least has the power to refuse whom she + will. I could not refuse. I must either die or accept the royal hand which + was extended to me; and I would not die yet, I have still so many claims + on life, and it has hitherto made good so few of them! Ah, my poor, + hapless existence! what has it been, but an endless chain of renunciations + and deprivations, of leafless flowers and dissolving views? It is true, I + have never learned to know what is usually called misfortune. But is there + a greater misfortune than not to be happy; than to sigh through a life + without wish or hope; to wear away the endless, weary days of an existence + without delight, yet surrounded with luxury and splendor?” + </p> + <p> + “You were not unfortunate, and yet you are an orphan, fatherless and + motherless?” + </p> + <p> + “I lost my mother so early that I scarcely knew her. And when my father + died I could hardly consider it other than a blessing, for he had never + shown himself a father, but always only as a harsh, tyrannical master to + me.” + </p> + <p> + “But you were married?” + </p> + <p> + “Married!” said Catharine, with a melancholy smile. “That is to say, my + father sold me to a gouty old man, on whose couch I spent a few + comfortless, awfully wearisome years, till Lord Neville made me a rich + widow. But what did my independence avail me, when I had bound myself in + new fetters? Hitherto I had been the slave of my father, of my husband; + now I was the slave of my wealth. I ceased to be a sick-nurse to become + steward of my estate. Ah! this was the most tedious period of my life. And + yet I owe to it my only real happiness, for at that period I became + acquainted with you, my Jane, and my heart, which had never yet learned to + know a tenderer feeling, flew to you with all the impetuosity of a first + passion. Believe me, my Jane, when this long-missing nephew of my husband + came and snatched away from me his hereditary estate, and, as the lord, + took possession of it, then the thought that I must leave you and your + father, the neighboring proprietor, was my only grief. Men commiserated me + on account of my lost property. I thanked God that He had relieved me of + this load, and I started for London, that I might at last live and feel, + that I might learn to know real happiness or real misery.” + </p> + <p> + “And what did you find?” + </p> + <p> + “Misery, Jane, for I am queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that your sole unhappiness?” + </p> + <p> + “My only one, but it is great enough, for it condemns me to eternal + anxiety, to eternal dissimulation. It condemns me to feign a love which I + do not feel, to endure caresses which make me shudder, because they are an + inheritance from five unfortunate women. Jane, Jane, do you comprehend + what it is to be obliged to embrace a man who has murdered three wives and + put away two? to be obliged to kiss this king whose lips open just as + readily to utter vows of love as sentences of death? Ah, Jane, I speak, I + live, and still I suffer all the agonies of death! They call me a queen, + and yet I tremble for my life every hour, and conceal my anxiety and fear + beneath the appearance of happiness! My God, I am five-and-twenty, and my + heart is still the heart of a child; it does not yet know itself, and now + it is doomed never to learn to know itself; for I am Henry’s wife, and to + love another is, in other words, to wish to mount the scaffold. The + scaffold! Look, Jane. When the king approached me and confessed his love + and offered me his hand, suddenly there rose before me a fearful picture. + It was no more the king whom I saw before me, but the hangman; and it + seemed to me that I saw three corpses lying at his feet, and with a loud + scream I sank senseless before him. When I revived, the king was holding + me in his arms. The shock of this unexpected good fortune, he thought, had + made me faint. He kissed me and called me his bride; he thought not for a + moment that I could refuse him. And I—despise me, Jane—I was + such a dastard, that I could not summon up courage for a downright + refusal. Yes, I was so craven also, as to be unwilling to die. Ah, my God, + it appeared to me that life at that moment beckoned to me with thousands + of joys, thousands of charms, which I had never known, and for which my + soul thirsted as for the manna in the wilderness. I would live, live at + any cost. I would gain myself a respite, so that I might once more share + happiness, love, and enjoyment. Look, Jane, men call me ambitious. They + say I have given my hand to Henry because he is king. Ah, they know not + how I shuddered at this royal crown. They know not that in anguish of + heart I besought the king not to bestow his hand upon me, and thereby + rouse all the ladies of his kingdom as foes against me. They know not that + I confessed that I loved him, merely that I might be able to add that I + was ready, out of love to him, to sacrifice my own happiness to his, and + so conjured him to choose a consort worthy of himself, from the hereditary + princesses of Europe. [Footnote: “La vie d’Elizabeth, Reine d’Angleterre, + traduite de l’Italien de Monsieur Gregoire Leti,” vol. ii. Amsterdam, + 1694] But Henry rejected my sacrifice. He wished to make a queen, in order + to possess a wife, who may be his own property—whose blood, as her + lord and master, he can shed. So I am queen. I have accepted my lot, and + henceforth my existence will be a ceaseless struggle and wrestling with + death. I will at least sell my life as dearly as possible; and the maxim + which Cranmer has given me shall hereafter be my guide on the thorny path + of life.” + </p> + <p> + “And how runs this maxim?” asked Jane. + </p> + <p> + “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves,” replied Catharine, with a + languid smile, as she dropped her head upon her breast and surrendered + herself to her painful and foreboding reflections. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane stood opposite to her, and gazed with cruel composure upon the + painfully convulsed countenance and at times violently trembling form of + the young queen for whom all England that day kept festival, and who yet + was sitting before her so wretched and full of sorrow. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Catharine raised her head. Her countenance had now assumed an + entirely different expression. It was now firm, resolute, and dauntless. + With a slight inclination of the head she extended her hand to Lady Jane, + and drew her friend more closely to her. + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, Jane,” said she, as she imprinted a kiss upon her forehead—“I + thank you! You have done my heart good and relieved it of its oppressive + load of secret anguish. He who can give his grief utterance, is already + half cured of it. I thank you, then, Jane! Henceforth, you will find me + calm and cheerful. The woman has wept before you, but the queen is aware + that she has a task to accomplish as difficult as it is noble, and I give + you my word for it, she will accomplish it. The new light which has risen + on the world shall no more be dimmed by blood and tears, and no more in + this unhappy land shall men of sense and piety be condemned as insurgents + and traitors! This is the task which God has set me, and I swear that I + will accomplish it! Will you help me in this, too, Jane?” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane responded faintly in a few words, which Catharine did not + understand, and as she looked up to her, she noticed, with astonishment, + the corpse-like pallor which had suddenly overspread the countenance of + her maid of honor. + </p> + <p> + Catharine gave a start, and fixed on her face a surprised and searching + look. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane cast down her eyes before that searching and flashing glance. + Her fanaticism had for the moment got the better of her, and much as she + was wont at other times to hide her thoughts and feelings, it had, at that + moment, carried her away and betrayed her to the keen eye of her friend. + </p> + <p> + “It is now a long while since we saw each other,” said Catharine, sadly. + “Three years! It is a long time for a young girl’s heart! And you were + those three years with your father in Dublin, at that rigidly popish + court. I did not consider that! But however much your opinions may have + changed, your heart, I know, still remains the same, and you will ever be + the proud, high-minded Jane of former days, who could never stoop to tell + a lie—no, not even if this lie would procure her profit and glory. I + ask you then, Jane, what is your religion? Do you believe in the Pope of + Rome, and the Church of Rome as the only channel of salvation? or do you + follow the new teaching which Luther and Calvin have promulgated?” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane smiled. “Would I have risked appearing before you, if I still + reckoned myself of the Roman Catholic Church? Catharine Parr is hailed by + the Protestants of England as the new patroness of the persecuted + doctrine, and already the Romish priests hurl their anathemas against you, + and execrate you and your dangerous presence here. And you ask me, whether + I am an adherent of that church which maligns and damns you? You ask me + whether I believe in the pope, who has laid the king under an interdict—the + king, who is not only my lord and master, but also the husband of my + precious and noble Catharine? Oh, queen, you love me not when you can + address such a question to me.” + </p> + <p> + And as if overcome by painful emotion, Lady Jane sank down at Catharine’s + feet, and hid her head in the folds of the queen’s robe. + </p> + <p> + Catharine bent down to raise her and take her to her heart. Suddenly she + started, and a deathly paleness overspread her face. “The king,” whispered + she, “the king is coming!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. + </h2> + <p> + Catharine was not deceived. The doors were opened, and on the threshold + appeared the lord marshal, with his golden mace. + </p> + <p> + “His majesty the king!” whispered he, in his grave, solemn manner, which + filled Catharine with secret dread, as though he were pronouncing the + sentence of death over her. + </p> + <p> + But she forced a smile and advanced to the door to receive the king. Now + was heard a thunder-like rumble, and over the smoothly carpeted floor of + the anteroom came rolling on the king’s house equipage. This house + equipage consisted of a large chair, resting on castors, which was moved + by men in the place of horses, and to which they had, with artful + flattery, given the form of a triumphal car of the old victorious Roman + Caesars, in order to afford the king, as he rolled through the halls, the + pleasant illusion that he was holding a triumphal procession, and that it + was not the burden of his heavy limbs which fastened him to his imperial + car. King Henry gave ready credence to the flattery of his truckle-chair + and his courtiers, and as he rolled along in it through the saloons + glittering with gold, and through halls adorned with Venetian mirrors, + which reflected his form a thousandfold, he liked to lull himself into the + dream of being a triumphing hero, and wholly forgot that it was not his + deeds, but his fat, that had helped him to his triumphal car. + </p> + <p> + For that monstrous mass which filled up the colossal chair, that mountain + of purple-clad flesh, that clumsy, almost shapeless mass, that was Henry + the Eighth, king of merry England. But thae mass had a head—a head + full of dark and wrathful thoughts, a heart full of bloodthirsty and cruel + lusts. The colossal body was indeed, by its physical weight, fastened to + the chair. Yet his mind never rested, but he hovered, with the talons and + flashing eye of the bird of prey, over his people, ever ready to pounce + upon some innocent dove, to drink her blood, and tear out her heart, that + he might lay it, all palpitating, as an offering on the altar of his + sanguinary god. + </p> + <p> + The king’s sedan now stopped, and Catharine hastened forward with smiling + face, to assist her royal husband in alighting. + </p> + <p> + Henry greeted her with a gracious nod, and rejected the proffered aid of + the attendant pages. + </p> + <p> + “Away,” said he, “away! My Catharine alone shall extend me her hand, and + give me a welcome to the bridal chamber. Go, we feel to-day as young and + strong as in our best and happiest days, and the young queen shall see + that it is no decrepit graybeard, tottering with age, who woos her, but a + strong man rejuvenated by love. Think not, Kate, that I use my car because + of weakness. No, it was only my longing for you which made me wish to be + with you the sooner.” + </p> + <p> + He kissed her with a smile, and, lightly leaning on her arm, alighted from + his car. + </p> + <p> + “Away with the equipage, and with all of you!” said he. “We wish to be + alone with this beautiful young wife, whom the lord bishops have to-day + made our own.” + </p> + <p> + At a signal from his hand, the brilliant cortege withdrew, and Catharine + was alone with the king. + </p> + <p> + Her heart beat so wildly that it made her lips tremble, and her bosom + swell high. + </p> + <p> + Henry saw it, and smiled; but it was a cold, cruel smile, and Catharine + grew pale before it. + </p> + <p> + “He has only the smile of a tyrant,” said she to herself. “With this same + smile, by which he would now give expression to his love, he yesterday, + perhaps, signed a death-warrant, or will, to-morrow, witness an + execution.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you love me, Kate?” suddenly said the king, who had till now observed + her in silence and thoughtfulness. “Say, Kate, do you love me?” + </p> + <p> + He looked steadily into her eyes, as though he would read her soul to the + very bottom. + </p> + <p> + Catharine sustained his look, and did not drop her eyes. She felt that + this was the decisive moment which determined her whole future; and this + conviction restored to her all her self-possession and energy. + </p> + <p> + She was now no longer the shy, timid girl, but the resolute, proud woman, + who was ready to wrestle with fate for greatness and glory. + </p> + <p> + “Do you love me, Kate?” repeated the king; and his brow already began to + darken. + </p> + <p> + “I know not,” said Catharine, with a smile, which enchanted the king, for + there was quite as much graceful coquetry as bashfulness on her charming + face. + </p> + <p> + “You know not?” replied Henry, astonished. “Now, by the Mother of God, it + is the first time in my life that a woman has ever been bold enough to + return me such an answer! You are a bold woman, Kate, to hazard it, and I + praise you for it. I love bravery, because it is something I so rarely + see. They all tremble before me, Kate—all! They know that I am not + intimidated by blood, and in the might of my royalty I subscribe a + death-warrant with the same calmness of soul as a love-letter.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are a great king,” murmured Catharine. Henry did not notice her. + He was wholly buried in one of those self-contemplations to which he so + willingly surrendered himself, and which generally had for their subject + his own greatness and superbility. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” continued he, and his eyes, which, in spite of his corpulency and + his extremely fleshy face, were yet large and wide open, shone more + brightly. “Yes, they all tremble before me, for they know that I am a + righteous and powerful king, who spares not his own blood, if it is + necessary to punish and expiate crime, and with inexorable hand punishes + the sinner, though he were the nearest to the throne. Take heed to + yourself, therefore, Kate, take heed to yourself. You behold in me the + avenger of God, and the judge of men. The king wears the crimson, not + because it is beautiful and glossy, but because it is red like blood, and + because it is the king’s highest prerogative to shed the blood of his + delinquent subjects, and thereby expiate human crime. Thus only do I + conceive of royalty, and thus only will I carry it out till the end of my + days. Not the right to pardon, but the right to punish, is that whereby + the ruler manifests himself before the lower classes of mankind. God’s + thunder should be on his lips, and the king’s wrath should descend like + lightning on the head of the guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “But God is not only wrathful, but also merciful and forgiving,” said + Catharine, as she lightly and shyly leaned her head on the king’s + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Just that is the prerogative of God above kings; that He can, as it + pleases Him, show mercy and grace, where we can only condemn and punish. + There must be something in which God is superior to kings, and greater + than they. But how, Kate, you tremble, and the lovely smile has vanished + from your countenance! Be not afraid of me, Kate! Be always frank with me, + and without deceit; then I shall always love you, and iniquity will then + have no power over you. And now, Kate, tell me, and explain to me. You do + not know that you love me?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not know, your majesty. And how should I be able to recognize, + and know, and designate by name what is strange to me, and what I have + never before felt?” + </p> + <p> + “How, you have never loved, Kate?” asked the king with a joyful + expression. + </p> + <p> + “Never. My father maltreated me, so that I could feel for him nothing but + dread and terror.” + </p> + <p> + “And your husband, child? That man who was my predecessor in the + possession of you. Did you not love your husband either?” + </p> + <p> + “My husband?” asked she abstractedly. “It is true, my father sold me to + Lord Neville, and as the priest had joined our hands, men called him my + husband. But he very well knew that I did not love him, nor did he require + my love. He needed a nurse, not a wife. He had given me his name as a + father gives his to a daughter; and I was his daughter, a true, faithful, + and obedient daughter, who joyfully fulfilled her duty and tended him till + his death.” + </p> + <p> + “And after his death, child? Years have elapsed since then, Kate. Tell me, + and I conjure you, tell me the truth, the simple, plain truth! After the + death of your husband, then even, did you never love?” + </p> + <p> + He gazed with visible anxiety, with breathless expectation, deep into her + eyes; but she did not drop them. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said she, with a charming smile, “till a few weeks past, I have + often mourned over myself; and it seemed to me that I must, in the + desperation of my singular and cold nature, lay open my breast, in order + to search there for the heart, which, senseless and cold, had never + betrayed its existence by its stronger beating. Oh, sire, I was full of + trouble about myself; and in my foolish rashness, I accused Heaven of + having robbed me of the noblest feeling and the fairest privilege of any + woman—the capacity of loving.” + </p> + <p> + “Till the past few weeks, did you say, Kate?” asked the king, breathless + with emotion. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sire, until the day on which you, for the first time, graciously + afforded me the happiness of speaking with me.” + </p> + <p> + The king uttered a low cry, and drew Catharine, with impetuous vehemence, + into his arms. + </p> + <p> + “And since, tell me now, you dear little dove, since then, does your heart + throb?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sire, it throbs, oh, it often throbs to bursting! When I hear your + voice, when I behold your countenance, it is as if a cold tremor rilled + through my whole being, and drove all my blood to the heart. It is as + though my heart anticipated your approach before my eyes discern you. For + even before you draw near me, I feel a peculiar trembling of the heart, + and the breath is stifled in my bosom; then I always know that you are + coming, and that your presence will relieve this peculiar tension of my + being. When you are not by me I think of you, and when I sleep I dream of + you. Tell me, sire, you who know every thing, tell me, know you now + whether I love you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, you love me,” cried Henry, to whom this strange and joyous + surprise had imparted youthful vivacity and warmth. “Yes, Kate, you love + me; and if I may trust your dear confession, I am your first love. Repeat + it yet again; you were nothing but a daughter to Lord Neville?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing more, sire!” + </p> + <p> + “And after him have you had no love?” + </p> + <p> + “None, sire!” + </p> + <p> + “And can it be that so happy a marvel has come to pass? and that I have + made, not a widow, but a young maiden, my queen?” + </p> + <p> + As he now gazed at her with warm, passionate, tender looks, Catharine cast + down her eyes, and a deep blush covered her sweet face. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, a woman’s bashful blushes, what an exquisite sight!” cried the king, + and while he wildly pressed Catharine to his bosom, he continued: “Oh, are + we not foolish and short-sighted men, all of us, yes, even we kings? In + order that I might not be, perhaps, forced to send my sixth wife also to + the scaffold, I chose, in trembling dread of the deceitfulness of your + sex, a widow for my queen, and this widow with a blessed confession, mocks + at the new law of the wise Parliament, and makes good to me what she never + promised.” [Footnote: After Catharine Howard’s infidelity and incontinency + had been proved, and she had atoned for them by her death, Parliament + enacted a law “that if the king or his successors should intend to marry + any woman whom they took to be a clean and pure maid—if she, not + being so, did not declare the same to the king, it should be high treason: + and all who knew it; and did not reveal it, were guilty of misprision of + treason.”—“Burnet’s History of the Reformation of the Church of + England.” London, 1681 (vol. i, p. 313)] + </p> + <p> + “Come, Kate, give me a kiss. You have opened before me to-day a happy, + blissful future, and prepared for me a great and unexpected pleasure. I + thank you for it, Kate, and the Mother of God be my witness, I will never + forget it.” + </p> + <p> + And drawing a rich diamond ring from his own finger, and putting it upon + Catharine’s, he continued: “Be this ring a remembrancer of this hour, and + when you hereafter present it to me, with a request, I will grant that + request, Kate!” + </p> + <p> + He kissed her forehead, and was about to press her more closely in his + arms, when suddenly from without was heard the dull roll of drums, and the + ringing of bells. + </p> + <p> + The king started a moment and released Catharine from his arms. He + listened; the roll of drums continued, and now and then was heard in the + distance, that peculiar thundering and yet sullen sound, which so much + resembles the roar and rush of the sea, and which can be produced only by + a large and excited mob. + </p> + <p> + The king, with a fierce curse, pushed open the glass door leading to the + balcony, and walked out. + </p> + <p> + Catharine gazed after him with a strange, half-timid, half-scornful look. + “I have not at least told him that I love him,” muttered she. “He has + construed my words as it suited his vanity. No matter. I will not die on + the scaffold!” + </p> + <p> + With a resolute step, and firm, energetic air, she followed the king to + the balcony. The roll of drums was kept up, and from all the steeples the + bells were pealing. The night was dark and calm. All London seemed to + slumber, and the dark houses around about stood up out of the universal + darkness like huge coffins. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the horizon began to grow bright, and on the sky appeared a + streak of fiery red, which, blazing up higher and higher, soon illuminated + the entire horizon with a crimson glow, and even shed its glaring fiery + beams over the balcony on which stood the royal pair. Still the bells + clanged and clamored; and blended with their peals was heard now and then, + in the distance, a piercing shriek and a clamor as of thousands and + thousands of confusedly mingled voices. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the king turned to Catharine, and his countenance, which was just + then overspread by the fire-light as with a blood-red veil, had now + assumed an expression of savage, demoniacal delight. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said he, “I know what it is. You had wholly bewildered me, and + stolen away my attention, you little enchantress. I had for a moment + ceased to be a king, because I wished to be entirely your lover. But now I + bethink me again of my avenging sovereignty! It is the fagot-piles about + the stake which flame so merrily yonder. And that yelling and clamor + indicate that my merry people are enjoying with all their soul the comedy + which I have had played before them to-day, for the honor of God, and my + unimpeachable royal dignity.” + </p> + <p> + “The stake!” cried Catharine, trembling. “Your majesty does not mean + thereby to say that right yonder, men are to die a cruel, painful death—that + the same hour in which their king pronounces himself happy and content, + some of his subjects are to be condemned to dreadful torture, to a + horrible destruction! Oh, no! my king will not overcloud his queen’s + wedding-day with so dark a veil of death. He will not wish to dim my + happiness so cruelly.” + </p> + <p> + The king laughed. “No, I will not darken it, but light it up with bright + names,” said he; and as, with outstretched arm, he pointed over to the + glaring heavens, he continued: “There are our wedding-torches, my Kate, + and the most sacred and beautiful which I could find, for they burn to the + honor of God and of the king. [Footnote: “Life of King Henry the Eighth, + founded on Authentic and Original Documents.” By Patrick Fraser Tytler. + (Edinburgh, 1887, p. 440.)] And the heavenward flaring flames which + carries up the souls of the heretics will give to my God joyous + intelligence of His most faithful and obedient son, who, even on the day + of his happiness, forgets not his kingly duty, but ever remains the + avenging and destroying minister of his God.” + </p> + <p> + He looked frightful as he thus spoke. His countenance, lit up by the fire, + had a fierce, threatening expression; his eyes blazed; and a cold, cruel + smile played about his thin, firmly-pressed lips. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he knows no pity!” murmured Catharine to herself, as in a paroxysm of + anguish she stared at the king, who, in fanatical enthusiasm, was looking + over toward the fire, into which, at his command, they were perhaps + hurling to a cruel, torturing death, some poor wretch, to the honor of God + and the king. “No, he knows no pity and no mercy.” + </p> + <p> + Now Henry turned to her, and laying his extended hand softly on the back + of her slender neck, he spanned it with his fingers, and whispered in her + ear tender words and vows of love. + </p> + <p> + Catharine trembled. This caress of the king, however harmless in itself, + had in it for her something dismal and dreadful. It was the involuntary, + instinctive touch of the headsman, who examines the neck of his victim, + and searches on it for the place where he will make the stroke. Thus had + Anne Boleyn once put her tender white hands about her slender neck, and + said to the headsman, brought over from Calais specially for her + execution: “I pray you strike me well and surely! I have, indeed, but a + slim little neck.” [Footnote: Tytler, p. 382] Thus had the king clutched + his hand about the neck of Catharine Howard, his fifth wife when certain + of her infidelity, he had thrust her from himself with fierce execrations, + when she would have clung to him. The dark marks of that grip were still + visible upon her neck when she laid it on the block. [Footnote: Leti, vol. + i, p. 193] + </p> + <p> + And this dreadful twining of his fingers Catharine must now endure as a + caress; at which she must smile, which she must receive with all the + appearance of delight. + </p> + <p> + While he spanned her neck, he whispered in her ear words of tenderness, + and bent his face close to her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + But Catharine heeded not his passionate whispers. She saw nothing save the + blood-red handwriting of fire upon the sky. She heard nothing save the + shrieks of the wretched victims. + </p> + <p> + “Mercy, mercy!” faltered she. “Oh, let this day be a day of festivity for + all your subjects! Be merciful, and if you would have me really believe + that you love me, grant this first request which I make of you. Grant me + the lives of these wretched ones. Mercy, sire, mercy!” + </p> + <p> + And as if the queen’s supplication had found an echo, suddenly was heard + from the chamber a wailing, despairing voice, repeating loudly and in + tones of anguish: “Mercy, your majesty, mercy!” The king turned round + impetuously, and his face assumed a dark, wrathful expression. He fastened + his searching eyes on Catharine, as though he would read in her looks + whether she knew who had dared to interrupt their conversation. + </p> + <p> + But Catharine’s countenance expressed unconcealed astonishment. “Mercy, + mercy!” repeated the voice from the interior of the chamber. + </p> + <p> + The king uttered an angry exclamation, and hastily withdrew from the + balcony. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. KING BY THE WRATH OF GOD. + </h2> + <p> + “Who dares interrupt us?” cried the king, as with headlong step he + returned to the chamber—“who dares speak of mercy?” + </p> + <p> + “I dare!” said a young lady, who, pale, with distorted features, in + frightful agitation, now hastened to the king and prostrated herself + before him. “Anne Askew!” cried Catharine, amazed. “Anne, what want you + here?” + </p> + <p> + “I want mercy, mercy for those wretched ones, who are suffering yonder,” + cried the young maiden, pointing with an expression of horror to the + reddened sky. “I want mercy for the king himself, who is so cruel as to + send the noblest and the best of his subjects to the slaughter like + miserable brutes!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sire, have compassion on this poor child!” besought Catharine, + turning to Henry, “compassion on her impassioned excitement and her + youthful ardor! She is as yet unaccustomed to these frightful scenes—she + knows not yet that it is the sad duty of kings to be constrained to + punish, where they might prefer to pardon!” + </p> + <p> + Henry smiled; but the look which he cast on the kneeling girl made + Catharine tremble. There was a death-warrant in that look! + </p> + <p> + “Anne Askew, if I mistake not, is your second maid of honor?” asked the + king; “and it was at your express wish that she received that place?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes sire.” + </p> + <p> + “You knew her, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sire! I saw her a few days ago for the first time. But she had + already won my heart at our first meeting, and I feel that I shall love + her. Exercise forbearance, then, your majesty!” + </p> + <p> + But the king was still thoughtful, and Catharine’s answers did not yet + satisfy him. + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, do you interest yourself for this young lady, if you did not + know her?” + </p> + <p> + “She has been so warmly recommended to me.” + </p> + <p> + “By whom?” + </p> + <p> + Catharine hesitated a moment; she felt that she had, perhaps, in her zeal, + gone too far, and that it was imprudent to tell the king the truth. But + the king’s keen, penetrating look was resting on her, and she recollected + that he had, the first thing that evening, so urgently and solemnly + conjured her to always tell him the truth. Besides, it was no secret at + court who the protector of this young maiden was, and who had been the + means of her obtaining the place of maid of honor to the queen, a place + which so many wealthy and distinguished families had solicited for their + daughters. + </p> + <p> + “Who recommended this lady to you?” repeated the king, and already his + ill-humor began to redden his face, and make his voice tremble. + </p> + <p> + “Archbishop Cranmer did so, sire,” said Catharine as she raised her eyes + to the king, and looked at him with a smile surpassingly charming. + </p> + <p> + At that moment was heard without, more loudly, the roll of drums, which + nevertheless was partially drowned by piercing shrieks and horrible cries + of distress. The blaze of the fire shot up higher, and now was seen the + bright flame, which with murderous rage licked the sky above. + </p> + <p> + Anne Askew, who had kept respectful silence during the conversation of the + royal pair, now felt herself completely overcome by this horrible sight, + and bereft of the last remnant of self-possession. + </p> + <p> + “My God, my God!” said she, quivering from the internal tremor, and + stretching her hands beseechingly toward the king, “do you not hear that + frightful wail of the wretched? Sire, by the thought of your own dying + hour, I conjure you have compassion on these miserable beings! Let them + not, at least, be thrown alive into the flames. Spare them this last + frightful torture.” + </p> + <p> + King Henry cast a wrathful look on the kneeling girl; then strode past her + to the door, which led into the adjoining hall, in which the courtiers + were waiting for their king. + </p> + <p> + He beckoned to the two bishops, Cranmer and Gardiner, to come nearer, and + ordered the servants to throw the hall doors wide open. + </p> + <p> + The scene now afforded an animated and singular spectacle, and this + chamber, just before so quiet, was suddenly changed to the theatre of a + great drama, which was perhaps to end tragically. In the queen’s + bedchamber, a small room, but furnished with the utmost luxury and + splendor, the principal characters of this scene were congregated. In the + middle of the space stood the king in his robes, embroidered with gold and + sparkling with jewels, which were irradiated by the bright light of the + chandelier. Near him was seen the young queen, whose beautiful and lovely + face was turned in anxious expectation toward the king, in whose stern and + rigid features she sought to read the development of this scene. + </p> + <p> + Not far from her still knelt the young maiden, hiding in her hands her + face drenched in tears; while farther away, in the background, were the + two bishops observing with grave, cool tranquillity the group before them. + Through the open hall doors were descried the expectant and curious + countenances of the courtiers standing with their heads crowded close + together in the space before the doors; and opposite to them, through the + open door leading to the balcony, was seen the fiery, blazing sky, and + heard the clanging of the bells and the rolling of the drama, the piercing + shrieks and the yells of the people. + </p> + <p> + A deep silence ensued, and when the king spoke, the tone of his voice was + so hard and cold, that an involuntary shudder ran through all present. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord Bishops of Winchester and Canterbury,” said the king, “we have + called you that you may, by the might of your prayers and the wisdom of + your words, rid this young girl here from the devil, who, without doubt, + has the mastery over her, since she dares charge her king and master with + cruelty and injustice.” + </p> + <p> + The two bishops drew nearer to the kneeling girl; each laid a hand upon + her shoulder, and bent over her, but the one with an expression of + countenance wholly different from that of the other. + </p> + <p> + Cranmer’s look was gentle and serious, and at the same time a + compassionate and encouraging smile played about his thin lips. + </p> + <p> + Gardiner’s features on the contrary bore the expression of cruel, + cold-hearted irony; and the smile which rested on his thick, protruding + lips was the joyful and merciless smile of a priest ready to sacrifice a + victim to his idol. + </p> + <p> + “Courage, my daughter, courage and prudence!” whispered Cranmer. + </p> + <p> + “God, who blesses the righteous and punishes and destroys sinners, be with + thee and with us all!” said Gardiner. + </p> + <p> + But Anne Askew recoiled with a shudder from the touch of his hand, and + with an impetuous movement pushed it away from her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Touch me not; you are the hangman of those poor people whom they are + putting to death down yonder,” said she impetuously; and as she turned to + the king and extended her hands imploringly toward him, she cried: + </p> + <p> + “Mercy, King Henry, mercy!” + </p> + <p> + “Mercy!” repeated the king, “mercy, and for whom? Who are they that they + are putting to death down there? Tell me, forsooth, my lord bishops, who + are they that are led to the stake to-day? Who are the condemned?” + </p> + <p> + “They are heretics, who devote themselves to this new false doctrine which + has come over to us from Germany, and who dare refuse to recognize the + spiritual supremacy of our lord and king,” said Bishop Gardiner. + </p> + <p> + “They are Roman Catholics, who regard the Pope of Rome as the chief + shepherd of the Church of Christ, and will regard nobody but him as their + lord,” said Bishop Cranmer. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, behold this young maiden accuses us of injustice,” cried the king; + “and yet, you say that not heretics alone are executed down there, but + also Romanists. It appears to me then that we have justly and impartially, + as always, punished only criminals and given over the guilty to justice.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, had you seen what I have seen,” said Anne Askew, shuddering, “then + would you collect all your vital energies for a single cry, for a single + word—mercy! and that word would you shout out loud enough to reach + yon frightful place of torture and horror.” + </p> + <p> + “What saw you, then?” asked the king, smiling. Anne Askew had stood up, + and her tall, slender form now lifted itself, like a lily, between the + sombre forms of the bishops. Her eye was fixed and glaring; her noble and + delicate features bore the expression of horror and dread. + </p> + <p> + “I saw,” said she, “a woman whom they were leading to execution. Not a + criminal, but a noble lady, whose proud and lofty heart never harbored a + thought of treason or disloyalty, but who, true to her faith and her + convictions, would not forswear the God whom she served. As she passed + through the crowd, it seemed as if a halo encompassed her head, and + covered her white hair with silvery rays; all bowed before her, and the + hardest natures wept over the unfortunate woman who had lived more than + seventy years, and yet was not allowed to die in her bed, but was to be + slaughtered to the glory of God and of the king. But she smiled, and + graciously saluting the weeping and sobbing multitude, she advanced to the + scaffold as if she were ascending a throne to receive the homage of her + people. Two years of imprisonment had blanched her cheek, but had not been + able to destroy the fire of her eye, or the strength of her mind, and + seventy years had not bowed her neck or broken her spirit. Proud and firm, + she mounted the steps of the scaffold, and once more saluted the people + and cried aloud, ‘I will pray to God for you.’ But as the headsman + approached and demanded that she should allow her hands to be bound, and + that she should kneel in order to lay her head upon the block, she + refused, and angrily pushed him away. ‘Only traitors and criminals lay + their head on the block!’ exclaimed she, with a loud, thundering voice. + ‘There is no occasion for me to do so, and I will not submit to your + bloody laws as long as there is a breath in me. Take, then, my life, if + you can.’ + </p> + <p> + “And now began a scene which filled the hearts of the lookers-on with fear + and horror. The countess flew like a hunted beast round and round the + scaffold. Her white hair streamed in the wind; her black grave-clothes + rustled around her like a dark cloud, and behind her, with uplifted axe, + came the headsman, in his fiery red dress; he, ever endeavoring to strike + her with the falling axe, but she, ever trying, by moving her head to and + fro, to evade the descending stroke. But at length her resistance became + weaker; the blows of the axe reached her, and stained her white hair, + hanging loose about her shoulders, with crimson streaks. With a + heart-rending cry, she fell fainting. Near her, exhausted also, sank down + the headsman, bathed in sweat. This horrible wild chase had lamed his arm + and broken his strength. Panting and breathless, he was not able to drag + this fainting, bleeding woman to the block, or to lift up the axe to + separate her noble head from the body. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 430] The + crowd shrieked with distress and horror, imploring and begging for mercy, + and even the lord chief justice could not refrain from tears, and he + ordered the cruel work to be suspended until the countess and the headsman + should have regained strength; for a living, not a dying person was to be + executed: thus said the law. They made a pallet for the countess on the + scaffold and endeavored to restore her; invigorating wine was supplied to + the headsman, to renew his strength for the work of death; and the crowd + turned to the stakes which were prepared on both sides of the scaffold, + and at which four other martyrs were to be burnt. But I flew here like a + hunted doe, and now, king, I lie at your feet. There is still time. + Pardon, king, pardon for the Countess of Somerset, the last of the + Plantagenets.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, sire, pardon!” repeated Catharine Parr, weeping and trembling, as + she clung to her husband’s side. “Pardon!” repeated Archbishop Cranmer; + and a few of the courtiers re-echoed it in a timid and anxious whisper. + </p> + <p> + The king’s large, brilliant eyes glanced around the whole assembly, with a + quick, penetrating look. “And you, my Lord Bishop Gardiner,” asked he, in + a cold, sarcastic tone, “will you also ask for mercy, like all these + weak-hearted souls here?” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord our God is a jealous God,” said Gardiner, solemnly, “and it is + written that God will punish the sinner unto the third and fourth + generation.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is written shall stand true!” exclaimed the king, in a voice of + thunder. “No mercy for evil-doers, no pity for criminals. The axe must + fall upon the head of the guilty, the flames shall consume the bodies of + criminals.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, think of your high vocation!” exclaimed Anne Askew, in a tone of + enthusiasm. “Reflect what a glorious name you have assumed to yourself in + this land. You call yourself the head of the Church, and you want to rule + and govern upon earth in God’s stead. Exercise mercy, then, for you + entitle yourself king by the grace of God.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not call myself king by God’s grace; I call myself king by God’s + wrath!” exclaimed Henry, as he raised his arm menacingly. “It is my duty + to send sinners to God; may He have mercy on them there above, if He will! + I am the punishing judge, and I judge mercilessly, according to the law, + without compassion. Let those whom I have condemned appeal to God, and may + He have mercy upon them. I cannot do it, nor will I. Kings are here to + punish, and they are like to God, not in His love, but in His avenging + wrath.” + </p> + <p> + “Woe, then, woe to you and to all of us!” exclaimed Anne Askew. “Woe to + you, King Henry, if what you now say is the truth! Then are they right, + those men who are bound to yonder stakes, when they brand you with the + name of tyrant; then is the Bishop of Rome right when he upbraids you as + an apostate and degenerate son, and hurls his anathemas against you! Then + you know not God, who is love and mercy; then you are no disciple of the + Saviour, who has said, ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you.’ Woe + to you, King Henry, if matters are really so bad with you; if—” + </p> + <p> + “Silence, unhappy woman, silence!” exclaimed Catharine; and as she + vehemently pushed away the furious girl she grasped the king’s hand, and + pressed it to her lips. “Sire,” whispered she, with intense earnestness, + “Sire, you told me just now that you loved me. Prove it by pardoning this + maiden, and having consideration for her impassioned excitement. Prove it + by allowing me to lead Anne Askew to her room and enjoin silence upon + her.” + </p> + <p> + But at this moment the king was wholly inaccessible to any other feelings + than those of anger and delight in blood. + </p> + <p> + He indignantly repelled Catharine, and without moving his sharp, + penetrating look from the young maiden, he said in a quick, hollow tone: + “Let her alone; let her speak; let no one dare to interrupt her!” + </p> + <p> + Catharine, trembling with anxiety and inwardly hurt at the harsh manner of + the king, retired with a sigh to the embrasure of one of the windows. + </p> + <p> + Anne Askew had not noticed what was going on about her. She remained in + that state of exaltation which cares for no consequences and which + trembles before no danger. She would at this moment have gone to the stake + with cheerful alacrity, and she almost longed for this blessed martyrdom. + </p> + <p> + “Speak, Anne Askew, speak!” commanded the king. “Tell me, do you know what + the countess, for whose pardon you are beseeching me, has done? Know you + why those four men were sent to the stake?” + </p> + <p> + “I do know, King Henry, by the wrath of God,” said the maiden, with + burning passionateness. “I know why you have sent the noble countess to + the slaughter-house, and why you will exercise no mercy toward her. She is + of noble, of royal blood, and Cardinal Pole is her son. You would punish + the son through the mother, and because you cannot throttle the cardinal, + you murder his mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are a very knowing child!” cried the king, with an inhuman, + ironical laugh. “You know my most secret thoughts and my most hidden + feelings. Without doubt you are a good papist, since the death of the + popish countess fills you with such heart-rending grief. Then you must + confess, at the least, that it is right to burn the four heretics!” + </p> + <p> + “Heretics!” exclaimed Anne, enthusiastically, “call you heretics those + noble men who go gladly and boldly to death for their convictions and + their faith? King Henry! King Henry! Woe to you if these men are condemned + as heretics! They alone are the faithful, they are the true servants of + God. They have freed themselves from human supremacy, and as you would not + recognize the pope, so they will not recognize you as head of the Church! + God alone, they say, is Lord of the Church and Master of their + consciences, and who can be presumptuous enough to call them criminals?” + </p> + <p> + “I!” exclaimed Henry the Eighth, in a powerful tone. “I dare do it. I say + that they are heretics, and that I will destroy them, will tread them all + beneath my feet, all of them, all who think as they do! I say that I will + shed the blood of these criminals, and prepare for them torments at which + human nature will shudder and quake. God will manifest Himself by me in + fire and blood! He has put the sword into my hand, and I will wield it for + His glory. Like St. George, I will tread the dragon of heresy beneath my + feet!” + </p> + <p> + And haughtily raising his crimsoned face and rolling his great bloodshot + eyes wildly around the circle, he continued: “Hear this all of you who are + here assembled; no mercy for heretics, no pardon for papists. It is I, I + alone, whom the Lord our God has chosen and blessed as His hangman and + executioner! I am the high-priest of His Church, and he who dares deny me, + denies God; and he who is so presumptuous as to do reverence to any other + head of the Church, is a priest of Baal and kneels to an idolatrous image. + Kneel down all of you before me, and reverence in me God, whose earthly + representative I am, and who reveals Himself through me in His fearful and + exalted majesty. Kneel down, for I am sole head of the Church and + high-priest of our God!” + </p> + <p> + And as if at one blow all knees bent; all those haughty cavaliers, those + ladies sparkling with jewels and gold, even the two bishops and the queen + fell upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + The king gazed for a moment on this sight, and, with radiant looks and a + smile of triumph, his eyes ran over this assembly, consisting of the + noblest of his kingdom, humbled before him. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly they were fastened on Anne Askew. + </p> + <p> + She alone had not bent her knee, but stood in the midst of the kneelers, + proud and upright as the king himself. A dark cloud passed over the king’s + countenance. + </p> + <p> + “You obey not my command?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + She shook her curly head and fixed on him a steady, piercing look. “No,” + said she, “like those over yonder whose last death-groan we even now hear, + like them, I say: To God alone is honor due, and He alone is Lord of His + Church! If you wish me to bend my knee before you as my king, I will do + it, but I bow not to you as the head of the holy Church!” + </p> + <p> + A murmur of surprise flew through the assembly, and every eye was turned + with fear and amazement on this bold young girl, who confronted the king + with a countenance smiling and glowing with enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + At a sign from Henry the kneelers arose and awaited in breathless silence + the terrible scene that was coming. + </p> + <p> + A pause ensued. King Henry himself was struggling for breath, and needed a + moment to collect himself. + </p> + <p> + Not as though wrath and passion had deprived him of speech. He was neither + wrathful nor passionate, and it was only joy that obstructed his breathing—the + joy of having again found a victim with which he might satisfy his desire + for blood, on whose agony he might feast his eyes, whose dying sigh he + might greedily inhale. + </p> + <p> + The king was never more cheerful than when he had signed a death-warrant. + For then he was in full enjoyment of his greatness as lord over the lives + and deaths of millions of other men, and this feeling made him proud and + happy, and fully conscious of his exalted position. + </p> + <p> + Hence, as he now turned to Anne Askew, his countenance was calm and + serene, and his voice friendly, almost tender. + </p> + <p> + “Anne Askew,” said he, “do you know that the words you have now spoken + make you guilty of high treason?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, sire.” + </p> + <p> + “And you know what punishment awaits traitors?” + </p> + <p> + “Death, I know it.” + </p> + <p> + “Death by fire!” said the king with perfect calmness and composure. A + hollow murmur ran through the assembly. Only one voice dared give + utterance to the word mercy. + </p> + <p> + It was Catharine, the king’s consort, who spoke this one word. She stepped + forward, and was about to rush to the king and once more implore his mercy + and pity. But she felt herself gently held back. Archbishop Cranmer stood + near her, regarding her with a serious and beseeching look. + </p> + <p> + “Compose yourself, compose yourself,” murmured he. “You cannot save her; + she is lost. Think of yourself, and of the pure and holy religion whose + protectress you are. Preserve yourself for your Church and your companions + in the faith!” + </p> + <p> + “And must she die?” asked Catharine, whose eyes filled with tears as she + looked toward the poor young child, who was confronting the king with such + a beautiful and innocent smile. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps we may still save her, but this is not the moment for it. Any + opposition now would only irritate the king the more, and he might cause + the girl to be instantly thrown into the flames of the fires still burning + yonder! So let us be silent.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, silence,” murmured Catharine, with a shudder, as she withdrew again + to the embrasure of the window. + </p> + <p> + “Death by fire awaits you, Anne Askew!” repeated the king. “No mercy for + the traitress who vilifies and scoffs at her king!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE RIVALS. + </h2> + <p> + At the very moment when the king was pronouncing, in a voice almost + exultant, Anne Askew’s sentence of death, one of the king’s cavaliers + appeared on the threshold of the royal chamber and advanced toward the + king. + </p> + <p> + He was a young man of noble and imposing appearance, whose lofty bearing + contrasted strangely with the humble and submissive attitude of the rest + of the courtiers. His tall, slim form was clad in a coat of mail + glittering with gold; over his shoulders hung a velvet mantle decorated + with a princely crown; and his head, covered with dark ringlets, was + adorned with a cap embroidered with gold, from which a long white + ostrich-feather drooped to his shoulder. His oval face presented the full + type of aristocratic beauty; his cheeks were of a clear, transparent + paleness; about his slightly pouting mouth played a smile, half + contemptuous and half languid; the high, arched brow and delicately + chiselled aquiline nose gave to his face an expression at once bold and + thoughtful. The eyes alone were not in harmony with his face; they were + neither languid like the mouth, nor pensive like the brow. All the fire + and all the bold and wanton passion of youth shot from those dark, + flashing eyes. When he looked down, he might have been taken for a + completely worn-out, misanthropic aristocrat; but when he raised those + ever-flashing and sparkling eyes, then was seen the young man full of + dashing courage and ambitious desires, of passionate warmth and + measureless pride. + </p> + <p> + He approached the king, as already stated, and as he bent his knee before + him, he said in a full, pleasant voice: + </p> + <p> + “Mercy, sire, mercy!” + </p> + <p> + The king stepped back in astonishment, and turned upon the bold speaker a + look almost of amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Thomas Seymour!” said he. “Thomas, you have returned, then, and your + first act is again an indiscretion and a piece of foolhardy rashness?” + </p> + <p> + The young man smiled. “I have returned,” said he, “that is to say, I have + had a sea-fight with the Scots and taken from them four men-of-war. With + these I hastened hither to present them to you, my king and lord, as a + wedding-gift, and just as I entered the anteroom I heard your voice + pronouncing a sentence of death. Was it not natural, then, that I, who + bring you tidings of a victory, should have the heart to utter a prayer + for mercy, for which, as it seems, none of these noble and proud cavaliers + could summon up courage?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the king, evidently relieved and fetching a deep breath, “then + you knew not at all for whom and for what you were imploring pardon?” + </p> + <p> + “Yet!” said the young man, and his bold glance ran with an expression of + contempt over the whole assembly—“yet, I saw at once who the + condemned must be, for I saw this young maiden forsaken by all as if + stricken by the plague, standing alone in the midst of this exalted and + brave company. And you well know, my noble king, that at court one + recognizes the condemned and those fallen into disgrace by this, that + every one flies from them, and nobody has the courage to touch such a + leper even with the tip of his finger!” + </p> + <p> + King Henry smiled. “Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley, you are now, as ever, + imprudent and hasty,” said he. “You beg for mercy without once knowing + whether she for whom you beg it is worthy of mercy.” + </p> + <p> + “But I see that she is a woman,” said the intrepid young earl. “And a + woman is always worthy of mercy, and it becomes every knight to come + forward as her defender, were it but to pay homage to her sex, so fair and + so frail, and yet so noble and mighty. Therefore I beg mercy for this + young maiden!” + </p> + <p> + Catharine had listened to the young earl with throbbing heart and flushed + cheeks. It was the first time that she had seen him, and yet she felt for + him a warm sympathy, an almost tender anxiety. + </p> + <p> + “He will plunge himself into ruin,” murmured she; “he will not save Anne, + but will make himself unhappy. My God, my God, have a little compassion + and pity on my anguish!” + </p> + <p> + She now fixed her anxious gaze on the king, firmly resolved to rush to the + help of the earl, who had so nobly and magnanimously interested himself in + an innocent woman, should the wrath of her husband threaten him also. But, + to her surprise, Henry’s face was perfectly serene and contented. + </p> + <p> + Like the wild beast, that, following its instinct, seeks its bloody prey + only so long as it is hungry, so King Henry felt satiated for the day. + Yonder glared the fires about the stake, at which four heretics were + burned; there stood the scaffold on which the Countess of Somerset had + just been executed; and now, within this hour, he had already found + another new victim for death. Moreover, Thomas Seymour had always been his + favorite. His audacity, his liveliness, his energy, had always inspired + the king with respect; and then, again, he so much resembled his sister, + the beautiful Jane Seymour, Henry’s third wife. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot grant you this favor, Thomas,” said the king. “Justice must not + be hindered in her course, and where she has passed sentence, mercy must + not give her the lie; and it was the justice of your king which pronounced + sentence at that moment. You were guilty, therefore, of a double wrong, + for you not only besought mercy, but you also brought an accusation + against my cavaliers. Do you really believe that, were this maiden’s cause + a just one, no knight would have been found for her?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I really believe it,” cried the earl, with a laugh. “The sun of your + favor had turned away from this poor girl, and in such a case your + courtiers no longer see the figure wrapped in darkness.” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken, my lord; I have seen it,” suddenly said another voice, + and a second cavalier advanced from the anteroom into the chamber. He + approached the king, and, as he bent his knee before him, he said, in a + loud, steady voice: “Sire, I also beg mercy for Anne Askew!” + </p> + <p> + At this moment was heard from that side of the room where the ladies + stood, a low cry, and the pale, affrighted face of Lady Jane Douglas was + for a moment raised above the heads of the other ladies. No one noticed + it. All eyes were directed toward the group in the middle of the room: all + looked with eager attention upon the king and these two young men, who + dared protect one whom he had sentenced. + </p> + <p> + “Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey!” exclaimed the king; and now an expression + of wrath passed over his countenance. “How! you, too, dare intercede for + this girl? You, then, grudge Thomas Seymour the pre-eminence of being the + most discreet man at my court?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not allow him, sire, to think that he is the bravest,” replied the + young man, as he fixed on Thomas Seymour a look of haughty defiance, which + the other answered by a cold, disdainful smile. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said he, with a shrug of his shoulders, “I willingly allow you, my + dear Earl of Surrey, to tread behind me, at your convenience, the path, + the safety of which I first tested at the peril of my life. You saw that I + had not, as yet, lost either my head or my life in this reckless under + taking, and that has given you courage to follow my example. That is a new + proof of your prudent valor, my Honorable Earl of Surrey, and I must + praise you for it.” + </p> + <p> + A hot flush suffused the noble face of the earl, his eyes shot lightning, + and, trembling with rage, he laid his hand on his sword. “Praise from + Thomas Seymour is—” + </p> + <p> + “Silence!” interposed the king, imperatively. “It must not be said that + two of the noblest cavaliers of my court have turned the day, which should + be one of festivity to all of you, into a day of contention. I command + you, therefore, to be reconciled. Shake hands, my lords, and let your + reconciliation be sincere. I, the king command it!” + </p> + <p> + The young men gazed at each other with looks of hatred and smothered rage, + and their eyes spoke the insulting and defiant words which their lips + durst no longer utter. The king had ordered, and, however great and + powerful they might be, the king was to be obeyed. They, therefore, + extended their hands to each other, and muttered a few low, unintelligible + words, which might be, perhaps, a mutual apology, but which neither of + them understood. + </p> + <p> + “And now, sire,” said the Earl of Surrey, “now I venture to reiterate my + prayer. Mercy, your majesty, mercy for Anne Askew!” + </p> + <p> + “And you, Thomas Seymour, do you also renew your petition?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I withdraw it. Earl Surrey protects her; I, therefore, retire, for + without doubt she is a criminal; your majesty says so, and, therefore, it + is so. It would ill become a Seymour to protect a person who sinned + against the king.” + </p> + <p> + This new indirect attack on Earl Surrey seemed to make on all present a + deep but very varied impression. Here, faces were seen to turn pale, and + there, to light up with a malicious smile; here, compressed lips muttered + words of threatening, there, a mouth opened to express approbation and + agreement. + </p> + <p> + The king’s brow was clouded and troubled; the arrow which Earl Sudley had + shot with so skilful a hand had hit. The king, ever suspicious and + distrustful, felt so much the more disquieted as he saw that the greater + part of his cavaliers evidently reckoned themselves friends of Henry + Howard, and that the number of Seymour’s adherents was but trifling. + </p> + <p> + “These Howards are dangerous, and I will watch them carefully,” said the + king to himself; and for the first time his eye rested with a dark and + hostile look on Henry Howard’s noble countenance. + </p> + <p> + But Thomas Seymour, who wished only to make a thrust at his old enemy, had + at the same time decided the fate of poor Anne Askew. It was now almost an + impossibility to speak in her behalf, and to implore pardon for her was to + become a partaker of her crime. Thomas Seymour had abandoned her, because, + as traitress to her king, she had rendered herself unworthy of his + protection. Who now would be so presumptuous as to still protect the + traitress? + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard did it; he reiterated his supplication for Anne Askew’s + pardon. But the king’s countenance grew darker and darker, and the + courtiers watched with dread the coming of the moment when his wrath would + dash in pieces the poor Earl of Surrey. + </p> + <p> + In the row of ladies also, here and there, a pale face was visible, and + many a beautiful and beaming eye was dimmed with tears at the sight of + this gallant and handsome cavalier, who was hazarding even his life for a + woman. + </p> + <p> + “He is lost!” murmured Lady Jane Douglas; and, completely crushed and + lifeless, she leaned for a moment against the wall. But she soon recovered + herself, and her eye beamed with bold resolution. “I will try and save + him!” she said to herself; and, with firm step, she advanced from the + ladies’ ranks, and approached the king. + </p> + <p> + A murmur of applause ran through the company, and all fares brightened and + all eyes were bent approvingly on Lady Jane. They knew that she was the + queen’s friend, and an adherent of the new doctrine; it was, therefore, + very marked and significant when she supported the Earl of Surrey in his + magnanimous effort. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane bowed her beautiful and haughty head before the king, and said, + in her clear, silvery voice: “Sire, in the name of all the women, I also + beseech you to pardon Anne Askew, because she is a woman. Lord Surrey has + done so because a true knight can never be false to himself and his ever + high and sacred obligation: to be the protector of those who are helpless + and in peril is enough for him. A real gentleman asks not whether a woman + is worthy of his protection; he grants it to her, simply because she is a + woman, and needs his help. And while I, therefore, in the name of all the + women, thank the Earl of Surrey for the assistance that he has been + desirous to render to a woman, I unite my prayer with his, because it + shall not be said that we women are always cowardly and timid, and never + venture to hasten to the help of the distressed. I, therefore, ask mercy, + sire, mercy for Anne Askew!” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” said the queen, as she again approached the king, “I add my + prayers to hers, sire. To-day is the feast of love, my festival, sire! + To-day, then, let love and mercy prevail.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at the king with so charming a smile, her eyes had an + expression so radiant and happy, that the king could not withstand her. + </p> + <p> + He was, therefore, in the depths of his heart, ready to let the royal + clemency prevail for this time; but he wanted a pretext for this, some way + of bringing it about. He had solemnly vowed to pardon no heretic, and he + might not break his word merely because the queen prayed for mercy. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said he, after a pause, “I will comply with your request. I + will pardon Anne Askew, provided she will retract, and solemnly abjure all + that she has said. Are you satisfied with that, Catharine?” + </p> + <p> + “I am satisfied,” said she, sadly. + </p> + <p> + “And you, Lady Jane Douglas, and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey?” + </p> + <p> + “We are satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + All eyes were now turned again upon Anne Askew, who, although every one + was occupied by her concerns, had been entirely overlooked and left + unnoticed. + </p> + <p> + Nor had she taken any more notice of the company than they of her. She had + scarcely observed what was going on about her. She stood leaning against + the open door leading to the balcony, and gazed at the flaming horizon. + Her soul was with those pious martyrs, for whom she was sending up her + heart-felt prayers to God, and whom she, in her feverish exaltation, + envied their death of torture. Entirely borne away from the present, she + had heard neither the petitions of those who protected her, nor the king’s + reply. + </p> + <p> + A hand laid upon her shoulder roused her from her reverie. + </p> + <p> + It was Catharine, the young queen, who stood near her. + </p> + <p> + “Anne Askew,” said she, in a hurried whisper, “if your life is dear to + you, comply with the king’s demand.” + </p> + <p> + She seized the young girl’s hand, and led her to the king. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said she, in a full voice, “forgive the exalted and impassioned + agony of a poor girl, who has now, for the first time, been witness of an + execution, and whose mind has been so much impressed by it that she is + scarcely conscious of the mad and criminal words that she has uttered + before you! Pardon her, then, your majesty, for she is prepared cheerfully + to retract.” + </p> + <p> + A cry of amazement burst from Anne’s lips, and her eyes flashed with + anger, as she dashed the queen’s hand away from her. + </p> + <p> + “I retract!” exclaimed she, with a contemptuous smile. “Never, my lady, + never! No! as sure as I hope for God to be gracious to me in my last hour, + I retract not! It is true, it was agony and horror that made me speak; but + what I have spoken is yet, nevertheless, the truth. Horror caused me to + speak, and forced me to show my soul undisguised. No, I retract not! I + tell you, they who have been executed over yonder are holy martyrs, who + have ascended to God, there to enter an accusation against their royal + hangman. Ay, they are holy, for eternal truth had illumined their souls, + and it beamed about their faces bright as the flames of the fagots into + which the murderous hand of an unrighteous judge had cast them. Ah, I must + retract! I, forsooth, am to do as did Shaxton, the miserable and + unfaithful servant of his God, who, from fear of earthly death, denied the + eternal truth, and in blaspheming pusillanimity perjured himself + concerning the holy doctrine. [Footnote: Burnet, vol. i, p. 341] King + Henry, I say unto you, beware of dissemblers and perjurers; beware of your + own haughty and arrogant thoughts. The blood of martyrs cries to Heaven + against you, and the time will come when God will be as merciless to you + as you have been to the noblest of your subjects! You deliver them over to + the murderous flames, because they will not believe what the priests of + Baal preach; because they will not believe in the real transubstantiation + of the chalice; because they deny that the natural body of Christ is, + after the sacrament, contained in the sacrament, no matter whether the + priest be a good or a bad man. [Footnote: Ibid.] You give them over to the + executioner, because they serve the truth, and are faithful followers of + the Lord their God!” + </p> + <p> + “And you share the views of these people whom you call martyrs?” asked the + king, as Anne Askew now paused for a moment and struggled for breath. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I share them!” + </p> + <p> + “You deny, then, the truth of the six articles?” + </p> + <p> + “I deny them!” + </p> + <p> + “You do not see in me the head of the Church?” + </p> + <p> + “God only is Head and Lord of the Church!” + </p> + <p> + A pause followed—a fearful, awful pause. + </p> + <p> + Every one felt that for this poor young girl there was no hope, no + possible escape; that her doom was irrevocably sealed. + </p> + <p> + There was a smile on the king’s countenance. + </p> + <p> + The courtiers knew that smile, and feared it yet more than the king’s + raging wrath. + </p> + <p> + When the king thus smiled, he had taken his resolve. Then there was with + him no possible vacillation or hesitation, but the sentence of death was + resolved on, and his bloodthirsty soul rejoiced over a new victim. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord Bishop of Winchester,” said the king, at length, “come hither.” + </p> + <p> + Gardiner drew near and placed himself by Anne Askew, who gazed at him with + angry, contemptuous looks. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of the law I command you to arrest this heretic, and hand her + over to the spiritual court,” continued the king. “She is damned and lost. + She shall be punished as she deserves!” + </p> + <p> + Gardiner laid his hand on Anne Askew’s shoulder. “In the name of the law + of God, I arrest you!” said he, solemnly. + </p> + <p> + Not a word more was spoken. The lord chief justice had silently followed a + sign from Gardiner, and touching Anne Askew with his staff, ordered the + soldiers to conduct her thence. + </p> + <p> + With a smile, Anne Askew offered them her hand, and surrounded by the + soldiers and followed by the Bishop of Winchester and the lord chief + justice, walked erect and proudly out of the room. + </p> + <p> + The courtiers had divided and opened a passage for Anne and her + attendants. Now their ranks closed again, as the sea closes and flows + calmly on when it has just received a corpse. To them all Anne Askew was + already a corpse, as one buried. The waves had swept over her and all was + again serene and bright. + </p> + <p> + The king extended his hand to his young wife, and, bending down, whispered + in her ear a few words, which nobody understood, but which made the young + queen tremble and blush. + </p> + <p> + The king, who observed this, laughed and impressed a kiss on her forehead. + Then he turned to his court; “Now, good-night, my lords and gentlemen,” + said he, with a gracious inclination of the head. “The feast is at an end, + and we need rest.” + </p> + <p> + “Forget not the Princess Elizabeth,” whispered Archbishop Cranmer, as he + took leave of Catharine, and pressed to his lips her proffered hand. + </p> + <p> + “I will not forget her,” murmured Catharine, and, with throbbing heart and + trembling with inward dread, she saw them all retire, and leave her alone + with the king. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE INTERCESSION. + </h2> + <p> + “And now, Kate,” said the king, when all had withdrawn, and he was again + alone with her, “now let us forget everything, save that we love each + other.” + </p> + <p> + He embraced her and with ardor pressed her to his breast. Wearied to + death, she bowed her head on his shoulder and lay there like a shattered + rose, completely broken, completely passive. + </p> + <p> + “You give me no kiss, Kate?” said Henry, with a smile. “Are you then yet + angry with me that I did not comply with your first request? But what + would you have me do, child? How, indeed, shall I keep the crimson of my + royal mantle always fresh and bright, unless I continually dye it anew in + the blood of criminals? Only he who punishes and destroys is truly a king, + and trembling mankind will acknowledge him as such. The tender-hearted and + gracious king it despises, and his pitiful weakness it laughs to scorn. + Bah! Humanity is such a wretched, miserable thing, that it only respects + and acknowledges him who makes it tremble. And people are such + contemptible, foolish children, that they have respect only for him who + makes them feel the lash daily, and every now and then whips a few of them + to death. Look at me, Kate: where is there a king who has reigned longer + and more happily than I? whom the people love more and obey better than + me? This arises from the fact that I have already signed more than two + hundred death-warrants, [Footnote: Tytler, p. 428. Leti, vol. i, p. 187.] + and because every one believes that, if he does not obey me, I will + without delay send his head after the others!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you say you love me,” murmured Catharine, “and you speak only of + blood and death while you are with me.” + </p> + <p> + The king laughed. “You are right, Kate,” said he, “and yet, believe me, + there are other thoughts slumbering in the depths of my heart, and could + you look down into it, you would not accuse me of coldness and unkindness. + I love you truly, my dear, virgin bride, and, to prove it, you shall now + ask a favor of me. Yes, Kate, make me a request, and, whatever it may be, + I pledge you my royal word, it shall be granted you. Now, Kate, think, + what will please you? Will you have brilliants, or a castle by the sea, + or, perhaps, a yacht? Would you like fine horses, or it may be some one + has offended you, and you would like his head? If so, tell me, Kate, and + you shall have his head; a wink from me, and it drops at your feet. For I + am almighty and all-powerful, and no one is so innocent and pure, that my + will cannot find in him a crime which will cost him his life. Speak, then, + Kate; what would you have? What will gladden your heart?” + </p> + <p> + Catharine smiled in spite of her secret fear and horror. “Sire,” said she, + “you have given me so many brilliants, that I can shine and glitter with + them, as night does with her stars. If you give me a castle by the sea, + that is, at the same time, banishing me from Whitehall and your presence; + I wish, therefore, for no castle of my own. I wish only to dwell with you + in your castles, and my king’s abode shall be my only residence.” + </p> + <p> + “Beautifully and wisely spoken,” said the king; “I will remember these + words if ever your enemies endeavor to send you to a dwelling and a castle + other than that which your king occupies. The Tower is also a castle, + Kate, but I give you my royal word you shall never occupy that castle. You + want no treasures and no castles? It is, then, somebody’s head that you + demand of me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sire, it is the head of some one!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I guessed it, then,” said the king with a laugh. “Now speak, my + little bloodthirsty queen, whose head will you have? Who shall be brought + to the block?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, it is true I ask you for the head of a person,” said Catharine, in + a tender, earnest tone, “but I wish not that head to fall, but to be + lifted up. I beg you for a human life—not to destroy it, but, on the + contrary, to adorn it with happiness and joy. I wish to drag no one to + prison, but to restore to one, dearly beloved, the freedom, happiness, and + splendid position which belong to her. Sire, you have permitted me to ask + a favor. Now, then, I beg you to call the Princess Elizabeth to court. Let + her reside with us at Whitehall. Allow her to be ever near me, and share + my happiness and glory. Sire, only yesterday the Princess Elizabeth was + far above me in rank and position, but since your all-powerful might and + grace have to-day elevated me above all other women, I may now love the + Princess Elizabeth as my sister and dearest friend. Grant me this, my + king! Let Elizabeth come to us at Whitehall, and enjoy at our court the + honor which is her due.” [Footnote: Leti, vol. i. p. 147. Tytler. p. 410.] + </p> + <p> + The king did not reply immediately; but in his quiet and smiling air one + could read that his young consort’s request had not angered him. Something + like an emotion flitted across his face, and his eyes were for a moment + dimmed with tears. Perhaps just then a pale, soul-harrowing phantom passed + before his mind, and a glance at the past showed him the beautiful and + unfortunate mother [Footnote: Ann Boleyn] of Elizabeth, whom he had + sentenced to a cruel death at the hands of the public executioner, and + whose last word nevertheless was a blessing and a message of love for him. + </p> + <p> + He passionately seized Catharine’s hand and pressed it to his lips. “I + thank you! You are unselfish and generous. That is a very rare quality, + and I shall always highly esteem you for it. But you are also brave and + courageous, for you have dared what nobody before you has dared; you have + twice on the same evening interceded for one condemned and one fallen into + disgrace. The fortunate, and those favored by me, have always had many + friends, but I have never yet seen that the unfortunate and the exiled + have also found friends. You are different from these miserable, cringing + courtiers; different from this deceitful and trembling crowd, that with + chattering teeth fall down and worship me as their god and lord; different + from these pitiful, good-for-nothing mortals, who call themselves my + people, and who allow me to yoke them up, because they are like the ox, + which is obedient and serviceable, only because he is so stupid as not to + know his own might and strength. Ah, believe me, Kate, I would be a milder + and more merciful king, if the people were not such an utterly stupid and + contemptible thing; a dog, which is so much the more submissive and gentle + the more you maltreat him. You, Kate, you are different, and I am glad of + it. You know, I have forever banished Elizabeth from my court and from my + heart, and still you intercede for her. That is noble of you, and I love + you for it, and grant you your request. And that you may see how I love + and trust you, I will now reveal to you a secret: I have long since wished + to have Elizabeth with me, but I was ashamed, even to myself, of this + weakness. I have long yearned once again to look into my daughter’s large + deep eyes, to be a kind and tender father to her, and make some amends to + her for the wrong I perhaps may have done to her mother. For sometimes, in + sleepless nights, Anne’s beautiful face comes up before me and gazes at me + with mournful, mild look, and my whole heart shudders before it. But I + could not confess this to anybody, for then they might say that I repented + what I had done. A king must be infallible, like God himself, and never, + through regret or desire to compensate, confess that he is a weak, erring + mortal, like others. You see why I repressed my longing and parental + tenderness, which was suspected by no one, and appeared to be a heartless + father, because nobody would help me and make it easy for me to be a + tender father. Ah, these courtiers! They are so stupid, that they can + understand only just what is echoed in our words; but what our heart says, + and longs for, of that they know nothing. But you know, Kate; you are an + acute woman, and a high-minded one besides. Come, Kate, a thankful father + gives you this kiss, and this, ay, this, your husband gives you, my + beautiful, charming queen.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. HENRY THE EIGHTH AND HIS WIVES. + </h2> + <p> + The calm of night had now succeeded to the tempest of the day, and after + so much bustle, festivity, and rejoicing, deep quiet now reigned in the + palace of Whitehall, and throughout London. The happy subjects of King + Henry might, without danger, remain for a few hours at least in their + houses, and behind closed shutters and bolted doors, either slumber and + dream, or give themselves to their devotional exercises, on account of + which they had that day, perhaps, been denounced as malefactors. They + might, for a few hours, resign themselves to the sweet, blissful dream of + being freemen untrammelled in belief and thought. For King Henry slept, + and likewise Gardiner and the lord chancellor had closed their watchful, + prying, devout, murderous eyes, and reposed awhile from the Christian + employment of ferreting out heretics. + </p> + <p> + And like the king, the entire households of both their majesties were also + asleep and resting from the festivities of the royal wedding-day, which, + in pomp and splendor, by far surpassed the five preceding marriages. + </p> + <p> + It appeared, however, as though not all the court officials were taking + rest, and following the example of the king. For in a chamber, not far + from that of the royal pair, one could perceive, from the bright beams + streaming from the windows, in spite of the heavy damask curtains which + veiled them, that the lights were not yet extinguished; and he who looked + more closely would have observed that now and then a human shadow was + portrayed upon the curtain. + </p> + <p> + So the occupant of this chamber had not yet gone to rest, and harassing + must have been the thoughts which cause him to move so restlessly to and + fro. + </p> + <p> + This chamber was occupied by Lady Jane Douglas, first maid of honor to the + queen. The powerful influence of Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, had + seconded Catharine’s wish to have near her the dear friend of her youth, + and, without suspecting it, the queen had given a helping hand to bring + nearer to their accomplishment the schemes which the hypocritical Gardiner + was directing against her. + </p> + <p> + For Catharine knew not what changes had taken place in the character of + her friend in the four years in which she had not seen her. She did not + suspect how fatal her sojourn in the strongly Romish city of Dublin had + been to the easily impressible mind of her early playmate, and how much it + had transformed her whole being. Lady Jane, once so sprightly and gay, had + become a bigoted Romanist, who, with fanatical zeal, believed that she was + serving God when she served the Church, and paid unreserved obedience to + her priests. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane Douglas had therefore—thanks to her fanaticism and the + teachings of the priests—become a complete dissembler. She could + smile, while in her heart she secretly brooded over hatred and revenge. + She could kiss the lips of those whose destruction she had perhaps just + sworn. She could preserve a harmless, innocent air, while she observed + everything, and took notice of every breath, every smile, every movement + of the eyelashes. + </p> + <p> + Hence it was very important for Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, to bring + his “friend” of the queen to court, and make of this disciple of Loyola an + ally and friend. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane Douglas was alone; and, pacing up and down her room, she thought + over the events of the day. + </p> + <p> + Now, that no one was observing her, she had laid aside that gentle, + serious mien, which one was wont to see about her at other times; her + countenance betrayed in rapid changes all the various sad and cheerful, + tempestuous and tender feelings which agitated her. + </p> + <p> + She who had hitherto had only one aim before her eyes, to serve the + Church, and to consecrate her whole life to this service; she whose heart + had been hitherto open only to ambition and devotion, she felt to-day + wholly new and never-suspected feelings springing up within her. A new + thought had entered into her life, the woman was awakened in her, and beat + violently at that heart which devotion had overlaid with a hard coating. + </p> + <p> + She had tried to collect herself in prayer, and to fill her soul so + entirely with the idea of God and her Church, that no earthly thought or + desire could find place therein. But ever and again arose before her + mind’s eye the noble countenance of Henry Howard, ever and again she + fancied that she heard his earnest, melodious voice, which made her heart + shake and tremble like a magical incantation. She had at first struggled + against these sweet fancies, which forced upon her such strange and + undreamed-of thoughts; but at length the woman in her got the better of + the fanatical Romanist, and, dropping into a seat, she surrendered herself + to her dreams and fancies. + </p> + <p> + “Has he recognized me?” asked she of herself. “Does he still remember that + a year ago we saw each other daily at the king’s court in Dublin?” + </p> + <p> + “But no,” added she mournfully, “he knows nothing of it. He had then eyes + and sense only for his young wife. Ah, and she was beautiful and lovely as + one of the Graces. But I, am not I also beautiful? and have not the + noblest cavaliers paid me homage, and sighed for me in unavailing love? + How comes it, then, that where I would please, there I am always + overlooked? How comes it, that the only two men, for whose notice I ever + cared, have never shown any preference for me? I felt that I loved Henry + Howard, but this love was a sin, for the Earl of Surrey was married. I + therefore tore my heart from him by violence, and gave it to God, because + the only man whom I could love did not return my affection. But even God + and devotion are not able to entirely fill a woman’s heart. In my breast + there was still room for ambition; and since I could not be a happy wife, + I would at least be a powerful queen. Oh, everything was so well devised, + so nicely arranged! Gardiner had already spoken of me to the king, and + inclined him to his plan; and while I was hastening at his call from Duma, + hither, this little Catharine Parr comes between and snatches him from me, + and overturns all our schemes. I will never forgive her. I will find a way + to revenge myself. I will force her to leave this place, which belongs to + me, and if there is no other way for it, she must go the way of the + scaffold, as did Catharine Howard. I will be Queen of England, I will—” + </p> + <p> + She suddenly interrupted her soliloquy, and listened. She thought she + heard a slight knock at the door. She was not mistaken; this knock was now + repeated, and indeed with a peculiar, significant stroke. + </p> + <p> + “It is my father!” said Lady Jane, and, as she resumed again her grave and + quiet air, she proceeded to open the door. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you expected me, then?” said Lord Archibald Douglas, kissing his + daughter’s forehead. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I expected you, my father,” replied Lady Jane with a smile. “I knew + that you would come to communicate to me your experiences and observations + during the day, and to give me directions for the future.” + </p> + <p> + The earl seated himself on the ottoman, and drew his daughter down by him. + </p> + <p> + “No one can overhear us, can they?” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody, my father! My women are sleeping in the fourth chamber from here, + and I have myself fastened the intervening doors. The anteroom through + which you came is, as you know, entirely empty, and nobody can conceal + himself there. It remains, then, only to fasten the door leading thence + into the corridor, in order to be secure from interruption.” + </p> + <p> + She hastened into the anteroom to fasten the door. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my father, we are secure from listeners,” said she, as she returned + and resumed her place on the ottoman. + </p> + <p> + “And the walls, my child? know you whether or no the walls are safe? You + look at me with an expression of doubt and surprise! My God, what a + harmless and innocent little maiden you still are! Have I not constantly + reiterated the great and wise lesson, ‘Doubt everything and mistrust + everything, even what you see.’ He who will make his fortune at court, + must first of all mistrust everybody, and consider everybody his enemy, + whom he is to flatter, because he can do him harm, and whom he is to hug + and kiss, until in some happy embrace he can either plunge a dagger into + his breast wholly unobserved, or pour poison into his mouth. Trust neither + men nor walls, Jane, for I tell you, however smooth and innocent both may + appear, still there may be found an ambuscade behind the smooth exterior. + But I will for the present believe that these walls are innocent, and + conceal no listeners. I will believe it, because I know this room. Those + were fine and charming days in which I became acquainted with it. Then I + was yet young and handsome, and King Henry’s sister was not yet married to + the King of Scotland, and we loved each other so dearly. Ah, I could + relate to you wonderful stories of those happy days. I could—” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear father,” interrupted Lady Jane, secretly trembling at the + terrible prospect of being forced to listen yet again to the story of his + youthful love, which she had already heard times without number, “but, my + dear father, doubtless you have not come hither so late at night in order + to relate to me what I—forgive me, my lord—what I long since + knew. You will rather communicate to me what your keen and unerring glance + has discovered here.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” said Lord Douglas, sadly. “I now sometimes become loquacious—a + sure sign that I am growing old. I have, by no means, come here to speak + of the past, but of the present. Let us, then, speak of it. Ah, I have + to-day perceived much, seen much, observed much, and the result of my + observations is, you will be King Henry’s seventh wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible, my lord!” exclaimed Lady Jane, whose countenance, in spite of + her will, assumed an expression of delight. + </p> + <p> + Her father remarked it. “My child,” said he, “I observe that you have not + yet your features entirely under your control. You aimed just now, for + example, to play the coy and humble, and yet your face had the expression + of proud satisfaction. But this by the way! The principal thing is, you + will be King Henry’s seventh wife! But in order to become so, there is + need for great heedfulness, a complete knowledge of present relations, + constant observation of all persons, impenetrable dissimulation, and + lastly, above all things, a very intimate and profound knowledge of the + king, of the history of his reign, and of his character. Do you possess + this knowledge? Know you what it is to wish to become King Henry’s seventh + wife, and how you must begin in order to attain this? Have you studied + Henry’s character?” + </p> + <p> + “A little, perhaps, but certainly not sufficiently. For, as you know, my + lord, worldly matters have lain upon my heart less than the holy Church, + to whose service I have consecrated myself, and to which I would have + presented my whole being, my whole soul, my whole heart, as a sacrifice, + had not you yourself determined otherwise concerning me. Ah, my father, + had I been allowed to follow my inclination, I would have retired into a + convent in Scotland in order to spend my life in quiet contemplation and + pious penances, and close my soul and ear to every profane sound. But my + wishes have not been regarded; and, by the mouth of His venerable and holy + priests, God has commanded me to remain in the world, and take upon myself + the yoke of greatness and regal splendor. If I then struggle and strive to + become queen, this is done, not because the vain pomp and glory allure me, + but solely because through me the Church, out of which is no salvation, + may find a fulcrum to operate on this weak and fickle king, and because I + am to bring him back again to the only true faith.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well played!” cried her father, who had stared her steadily in the + face while she was speaking. “On my word, very well played. Everything was + in perfect harmony, the gesticulation, the play of the eyes, and the + voice. My daughter, I withdraw my censure. You have perfect control over + yourself. But let us speak of King Henry. We will now subject him to a + thorough analysis, and no fibre of his heart, no atom of his brain shall + remain unnoticed by us. We will observe him in his domestic, his + political, and his religious life, and get a perfectly clear view of every + peculiarity of his character, in order that we may deal with him + accordingly. Let us, then, speak first of his wives. Their lives and + deaths afford you excellent finger-posts; for I do not deny that it is an + extremely difficult and dangerous undertaking to be Henry’s consort. There + is needed for it much personal courage and very great self-control. Know + you which, of all his wives, possessed these in the highest degree? It was + his first consort, Catharine of Aragon! By Heaven, she was a sensible + woman, and born a queen! Henry, avaricious as he was, would gladly have + given the best jewel in his crown, if he could have detected but a shadow, + the slightest trace of unfaithfulness in her. But there was absolutely no + means of sending this woman to the scaffold, and at that time he was as + yet too cowardly and too virtuous to put her out of the way by poison. He, + therefore, endured her long, until she was an old woman with gray hairs, + and disagreeable for his eyes to look upon. So after he had been married + to her seventeen years, the good, pious king was all at once seized with a + conscientious scruple, and because he had read in the Bible, ‘Thou shalt + not marry thy sister,’ dreadful pangs of conscience came upon the noble + and crafty monarch. He fell upon his knees and beat his breast, and cried: + ‘I have committed a great sin; for I have married my brother’s wife, and + consequently my sister. But I will make amends for it. I will dissolve + this adulterous marriage!’—Do you know, child, why he would dissolve + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Because he loved Anne Boleyn!” said Jane, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly correct! Catharine had grown old, and Henry was still a young + man, and his blood shot through his veins like streams of fire. Hut he was + yet somewhat virtuous and timid, and the main peculiarity of his character + was as yet undeveloped. He was not yet bloodthirsty, that is to say, he + had not yet licked blood. But you will see how with each new queen his + desire for blood increased, till at length it has now become a wasting + disease. Had he then had the system of lies that he now has, he would + somehow have bribed a slanderer, who would have declared that he was + Catharine’s lover. But he was yet so innocent; he wanted yet to gratify + his darling lusts in a perfectly legal way. So Anne Boleyn must become his + queen, that he might love her. And in order to attain this, he threw down + the glove to the whole world, became an enemy to the pope, and set himself + in open opposition to the holy head of the Church. Because the Holy Father + would not dissolve his marriage, King Henry became an apostate and + atheist. He constituted himself head of his Church, and, by virtue of his + authority as such, he declared his marriage with Catharine of Aragon null + and void. He said that he had not in his heart given his consent to this + marriage, and that it had not consequently been properly + consummated.[Footnote: Burnet, vol. i, p. 37.] It is true, Catharine had + in the Princess Mary a living witness of the consummation of her marriage, + but what did the enamored and selfish king care about that? Princess Mary + was declared a bastard, and the queen was now to be nothing more than the + widow of the Prince of Wales. It was strictly forbidden to longer give the + title and to show the honor due to a queen, to the woman who for seventeen + years had been Queen of England, and had been treated and honored as such. + No one was permitted to call her anything but the Princess of Wales; and + that nothing might disturb the good people or the noble queen herself in + this illusion, Catharine was banished from the court and exiled to a + castle, which she had once occupied as consort of Arthur, Prince of Wales. + And Henry likewise allowed her only the attendance and pension which the + law appoints to the widow of the Prince of Wales.[Footnote: Burnet, vol. + i, p. 120.] + </p> + <p> + “I have ever held this to be one of the most prudent and subtle acts of + our exalted king, and in the whole history of this divorce the king + conducted himself with admirable consistency and resolution. But this is + to say, he was excited by opposition. Mark this, then, my child, for this + is the reason why I have spoken to you of these things so much at length. + Mark this, then: King Henry is every way entirely unable to bear + contradiction, or to be subjected to restraint. If you wish to win him to + any purpose, you must try to draw him from it; you must surround it with + difficulties and hinderances. Therefore show yourself coy and indifferent; + that will excite him. Do not court his looks; then will he seek to + encounter yours. And when finally he loves you, dwell so long on your + virtue and your conscience, that at length Henry, in order to quiet your + conscience, will send this troublesome Catharine Parr to the block, or do + as he did with Catharine of Aragon, and declare that he did not mentally + give his consent to this marriage, and therefore Catharine is no queen, + but only Lord Neville’s widow. Ah, since he made himself high-priest of + his Church, there is no impediment for him in matters of this kind, for + only God is mightier than he. + </p> + <p> + “The beautiful Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife, proved this. I have seen + her often, and I tell you, Jane, she was of wondrous beauty. Whoever + looked upon her, could not but love her, and he whom she smiled upon felt + himself fascinated and glorified. When she had borne to the king the + Princess Elizabeth, I heard him say, that he had attained the summit of + his happiness, the goal of his wishes, for the queen had borne him a + daughter, and so there was a regular and legitimate successor to his + throne. But this happiness lasted only a brief time. + </p> + <p> + “The king conceived one day that Anne Boleyn was not, as he had hitherto + believed, the most beautiful woman in the world; but that there were women + still more beautiful at his court, who therefore had a stronger vocation + to become Queen of England. He had seen Jane Seymour, and she without + doubt was handsomer than Anne Boleyn, for she was not as yet the king’s + consort, and there was an obstacle to his possession of her—the + Queen Anne Boleyn. This obstacle must be got out of the way. + </p> + <p> + “Henry, by virtue of his plentitude of power, might again have been + divorced from his wife, but he did not like to repeat himself, he wished + to be always original; and no one was to be allowed to say that his + divorces were only the cloak of his capricious lewdness. + </p> + <p> + “He had divorced Catharine of Aragon on account of conscientious scruples; + therefore, some other means must be devised for Anne Boleyn. + </p> + <p> + “The shortest way to be rid of her was the scaffold. Why should not Anne + travel that road, since so many had gone it before her? for a new force + had entered into the king’s life: the tiger had licked blood! His instinct + was aroused, and he recoiled no more from those crimson rills which flowed + in the veins of his subjects. + </p> + <p> + “He had given Lady Anne Boleyn the crimson mantle of royalty, why then + should she not give him her crimson blood? For this there was wanted only + a pretext, and this was soon found. Lady Rochfort was Jane Seymour’s aunt, + and she found some men, of whom she asserted that they had been lovers of + the fair Anne Boleyn. She, as the queen’s first lady of the bed-chamber, + could of course give the most minute particulars concerning the matter, + and the king believed her. He believed her, though these four pretended + lovers of the queen, who were executed for their crime, all, with the + exception of a single one, asseverated that Anne Boleyn was innocent, and + that they had never been in her presence. The only one who accused the + queen of illicit intercourse with him was James Smeaton, a musician. + [Footnote: Tytler.] But he had been promised his life for this confession. + However, it was not thought advisable to keep this promise, for fear that, + when confronted with the queen, he might not have the strength to sustain + his assertion. But not to be altogether unthankful to him for so useful a + confession, they showed him the favor of not executing him with the axe, + but the more agreeable and easier death of hanging was vouchsafed to + him.[Footnote: Burnet, vol. i, p. 205.] + </p> + <p> + “So the fair and lovely Anne Boleyn must lay her head upon the block. The + day on which this took place, the king had ordered a great hunt, and early + that morning we rode out to Epping Forest. The king was at first unusually + cheerful and humorous, and he commanded me to ride near him, and tell him + something from the chronique scandaleuse of our court. He laughed at my + spiteful remarks, and the worse I calumniated, the merrier was the king. + Finally, we halted; the king had talked and laughed so much that he had at + last become hungry. So he encamped under an oak, and, in the midst of his + suite and his dogs, he took a breakfast, which pleased him very much, + although he had now become a little quieter and more silent, and sometimes + turned his face toward the direction of London with visible restlessness + and anxiety. But suddenly was heard from that direction the dull sound of + a cannon. We all knew that this was the signal which was to make known to + the king that Anne Boleyn’s head had fallen. We knew it, and a shudder ran + through our whole frames. The king alone smiled, and as he arose and took + his weapon from my hand, he said, with cheerful face, ‘It is done, the + business is finished. Unleash the dogs, and let us follow the boar.’ + [Footnote: The king’s very words. Tytler, p. 383. The oak under which this + took place is still pointed out in Epping Forest, and in fact is not less + remarkable as the oak of Charles II.] + </p> + <p> + “That,” said Lord Douglas, sadly, “that was King Henry’s funeral discourse + over his charming and innocent wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you regret her, my father?” asked Lady Jane, with surprise. “But Anne + Boleyn was, it seems to me, an enemy of our Church, and an adherent of the + accursed new doctrine.” + </p> + <p> + Her father shrugged his shoulders almost contemptuously. That did not + prevent Lady Anne from being one of the fairest and loveliest women of Old + England. And, besides, much as she inclined to the new doctrine, she did + us essential good service, for she it was who bore the blame of Thomas + More’s death. Since he had not approved her marriage with the king, she + hated him, as the king hated him because he would not take the oath of + supremacy. Henry, however, would have spared him, for, at that time, he + still possessed some respect for learning and virtue, and Thomas More was + so renowned a scholar that the king held him in reverence. But Anne Boleyn + demanded his death, and so Thomas More must be executed. Oh, believe me, + Jane, that was an important and sad hour for all England, the hour when + Thomas More laid his head upon the block. We only, we gay people in the + palace of Whitehall, we were cheerful and merry. We were dancing a new + kind of dance, the music of which was written by the king himself, for you + know the king is not merely an author, but also a composer, and as he now + writes pious books, so he then composed dances. [Footnote: Granger’s + “Biographical History of England,” vol. I, p. 137. of Tytler, p. 354.] + That evening, after we had danced till we were tired, we played cards. + Just as I had won a few guineas from the king, the lieutenant of the Tower + came with the tidings that the execution was over, and gave us a + description of the last moments of the great scholar. The king threw down + his cards, and, turning an angry look on Anne Boleyn, said, in an agitated + voice, ‘You are to blame for the death of this man!’ Then he arose and + withdrew to his apartments, while no one was permitted to follow him, not + even the queen. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 354] You see, then, that Anne Boleyn + had a claim on our gratitude, for the death of Thomas More delivered Old + England from another great peril. Melanchthon and Bucer, and with them + several of the greatest pulpit orators of Germany, had set out to come to + London, and, as delegates of the Germanic Protestant princes, to nominate + the king as head of their alliance. But the terrible news of the execution + of their friend frightened them back, and caused them to return when + half-way here. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 357. Leti, vol. I, p. 180. Granger, + vol. I, p. 119.] + </p> + <p> + “Peace, then, to the ashes of unhappy Anne Boleyn! However, she was + avenged too, avenged on her successor and rival, for whose sake she was + made to mount the scaffold—avenged on Jane Seymour.” + </p> + <p> + “But she was the king’s beloved wife,” said Jane, “and when she died the + king mourned for her two years.” + </p> + <p> + “He mourned!” exclaimed Lord Douglas, contemptuously. “He has mourned for + all his wives. Even for Anne Boleyn he put on mourning, and in his white + mourning apparel, the day after Anne’s execution, he led Jane Seymour to + the marriage altar! This outward mourning, what does it signify? Anne + Boleyn also mourned for Catharine of Aragon, whom she had pushed from the + throne. For eight weeks she was seen in yellow mourning on account of + Henry’s first wife; but Anne Boleyn was a shrewd woman, and she knew very + well that the yellow mourning dress was exceedingly becoming to her.” + </p> + <p> + “But the king’s mourning was not merely external,” said Lady Jane. “He + mourned really, for it was two years before he resolved on a new + marriage.” + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas laughed. “But he cheered himself during these two years of + widowhood with a very beautiful mistress, the French Marchioness de + Montreuil, and he would have married her had not the prudent beauty + preferred returning to France, because she found it altogether too + dangerous to become Henry’s consort. For it is not to be denied, a baleful + star hovers over Henry’s queens, and none of them has descended from the + throne in a natural way.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, father, Jane Seymour did so in a very natural way; she died in + childbed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, in childbed. And yet by no natural death, for she could have + been saved. But Henry did not wish to save her. His love had already grown + cool, and when the physicians asked him whether they should save the + mother or the child, he replied, ‘Save the child, and let the mother die. + I can get wives enough.’ [Footnote: Burnet.] Ah, my daughter, I hope you + may not die such a natural death as Jane Seymour did, for whom, as you + say, the king mourned two years. But after that period, something new, + something altogether extraordinary happened to the king. He fell in love + with a picture, and because, in his proud self-conceit, he was convinced + that the fine picture which Holbein had made of him, was not at all + flattered, but entirely true to nature, it did not occur to him that + Holbein’s likeness of the Princess Anne of Cleves might be somewhat + flattered, and not altogether faithful. So the king fell in love with a + picture, and sent ambassadors to Germany to bring the original of the + portrait to England as his bride. He himself went to meet her at + Rochester, where she was to land. Ah, my child, I have witnessed many + queer and droll things in my eventful life, but the scene at Rochester, + however, is among my most spicy recollections. The king was as + enthusiastic as a poet, and deep in love as a youth of twenty, and so + began our romantic wedding-trip, on which Henry disguised himself and took + part in it, assuming the name of my cousin. As the king’s master of horse, + I was honored with the commission of carrying to the young queen the + greeting of her ardent husband, and begging her to receive the knight, who + would deliver to her a present from the king. She granted my request with + a grin which made visible a frightful row of yellow teeth. I opened the + door, and invited the king to enter. Ah, you ought to have witnessed that + scene! It is the only farcical passage in the bloody tragedy of Henry’s + married life. You should have seen with what hasty impatience the king + rushed in, then suddenly, at the sight of her, staggered back and stared + at the princess. Slowly retiring, he silently thrust into my hand the rich + present that he had brought, while at the same time he threw a look of + flaming wrath on Lord Cromwell, who had brought him the portrait of the + princess and won him to this marriage. The romantic, ardent lover vanished + with this look at his beloved. He approached the princess again—this + time not as a cavalier, but, with harsh and hasty words, he told her he + was the king himself. He bade her welcome in a few words, and gave her a + cold, formal embrace. He then hastily took my hand and drew me out of the + room, beckoning the rest to follow him. And when at length we were out of + the atmosphere of this poor ugly princess, and far enough away from her, + the king, with angry countenance, said to Cromwell: ‘Call you that a + beauty? She is a Flanders mare, but no princess.’ [Footnote: Burnet, p. + 174. Tytler, p. 417.] Anne’s ugliness was surely given her of God, that by + it, the Church, in which alone is salvation, might be delivered from the + great danger which threatened it. For had Anne of Cleves, the sister, + niece, granddaughter and aunt of all the Protestant princes of Germany, + been beautiful, incalculable danger would have threatened our church. The + king could not overcome his repugnance, and again his conscience, which + always appeared to be most tender and scrupulous, when it was farthest + from it and most regardless, must come to his aid. + </p> + <p> + “The king declared that he had been only in appearance, not in his + innermost conscience, disposed to this marriage, from which he now shrank + back, because it would be, properly speaking, nothing more than perfidy, + perjury, and bigamy. For Anne’s father had once betrothed her to the son + of the Duke of Lorraine, and had solemnly pledged him his word to give her + as a wife to the young duke as soon as she was of age; rings had been + exchanged and the marriage contract already drawn up. Anne of Cleves, + therefore, was virtually already married, and Henry, with his tender + conscience, could not make one already married his wife. [Footnote: + Burnet.] He made her, therefore, his sister, and gave her the palace at + Richmond for a residence, in case she wished to remain in England. She + accepted it; her blood, which crept coldly and quietly through her veins, + did not rise at the thought of being despised and repudiated. She accepted + it, and remained in England. + </p> + <p> + “She was rejected because she was ugly; and now the king selected + Catharine Howard for his fifth consort, because she was pretty. Of this + marriage I know but little to tell you, for, at that time, I had already + gone to Dublin as minister, whither you soon followed me. Catharine was + very beautiful, and the king’s heart, now growing old, once more flamed + high with youthful love. He loved her more warmly than any other of his + wives. He was so happy in her that, kneeling down publicly in the church, + with a loud voice he thanked God for the happiness which his beautiful + young queen afforded him. But this did not last long. Even while the king + was extolling it, his happiness had reached its highest point, and the + next day he was dashed down into the abyss. I speak without poetical + exaggeration, my child. The day before, he thanked God for his happiness, + and the next morning Catharine Howard was already imprisoned and accused, + as an unfaithful wife, a shameless strumpet.[Footnote: Tytler, p. 432.] + More than seven lovers had preceded her royal spouse, and some of them had + accompanied her even on the progress through Yorkshire, which she made + with the king her husband. This time it was no pretence, for he had not + yet had time to fall in love with another woman, and Catharine well knew + how to enchain him and ever to kindle new flames within him. But just + because he loved her, he could not forgive her for having deceived him. In + love there is so much cruelty and hatred; and Henry, who but yesterday lay + at her feet, burned to-day with rage and jealousy, as yesterday with love + and rapture. In his rage, however, he still loved her, and when he held in + his hand indubitable proof of her guilt, he wept like a child. But since + he could no longer be her lover, he would be her hangman; since she had + spotted the crimson of his royal mantle, he would dye it afresh with her + own crimson blood. And he did so. Catharine Howard was forced to lay her + beautiful head upon the block, as Anne Boleyn had done before her; and + Anne’s death was now once more avenged. Lady Rochfort had been Anne + Boleyn’s accuser, and her testimony had brought that queen to the + scaffold; but now she was convicted of being Catharine Howard’s assistant + and confidante in her love adventures, and with Catharine, Lady Rochfort + also ascended the scaffold. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the king needed a long time to recover from this blow. He searched + two years for a pure, uncontaminated virgin, who might become his queen + without danger of the scaffold. But he found none; so he took then Lord + Neville’s widow, Catharine Parr. But you know, my child, that Catharine is + an unlucky name for Henry’s queens. The first Catharine he repudiated, the + second he beheaded. What will he do with the third?” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane smiled. “Catharine does not love him,” said she, “and I believe + she would willingly consent, like Anne of Cleves, to become his sister, + instead of his wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Catharine does not love the king?” inquired Lord Douglas, in breathless + suspense. “She loves another, then!” + </p> + <p> + “No, my father! Her heart is yet like a sheet of white paper: no single + name is yet inscribed there.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must write a name there, and this name must drive her to the + scaffold, or into banishment,” said her father impetuously. “It is your + business, my child, to take a steel graver, and in some way write a name + in Catharine’s heart so deep and indelibly, that the king may some day + read it there.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. FATHER AND DAUGHTER. + </h2> + <p> + Both now kept silent for a long time. Lord Douglas had leaned back on the + ottoman, and, respiring heavily, seemed to breathe a little from the + exertion of his long discourse. But while he rested, his large, piercing + eyes were constantly turned to Jane, who, leaning back on the cushion, was + staring thoughtfully into the empty air, and seemed to be entirely + forgetful of her father’s presence. + </p> + <p> + A cunning smile played for a moment over the countenance of the earl as he + observed her, but it quickly disappeared, and now deep folds of care + gathered on his brow. As he saw that Lady Jane was plunging deeper and + deeper into reverie, he at length laid his hand on her shoulder and + hastily asked, “What are you thinking of, Jane?” + </p> + <p> + She gave a sudden start, and looked at the earl with an embarrassed air. + </p> + <p> + “I am thinking of all that you have been saying to me, my father,” replied + she, calmly. “I am considering what benefit to our object I can draw from + it.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Douglas shook his head, and smiled incredulously. At length he said + solemnly: “Take care, Jane, take care that your heart does not deceive + your head. If we would reach our aim here, you must, above all things, + maintain a cool heart and a cool head. Do you still possess both, Jane?” + </p> + <p> + In confusion she cast down her eyes before his penetrating look. Lord + Douglas noticed it, and a passionate word was already on his lips. But he + kept it back. As a prudent diplomat, he knew that it is often more politic + to destroy a thing by ignoring it, than to enter into an open contest with + it. The feelings are like the dragons’ teeth of Theseus. If you contend + with them, they always grow again anew, and with renewed energy, out of + the soil. Lord Douglas, therefore, was very careful not to notice his + daughter’s confusion. “Pardon me, my daughter, if, in my zeal and my + tender care for you, I go too far. I know that your dear and beautiful + head is cool enough to wear a crown. I know that in your heart dwell only + ambition and religion. Let us, then, further consider what we have to do + in order to attain our end. + </p> + <p> + “We have spoken of Henry as a husband, of Henry as a man; and I hope you + have drawn some useful lessons from the fate of his wives. You have + learned that it is necessary to possess all the good and all the bad + qualities of woman in order to control this stiff-necked and tyrannical, + this lustful and bigoted, this vain and sensual man, whom the wrath of God + has made King of England. You must, before all things, be perfect master + of the difficult art of coquetry. You must become a female Proteus—today + a Messalina, to-morrow a nun; to-day one of the <i>literati</i>, to-morrow + a playful child; you must ever seek to surprise the king, to keep him on + the stretch, to enliven him. You must never give way to the dangerous + feeling of security, for in fact King Henry’s wife is never safe. The axe + always hangs over her head, and you must ever consider your husband as + only a fickle lover, whom you must every day captivate anew.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak as though I were already queen,” said Lady Jane, smiling; “and + yet I cannot but think that, in order to come to that, many difficulties + are to be overcome, which may indeed perhaps be insuperable.” + </p> + <p> + “Insuperable!” exclaimed her father with a shrug of the shoulders. “With + the aid of the holy Church, no hinderance is insuperable. Only, we must be + perfectly acquainted with our end and our means. Do not despise, then, to + sound the character of this king ever and again, and be certain you will + always find in him some new hidden recess, some surprising peculiarity. We + have spoken of him as a husband and the father of a family, but of his + religious and political standing I have as yet told you nothing. And yet + that, my child, is the principal point in his whole character. + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, then, Jane, I will tell you a secret. The king, who + has constituted himself high-priest of his Church—whom the pope once + called ‘the Knight of the Truth and the Faith’—the king has at the + bottom of his heart no religion. He is a wavering reed, which the wind + turns this way to-day, and that way to-morrow. He knows not his own will, + and, coquetting with both parties, to-day he is a heretic, in order to + exhibit himself as a strong, unprejudiced, enlightened man; to-morrow a + Catholic, in order to show himself an obedient and humble servant of God, + who seeks and finds his happiness only in love and piety. But for both + confessions of faith he possesses at heart a profound indifference; and + had the pope at that time placed no difficulties in his way, had he + consented to his divorce from Catharine, Henry would have always remained + a very good and active servant of the Catholic Church. But they were + imprudent enough to irritate him by contradiction; they stimulated his + vanity and pride to resistance; and so Henry became a church reformer, not + from conviction, but out of pure love of opposition. And that, my child, + you must never forget, for, by means of this lever, you may very well + convert him again to a devout, dutiful, and obedient servant of our holy + Church. He has renounced the pope, and usurped the supremacy of the + Church, but he cannot summon up courage to carry out his work and throw + himself wholly into the arms of the Reformation. However much he has + opposed the person of the pope, still he has always remained devoted to + the Church, although perhaps he does not know it himself. He is no + Catholic, and he hears mass; he has broken up the monasteries, and yet + forbids priests to marry; he has the Lord’s supper administered under both + kinds, and believes in the real transubstantiation of the wine into the + Redeemer’s holy blood. He destroys the convents, and yet commands that + vows of chastity, spoken by man or woman, must be faithfully kept; and + lastly, auricular confession is still a necessary constituent of his + Church. And these he calls his six articles, [Footnote: Burnet, vol. I, p. + 259. Tytler, p. 402. Mioti, vol. I, p. 134.] and the foundation of his + English Church. Poor, short-sighted and vain man! He knows not that he has + done all this, only because he wanted to be the pope himself, and he is + nothing more than an anti-pope of the Holy Father at Rome, whom he, in his + blasphemous pride, dares call ‘the Bishop of Rome.’” + </p> + <p> + “But, for this audacity,” said Jane, with looks of burning rage, “the + anathema has struck him and laid a curse upon his head, and given him up + to the hatred, contempt, and scorn of his own subjects. Therefore, the + Holy Father has justly named him ‘the apostate and lost son, the + blaspheming usurper of the holy Church.’ Therefore, the pope has declared + his crown forfeited, and promised it to him who will vanquish him by force + of arms. Therefore, the pope has forbidden any of his subjects to obey + him, and respect and recognize him as king.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet he remains King of England, and his subjects still obey him in + slavish submission,” exclaimed Earl Douglas, shrugging his shoulders. “It + is very unwise to go so far in threats, for one should never threaten with + punishment which he is not likewise able to really execute. This Romish + interdict has rather been an advantage to the king, than done him harm, + for it has forced the king into haughtier opposition, and proved to his + subjects that a man may royally be under an interdict, and yet in + prosperity and the full enjoyment of life.” + </p> + <p> + “The pope’s excommunication has not hurt the king at all; his throne has + not felt the slightest jar from it, but the apostasy of the king has + deprived the Holy See at Rome of a very perceptible support; therefore we + must bring the faithless king back to the holy Church, for she needs him. + And this, my daughter, is the work that God and the will of His holy + representative have placed in your hands. A noble, glorious, and at the + same time profitable work, for it makes you a queen! But I repeat, be + cautious, never irritate the king by contradiction. Without their knowing + it, we must lead the wavering where salvation awaits them. For, as we have + said, he is a waverer; and in the haughty pride of his royalty, he has the + presumption to wish to stand above all parties, and to be himself able to + found a new Church, a Church which is neither Catholic nor Protestant, but + Ms Church; to which, in the six articles, the so-called ‘Bloody Statute’ + he has given its laws. + </p> + <p> + “He will not be Protestant nor Catholic, and, in order to show his + impartiality, he is an equally terrible persecutor of both parties. So + that it has come to pass that we must say, ‘In England, Catholics are + hanged, and those not stich are burned.’ [Footnote: Leti, vol. I, p. 144. + f Tytler, p. 38.] It gives the king pleasure to hold with steady and cruel + hand the balance between the two parties, and on the same day that he has + a papist incarcerated, because he has disputed the king’s supremacy, he + has one of the reformed put upon the rack, because he has denied the real + transubstantiation of the wine, or perhaps has disputed concerning the + necessity of auricular confession. Indeed, during the last session of + Parliament, five men were hanged because they disputed the supremacy, and + five others burned because they professed the reformed views! And this + evening, Jane—this, the king’s wedding-night—by the special + order of the king, who wanted to show his impartiality as head of the + church, Catholics and Protestants have been coupled together like dogs, + and hurried to the stake, the Catholics being condemned (as traitors, and + the others as heretics!) + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Jane, shuddering and turning pale, “I will not be Queen of + England. I have a horror of this cruel, savage king, whose heart is wholly + without compassion or love.” + </p> + <p> + Her father laughed. “Do you not then know, child, how you can make the + hyena gentle, and the tiger tame? You throw them again and again a fresh + prey, which they may devour, and since they love blood so dearly, you + constantly give them blood to drink, so that they may never thirst for it. + The king’s only steady and unchanging peculiarity is his cruelty and + delight in blood; one then must always have some food ready for these, + then he will ever be a very affectionate and gracious king and husband. + </p> + <p> + “And there is no lack of objects for this bloodthirstiness. There are so + many men and women at his court, and when he is precisely in a + bloodthirsty humor, it is all the same to Henry whose blood he drinks. He + has shed the blood of his wives and relatives; he has executed those whom + he called his most confidential friends; he has sent the noblest men of + his kingdom to the scaffold. + </p> + <p> + “Thomas More knew him very well, and in a few striking words he summed up + the whole of the king’s character. Ah, it seems to me that I see now the + quiet and gentle face of this wise man, as I saw him standing in yonder + bay-window, and near him the king, his arms around the neck of + High-Chancellor More, and listening to his discourse with a kind of + reverential devotion. And when the king had gone, I walked up to Thomas + More and congratulated him on the high and world-renowned favor in which + he stood with the king. ‘The king really loves you,’ said I. ‘Yes,’ + replied he, with his quiet, sad smile, ‘yes, the king truly loves me. But + that would not for one moment hinder him from giving my head for a + valuable diamond, a beautiful woman, or a hand’s breadth of land in + France.’ [Footnote: Leti, vol. i, p 194.] He was right, and for a + beautiful woman, the head of this sage had to fall, of whom the most + Christian emperor and king, Charles V., said: ‘Had I been the master of + such a servant, of whose ability and greatness we have had so much + experience for many years; had I possessed an adviser so wise and earnest + as Thomas More was, I would rather have lost the best city of my realm, + than so worthy a servant and counsellor.’ [Footnote: Tytler, p. 354.] + </p> + <p> + “No, Jane, be that your first and most sacred rule, never to trust the + king, and never reckon on the duration of his affection and the + manifestations of his favor. For, in the perfidy of his heart, it often + pleases him to load with tokens of his favor those whose destruction he + has already resolved upon, to adorn and decorate with orders and jewels + to-day those whom to-morrow he is going to put to death. It flatters his + self-complacency, like the lion, to play a little with the puppy he is + about to devour. Thus did he with Cromwell, for many years his counsellor + and friend, who had committed no other crime than that of having first + exhibited to the king the portrait of the ugly Anne of Cleves, whom + Holbein had turned into a beauty. But the king took good care not to be + angry with Cromwell, or to reproach him for it. Much more—in + recognition of his great services, he raised him to the earldom of Essex, + decorated him with the Order of the Garter and appointed him lord + chamberlain; and then, when Cromwell felt perfectly secure and proudly + basked in the sunshine of royal favor, then all at once the king had him + arrested and dragged to the tower, in order to accuse him of high treason. + [Footnote: Ibid, p. 423.] And so Cromwell was executed, because Anne of + Cleves did not please the king, and because Hans Holbein had flattered her + picture. + </p> + <p> + “But now we have had enough of the past, Jane. Now let us speak of the + present and of the future, my daughter. Let us now first of all devise the + means to overthrow this woman who stands in our way. When she is once + overthrown, it will not be very difficult for us to put you in her place. + For you are now here, near the king. The great mistake in our earlier + efforts was, that we were not present and could work only through + go-betweens and confidants. The king did not see you, and since the + unlucky affair with Anne of Cleves he mistrusts likenesses; I very well + knew that, for I, my child, confide in no one, not even in the most + faithful and noblest friends. I rely upon nobody but ourselves. Had we + been here, you would now be Queen of England instead of Catharine Parr. + But, to our misfortune, I was still the favorite of the Regent of + Scotland, and as such, I could not venture to approach Henry. It was + necessary that I should fall into disgrace there, in order to be again + sure of the king’s favor here. + </p> + <p> + “So I fell into disgrace and fled with you hither. Now, then, here we are, + and let the fight begin. And you have to-day already taken an important + step toward our end. You have attracted the notice of the king, and + established yourself still more securely in the favor of Catharine. I + confess, Jane, I am charmed with your prudent conduct. You have this day + won the hearts of all parties, and it was wonderfully shrewd in you to + come to the aid of the Earl of Surrey, as you at the same time won to you + the heretical party, to which Anne Askew belongs. Oh, it was indeed, Jane, + a stroke of policy that you made. For the Howard family is the most + powerful and greatest at court, and Henry, Earl of Surrey, is one of its + noblest representatives. Therefore we have now already a powerful party at + court, which has in view only the high and holy aim of securing a victory + for the holy Church, and which quietly and silently works only for this—to + again reconcile the king to the pope. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, like + his father, the Duke of Norfolk, is a good Catholic, as his niece + Catharine Howard was; only she, besides God and the Church, was a little + too fond of the images of God—fine-looking men. It was this that + gave the victory to the other party, and forced the Catholic to succumb to + the heretical party at court. Yes, for the moment, Cranmer with Catharine + has got the better of us, but soon Gardiner with Jane Douglas will + overcome the heretics, and send them to the scaffold. That is our plan, + and, God permitting, we will carry it out.” + </p> + <p> + “But it will be a difficult undertaking,” said Lady Jane, with a sigh. + “The queen is a pure, transparent soul; she has a shrewd head and a clear + glance. She is, moreover, guileless in her thoughts, and recoils with true + maidenly timidity from every sin.” + </p> + <p> + “We must cure her of this timidity, and that is your task, Jane. You must + despoil her of these strict notions about virtue. With flattering voice + you must ensnare her heart, and entice it to sin.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is an infernal plot!” said Lady Jane, turning pale. “That, my + father, would be a crime, for that would be not only destroying her + earthly happiness, but also imperilling her soul. I must entice her to a + crime; that is your dishonorable demand! But I will not obey you! It is + true, I hate her, for she stands in the way of my ambition. It is true I + will destroy her, for she wears the crown which I wish to possess; but + never will I be so base as to pour into her very heart the poison by which + she shall fall. Let her seek the poison for herself; I will not hold back + her hand; I will not warn her. Let her seek the ways of sin herself: I + will not tell her that she has erred; but I will, from afar, dog her, and + watch each step, and listen for every word and sigh, and when she has + committed a crime, then I will betray her, and deliver her up to her + judges. That is what I can and will do. I will be the demon to drive her + from paradise in God’s name, but not the serpent to entice her in the + devil’s name to sin.” + </p> + <p> + She paused, and, panting for breath, sunk back upon the cushion; but her + father’s hand was laid upon her shoulder with a convulsive grip, and pale + with rage and with eyes flashing with anger, he stared at her. + </p> + <p> + A cry of terror burst from Lady Jane. She, who never had seen her father + but smiling and full of kindness, scarcely recognized that countenance, + distorted with rage. She could scarcely convince herself that this man, + with eyes darting fire, scowling eyebrows and lips quivering with rage, + was really her father. + </p> + <p> + “You will not?” exclaimed he, with a hollow, threatening voice. “You dare + rebel against the holy commands of the Church? Have you, then, forgotten + what you promised to the Holy Fathers, whose pupil you are? Have you + forgotten that the brothers and sisters of the Holy League are permitted + to have no other will than that of their masters! Have you forgotten the + sublime vow which you made to our master, Ignatius Loyola? Answer me, + unfaithful and disobedient daughter of the Church! Repeat to me the oath + which you took when he received you into the holy Society of the Disciples + of Jesus! Repeat your oath, I say!” + </p> + <p> + As if constrained by an invisible power, Jane had arisen, and now stood, + her hands folded across her breast, submissive and trembling before her + father, whose erect, proud, and wrathful form towered above her. + </p> + <p> + “I have sworn,” said she, “to subject my own thought, and will, my life, + and endeavors, obediently to the will of the Holy Father. I have sworn to + be a blind tool in the hands of my masters, and to do only what they + command and enjoin. I have vowed to serve the holy Church, in which alone + is salvation, in every way and with all the means at my command; and I + will despise none of these means, consider none trifling, disdain none, + provided it leads to the end. For the end sanctifies the means, and + nothing is a sin which is done for the honor of God and the Church!” + </p> + <p> + “Ad majorem Dei gloriam!” said her father, devoutly folding his hands. + “And you know what awaits you, if you violate your oath?” + </p> + <p> + “Earthly disgrace and eternal destruction await me. The curse of all my + brethren and sisters awaits me—eternal damnation and punishment. + With thousands of torments and tortures of the rack, will the Holy Fathers + put me to death; and as they kill my body and throw it as food to the + beasts of prey, they will curse my soul and deliver it over to purgatory.” + </p> + <p> + “And what awaits you if you remain faithful to your oath, and obey the + commands given you?” + </p> + <p> + “Honor and glory on earth, besides eternal blessedness in heaven.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will be a queen on earth and a queen in heaven. You know, then, + the sacred laws of the society, and you remember your oath?” + </p> + <p> + “I remember it.” + </p> + <p> + “And you know that the holy Loyola, before he left us, gave the Society of + Jesus, in England, a master and general, whom all the brethren and sisters + must serve and submit to, to whom they owe blind obedience and service + without questioning?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it.” + </p> + <p> + “And you know, likewise, by what sign the associates may recognize the + general?” + </p> + <p> + “By Loyola’s ring, which he wears on the forefinger of his right hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Behold here this ring!” said the earl, drawing his hand out of his + doublet. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane uttered a cry, and sank almost senseless at his feet. + </p> + <p> + Lord Douglas, smiling graciously, raised her in his arms. “You see, Jane, + I am not merely your father, but your master also. And you will obey me, + will you not?” + </p> + <p> + “I will obey!” said she, almost inaudibly, as she kissed the hand with the + fatal ring. + </p> + <p> + “You will be to Catharine Parr, as you have expressed it, the serpent, + that seduces her to sin?” + </p> + <p> + “I will.” + </p> + <p> + “You will beguile her into sin, and entice her to indulge a love which + must lead her to destruction?” + </p> + <p> + “I will do it, my father.” + </p> + <p> + “I will now tell you whom she is to love, and who is to be the instrument + of destruction. You will so manage the queen that she will love Henry + Howard, Earl of Surrey.” + </p> + <p> + Jane uttered a scream, and clung to the back of a chair to keep from + falling. + </p> + <p> + Her father observed her with penetrating, angry looks. “What means this + outcry? Why does this choice surprise you?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane had already gained her self-possession. “It surprised me,” said + she, “because the earl is betrothed.” + </p> + <p> + A singular smile played about the earl’s lips. “It is not the first time,” + said he, “that even a man already married has become dangerous to a + woman’s heart, and often the very impossibility of possession adds fuel to + the flames of love. Woman’s heart is ever so full of selfishness and + contradiction.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane cast down her eyes, and made no reply. She felt that the + piercing and penetrating look of her father was resting on her face. She + knew that, just then, he was reading her soul, although she did not look + at him. + </p> + <p> + “Then you no longer refuse?” asked he, at length. “You will inspire the + young queen with love for the Earl of Surrey?” + </p> + <p> + “I will endeavor to do it, my father.” + </p> + <p> + “If you try, with a real and energetic determination to succeed, you will + prevail. For, as you said, the queen’s heart is still free; it is, then, + like a fruitful soil, which is only waiting for some one to sow the seed + in it, to bring forth flowers and fruit. Catharine Parr does not love the + king; you will, then, teach her to love Henry Howard.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, my father,” said Lady Jane, with a sarcastic smile, “to bring about + this result, one must, before all things, be acquainted with a magic + spell, through the might of which the earl will first glow with love for + Catharine. For the queen has a proud soul, and she will never so forget + her dignity as to love a man who is not inflamed with an ardent passion + for her. But the earl has not only a bride, but, as it is said, a mistress + also.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you consider it, then, perfectly unworthy of a woman to love a man + who does not adore her?” asked the earl, in a significant tone. “I am + rejoiced to hear this from my daughter, and thus to be certain that she + will not fall in love with the Earl of Surrey, who is everywhere else + called ‘the lady-killer.’ And if you have informed yourself in so + surprising a manner as to the earl’s private relations, you have done so, + without doubt, only because your sagacious and subtle head has already + guessed what commission I would give you with respect to the earl. + Besides, my daughter, you are in error: and if a certain high, but not on + that account the less very unfortunate lady, should happen to really love + the Earl of Surrey, her lot will, perhaps, be the common one—to + practise resignation.” + </p> + <p> + An expression of joyful surprise passed over the countenance of Lady Jane, + while her father thus spoke; but it was forced to instantly give way to a + deathly paleness, as the earl added: “Henry Howard is destined for + Catharine Parr, and you are to help her to love so hotly this proud, + handsome earl, who is a faithful servant of the Church, wherein alone is + salvation, that she will forget all considerations and all dangers.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane ventured one more objection. She caught eagerly at her father’s + words, to seek still for some way of escape. + </p> + <p> + “You call the earl a faithful servant of our Church,” said she, “and yet + you would implicate him also in your dangerous plot? You have not, then, + my father, considered that it is just as pernicious to love the queen as + to be loved by her? And, without doubt, if love for the Earl of Surrey + bring the queen to the scaffold, the head of the earl will fall at the + same time, no matter whether he return her love or not.” + </p> + <p> + The earl shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “When the question is about the weal of the Church and our holy religion, + the danger which, thereby, it may be, threatens one of our number, must + not frighten us back. Holy sacrifices must be always offered to a holy + cause. Well and good, then, let the earl’s head fall, provided the only + saving Church gains new vigor from this blood of martyrs. But see, Jane, + the morning already begins to dawn, and I must hasten to leave you, lest + these courtiers, ever given to slandering, may in some way or other take + the father for a lover, and cast suspicion on the immaculate virtue of my + Jane. Farewell, then, my daughter! We both, now, know our rôles, and will + take care to play them with success. You are the friend and confidante of + the queen, and I the harmless courtier, who tries, now and then, to gain a + smile from the king by some kind and merry jest. That is all. + Good-morning, then, Jane, and good-night. For you must sleep, my child, so + that your cheeks may remain fresh and your eyes bright. The king hates + pining pale-faces. Sleep, then, future Queen of England!” + </p> + <p> + He gently kissed her forehead, and left the room with lingering step. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane stood and listened to the sound of his footsteps gradually dying + away, when she sank on her knees, wholly crushed, utterly stunned. + </p> + <p> + “My God, my God!” murmured she, while streams of tears flooded her face, + “and I am to inspire the queen with love for the Earl of Surrey, and I—I + love him!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. LENDEMAIN. + </h2> + <p> + The great levée was over. Sitting beside the king on the throne, Catharine + had received the congratulations of her court; and the king’s smiling + look, and the tender words which, in undertone, he now and then addressed + to the queen, had manifested to the prudent and expert courtiers that the + king was to-day just as much enamored of his young consort as he had been + yesterday of his bride. Therefore, every one exerted himself to please the + queen, and to catch every look, every smile, which she let fall, like + sunbeams, here and there, in order to see for whom they were intended, so + that they might, perchance, by this means, divine who were to be the + future favorites of the queen, and be the first to become intimate with + them. + </p> + <p> + But the young queen directed her looks to no one in particular. She was + friendly and smiling, yet one felt that this friendliness was constrained, + this smile full of sadness. The king alone did not notice it. He was + cheerful and happy, and it seemed to him, therefore, that nobody at his + court could dare sigh when he, the king, was satisfied. + </p> + <p> + After the grand presentation, at which all the great and noble of the + realm had passed in formal procession before the royal pair, the king had, + according to the court etiquette of the time, given his hand to his + consort, led her down from the throne and conducted her to the middle of + the hall, in order to present to her the personages in waiting at her + court. + </p> + <p> + But this walk from the throne to the centre of the hall had greatly + fatigued the king; this promenade of thirty steps was for him a very + unusual and troublesome performance, and the king longed to change to + something else more agreeable. So he beckoned to the chief master of + ceremonies, and bade him open the door leading into the dining-room. Then + he ordered his “house equipage” to be brought up, and, seating himself in + it with the utmost stateliness, he had the sedan kept at the queen’s side, + waiting impatiently till the presentation should at last conclude, and + Catharine accompany him to lunch. + </p> + <p> + The announcements of the maids of honor and female attendants had been + already made, and now came the gentlemen’s turn. + </p> + <p> + The chief master of ceremonies read from his list the names of those + cavaliers who were, henceforth, to be in waiting near the queen, and which + names the king had written down with his own hand. And at each new + appointment a slight expression of pleased astonishment flitted across the + faces of the assembled courtiers, for it was always one of the youngest, + handsomest, and most amiable lords whom the master of ceremonies had to + name. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the king proposed to play a cruel game at hazard, in surrounding + his consort with the young men of his court; he wished to plunge her into + the midst of danger, either to let her perish there, or, by her avoiding + danger, to be able to place the unimpeachable virtue of his young wife in + the clearest light. + </p> + <p> + The list had begun with the less important offices, and, ever ascending + higher, they now came to positions the highest and of greatest + consequence. + </p> + <p> + Still the queen’s master of horse and the chamberlain had not been named, + and these were without doubt the most important charges at the queen’s + court. For one or the other of these officers was always very near the + queen. When she was in the palace, the lord of the chamber had to remain + in the anteroom, and no one could approach the queen but through his + mediation. To him the queen had to give her orders with regard to the + schemes and pleasures of the day. He was to contrive new diversions and + amusements. He had the right of joining the queen’s narrow evening circle, + and to stand behind the queen’s chair when the royal pair, at times, + desired to sup without ceremony. + </p> + <p> + This place of chief chamberlain was, therefore, a very important one; for + since it confined him a large part of the day in the queen’s presence, it + was scarcely avoidable that the lord chamberlain should become either the + confidential and attentive friend, or the malevolent and lurking enemy of + the queen! + </p> + <p> + But the place of master of horse was of no less consequence. For as soon + as the queen left the palace, whether on foot or in a carriage, whether to + ride in the forest or to glide down the Thames in her gilded yacht, the + master of horse must be ever at her side, must ever attend her. Indeed, + this service was still more exclusive, still more important. For, though + the queen’s apartments were open to the lord chamberlain, yet, however, he + was never alone with her. The attending maids of honor were always present + and prevented there being any têtes-à -têtes or intimacy between the queen + and her chamberlain. + </p> + <p> + But with the master of horse it was different—since many + opportunities presented themselves, when he could approach the queen + unnoticed, or at least speak to her without being overheard. He had to + offer her his hand to assist her in entering her carriage; he could ride + near the door of her coach; he accompanied her on water excursions and + pleasure rides, and these last were so much the more important because + they afforded him, to a certain extent, opportunity for a tête-à -tête with + the queen. For only the master of horse was permitted to ride at her side; + he even had precedence of the ladies of the suite, so as to be able to + give the queen immediate assistance in case of any accident, or the + stumbling of her horse. Therefore, no one of the suite could perceive what + the queen said to the master of horse when he rode at her side. + </p> + <p> + It was understood, therefore, how influential this place might be. + Besides, when the queen was at Whitehall, the king was almost always near + her; while, thanks to his daily increasing corpulency, he was not exactly + in a condition to leave the palace otherwise than in a carriage. + </p> + <p> + It was therefore very natural that the whole company at court awaited with + eager attention and bated breath the moment when the master of ceremonies + would name these two important personages, whose names had been kept so + secret that nobody had yet learned them. That morning, just before he + handed the list to the master of ceremonies, the king had written down + these two names with his own hand. + </p> + <p> + Not the court only, but also the king himself, was watching for these two + names. For he wished to see the effect of them, and, by the different + expression of faces, estimate the number of the friends of these two + nominees. The young queen alone exhibited the same unconcerned affability; + her heart only beat with uniform calmness, for she did not once suspect + the importance of the moment. + </p> + <p> + Even the voice of the master of ceremonies trembled slightly, as he now + read, “To the place of high chamberlain to the queen, his majesty appoints + my Lord Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.” + </p> + <p> + An approving murmur was heard, and almost all faces manifested glad + surprise. + </p> + <p> + “He has a great many friends,” muttered the king. “He is dangerous, then!” + An angry look darted from his eyes upon the young earl, who was now + approaching the queen, to bend his knee before her and to press to his + lips the proffered hand. + </p> + <p> + Behind the queen stood Lady Jane, and as she beheld thus close before her + the young man, so handsome, so long yearned for, and so secretly adored; + and as she thought of her oath, she felt a violent pang, raging jealousy, + killing hatred toward the young queen, who had, it is true, without + suspecting it, robbed her of the loved one, and condemned her to the + terrible torture of pandering to her. + </p> + <p> + The chief master of ceremonies now read in a loud solemn voice, “To the + place of master of horse, his majesty appoints my Lord Thomas Seymour, + Earl of Sudley.” + </p> + <p> + It was very well that the king had at that moment directed his whole + attention to his courtiers, and sought to read in their appearance the + impression made by this nomination. + </p> + <p> + Had he observed his consort, he would have seen that an expression of + delighted surprise flitted across Catharine’s countenance, and a charming + smile played round her lips. + </p> + <p> + But the king, as we have said, thought only of his court; he saw only that + the number of those who rejoiced at Seymour’s appointment did not come up + to that of those who received Surrey’s nomination with so much applause. + </p> + <p> + Henry frowned and muttered to himself, “These Howards are too powerful. I + will keep a watchful eye upon them.” + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour approached the queen, and, bending his knee before her, + kissed her hand. Catharine received him with a gracious smile. “My lord,” + said she, “you will at once enter on service with me, and indeed, as I + hope, in such manner as will be acceptable to the whole court. My lord, + take the fleetest of your coursers, and hasten to Castle Holt, where the + Princess Elizabeth is staying. Carry her this letter from her royal + father, and she will follow you hither. Tell her that I long to embrace in + her a friend and sister, and that I pray her to pardon me if I cannot give + up to her exclusively the heart of her king and father, but that I also + must still keep a place in the same for myself. Hasten to Castle Holt, my + lord, and bring us Princess Elizabeth.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. THE KING’S FOOL. + </h2> + <p> + Two years had passed away since the king’s marriage, and still Catharine + Parr had always kept in favor with her husband; still her enemies were + foiled in their attempts to ruin her, and raise the seventh queen to the + throne. + </p> + <p> + Catharine had ever been cautious, ever discreet. She had always preserved + a cold heart and a cool head. Each morning she had said to herself that + this day might be her last; that some incautious word, some inconsiderate + act, might deprive her of her crown and her life. For Henry’s savage and + cruel disposition seemed, like his corpulency, to increase daily, and it + needed only a trifle to inflame him to the highest pitch of rage, rage + which, each time, fell with fatal stroke on him who aroused it. + </p> + <p> + A knowledge and consciousness of this had made the queen cautious. She did + not wish to die yet. She still loved life so much. She loved it because it + had as yet afforded her so little delight. She loved it because she had so + much happiness, so much rapture and enjoyment yet to hope from it. She did + not wish to die yet, for she was ever waiting for that life of which she + had a foretaste only in her dreams, and which her palpitating and swelling + heart told her was ready to awake in her, and, with its sunny, brilliant + eyes, arouse her from the winter sleep of her existence. + </p> + <p> + It was a bright and beautiful spring day. Catharine wanted to avail + herself of it, to take a ride and forget for one brief hour that she was a + queen. She wanted to enjoy the woods, the sweet May breeze, the song of + birds, the green meadows, and to inhale in full draughts the pure air. + </p> + <p> + She wanted to ride. Nobody suspected how much secret delight and hidden + rapture lay in these words. No one suspected that for months she had been + looking forward with pleasure to this ride, and scarcely dared to wish for + it, just because it would be the fulfilment of her ardent wishes. + </p> + <p> + She was already dressed in her riding-habit, and the little red velvet + hat, with its long, drooping white feather, adorned her beautiful head. + Walking up and down the room, she was waiting only for the return of the + lord chamberlain, whom she had sent to the king to inquire whether he + wished to speak with her before her ride. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the door opened, and a strange apparition showed itself on the + threshold. It was a small, compact masculine figure, clad in vesture of + crimson silk, which was trimmed in a style showy and motley enough, with + puffs and bows of all colors, and which, just on account of its motley + appearance, contrasted strangely enough with the man’s white hair, and + earnest and sombre face. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the king’s fool,” said Catharine, with a merry laugh. “Well, John, + what is it that brings you here? Do you bring me a message from the king, + or have you made a bold hit, and wish me to take you again under my + protection?” + </p> + <p> + “No, queen,” said John Heywood, seriously, “I have made no bold hit, nor + do I bring a message from the king. I bring nothing but myself. Ah, queen, + I see you want to laugh, but I pray you forget for a moment that John + Heywood is the king’s fool, and that it does not become him to wear a + serious face and indulge sad thoughts like other men.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know that you are not merely the king’s fool, but a poet also,” + said Catharine, with a gracious smile. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said he, “I am a poet, and therefore it is altogether proper for me + to wear this fool’s cap, for poets are all fools, and it were better for + them to be hung on the nearest tree instead of being permitted to run + about in their crazy enthusiasm, and babble things on account of which + people of sense despise and ridicule them. I am a poet, and therefore, + queen, I have put on this fool’s dress, which places me under the king’s + protection, and allows me to say to him all sorts of things which nobody + else has the courage to speak out. But to-day, queen, I come to you + neither as a fool nor as a poet, but I come to you because I wish to cling + to your knees and kiss your feet. I come because I wish to tell you that + you have made John Heywood forever your slave. He will from this time + forth lie like a dog before your threshold and guard you from every enemy + and every evil which may press upon you. Night and day he will be ready + for your service, and know neither repose nor rest, if it is necessary to + fulfil your command or your wish.” + </p> + <p> + As he thus spoke, with trembling voice and eyes dimmed with tears, he + knelt down and bowed his head at Catharine’s feet. + </p> + <p> + “But what have I done to inspire you with such a feeling of thankfulness?” + asked Catharine with astonishment. “How have I deserved that you, the + powerful and universally dreaded favorite of the king, should dedicate + yourself to my service?” + </p> + <p> + “What have you done?” said he. “My lady, you have saved my son from the + stake! They had condemned him—that handsome noble youth—condemned + him, because he had spoken respectfully of Thomas More; because he said + this great and noble man did right to die, rather than be false to his + convictions. Ah, nowadays, it requires such a trifle to condemn a man to + death! a couple of thoughtless words are sufficient! And this miserable, + lick-spittle Parliament, in its dastardliness and worthlessness, always + condemns and sentences, because it knows that the king is always thirsty + for blood, and always wants the fires of the stake to keep him warm. So + they had condemned my son likewise, and they would have executed him, but + for you. But you, whom God has sent as an angel of reconciliation on this + regal throne reeking with blood; you who daily risk your life and your + crown to save the life of some one of those unfortunates whom fanaticism + and thirst for blood have sentenced, and to procure their pardon, you have + save my son also.” + </p> + <p> + “How! that young man who was to be burned yesterday, was your son?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he was my son.” + </p> + <p> + “And you did not tell the king so? and you did not intercede for him?” + </p> + <p> + “Had I done so, he would have been irretrievably lost! For you well know + the king is so proud of his impartiality and his virtue! Oh, had he known + that Thomas is my son he would have condemned him to death, to show the + people that Henry the Eighth everywhere strikes the guilty and punishes + the sinner, whatever name he may bear, and whoever may intercede for him. + Ah, even your supplication would not have softened him, for the + high-priest of the English Church could never have pardoned this young man + for not being the legitimate son of his father, for not having the right + to bear his name, because his mother was the spouse of another man whom + Thomas must call father.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor Heywood! Yes, now I understand. The king would, indeed, never have + forgiven this; and had he known it, your son would have inevitably been + condemned to the stake.” + </p> + <p> + “You saved him, queen! Do you not believe now that I shall be forever + thankful to you?” + </p> + <p> + “I do believe it,” said the queen, with a pleasant smile, as she extended + her hand for him to kiss. “I believe you, and I accept your service.” + </p> + <p> + “And you will need it, queen, for a tempest is gathering over your head, + and soon the lightning will flash and the thunders roll.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I fear not! I have strong nerves!” said Catharine, smiling. “When a + storm comes, it is but a refreshing of nature, and I have always seen that + after a storm the sun shines again.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a brave soul!” swirl John Heywood, sadly. + </p> + <p> + “That is, I am conscious of no guilt!” + </p> + <p> + “But your enemies will invent a crime to charge you with. Ah, as soon as + it is the aim to calumniate a neighbor and plunge him in misery, men are + all poets!” + </p> + <p> + “But you just now said that poets are crack-brained, and should be hung to + the first tree. We will, therefore, treat these slanderers as poets, that + is all.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that is not all!” said John Heywood, energetically. “For slanderers + are like earth-worms. You cut them in pieces, but instead of thereby + killing them, you multiply each one and give it several heads.” + </p> + <p> + “But what is it, then, that I am accused of?” exclaimed Catharine, + impatiently. “Does not my life lie open and clear before you all? Do I + ever take pains to have any secrets? Is not my heart like a glass house, + into which you can all look, to convince yourselves that it is a soil + wholly unfruitful, and that not a single poor little flower grows there?” + </p> + <p> + “Though this be so, your enemies will sow weeds and make the king believe + that it is burning love which has grown up in your heart.” + </p> + <p> + “How! They will accuse me of having a love-affair?” asked Catharine, and + her lips slightly trembled. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know their plans yet; but I will find them out. There is a + conspiracy at work. Therefore, queen, be on your guard! Trust nobody, for + foes are ever wont to conceal themselves under hypocritical faces and + deceiving words.” + </p> + <p> + “If you know my enemies, name them to me!” said Catharine, impatiently. + “Name them to me, that I may beware of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not come to accuse anybody, but to warn you. I shall, therefore, + take good care not to point out your enemies to you; but I will name your + friends to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, then, I have friends, too!” whispered Catharine, with a happy smile. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you have friends; and, indeed, such as are ready to give their blood + and life for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, name them, name them to me!” exclaimed Catharine, all of a tremble + with joyful expectation. + </p> + <p> + “I name first, Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury. He is your true and + staunch friend, on whom you can build. He loves you as queen, and he + prizes you as the associate whom God has sent him to bring to completion, + here at the court of this most Christian and bloody king, the holy work of + the Reformation, and to cause the light of knowledge to illuminate this + night of superstition and priestly domination. Build strongly on Cranmer, + for he is your surest and most invariable supporter, and should he sink, + your fall would inevitably follow. Therefore, not only rely on him, but + also protect him, and look upon him as your brother; for what you do for + him, you do for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you are right,” said Catharine, thoughtfully. “Cranmer is a noble + and staunch friend; and often enough already he has protected me, in the + king’s presence, against those little pin-prickings of my enemies, which + do not indeed kill, but which make the whole body sore and faint.” + </p> + <p> + “Protect him, and thus protect yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and the other friends?” + </p> + <p> + “I have given Cranmer the precedence; but now, queen, I name myself as the + second of your friends. If Cranmer is your staff, I will be your dog; and, + believe me, so long as you have such a staff and so faithful a dog, you + are safe. Cranmer will warn you of every stone that lies in your way, and + I will bite and drive off the enemies, who, hidden behind the thicket, + lurk in the way to fall upon you from behind.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you! Really, I thank you!” said Catharine, heartily. “Well, and + what more?” + </p> + <p> + “More?” inquired Heywood with a sad smile. + </p> + <p> + “Mention a few more of my friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Queen, it is a great deal, if one in a lifetime has found two friends + upon whom he can rely, and whose fidelity is not guided by selfishness. + You are perhaps the only crowned head that can boast of such friends.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a woman,” said Catharine, thoughtfully, “and many women surround me + and daily swear to me unchanging faithfulness and attachment. How! are all + these unworthy the title of friends? Is even Lady Jane Douglas unworthy; + she, whom I have called my friend these many long years, and whom I trust + as a sister? Tell me, John Heywood, you who, as it is said, know + everything, and search out everything that takes place at court, tell me, + is not Lady Jane Douglas my friend?” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood suddenly became serious and gloomy, and looked on the ground, + absorbed in reflection. Then he swept his large, bright eyes all around + the room, in a scrutinizing manner, as if he wished to convince himself + that no listener was really concealed there, and stepping close up to the + queen, he whispered: “Trust her not; she is a papist, and Gardiner is her + friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I suspected it,” whispered Catharine, sadly. + </p> + <p> + “But listen, queen; give no expression to this suspicion by look, or + words, or by the slightest indication. Lull this viper into the belief + that you are harmless; lull her to sleep, queen. She is a venomous and + dangerous serpent, which must not be roused, lest, before you suspect it, + it bite you on the heel. Be always gracious, always confidential, always + friendly toward her. Only, queen, do not tell her what you would not + confide to Gardiner and Earl Douglas likewise. Oh, believe me, she is like + the lion in the doge’s palace at Venice. The secrets that you confide to + her will become accusations against you before the tribunal of blood.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine shook her head with a smile. “You are too severe, John Heywood. + It is possible that the religion which she secretly professes has + estranged her heart from me, but she would never be capable of betraying + me, or of leaguing herself with my foes. No, John, you are mistaken. It + would be a crime to believe thus. My God, what a wicked and wretched world + it must be in which we could not trust even our most faithful and dearest + friends!” + </p> + <p> + “The world is indeed wicked and wretched, and one must despair of it, or + consider it a merry jest, with which the devil tickles our noses. For me, + it is such a jest, and therefore, queen, I have become the king’s fool, + which at least gives me the right of spurting out upon the crawling brood + all the venom of the contempt I feel for mankind, and of speaking the + truth to those who have only lies, by dripping honey, ever on their lips. + The sages and poets are the real fools of our day, and since I did not + feel a vocation to be a king, or a priest, a hangman, or a lamb for + sacrifice, I became a fool.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, a fool, that is to say, an epigrammatist, whose biting tongue makes + the whole court tremble.” + </p> + <p> + “Since I cannot, like my royal master, have these criminals executed, I + give them a few sword-cuts with my tongue. Ah, I tell you, you will much + need this ally. Be on your guard, queen: I heard this morning the first + growl of the thunder, and in Lady Jane’s eyes I observed the stealthy + lightning. Trust her not. Trust no one here but your friends Cranmer and + John Heywood.” + </p> + <p> + “And you say, that in all this court, among all these brilliant women, + these brave cavaliers, the poor queen has not a single friend, not a soul, + whom she may trust, on whom she may lean? Oh, John Heywood, think again, + have pity on the poverty of a queen. Think again. Say, only you two? No + friend but you?” + </p> + <p> + And the queen’s eyes filled with tears, which she tried in vain to + repress. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood saw it and sighed deeply. Better than the queen herself + perhaps, he had read the depths of her heart, and knew its deep wound. But + he also had sympathy with her pain, and wished to mitigate it a little. + </p> + <p> + “I recollect,” said he, gently and mournfully—“yes, I recollect, you + have yet a third friend at this court.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, a third friend!” exclaimed Catharine, and again her voice sounded + cheery and joyous. “Name him to me, name him! For you see clearly I am + burning with impatience to hear his name.” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood looked into Catharine’s glowing countenance with a strange + expression, at once searching and mournful, and for a moment dropped his + head upon his breast and sighed. + </p> + <p> + “Now, John, give me the name of this third friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not know him, queen?” asked Heywood, as he again stared steadily + in her face. “Do you not know him? It is Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley.” + </p> + <p> + There passed as it were a sunbeam over Catharine’s face, and she uttered a + low cry. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood said, sadly: “Queen, the sun strikes directly in your face. + Take care that it does not blind your bright eyes. Stand in the shade, + your majesty, for, hark! there comes one who might report the sunshine in + your face for a conflagration.” + </p> + <p> + Just then the door opened, and Lady Jane appeared on the threshold. She + threw a quick, searching glance around the room, and an imperceptible + smile passed over her beautiful pale face. + </p> + <p> + “Your majesty,” said she solemnly, “everything is ready. You can begin + your ride when it pleases you. The Princess Elizabeth awaits you in the + anteroom, and your master of horse already holds the stirrup of your + steed.” + </p> + <p> + “And the lord chamberlain?” asked Catharine, blushing, “has he no message + from the king to bring me?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay!” said the Earl of Surrey as he entered. “His majesty bids me tell the + queen that she may extend her ride as far as she wishes. The glorious + weather is well worth that the Queen of England should enjoy it, and enter + into a contest with the sun.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the king is the most gallant of cavaliers,” said Catharine, with a + happy smile. “Now come, Jane, let us ride.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, your majesty,” said Lady Jane, stepping back. “I cannot to-day + enjoy the privilege of accompanying your majesty. Lady Anne Ettersville is + to-day in attendance.” + </p> + <p> + “Another time, then, Jane! And you, Earl Douglas, you ride with us?” + </p> + <p> + “The king, your majesty, has ordered me to his cabinet.” + </p> + <p> + “Behold now a queen abandoned by all her friends!” said Catharine + cheerily, as with light, elastic step she passed through the hall to the + courtyard. + </p> + <p> + “Here is something going on which I must fathom!” muttered John Heywood, + who had left the hall with the rest. “A mousetrap is set, for the cats + remain at home, and are hungry for their prey.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane had remained behind in the hall with her father. Both had + stepped to the window, and were silently looking down into the yard, where + the brilliant cavalcade of the queen and her suite was moving about in + motley confusion. + </p> + <p> + Catharine had just mounted her palfrey; the noble animal, recognizing his + mistress, neighed loudly, and, giving a snort, reared up with his noble + burden. + </p> + <p> + Princess Elizabeth, who was close to the queen, uttered a cry of alarm. + “You will fall, queen,” said she, “you ride such a wild animal.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, indeed,” said Catharine, smiling; “Hector is not wild. It is with + him as with me. This charming May air has made us both mettlesome and + happy. Away, then, my ladies and lords! our horses must be to-day swift as + birds. We ride to Epping Forest.” + </p> + <p> + And through the open gateway dashed the cavalcade. The queen in front; at + her right, the Princess Elizabeth; at her left, the master of horse, + Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley. + </p> + <p> + When the train had disappeared, father and daughter stepped back from the + window, and looked at each other with strange, dark, and disdainful looks. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Jane?” said Earl Douglas, at length. “She is still queen, and the + king becomes daily more unwieldy and ailing. It is time to give him a + seventh queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Soon, my father, soon.” + </p> + <p> + “Loves the queen Henry Howard at last?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he loves her!” said Jane, and her pale face was now colorless as a + winding-sheet. + </p> + <p> + “I ask, whether she loves him?” + </p> + <p> + “She will love him!” murmured Jane, and then suddenly mastering herself, + she continued: “but it is not enough to make the queen in love; doubtless + it would be still more efficient if some one could instill a new love into + the king. Did you see, father, with what ardent looks his majesty + yesterday watched me and the Duchess of Richmond?” + </p> + <p> + “Did I see it? The whole court talked about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, my father, manage it so that the king may be heartily bored + to-day, and then bring him to me. He will find the Duchess of Richmond + with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, a glorious thought! You will surely be Henry’s seventh queen.” + </p> + <p> + “I will ruin Catharine Parr, for she is my rival, and I hate her!” said + Jane, with glowing cheeks and flashing eyes. “She has been queen long + enough, and I have bowed myself before her. Now she shall fall in the dust + before me, and I will set my foot upon her head.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. THE RIDE. + </h2> + <p> + It was a wondrous morning. The dew still lay on the grass of the meadows, + over which they had just ridden to reach the thicket of the forest, in + whose trees resounded the melodious voices of blithe birds. Then they rode + along the banks of a babbling forest stream, and spied the deer that came + forth into the glade on the other side, as if they wanted, like the queen + and her train, to listen to the song of the birds and the murmuring of the + fountains. Catharine felt a nameless, blissful pleasure swell her bosom. + She was to-day no more the queen, surrounded by perils and foes; no more + the wife of an unloved, tyrannical husband; not the queen trammelled with + the shackles of etiquette. She was a free, happy woman, who, in + presageful, blissful trepidation, smiled at the future, and said to each + minute, “Stay, stay, for thou art so beautiful!” + </p> + <p> + It was a sweet, dreamy happiness, the happiness of that hour. With glad + heart, Catharine would have given her crown for it, could she have + prolonged this hour to an eternity. + </p> + <p> + He was at her side—he of whom John Heywood had said, that he was + among her most trustful and trusty friends. He was there; and even if she + did not dare to look at him often, often to speak to him, yet she felt his + presence, she perceived the glowing beams of his eyes, which rested on her + with consuming fire. Nobody could observe them. For the court rode behind + them, and before them and around them was naught but Nature breathing and + smiling with joy, naught but heaven and God. + </p> + <p> + She had forgotten however that she was not quite alone, and that while + Thomas Seymour rode on her left, on her right was Princess Elizabeth—that + young girl of fourteen years—that child, who, however, under the + fire of suffering and the storms of adversity, was early forced to + precocious bloom, and whose heart, by the tears and experience of her + unhappy childhood, had acquired an early ripeness. Elizabeth, a child in + years, had already all the strength and warmth of a woman’s feelings. + Elizabeth, the disowned and disinherited princess, had inherited her + father’s pride and ambition; and when she looked on the queen, and + perceived that little crown wrought on her velvet cap in diamond + embroidery, she felt in her bosom a sharp pang, and remembered, with + feelings of bitter grief, that this crown was destined never to adorn her + head, since the king, by solemn act of Parliament, had excluded her from + the succession to the throne. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 340] But for a few + weeks this pain had been more gentle, and less burning. Another feeling + had silenced it. Elizabeth who was never to be queen or sovereign—Elizabeth + might be a wife at least. Since she was denied a crown, they should at + least allow her instead a wife’s happiness; they should not grudge her the + privilege of twining in her hair a crown of myrtle. + </p> + <p> + She had been early taught to ever have a clear consciousness of all her + feelings; nor had she now shrunk from reading the depths of her heart with + steady and sure eye. + </p> + <p> + She knew that she loved, and that Thomas Seymour was the man whom she + loved. + </p> + <p> + But the earl? Did he love her in return? Did he understand the child’s + heart? Had he, beneath the childish face, already recognized the + passionate, proud woman? Had he guessed the secrets of this soul, at once + so maidenly and chaste, and yet so passionate and energetic? + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour never betrayed a secret, and what he had, it may be, read + in the eyes of the princess, and what he had, perhaps, spoken to her in + the quiet shady walks of Hampton Court, or in the long, dark corridors of + Whitehall, was known to no one save those two. For Elizabeth had a strong, + masculine soul; she needed no confidant to share her secrets; and Thomas + Seymour had feared even, like the immortal hair-dresser of King Midas, to + dig a hole and utter his secret therein; for he knew very well that, if + the reed grew up and repeated his words, he might, for these words, lay + his head on the block. + </p> + <p> + Poor Elizabeth! She did not even suspect the earl’s secret and her own + were not, however, the same; she did not suspect that Thomas Seymour, if + he guessed her secret, might, perhaps, avail himself of it to make thereof + a brilliant foil for his own secret. + </p> + <p> + He had, like her, ever before his eyes the diamond crown on the head of + the young queen, and he had noticed well how old and feeble the king had + become of late. + </p> + <p> + As he now rode by the side of the two princesses, he felt his heart swell + with a proud joy, and bold and ambitious schemes alone occupied his soul. + </p> + <p> + The two women understood nothing of this. They were both too much occupied + with their own thoughts; and while Catharine’s eyes swept with beaming + look the landscape far and wide, the brow of the princess was slightly + clouded, and her sharp eye rested with a fixed and watchful gaze on Thomas + Seymour. + </p> + <p> + She had noticed the impassioned look which he had now and then fastened on + the queen. The slight, scarcely perceptible tremor of his voice, when he + spoke, had not escaped her. + </p> + <p> + Princess Elizabeth was jealous; she felt the first torturing motions of + that horrible disease which she had inherited from her father, and in the + feverish paroxysms of which the king had sent two of his wives to the + scaffold. + </p> + <p> + She was jealous, but not of the queen; much more, she dreamed not that the + queen might share and return Seymour’s love. It never came into her mind + to accuse the queen of an understanding with the earl. She was jealous + only of the looks which he directed toward the queen; and because she was + watching those looks, she could not at the same time read the eyes of her + young stepmother also; she could not see the gentle flames which, kindled + by the fire of his looks, glowed in hers. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour had seen them, and had he now been alone with Catharine, he + would have thrown himself at her feet and confided to her all the deep and + dangerous secrets that he had so long harbored in his breast; he would + have left to her the choice of bringing him to the block, or of accepting + the love which he consecrated to her. + </p> + <p> + But there, behind them, were the spying, all-observing, all-surmising + courtiers; there was the Princess Elizabeth, who, had he ventured to speak + to the queen, would have conjectured from his manner the words which she + could not understand; for love sees so clearly, and jealousy has such keen + ears! + </p> + <p> + Catharine suspected nothing of the thoughts of her companions. She alone + was happy; she alone gave herself up with full soul to the enjoyment of + the moment. She drew in with intense delight the pure air; she drank in + the odor of the meadow blossoms; she listened with thirsty ear to the + murmuring song which the wind wafted to her from the boughs of the trees. + Her wishes extended not beyond the hour; she rested in the full enjoyment + of the presence of her beloved. He was there—what needed she more to + make her happy? + </p> + <p> + Her wishes extended not beyond this hour. She was only conscious how + delightful it was thus to be at her beloved’s side, to breathe the same + air, to see the same sun, the same flowers on which his eyes rested, and + on which their glances at least might meet in kisses which were denied to + their lips. + </p> + <p> + But as they thus rode along, silent and meditative, each occupied with his + own thoughts, there came the assistance for which Thomas Seymour had + prayed, fluttering along in the shape of a fly. + </p> + <p> + At first this fly sported and buzzed about the nose of the fiery, proud + beast which the queen rode; and as no one noticed it, it was not disturbed + by Hector’s tossing of his mane, but crept securely and quietly to the top + of the noble courser’s head, pausing a little here and there, and sinking + his sting into the horse’s flesh, so that he reared and began loudly to + neigh. + </p> + <p> + But Catharine was a bold and dexterous rider, and the proud spirit of her + horse only afforded her delight, and gave the master of horse an + opportunity to praise her skill and coolness. + </p> + <p> + Catharine received with a sweet smile the encomiums of her beloved. But + the fly kept creeping on, and, impelled by a diabolic delight, now + penetrated the horse’s ear. The poor, tormented animal made a spring + forward. This spring, instead of freeing him from his enemy, made him + penetrate the ear still farther, and sink his sting still deeper into the + soft fleshy part of the same. + </p> + <p> + Stung by the maddening pain, the horse cast off all control, and, heedless + of bridle and scorning the bit, dashed forward in a furious run—forward + over the meadow swift as an arrow, resistless as the lightning. + </p> + <p> + “On, on, to the queen’s rescue!” thundered the master of horse, and with + mad haste, away flew he also over the meadow. + </p> + <p> + “To the help of the queen!” repeated Princess Elizabeth, and she likewise + spurred her horse and hurried forward, accompanied by the whole suite. + </p> + <p> + But what is the speed of a horse ever so swift, but yet in his senses, + compared with the raving madness of a crazy courser, that, despising all + subjection, and mocking at the bridle, dashes ahead, foaming with the + sense of freedom and unrestraint, uncontrollable as the surge lashed by + the storm! + </p> + <p> + Already far behind them lay the meadows, far behind them the avenues + leading through the woods, and over brooks and ditches, over meadows and + wastes, Hector was dashing on. + </p> + <p> + The queen still sat firmly in the saddle; her cheeks were colorless; her + lips trembled; but her eye was still bright and clear. She had not yet + lost her presence of mind; she was perfectly conscious of her danger. The + din of screaming, screeching voices, which she heard at first, had long + since died away in silence behind her. An immense solitude, the deep + silence of the grave, was around her. + </p> + <p> + Naught was heard save the panting and snorting of the horse; naught but + the crash and clatter of his hoofs. Suddenly, however, this sound seemed + to find an echo. It was repeated over yonder. There was the same snorting + and panting; there was the same resounding trampling of hoofs. And now, + oh, now, struck on Catharine’s car the sound of a voice only too well + loved, and made her scream aloud with delight and desire. + </p> + <p> + But this cry frightened anew the enraged animal. For a moment, exhausted + and panting, he had slackened in his mad race; now he sprang forward with + renewed energy; now he flew on as if impelled by the wings of the wind. + But ever nearer and nearer sounded the loved voice ever nearer the tramp + of his horse. + </p> + <p> + They were now upon a large plain, shut in on all sides by woods. While the + queen’s horse circled the plain in a wide circuit, Seymour’s, obedient to + the rein, sped directly across it, and was close behind the queen. + </p> + <p> + “Only a moment more! Only hold your arms firmly around the animal’s neck, + that the shock may not hurl you off, when I lay hold of the rein!” shouted + Seymour, and he set his spurs into his horse’s flanks, so that he sprang + forward with a wild cry. + </p> + <p> + This cry roused Hector to new fury. Panting for breath, he shot forward + with fearful leaps, now straight into the thicket of the woods. + </p> + <p> + “I hear his voice no more,” murmured Catharine. And at length overcome + with anxiety and the dizzy race, and worn out with her exertions, she + closed her eyes; her senses appeared to be about leaving her. + </p> + <p> + But at this moment, a firm hand seized with iron grasp the rein of her + horse, so that he bowed his head, shaking, trembling, and almost ashame, + as the horse had found his lord and master. + </p> + <p> + “Saved! I am saved!” faltered Catharine, and breathless, scarcely in her + senses, she leaned her head on Seymour’s shoulder. + </p> + <p> + He lifted her gently from the saddle, and placed her on the soft moss + beneath an ancient oak. Then he tied the horses to a bough, and Catharine, + trembling and faint, sank on her knees to rest after such violent + exertion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anch --> + <!-- or --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. THE DECLARATION. + </h2> + <p> + Thomas Seymour returned to Catharine. She still lay there with closed + eyes, pale and motionless. + </p> + <p> + He gazed on her long and steadily; his eyes drank in, in long draughts, + the sight of this beautiful and noble woman, and he forgot at that moment + that she was a queen. + </p> + <p> + He was at length alone with her. At last, after two years of torture, of + resignation, of dissimulation, God had granted him this hour, for which he + had so long yearned, which he had so long considered unattainable. Now it + was there, now it was his. + </p> + <p> + And had the whole court, had King Henry himself, come right then, Thomas + Seymour would not have heeded it; it would not have affrighted him. The + blood had mounted to his head and overcome his reason. His heart, still + agitated and beating violently from his furious ride and his anxiety for + Catharine, allowed him to hear no other voice than that of passion. + </p> + <p> + He knelt by the queen and seized her hand. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps it was this touch which roused her from her unconsciousness. She + raised her eyes and gazed around with a perplexed look. + </p> + <p> + “Where am I?” breathed she in a low tone. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour pressed her hand to his lips. “You are with the most + faithful and devoted of your servants, queen!” + </p> + <p> + “Queen!” This word roused her from her stupor, and caused her to raise + herself half up. + </p> + <p> + “But where is my court? Where is the Princess Elizabeth? Where are all the + eyes that heretofore watched me? Where are all the listeners and spies who + accompany the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “They are far away from here,” said Seymour in a tone which betrayed his + secret delight. “They are far away from here, and need at least an hour’s + time to come up with us. An hour, queen! are you aware what that is to me? + An hour of freedom, after two years of imprisonment! An hour of happiness, + after two years of daily torture, daily endurance of the torments of + hell!” + </p> + <p> + Catharine, who had at first smiled, had now become grave and sad. + </p> + <p> + Her eye rested on the cap which had fallen from her head and lay near her + on the grass. + </p> + <p> + She pointed with trembling finger to the crown, and said softly, + “Recognize you that sign, my lord?” + </p> + <p> + “I recognize it, my lady; but in this hour, I no longer shrink back at it. + There are moments in which life is at its crowning point, and when one + heeds not the abyss that threatens close beneath. Such an hour is the + present. I am aware that this hour makes me guilty of high treason and may + send me to the block; but nevertheless I will not be silent. The fire + which burns in my breast consumes me. I must at length give it vent. My + heart, that for years has burned upon a funeral pyre, and which is so + strong that in the midst of its agonies it has still ever felt a sensation + of its blessedness—my heart must at length find death or favor. You + shall hear me, queen!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” said she, almost in anguish, “I will not, I cannot hear you! + Remember that I am Henry the Eighth’s wife, and that it is dangerous to + speak to her. Silence, then, earl, silence, and let us ride on.” + </p> + <p> + She would have arisen, but her own exhaustion and Lord Seymour’s hand + caused her to sink back again. + </p> + <p> + “No, I will not be silent,” said he. “I will not be silent until I have + told you all that rages and glows within me. The Queen of England may + either condemn me or pardon me, but she shall know that to me she is not + Henry the Eighth’s wife, but only the most charming and graceful, the + noblest and loveliest woman in England. I will tell her that I never + recollect she is my queen, or, if I do so, it is only to curse the king, + who was presumptuous enough to set this brightly sparkling jewel in his + bloody crown.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine, almost horrified, laid her hand on Seymour’s lips. “Silence, + unhappy man, silence! Know you that it is your sentence of death which you + are now uttering? Your sentence of death, if any soul hears you?” + </p> + <p> + “But no one hears me. No one save the queen, and God, who, however, is + perhaps more compassionate and merciful than the queen. Accuse me then, + queen; go and tell your king that Thomas Seymour is a traitor; that he + dares love the queen. The king will send me to the scaffold, but I shall + nevertheless deem myself happy, for I shall at least die by your + instrumentality. Queen, if I cannot live for you, then beautiful it is to + die for you!” + </p> + <p> + Catharine listened to him wholly stupefied, wholly intoxicated. This was, + for her, language wholly new and never heard before, at which her heart + trembled in blissful awe, which rushed around her in enchanting melodies + and lulled her into a sweet stupefaction. Now she herself even forgot that + she was queen, that she was the wife of Henry, the bloodthirsty and the + jealous. She was conscious only of this, that the man whom she had so long + loved, was now kneeling at her side. With rapture she drank in his words, + which struck upon her ear like exquisite music. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour continued. He told her all he had suffered. He told her he + had often resolved to die, in order to put an end to these tortures, but + that then a glance of her eye, a word from her lips, had given him + strength to live, and still longer endure these tortures, which were at + the same time so full of rapture. + </p> + <p> + “But now, queen, now my strength is exhausted, and it is for you to give + me life or death. To-morrow I will ascend the scaffold, or you shall + permit me to live, to live for you.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine trembled and looked at him wellnigh astounded. He seemed so + proud and imperative, she almost felt a fear for him, but it was the happy + fear of a loving, meek woman before a strong, commanding man. + </p> + <p> + “Know you,” said she, with a charming smile, “that you almost have the + appearance of wishing to command me to love you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, queen,” said he, proudly, “I cannot command you to love me, but I bid + you tell me the truth. I bid you do this, for I am a man who has the right + to demand the truth of a woman face to face. And I have told you, you are + not the queen to me. You are but a beloved, an adored woman. This love has + nothing to do with your royalty, and while I confess it to you, I do not + think that you abase yourself when you receive it. For the true love of a + man is ever the holiest gift that he can present to a woman, and if a + beggar dedicates it to a queen, she must feel herself honored by it. Oh, + queen, I am a beggar. I lie at your feet and raise my hands beseechingly + to you; but I want not charity, I want not your compassion and pity, which + may, perhaps, grant me an alms to lessen my misery. No, I want you + yourself. I require all or nothing. It will not satisfy me that you + forgive my boldness, and draw the veil of silence over my mad attempt. No, + I wish you to speak, to pronounce my condemnation or a benediction on me. + Oh, I know you are generous and compassionate, and even if you despise my + love and will not return it, yet, it may be, you will not betray me. You + will spare me, and be silent. But I repeat it, queen, I do not accept this + offer of your magnanimity. You are to make me either a criminal or a god; + for I am a criminal if you condemn my love, a god if you return it.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you know, earl,” whispered Catharine, “that you are very cruel? + You want me to be either an accuser or an accomplice. You leave me no + choice but that of being either your murderess or a perjured and + adulterous woman—a wife who forgets her plighted faith and her + sacred duty, and defiles the crown which my husband has placed upon my + head with stains, which Henry will wash out with my own blood and with + yours also.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it be so, then,” cried the earl, almost joyfully. “Let my head fall, + no matter how or when, if you but love me; for then I shall still be + immortal; for a moment in your arms is an eternity of bliss.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have already told you that not only your head, but mine also, is + concerned in this matter. You know the king’s harsh and cruel disposition. + The mere suspicion is enough to condemn me. Ah, if he knew what we have + just now spoken here, he would condemn me, as he condemned Catharine + Howard, though I am not guilty as she was. Ah, I shudder at the thought of + the block; and you, Earl Seymour, you would bring me to the scaffold, and + yet you say you love me!” + </p> + <p> + Seymour sunk his head mournfully upon his breast and sighed deeply. “You + have pronounced my sentence, queen, and though you are too noble to tell + me the truth, yet I have guessed it. No, you do not love me, for you see + with keen eyes the danger that threatens you, and you fear for yourself. + No, you love me not, else you would think of nothing save love alone. The + dangers would animate you, and the sword which hangs over your head you + would not see, or you would with rapture grasp its edge and say, ‘What is + death to me, since I am happy! What care I for dying, since I have felt + immortal happiness!’ Ah, Catharine, you have a cold heart and a cool head. + May God preserve them both to you; then will you pass through life quietly + and safely; but you will yet be a poor, wretched woman, and when you come + to die, they will place a royal crown upon your coffin, but love will not + weep for you. Farewell, Catharine, Queen of England, and since you cannot + love him, give Thomas Seymour, the traitor, your sympathy at least.” + </p> + <p> + He bowed low and kissed her feet, then he arose and walked with firm step + to the tree where he had tied the horses. But now Catharine arose, now she + flew to him, and grasping his hand, asked, trembling and breathless, “What + are you about to do? whither are you going?” + </p> + <p> + “To the king, my lady.” + </p> + <p> + “And what will you do there?” + </p> + <p> + “I will show him a traitor who has dared love the queen. You have just + killed my heart; he will kill only my body. That is less painful, and I + will thank him for it.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine uttered a cry, and with passionate vehemence drew him back to + the place where she had been resting. + </p> + <p> + “If you do what you say, you will kill me,” said she, with trembling lips. + “Hear me, hear! The moment you mount your horse to go to the king, I mount + mine too; but not to follow you, not to return to London, but to plunge + with my horse down yonder precipice. Oh, fear nothing; they will not + accuse you of my murder. They will say that I plunged down there with my + horse, and that the raging animal caused my death.” + </p> + <p> + “Queen, take good heed, consider well what you say!” exclaimed Thomas + Seymour, his countenance clearing up and his face flaming with delight. + “Bear in mind that your words must be either a condemnation or an avowal. + I wish death, or your love! Not the love of a queen, who thinks to be + gracious to her subject, when for the moment she elevates him to herself; + but the love of a woman who bows her head in meekness and receives her + lover as at the same time her lord. Oh, Catharine, be well on your guard! + If you come to me with the pride of a queen, if there be even one thought + in you which tells you that you are bestowing a favor on a subject as you + take him to your heart, then be silent and let me go hence. I am proud, + and as nobly born as yourself, and however love throws me conquered at + your feet, yet it shall not bow my head in the dust! But if you say that + you love me, Catharine, for that I will consecrate my whole life to you. I + will be your lord, but your slave also. There shall be in me no thought, + no feeling, no wish that is not devoted and subservient to you. And when I + say that I will be your lord, I mean not thereby that I will not lie + forever at your feet and bow my head in the dust, and say to you: Tread on + it, if it seem good to you, for I am your slave!” + </p> + <p> + And speaking thus, he dropped on his knees and pressed to her feet his + face, whose glowing and noble expression ravished Catharine’s heart. + </p> + <p> + She hent down to him, and gently lifting his head, looked with an + indescribable expression of happiness and love deep into his beaming eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Do you love me?” asked Seymour, as he put his arm softly around her + slender waist, and arose from his kneeling attitude. + </p> + <p> + “I love you!” said she, with a firm voice and a happy smile. “I love you, + not as a queen, but as a woman; and if perchance this love bring us both + to the scaffold, well then we shall at least die together, to meet again + there above!” + </p> + <p> + “No, think not now of dying, Catharine, think of living—of the + beautiful, enchanting future which is beckoning to us. Think of the days + which will soon come, and in which our love will no longer require secresy + or a veil, but when we will manifest it to the whole world, and can + proclaim our happiness from a full glad breast! Oh, Catharine, let us hope + that compassionate and merciful death will loose at last the unnatural + bonds that bind you to that old man. Then, when Henry is no more, then + will you be mine, mine with your entire being, with your whole life; and + instead of a proud regal crown, a crown of myrtle shall adorn your head! + Swear that to me, Catharine; swear that you will become my wife, as soon + as death has set you free.” + </p> + <p> + The queen shuddered and her cheeks grew pale. “Oh,” said she with a sigh, + “death then is our hope and perhaps the scaffold our end!” + </p> + <p> + “No, Catharine, love is our hope, and happiness our end. Think of life, of + our future! God grant my request. Swear to me here in the face of God, and + of sacred and calm nature around us, swear to me, that from the day when + death frees you from your husband you will be mine, my wife, my consort! + Swear to me, that you, regardless of etiquette and unmindful of tyrannical + custom, will be Lord Seymour’s wife, before the knell for Henry’s death + has died away. We will find a priest, who may bless our love and sanctify + the covenant that we have this day concluded for eternity! Swear to me, + that, till that wished—for day, you will keep for me your truth and + love, and never forget that my honor is yours also, that your happiness is + also mine!” + </p> + <p> + “I swear it!” said Catharine, solemnly. “You may depend upon me at all + times and at all hours. Never will I be untrue to you; never will I have a + thought that is not yours. I will love you as Thomas Seymour deserves to + be loved, that is with a devoted and faithful heart. It will be my pride + to subject myself to you, and with glad soul will I serve and follow you, + as your true and obedient wife.” + </p> + <p> + “I accept your oath!” said Seymour, solemnly. “But in return I swear that + I will honor and esteem you as my queen and mistress. I swear to you that + you shall never find a more obedient subject, a more unselfish counsellor, + a more faithful husband, a braver champion, than I will be. ‘My life for + my queen, my entire heart for my beloved’; this henceforth shall be my + motto, and may I be disowned and despised by God and by you, if ever I + violate this oath.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” said Catharine, with a bewitching smile. + </p> + <p> + Then both were silent. It was that silence which only love and happiness + knows—that silence which is so rich in thoughts and feelings, and + therefore so poor in words! + </p> + <p> + The wind rustled whisperingly in the trees, among whose dark branches here + and there a bird’s warbling or flute-like notes resounded. The sun threw + his emerald light over the soft velvety carpet of the ground, which, + rising and falling in gentle, undulating lines, formed lovely little + hollows and hillocks, on which now and then was seen here and there the + slender and stately figure of a hart, or a roe, that, looking around + searchingly with his bright eyes, started back frightened into the thicket + on observing these two human figures and the group of horses encamped + there. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly this quiet was interrupted by the loud sound of the hunter’s + horn, and in the distance were heard confused cries and shouts, which were + echoed by the dense forest and repeated in a thousand tones. + </p> + <p> + With a sigh the queen raised her head from the earl’s shoulder. + </p> + <p> + The dream was at an end; the angel came with flaming sword to drive her + from paradise. + </p> + <p> + For she was no longer worthy of paradise. The fatal word had been spoken, + and while it brought her love, it had perjured her. + </p> + <p> + Henry’s wife, his by her vow taken before the altar, had betrothed herself + to another, and given him the love that she owed her husband. + </p> + <p> + “It is passed,” said he, mournfully. “These sounds call me back to my + slavery. We must both resume our roles. I must become queen again.” + </p> + <p> + “But first swear to me that you will never forget this hour; that you will + ever think upon the oaths which we have mutually sworn.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him almost astounded. “My God! can truth and love be + forgotten?” + </p> + <p> + “You will remain ever true, Catharine?” + </p> + <p> + She smiled. “See, now, my jealous lord, do I address such questions to + you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, queen, you well know that you possess the charm that binds forever.” + </p> + <p> + “Who knows?” said she dreamily, as she raised her enthusiastic look to + heaven, and seemed to follow the bright silvery clouds which were sailing + slowly across the blue ether. + </p> + <p> + Then her eyes fell on her beloved, and laying her hand softly upon his + shoulder, she said: “Love is like God—eternal, primeval, and ever + present! But you must believe in it to feel its presence; you must trust + it to be worthy of its blessing!” + </p> + <p> + But the hallooing and the clangor of the horns came nearer and nearer. + Even now was heard the barking of the dogs and the tramp of horses. + </p> + <p> + The earl had untied the horses, and led Hector, who was now quiet and + gentle as a lamb, to his mistress. + </p> + <p> + “Queen,” said Thomas Seymour, “two delinquents now approach you! Hector is + my accomplice, and had it not been that the fly I now see on his swollen + ear had made him raving, I should be the most pitiable and unhappy man in + your kingdom, while now I am the happiest and most enviable.” + </p> + <p> + The queen made no answer, but she put both her arms around the animal’s + neck and kissed him. + </p> + <p> + “Henceforth,” said she, “then I will ride only Hector, and when he is old + and unfit for service—” + </p> + <p> + “He shall be tended and cared for in the stud of Countess Catharine + Seymour!” interrupted Thomas Seymour, as he held the queen’s stirrup and + assisted her into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + The two rode in silence toward the sound of the voices and horns, both too + much occupied by their own thoughts to interrupt them by trifling words. + </p> + <p> + “He loves me!” thought Catharine. “I am a happy, enviable woman, for + Thomas Seymour loves me.” + </p> + <p> + “She loves me!” thought he, with a proud, triumphant smile. “I shall, + therefore, one day become Regent of England.” + </p> + <p> + Just then they came out on the large level meadow, through which they had + previously ridden, and over which now came, scattered here and there in + motley confusion, the entire royal suite, Princess Elizabeth at the head. + </p> + <p> + “One thing more!” whispered Catharine. “If you ever need a messenger to + me, apply to John Heywood. He is a friend whom we can trust.” + </p> + <p> + And she sprang forward to meet the princess, to recount to her all the + particulars of her adventure, and her happy rescue by the master of horse. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth, however, listened to her with glowing looks and thoughts + distracted, and as the queen then turned to the rest of her suite, and, + surrounded by her ladies and lords, received their congratulations, a + slight sign from the princess called Thomas Seymour to her side. + </p> + <p> + She allowed her horse to curvet some paces forward, by which she and the + earl found themselves separated a little from the rest, and were sure of + being overheard by no one. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said she, in a vehement, almost threatening voice, “you have + often and in vain besought me to grant you an interview. I have denied + you. You intimated that you had many things to say to me, for which we + must be alone, and which must reach no listener’s ear. Well, now, to-day I + grant you an interview, and I am at last inclined to listen to you.” + </p> + <p> + She paused and waited for a reply. But the earl remained silent. He only + made a deep and respectful bow, bending to the very neck of his horse. + “Well and good; I will go to this rendezvous were it but to blind + Elizabeth’s eyes, that she may not see what she never ought to see. That + was all.” + </p> + <p> + The young princess cast on him an angry look, and a dark scowl gathered on + her brow. “You understand well how to control your joy,” said she; “and + any one to see you just now would think—” + </p> + <p> + “That Thomas Seymour is discreet enough not to let even his rapture be + read in his countenance at this dangerous court,” interrupted the earl in + a low murmur. “When, princess, may I see you and where?” + </p> + <p> + “Wait for the message that John Heywood will bring you to-day,” whispered + Elizabeth, as she sprang forward and again drew near the queen. + </p> + <p> + “John Heywood, again!” muttered the earl. “The confidant of both, and so + my hangman, if he wishes to be!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. “LE ROI S’ENNUIT.” + </h2> + <p> + King Henry was alone in his study. He had spent a few hours in writing on + a devout and edifying book, which he was preparing for his subjects, and + which, in virtue of his dignity as supreme lord of the Church, he designed + to commend to their reading instead of the Bible. + </p> + <p> + He now laid down his pen, and, with infinite complacency, looked over the + written sheets, which were to be to his people a new proof of his paternal + love and care, and so convince them that Henry the Eighth was not only the + noblest and most virtuous of kings, but also the wisest. + </p> + <p> + But this reflection failed to make the king more cheerful to-day; perhaps + because he had already indulged in it too frequently. To be alone, annoyed + and disturbed him—there were in his breast so many secret and hidden + voices, whose whispers he dreaded, and which, therefore, he sought to + drown—there were so many recollections of blood, which ever and + again rose before him, however often he tried to wash them out in fresh + blood, and which the king was afraid of, though he assumed the appearance + of never repenting, never feeling disquietude. + </p> + <p> + With hasty hand he touched the gold bell standing by him, and his face + brightened as he saw the door open immediately, and Earl Douglas make his + appearance on the threshold. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, at length!” said the lord, who had very well understood the + expression of Henry’s features; “at length, the king condescends to be + gracious to his people.” + </p> + <p> + “I gracious?” asked the king, utterly astonished. “Well, how am I so?” + </p> + <p> + “By your majesty’s resting at length from his exertions, and giving a + little thought to his valuable and needful health. When you remember, + sire, that England’s weal depends solely and alone on the weal of her + king, and that you must be and remain healthy, that your people, likewise + may be healthy.” + </p> + <p> + The king smiled with satisfaction. It never came into his head to doubt + the earl’s words. It seemed to him perfectly natural that the weal of his + people depended on his person; but yet it was always a lofty and beautiful + song, and he loved to have his courtiers repeat it. + </p> + <p> + The king, as we have said, smiled, but there was something unusual in that + smile, which did not escape the earl. + </p> + <p> + “He is in the condition of a hungry anaconda,” said Earl Douglas to + himself. “He is on the watch for prey, and he will be bright and lively + again just as soon as he has tasted a little human flesh and blood. Ah, + luckily we are well supplied in that way. Therefore, we will render unto + the king what is the king’s. But we must be cautious and go to work + warily.” + </p> + <p> + He approached the king and imprinted a kiss on his hand. + </p> + <p> + “I kiss this hand,” said he, “which has been to-day the fountain through + which the wisdom of the head has been poured forth on this blessed paper. + I kiss this paper, which will announce and explain to happy England God’s + pure and unadulterated word; but yet I say let this suffice for the + present, my king; take rest; remember awhile that you are not only a sage, + but also a man.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes and truly a weak and decrepit one!” sighed the king, as with + difficulty he essayed to rise, and in so doing leaned so heavily and the + earl’s arm that he almost broke down under the monstrous load. + </p> + <p> + “Decrepit!” said Earl Douglas, reproachfully. “Your majesty moves to-day + with as much ease and freedom as a youth, and my arm was by no means + needed to help you up.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, we are growing old!” said the king, who, from his + weariness, was unusually sentimental and low-spirited to-day. + </p> + <p> + “Old!” repeated Earl Douglas. “Old, with those eyes darting fire, and that + lofty brow, and that face, in every feature so noble! No, your majesty, + kings have this in common with the gods—they never grow old.” + </p> + <p> + “And therein they resemble parrots to a hair!” said John Heywood, who just + then entered the room. “I own a parrot which my great-grandfather + inherited from his great-grandfather, who was hair-dresser to Henry the + Fourth, and which to-day still sings with the same volubility as he did a + hundred years ago: ‘Long live the king! long live this paragon of virtue, + sweetness, beauty, and mercy! Long live the king!’ He has cried this for + hundreds of years, and he has repeated it for Henry the Fifth and Henry + the Sixth, for Henry the Seventh and Henry the Eighth! And wonderful, the + kings have changed, but the song of praise has always been appropriate, + and has ever been only the simple truth! Just like yours, my Lord Douglas! + Your majesty may depend upon it, he speaks the truth, for he is near akin + to my parrot, which always calls him ‘My cousin,’ and has taught him his + immortal song of praise to kings.” + </p> + <p> + The king laughed, while Earl Douglas cast at John Heywood a sharp, + spiteful look. + </p> + <p> + “He is an impudent imp, is he not, Douglas?” said the king. + </p> + <p> + “He is a fool!” replied he, with a shrug. + </p> + <p> + “Exactly, and therefore I just now told you the truth. For you know + children and fools speak the truth. And I became a fool just on this + account, that the king, whom you all deceive by your lies, may have about + him some creature, besides his looking-glass, to tell him the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and what truth will you serve up for me today?” + </p> + <p> + “It is already served, your majesty. So lay aside for a little your regal + crown and your high priesthood, and conclude to be for awhile a + carnivorous beast. It is very easy to become a king. For that, nothing + more is necessary than to be born of a queen under a canopy. But it is + very difficult to be a man who has a good digestion. It requires a healthy + stomach and a light conscience. Come, King Henry, and let us see whether + you are not merely a king, but also a man that has a good stomach.” And + with a merry laugh he took the king’s other arm and led him with the earl + into the dining-room. + </p> + <p> + The king, who was an extraordinary eater, silently beckoned his suite to + take their places at the table, after he had seated himself in his gilded + chair. With grave and solemn air he then received from the hands of the + master of ceremonies the ivory tablet on which was the bill of fare for + the day. The king’s dinner was a solemn and important affair. A multitude + of post-wagons and couriers were ever on the way to bring from the + remotest ends of the earth dainties for the royal table. The bill of fare, + therefore, to-day, as ever, exhibited the choicest and rarest dishes; and + always when the king found one of his favorite ones written down he made + an assenting and approving motion of the head, which always lighted up the + face of the master of ceremonies like a sunbeam. There were birds’ nests + brought from the East Indies by a fast-sailing vessel, built specially for + the purpose. There were hens from Calcutta and truffles from Languedoc, + which the poet-king, Francis the First of France, had the day before sent + to his royal brother as a special token of affection. There was the + sparkling wine of Champagne, and the fiery wine of the Island of Cyprus, + which the Republic of Venice had sent to the king as a mark of respect. + There were the heavy wines of the Rhine, which looked like liquid gold, + and diffused the fragrance of a whole bouquet of flowers, and with which + the Protestant princes of Northern Germany hoped to fuddle the king, whom + they would have gladly placed at the head of their league. There, too, + were the monstrous, gigantic partridge pastries, which the Duke of + Burgundy had sent, and the glorious fruits of the south, from the Spanish + coast, with which the Emperor Charles the Fifth supplied the King of + England’s table. For it was well known that, in order to make the King of + England propitious, it was necessary first to satiate him; that his palate + must first be tickled, in order to gain his head or his heart. + </p> + <p> + But to-day all these things seemed insufficient to give the king the + blissful pleasure which, at other times, was wont to be with him when he + sat at table. He heard John Heywood’s jests and biting epigrams with a + melancholy smile, and a cloud was on his brow. + </p> + <p> + To be in cheerful humor, the king absolutely needed the presence of + ladies. He needed them as the hunter needs the roe to enjoy the pleasure + of the chase—that pleasure which consists in killing the defenceless + and in declaring war against the innocent and peaceful. + </p> + <p> + The crafty courtier, Earl Douglas, readily divined Henry’s + dissatisfaction, and understood the secret meaning of his frowns and + sighs. He hoped much from them, and was firmly resolved to draw some + advantage therefrom, to the benefit of his daughter, and the harm of the + queen. + </p> + <p> + “Your majesty,” said he, “I am just on the point of turning traitor, and + accusing my king of an injustice.” + </p> + <p> + The king turned his flashing eyes upon him, and put his hand, sparkling + with jewelled rings, to the golden goblet filled with Rhenish wine. + </p> + <p> + “Of an injustice—me—your king?” asked he, with stammering + tongue. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of an injustice, inasmuch as you are for me God’s visible + representative on earth. I would blame God if He withdrew from us for a + day the brightness of the sun, the gorgeousness and perfume of His + flowers, for since we children of men are accustomed to enjoy these + glories, we have in a certain measure gained a right to them. So I accuse + you because you have withdrawn from us the embodied flowers and the + incarnate suns; because you have been so cruel, sire, as to send the queen + to Epping Forest.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so; the queen wanted to ride,” said Henry, peevishly. “The spring + weather attracted her, and since I, alas! do not possess God’s exalted + attribute of ubiquity, I was, no doubt, obliged to come to the resolution + of being deprived of her presence. There is no horse capable of carrying + the King of England.” + </p> + <p> + “There is Pegasus, however, and in masterly manner you know how to manage + him. But how, your majesty! the queen wanted to ride, though she was + deprived of your presence thereby? She wanted to ride, though this + pleasure-ride was at the same time a separation from you? Oh how cold and + selfish are women’s hearts! Were I a woman, I would never depart from your + side, I would covert no greater happiness than to be near you, and to + listen to that high and exalted wisdom which pours from your inspired + lips. Were I a woman—” + </p> + <p> + “Earl, I opine that your wish is perfectly fulfilled,” said John Heywood + seriously. “You make in all respects the impression of an old woman!” + </p> + <p> + All laughed. But the king did not laugh; he remained serious and looked + gloomily before him. + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” muttered he, “she seemed excited with joy about this + excursion, and in her eyes shone a fire I have seldom seen there. There + must be some peculiar circumstance connected with this ride. Who + accompanied the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “Princess Elizabeth,” said John Heywood, who had heard everything, and saw + clearly the arrow that the earl had shot at the queen. “Princess + Elizabeth, her true and dear friend, who never leaves her side. Besides, + her maids of honor, who, like the dragon in the fable, keep watch over the + beautiful princess.” + </p> + <p> + “Who else is in the queen’s company?” inquired Henry, sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “The master of horse, Earl of Sudley,” said Douglas, “and—” + </p> + <p> + “That is an observation in the highest degree superfluous,” interrupted + John Heywood; “it is perfectly well understood by itself that the master + of horse accompanies the queen. That is just as much his office as it is + yours to sing the song of your cousin, my parrot.” + </p> + <p> + “He is right,” said the king quickly. “Thomas Seymour must accompany her, + and it is my will also. Thomas Seymour is a faithful servant, and this he + has inherited from his sister Jane, my much loved queen, now at rest with + God, that he is devoted to his king in steadfast affection.” + </p> + <p> + “The time has not yet come when one may assail the Seymours,” thought the + earl. “The king is yet attached to them; so he will feel hostile toward + the foes of the Seymours. Let us then begin our attack on Henry Howard—that + is to say, on the queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Who accompanied the queen besides?” inquired Henry the Eighth, emptying + the golden beaker at a draught, as though he would thereby cool the fire + which already began to blaze within him. But the fiery Rhenish wine + instead of cooling only heated him yet more; it drove, like a tempest, the + fire kindled in his jealous heart in bright flames to his head, and made + his brain glow like his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Who else accompanied her beside these?” asked Earl Douglas carelessly. + “Well, I think, the lord chamberlain, Earl of Surrey.” + </p> + <p> + A dark scowl gathered on the king’s brow. The lion had scented his prey. + </p> + <p> + “The lord chamberlain is not in the queen’s train!” said John Heywood + earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “No,” exclaimed Earl Douglas. “The poor earl. That will make him very + sad.” + </p> + <p> + “And why think you that will make him sad?” asked the king in a voice very + like the roll of distant thunder. + </p> + <p> + “Because the Earl of Surrey is accustomed to live in the sunshine of royal + favor, sire; because he resembles that flower which always turns its head + to the sun, and receives from it vigor, color, and brilliancy.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him take care that the sun does not scorch him,” muttered the king. + </p> + <p> + “Earl,” said John Heywood, “you must put on your spectacles so that you + can see better. This time you have confounded the sun with one of its + satellites. Earl Surrey is far too prudent a man to be so foolish as to + gaze at the sun, and thereby blind his eyes and parch his brain. And so he + is satisfied to worship one of the planets that circle round the sun.” + </p> + <p> + “What does the fool intend to say by that?” asked the earl contemptuously. + </p> + <p> + “The wise will thereby give you to understand that you have this time + mistaken your daughter for the queen,” said John Heywood, emphasizing + sharply every word, “and that it has happened to you, as to many a great + astrologer, you have taken a planet for a sun.” + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas cast a dark, spiteful look at John Heywood, who answered it + with one equally piercing and furious. + </p> + <p> + Their eyes were firmly fixed on each other’s, and in those eyes they both + read all the hatred and all the bitterness which were working in the + depths of their souls. Both knew that they had from that hour sworn to + each other an enmity burning and full of danger. + </p> + <p> + The king had noticed nothing of this dumb but significant scene. He was + looking down, brooding over his gloomy thoughts, and the storm-clouds + rolling around his brow gathered darker and darker. + </p> + <p> + With an impetuous movement he arose from his seat, and this time he needed + no helping hand to stand up. Wrath was the mighty lever that threw him up. + </p> + <p> + The courtiers arose from their seats in silence, and nobody besides John + Heywood observed the look of understanding which Earl Douglas exchanged + with Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and Wriothesley, the lord chancellor. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, why is not Cranmer here?” said John Heywood to himself. “I see the + three tiger-cats prowling, so there must be prey to devour somewhere. + Well, I will at any rate keep my ears open wide enough to hear their + roaring.” + </p> + <p> + “The dinner is over, gentlemen!” said the king hastily; and the courtiers + and gentlemen in waiting silently withdrew to the anteroom. + </p> + <p> + Only Earl Douglas, Gardiner, and Wriothesley, remained in the hall, while + John Heywood crept softly into the king’s cabinet and concealed himself + behind the hanging of gold brocade which covered the door leading from the + king’s study to the outer anteroom. + </p> + <p> + “My lords,” said the king, “follow me into my cabinet. As we are dull, the + most advisable thing for us to do is to divert ourselves while we occupy + ourselves with the weal of our beloved subjects, and consult concerning + their happiness and what is conducive to their welfare. Follow me then, + and we will hold a general consultation.” + </p> + <p> + “Earl Douglas, your arm!” and as the king leaned on it and walked slowly + toward the cabinet, at the entrance of which the lord chancellor and the + Bishop of Winchester were waiting for him, he asked in a low voice: “You + say that Henry Howard dares ever intrude himself into the queen’s + presence?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I did not say that; I meant only that he is constantly to be seen + in the queen’s presence.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you mean that she perhaps authorizes him to do so,” said the king, + grinding his teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I hold the queen to be a noble and dutiful wife.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be quite inclined to lay your head at your feet if you did not!” + said the king, in whose face the first lightning of the bursting cloud of + wrath began to flash. + </p> + <p> + “My head belongs to the king!” said Earl Douglas respectfully. “Let him do + with it as he pleases.” + </p> + <p> + “But Howard—you mean, then, that Howard loves the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sire, I dare affirm that.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by the Mother of God, I will tread the serpent under my feet, as I + did his sister!” exclaimed Henry, fiercely. “The Howards are an ambitious, + dangerous, and hypocritical race.” + </p> + <p> + “A race that never forgets that a daughter of their house has sat on your + throne.” + </p> + <p> + “But they shall forget it,” cried the king, “and I must wash these proud + and haughty thoughts out of their brain with their own blood. They have + not then learned, from the example of their sister, how I punish + disloyalty. This insolent race needs another fresh example. Well, they + shall have it. Only put the means in my hand, Douglas, only a little hook + that I can strike into the flesh of these Howards, and I tell you, with + that little hook I will drag them to the scaffold. Give me proof of the + earl’s criminal love, and I promise you that for this I will grant you + what you ask.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I will give you this proof.” + </p> + <p> + “When?” + </p> + <p> + “In four days, sire! At the great contest of the poets, which you have + ordered to take place on the queen’s birthday.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, Douglas, I thank you,” said the king with an expression + almost of joy. “In four days you will have rid me of the troublesome race + of Howards.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sire, if I cannot give the proof you demand without accusing one + other person?” + </p> + <p> + The king, who was just about to pass the door of his cabinet, stood still, + and looked steadily into the earl’s eyes. “Then,” said he, in a tone + peculiarly awful, “you mean the queen? Well, if she is guilty, I will + punish her. God has placed the sword in my hand that I may bear it to His + honor and to the terror of mankind. If the queen has sinned, she will be + punished. Furnish me the proof of Howard’s guilt, and do not trouble + yourself if we thereby discover the guilt of others. We shall not timidly + shrink back, but let justice take its course.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. THE QUEEN’S FRIEND. + </h2> + <p> + Earl Douglas, Gardiner, and Wriothesley, had accompanied the king into his + cabinet. + </p> + <p> + At last the great blow was to be struck, and the plan of the three enemies + of the queen, so long matured and well-considered, was to be at length put + in execution. Therefore, as they followed the king, who with unwonted + activity preceded them, they exchanged with each other one more look of + mutual understanding. + </p> + <p> + By that look Earl Douglas said, “The hour has come. Be ready!” + </p> + <p> + And the looks of his friends responded, “We are ready!” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood, who, hidden behind the hangings, saw and observed + everything, could not forbear a slight shudder at the sight of these four + men, whose dark and hard features seemed incapable of being touched by any + ray of pity or mercy. + </p> + <p> + There was first the king, that man with the Protean countenance, across + which storm and sunshine, God and the devil traced each minute new lines; + who could be now an inspired enthusiast, and now a bloodthirsty tyrant; + now a sentimental wit, and anon a wanton reveler; the king, on whose + constancy nobody, not even himself, could rely; ever ready, as it suited + his caprice or his interest, to betray his most faithful friend, and to + send to the scaffold to-day those whom but yesterday he had caressed and + assured of his unchanging affection; the king, who considered himself + privileged to indulge with impunity his low appetites, his revengeful + impulses, his bloodthirsty inclinations; who was devout from vanity, + because devotion afforded him an opportunity of identifying himself with + God, and of regarding himself in some sort the patron of Deity. + </p> + <p> + There was Earl Douglas, the crafty courtier with ever-smiling face, who + seemed to love everybody, while in fact he hated all; who assumed the + appearance of perfect harmlessness, and seemed to be indifferent to + everything but pleasure, while nevertheless secretly he held in his hand + all the strings of that great net which encompassed alike court and king—Earl + Douglas, whom the king loved for this alone, because he generally gave him + the title of grand and wise high-priest of the Church, and who was, + notwithstanding this, Loyola’s vicegerent, and a true and faithful + adherent of that pope who had damned the king as a degenerate son and + given him over to the wrath of God. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, there were the two men with dark, malignant looks, with + inflexible, stony faces, which u ere never lighted up by a smile, or a + gleam of joy; who always condemned, always punished, and whose + countenances never brightened save when the dying shriek of the condemned, + or the groans of some poor wretch upon the rack, fell upon their ears; who + were the tormentors of humanity, while they called themselves the + ministers and servants of God. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Gardiner, when the king had slowly taken his seat upon the + ottoman—“sire, let us first ask the blessing of the Lord our God on + this hour of conference. May God, who is love, but who is wrath also, may + He enlighten and bless us!” + </p> + <p> + The king devoutly folded his hands, but it was only a prayer of wrath that + animated his soul. + </p> + <p> + “Grant, O God, that I may punish Thine enemies, and everywhere dash in + pieces the guilty!” + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” said Gardiner, as he repeated with solemn earnestness the king’s + words. + </p> + <p> + “Send us the thunderbolt of Thy wrath,” prayed Wriothesley, “that we may + teach the world to recognize Thy power and glory!” + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas took care not to pray aloud. What he had to request of God + was not allowed to reach the ear of the king. + </p> + <p> + “Grant, O God,” prayed he in his heart, “grant that my work may prosper, + and that this dangerous queen may ascend the scaffold, to make room for my + daughter, who is destined to bring back into the arms of our holy mother, + the Church—guilty and faithless king.” + </p> + <p> + “Now my lords,” said the king, fetching a long breath, “now tell me how + stand matters in my kingdom, and at my court?” + </p> + <p> + “Badly,” said Gardiner. “Unbelief again lifts up its head. It is a hydra. + If you strike off one of its heads, two others immediately spring up in + its place. This cursed sect of reformists and atheists multiplies day by + day, and our prisons are no longer sufficient to contain them; and when we + drag them to the stake, their joyful and courageous death always makes + fresh proselytes and fresh apostates.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, matters are bad,” said the Lord Chancellor Wriothesley; “in vain + have we promised pardon and forgiveness to all those who would return + penitent and contrite; they laugh to scorn our offers of pardon, and + prefer a death of torture to the royal clemency. What avails it that we + have burnt to death Miles Coverdale, who had the hardihood to translate + the Bible? His death appears to have been only the tocsin that aroused + other fanatics, and, without our being able to divine or suspect where all + these books come from, they have overflowed and deluged the whole land; + and we now already have more than four translations of the Bible. The + people read them with eagerness; and the corrupt seek of mental + illumination and free-thinking waxes daily more powerful and more + pernicious.” + </p> + <p> + “And now you, Earl Douglas?” asked the king, when the lord chancellor + ceased. “These noble lords have told me how matters stand in my kingdom. + You will advise me what is the aspect of things at my court.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Earl Douglas, slowly and solemnly—for he wished each + word to sink into the king’s breast like a poisoned arrow—“sire, the + people but follow the example which the court sets them. How can you + require faith of the people, when under their own eyes the court turns + faith to ridicule, and when infidels find at court aid and protection?” + </p> + <p> + “You accuse, but give no names,” said the king, impatiently. “Who dares at + my court be a protector of heretics?” + </p> + <p> + “Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury!” said the three men, as with one + mouth. The signal-word was spoken, the standard of a bloody struggle set + up. + </p> + <p> + “Cranmer?” repeated the king thoughtfully. “He has, however, always been a + faithful servant and an attentive friend to me. It was he who delivered me + from the unholy bond with Catharine of Aragon: it was he too who warned me + of Catharine Howard, and furnished me with proofs of her guilt. Of what + misdemeanor do you accuse him?” + </p> + <p> + “He denies the six articles,” said Gardiner, whose malicious face now + glowed with bitter hatred. “He reprobates auricular confession, and + believes not that the voluntarily taken vows of celibacy are binding.” + </p> + <p> + “If he does that, then he is a traitor!” cried the king, who was fond of + always throwing a reverence for chastity and modesty, as a kind of holy + mantle, over his own profligate and lewd life; and whom nothing more + embittered than to encounter another on that path of vice which he + himself, by virtue of his royal prerogative, and his crown by the grace of + God, could travel in perfect safety. + </p> + <p> + “If he does that, then he is a traitor! My arm of vengeance will smite + him!” repeated the king again. “It was I who gave my people the six + articles, as a sacred and authoritative declaration of faith; and I will + not suffer this only true and right doctrine to be assailed and obscured. + But you are mistaken, my lords. I am acquainted with Cranmer, and I know + that he is loyal and faithful.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet it is he,” said Gardiner, “who confirms these heretics in their + obduracy and stiff-neckedness. He is the cause why these lost wretches do + not, from the fear of divine wrath at least, return to you, their + sovereign and high-priest. For he preaches to them that God is love and + mercy; he teaches them that Christ came into the world in order to bring + to the world love and the forgiveness of sins, and that they alone are + Christ’s true disciples and servants who emulate His love. Do you not see + then, sire, that this is a covert and indirect accusation against + yourself, and that while he praises pardoning love, he at the same time + condemns and accuses your righteous and punitory wrath?” + </p> + <p> + The king did not answer immediately, but sat with his eyes fixed, grave + and pondering. The fanatical priest had gone too far; and, without being + aware of it, it was he himself who was that very instant accusing the + king. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas felt this. He read in the king’s face that he was just then + in one of those moments of contrition which sometimes came over him when + his soul held involuntary intercourse with itself. It was necessary to + arouse the sleeping tiger and point out to him some prey, so as to make + him again bloodthirsty. + </p> + <p> + “It would be proper if Cranmer preached only Christian love,” said he. + “Then would he be only a faithful servant of his Lord, and a follower of + his king. But he gives to the world an abominable example of a disobedient + and perfidious servant; he denies the truth of the six articles, not in + words, but in deeds. You have ordered that the priests of the Church + remain single. Now, then, the Archbishop of Canterbury is married!” + </p> + <p> + “Married!” cried the king, his visage glowing with rage. “Ah, I will + chastise him, this transgressor of my holy laws! A minister of the Church, + a priest, whose whole life should be naught but an exhibition of holiness, + an endless communion with God, and whose high calling it is to renounce + fleshly lusts and earthly desires! And he is married! I will make him feel + the whole weight of my royal anger! He shall learn from his own experience + that the king’s justice is inexorable, and that in every case he smites + the head of the sinner, be he who he may!” + </p> + <p> + “Your majesty is the embodiment of wisdom and justice,” said Douglas, “and + your faithful servants well know, if the royal justice is sometimes tardy + in smiting guilty offenders, this happens not through your will, but + through your servants who venture to stay the arm of justice.” + </p> + <p> + “When and where has this happened?” asked Henry; and his face flushed with + rage and excitement. “Where is the offender whom I have not punished? + Where in my realm lives a being who has sinned against God or his king, + and whom I have not dashed to atoms?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Gardiner solemnly, “Anne Askew is yet alive.” + </p> + <p> + “She lives to mock at your wisdom and to scoff at your holy creed!” cried + Wriothesley. + </p> + <p> + “She lives, because Bishop Cranmer wills that she should not die,” said + Douglas, shrugging his shoulders. The king broke out into a short, dry + laugh. “Ah, Cranmer wills not that Anne Askew die!” said he, sneering. “He + wills not that this girl, who has so fearfully offended against her king, + and against God, should be punished!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she has offended fearfully, and yet two years have passed away since + her offence,” cried Gardiner—“two years which she has spent in + deriding God and mocking the king!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said the king, “we have still hoped to turn this young, misguided + creature from the ways of sin and error to the path of wisdom and + repentance. We wished for once to give our people a shining example of our + willingness to forgive those who repent and renounce their heresy, and to + restore them to a participation of our royal favor. Therefore it was that + we commissioned you, my lord bishop, by virtue of your prayers and your + forcible and convincing words, to pluck this poor child from the claws of + the devil, who has charmed her ear.” + </p> + <p> + “But she is unbending,” said Gardiner, grinding his teeth. “In vain have I + depicted to her the pains of hell, which await her if she return not to + the faith; in vain have I subjected her to every variety of torture and + penance; in vain have I sent to her in prison other converts, and had them + pray with her night and day incessantly; she remains unyielding, hard as + stone, and neither the fear of punishment nor the prospect of freedom and + happiness has the power to soften that marble heart.” + </p> + <p> + “There is one means yet untried,” said Wriothesley—“a means, + moreover, which is a more effective preacher of repentance than the most + enthusiastic orators and the most fervent prayers, and which I have to + thank for bringing back to God and the faith many of the most hardened + heretics.” + </p> + <p> + “And this means is—” + </p> + <p> + “The rack, your majesty.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the rack!” replied the king, with an involuntary shudder. + </p> + <p> + “All means are good that lead to the holy end!” said Gardiner, devoutly + folding his hands. + </p> + <p> + “The soul must be saved, though the body be pierced with wounds!” cried + Wriothesley. + </p> + <p> + “The people must be convinced,” said Douglas, “that the lofty spirit of + the king spares not even those who are under the protection of influential + and might personages. The people murmur that this time justice is not + permitted to prevail, because Archbishop Cranmer protects Anne Askew, and + the queen is her friend.” + </p> + <p> + “The queen is never the friend of a criminal!” said Henry, vehemently. + </p> + <p> + “Perchance she does not consider Anne Askew a criminal,” responded Karl + Douglas, with a slight smile. “It is known, indeed, that the queen is a + great friend of the Reformation; and the people, who dare not call her a + heretic—the people call her ‘the Protestant.’” + </p> + <p> + “Is it, then, really believed that it is Catharine who protects Anne + Askew, and keeps her from the stake?” inquired the king, thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “It is so thought, your majesty.” + </p> + <p> + “They shall soon see that they are mistaken, and that Henry the Eighth + well deserves to be called the Defender of the Faith and the Head of his + Church!” cried the king, with burning rage. “For when have I shown myself + so long-suffering and weak in punishing, that people believe me inclined + to pardon and deal gently? Have I not sent to the scaffold even Thomas + More and Cromwell, two renowned and in a certain respect noble and + high-minded men, because they dared defy my supremacy and oppose the + doctrine and ordinance which I commanded them to believe? Have I not sent + to the block two of my queens—two beautiful young women, in whom my + heart was well pleased, even when I punished them—because they had + provoked my wrath? Who, after such brilliant examples of our annihilating + justice, who dare accuse us of forbearance?” + </p> + <p> + “But at that time, sire,” said Douglas, in his soft, insinuating voice, + “but at that time no queen as yet stood at your side who called heretics + true believers, and favored traitors with her friendship.” + </p> + <p> + The king frowned, and his wrathful look encountered the friendly and + submissive countenance of the earl. “You know I hate these covert + attacks,” said he. “If you can tax the queen with any crime, well now, do + so. If you cannot, hold your peace!” + </p> + <p> + “The queen is a noble and virtuous lady,” said the earl, “only she + sometimes permits herself to be led away by her magnanimous spirit. Or + how, your majesty, can it possibly be with your permission that my lady + the queen maintains a correspondence with Anne Askew?” + </p> + <p> + “What say you? The queen in correspondence with Anne Askew?” cried the + king in a voice of thunder. “That is a lie, a shameless lie, hatched up to + ruin the queen; for it is very well known that the poor king, who has been + so often deceived, so often imposed upon, believes himself to have at last + found in this woman a being whom he can trust, and in whom he can put + faith. And they grudge him that. They wish to strip him of this last hope + also, that his heart may harden entirely to stone, and no emotion of pity + evermore find access to him. Ah, Douglas, Douglas, beware of my wrath, if + you cannot prove what you say!” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I can prove it! For Lady Jane herself, no longer ago than + yesterday, was made to give up a note from Anne Askew to the queen.” + </p> + <p> + The king remained silent for a while, and gazed fixedly on the ground. His + three confidants observed him with breathless, trembling expectation. + </p> + <p> + At length the king raised his head again, and turned his gaze, which was + now grave and steady, upon the lord chancellor. “My Lord Chancellor + Wriothesley,” said he, “I empower you to conduct Anne Askew to the + torture-room, and try whether the torments which are prepared for the body + are perchance able to bring this erring soul to an acknowledgment of her + faults. My Lord Bishop Gardiner, I promise my word that I will give + attention to your accusation against the Archbishop of Canterbury, and + that, if it be well founded, he shall not escape punishment. My Lord + Douglas, I will give my people and all the world proof that I am still + God’s righteous and avenging vice-gerent on earth, and that no + consideration can restrain my wrath, no after-thought stay my arm, + whenever it is ready to fall and smite the head of the guilty. And now, my + lords, let us declare this session at an end. Let us breathe a little from + these exertions, and seek some recreation for one brief hour. + </p> + <p> + “My Lords Gardiner and Wriothesley, you are now at liberty. You, Douglas, + will accompany me into the small reception-room. I want to see bright and + laughing faces around me. Call John Heywood, and if you meet any ladies in + the palace, of course I beg them to shed on us a little of that sunshine + which you say is peculiarly woman’s.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed, and, leaning on the earl’s arm, left the cabinet. + </p> + <p> + Gardiner and Wriothesley stood there in silence, watching the king, who + slowly and heavily traversed the adjacent hall, and whose cheery and + laughing voice came ringing back to them. + </p> + <p> + “He is a weathercock, turning every moment from side to side,” said + Gardiner, with a contemptuous shrug of the shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “He calls himself God’s sword of vengeance, but he is nothing more than a + weak tool, which we bend and use at our will,” muttered Wriothesley, with + a hoarse laugh. “Poor, pitiful fool, deeming himself so mighty and sturdy; + imagining himself a free king, ruling by his sovereign will alone, and yet + he is but our servant and drudge! Our great work is approaching its end, + and we shall one day triumph. Anne Askew’s death is the sign of a new + covenant, which will deliver England and trample the heretics like dust + beneath our feet. And when at length we shall have put down Cranmer, and + brought Catharine Parr to the scaffold, then will we give King Henry a + queen who will reconcile him with God and the Church, out of which is no + salvation.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen, so be it!” said Gardiner; and arm in arm they both left the + cabinet. + </p> + <p> + Deep stillness now reigned in that little spot, and nobody saw John + Heywood as he now came from behind the hanging, and, completely worn out + and faint, slipped for a moment into a chair. + </p> + <p> + “Now I know, so far at least, the plan of these blood-thirsty tiger-cats,” + muttered he. “They wish to give Henry a popish queen; and so Cranmer must + be overthrown, that, when they have deprived the queen of this powerful + prop, they may destroy her also and tread her in the dust. But as God + liveth, they shall not succeed in this! God is just, and He will at last + punish these evil-doers. And supposing there is no God, then will we try a + little with the devil himself. No, they shall not destroy the noble + Cranmer and this beautiful, high-minded queen. I forbid it—I, John + Heywood, the king’s fool. I will see everything, observe everything, hear + everything. They shall find me everywhere on their path; and when they + poison the king’s ear with their diabolical whisperings, I will heal it + again with my merry deviltries. The king’s fool will be the guardian angel + of the queen.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. JOHN HEYWOOD. + </h2> + <p> + After so much care and excitement, the king needed an hour of recreation + and amusement. Since the fair young queen was seeking these far away in + the chase, and amid the beauties of Nature, Henry must, no doubt, be + content to seek them for himself, and in a way different from the queen’s. + His unwieldiness and his load of flesh prevented him from pursuing the + joys of life beyond his own halls; so the lords and ladies of his court + had to bring them hither to him, and station the flitting goddess of Joy, + with her wings fettered, in front of the king’s trundle-chair. + </p> + <p> + The gout had that day again overcome that mighty king of earth; and a + heavy, grotesque mass it was which sat there in the elbow-chair. + </p> + <p> + But the courtiers still called him a fine-looking and fascinating man; and + the ladies still smiled on him and said, by their sighs and by their + looks, that they loved him; that he was ever to them the same handsome and + captivating man that he was twenty years before, when yet young, + fine-looking, and slim. How they smile upon him, and ogle him! How Lady + Jane, the maiden otherwise so haughty and so chaste, does wish to ensnare + him with her bright eyes as with a net! How bewitchingly does the Duchess + of Richmond, that fair and voluptuous woman, laugh at the king’s merry + jests and double entendres! + </p> + <p> + Poor king! whose corpulency forbids him to dance as he once had done with + so much pleasure and so much dexterity! Poor king! whose age forbids him + to sing as once he had done to the delight both of the court and himself! + </p> + <p> + But there are yet, however, pleasant, precious, joyous hours, when the man + revives some little in the king; when even youth once more again awakes + within him, and smiles in a few dear, blessed pleasures. The king still + has at least eyes to perceive beauty, and a heart to feel it. + </p> + <p> + How beautiful Lady Jane is, this white lily with the dark, star-like eyes! + How beautiful Lady Richmond, this full-blown red rose with the pearl-white + teeth! + </p> + <p> + And they both smile at him; and when the king swears he loves them, they + bashfully cast down their eyes and sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Do you sigh, Jane, because you love me?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sire, you mock me. It would be a sin for me to love you, for Queen + Catharine is living.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she is living!” muttered the king; and his brow darkened; and for a + moment the smile disappeared from his lips. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane had committed a mistake. She had reminded the king of his wife + when it was yet too soon to ask for her death. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood read this in the countenance of his royal master, and + resolved to take advantage of it. He wished to divert the attention of the + king, and to draw it away from the beautiful, captivating women who were + juggling him with their bewitching charms. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the queen lives!” said he, joyfully, “and God be praised for it! For + how tedious and dull it would be at this court had we not our fair queen, + who is as wise as Methuselah, and innocent and good as a new-born babe! Do + you not, Lady Jane, say with me, God be praised that Queen Catharine is + living?” + </p> + <p> + “I say so with you!” said Jane, with ill-concealed vexation. + </p> + <p> + “And you, King Henry, do you not say it too?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, fool!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, why am I not King Henry?” sighed John Heywood. “King, I envy you, not + your crown, or your royal mantle; not your attendants or your money. I + envy you only this, that you can say, ‘God be praised that my wife is + still alive!’ while I never know but one phrase, ‘God have pity, my wife is + still alive!’ Ah, it is very seldom, king, that I have heard a married man + speak otherwise! You are in that too, as in all things else, an exception, + King Henry; and your people have never loved you more warmly and purely + than when you say, ‘I thank God that my consort is alive!’ Believe me, you + are perhaps the only man at your court who speaks after this manner, + however ready they may be to be your parrots, and re-echo what the lord + high-priest says.” + </p> + <p> + “The only man that loves his wife?” said Lady Richmond. “Behold now the + rude babbler! Do you not believe, then, that we women deserve to be + loved?” + </p> + <p> + “I am convinced that you do not.” + </p> + <p> + “And for what do you take us, then?” + </p> + <p> + “For cats, which God, since He had no more cat-skin, stuck into a smooth + hide!” + </p> + <p> + “Take care, John, that we do not show you our claws!” cried the duchess, + laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Do it anyhow, my lady! I will then make a cross, and ye will disappear. + For devils, you well know, cannot endure the sight of the holy cross, and + ye are devils.” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood, who was a remarkably fine singer, seized the mandolin, which + lay near him, and began to sing. + </p> + <p> + It was a song, possible only in those days, and at Henry’s voluptuous and + at the same time canting court—a song full of the most wanton + allusions, of the most cutting jests against both monks and women; a song + which made Henry laugh, and the ladies blush; and in which John Heywood + had poured forth in glowing dithyrambics all his secret indignation + against Gardiner, the sneaking hypocrite of a priest, and against Lady + Jane, the queen’s false and treacherous friend. + </p> + <p> + But the ladies laughed not. They darted flashing glances at John Heywood; + and Lady Richmond earnestly and resolutely demanded the punishment of the + perfidious wretch who dared to defame women. The king laughed still + harder. The rage of the ladies was so exceedingly amusing. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said the beautiful Richmond, “he has insulted not us, but the + whole sex; and in the name of our sex, I demand revenge for the affront.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, revenge!” cried Lady Jane, hotly. + </p> + <p> + “Revenge!” repeated the rest of the ladies. + </p> + <p> + “See, now, what pious and gentle-hearted doves ye are!” cried John + Heywood. + </p> + <p> + The king said, laughingly: “Well, now, you shall have your will—you + shall chastise him.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, scourge me with rods, as they once scourged the Messiah, + because He told the Pharisees the truth. See here! I am already putting on + the crown of thorns.” + </p> + <p> + He took the king’s velvet cap with solemn air, and put it on. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, whip him, whip him!” cried the king, laughing, as he pointed to the + gigantic vases of Chinese porcelain, containing enormous bunches of roses, + on whose long stems arose a real forest of formidable-looking thorns. + </p> + <p> + “Pull the large bouquets to pieces; take the roses in your hand, and whip + him with the stems!” said the king, and his eyes glistened with inhuman + delight, for the scene promised to be quite interesting. The rose-stems + were long and hard, and the thorns on them pointed and sharp as daggers. + How nicely they would pierce the flesh, and how he would yell and screw + his face, the good-natured fool! + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, let him take off his coat, and we will whip him!” cried the + Duchess of Richmond; and the women, all joining in the cry, rushed like + furies upon John Heywood, and forced him to lay aside his silk upper + garment. Then they hurried to the vases, snatched out the bouquets, and + with busy hands picked out the longest and stoutest stems. And loud were + their exclamations of satisfaction, if the thorns were right and sharp, + such as would penetrate the flesh of the offender right deeply. The king’s + laughter and shouts of approval animated them more and more, and made them + more excited and furious. Their cheeks glowed, their eyes glared; they + resembled Bacchantes circling the god of riotous joviality with their + shouts of “Evoe! evoe!” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet! do not strike yet!” cried the king. “You must first strengthen + yourselves for the exertion, and fire your arms for a powerful blow!” + </p> + <p> + He took the large golden beaker which stood before him and, tasting it, + presented it to Lady Jane. + </p> + <p> + “Drink, my lady, drink, that your arm may be strong!” + </p> + <p> + And they all drank, and with animated smiles pressed their lips on the + spot which the king’s mouth had touched. And now their eyes had a brighter + flame, and their cheeks a more fiery glow. + </p> + <p> + A strange and exciting sight it was, to see those beautiful women burning + with malicious joy and thirst for vengeance, who for the moment had laid + aside all their elegant attitudes, their lofty and haughty airs, to + transform themselves into wanton Bacchantes, bent on chastising the + offender, who had so often and so bitterly lashed them all with his + tongue. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I would a painter were here!” said the king. “He should paint us a + picture of the chaste nymphs of Diana pursuing Actaeon. You are Actaeon, + John!” + </p> + <p> + “But they are not the chaste nymphs, king; no, far from it,” cried + Heywood; laughing, “and between these fair women and Diana I find no + resemblance, but only a difference.” + </p> + <p> + “And in what consists the difference, John?” + </p> + <p> + “Herein, sire, that Diana carried her horn at her side; but these fair + ladies make their husbands wear their horns on the forehead!” + </p> + <p> + A loud peal of laughter from the gentlemen, a yell of rage from the + ladies, was the reply of this new epigram of John Heywood. They arranged + themselves in two rows, and thus formed a lane through which John Heywood + had to pass. + </p> + <p> + “Come, John Heywood, come and receive your punishment;” and they raised + their thorny rods threateningly, and flourished them with angry gestures + high above their heads. + </p> + <p> + The scene was becoming to John in all respects very piquant, for these + rods had very sharp thorns, and only a thin linen shirt covered his back. + </p> + <p> + With bold step, however, he approached the fatal passage through which he + was to pass. + </p> + <p> + Already he beheld the rods drawn back; and it seemed to him as if the + thorns were even now piercing his back. + </p> + <p> + He halted, and turned with a laugh to the king. “Sire, since you have + condemned me to die by the hands of these nymphs, I claim the right of + every condemned criminal—a last favor.” + </p> + <p> + “The which we grant you, John.” + </p> + <p> + “I demand that I may put on these fair women one condition—one + condition on which they may whip me. Does your majesty grant me this?” + </p> + <p> + “I grant it!” + </p> + <p> + “And you solemnly pledge me the word of a king that this condition shall + be faithfully kept and fulfilled?” + </p> + <p> + “My solemn, kingly word for it!” + </p> + <p> + “Now, then,” said John Heywood, as he entered the passage, “now, then, my + ladies, my condition is this: that one of you who has had the most lovers, + and has oftenest decked her husband’s head with horns, let her lay the + first stroke on my back.” [Footnote: Flogel’s “Geschichte der Hofnarren,” + p.899] + </p> + <p> + A deep silence followed. The raised arms of the fair women sank. The roses + fell from their hands and dropped to the ground. Just before so + bloodthirsty and revengeful, they seemed now to have become the softest + and gentlest of beings. + </p> + <p> + But could their looks have killed, their fire certainly would have + consumed poor John Heywood, who now gazed at them with an insolent sneer, + and advanced into the very midst of their lines. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my ladies, you strike him not?” asked the king. + </p> + <p> + “No, your majesty, we despise him too much even to wish to chastise him,” + said the Duchess of Richmond. + </p> + <p> + “Shall your enemy who has injured you go thus unpunished?” asked the king. + “No, no, my ladies; it shall not be said that there is a man in my kingdom + whom I have let escape when so richly deserving punishment. We will, + therefore, impose some other punishment on him. He calls himself a poet, + and has often boasted that he could make his pen fly as fast as his + tongue! Now, then, John, show us in this manner that you are no liar! I + command you to write, for the great court festival which takes place in a + few days, a new interlude; and one indeed, hear you, John, which is + calculated to make the greatest growler merry, and over which these ladies + will be forced to laugh so heartily, that they will forget all their ire!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said John dolefully, “what an equivocal and lewd poem it must be to + please these ladies and make them laugh! My king, we must, then, to please + these dear ladies, forget a little our chastity, modesty, and maiden + bashfulness, and speak in the spirit of the ladies—that is to say, + as lasciviously as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a wretch!” said Lady Jane; “a vulgar hypocritical fool.” + </p> + <p> + “Earl Douglas, your daughter is speaking to you,” said John Heywood, + calmly. “She flatters you much, your tender daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Now then, John, you have heard my orders, and will you obey them? In four + days will this festival begin; I give you two days more. In six days, + then, you have to write a new interlude. And if he fails to do it, my + ladies, you shall whip him until you bring the blood; and that without any + condition.” Just then was heard without a flourish of trumpets and the + clatter of horse-hoofs. + </p> + <p> + “The queen has returned,” said John Heywood, with a countenance beaming + with joy, as he fixed his smiling gaze full of mischievous satisfaction on + Lady Jane. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing further now remains for you to do, but dutifully to meet your + mistress upon the great staircase, for, as you so wisely said before, the + queen still lives.” + </p> + <p> + Without waiting for an answer, John Heywood ran out and rushed through the + anteroom and down the steps to meet the queen. Lady Jane watched him with + a dark, angry look; and as she turned slowly to the door to go and meet + the queen, she muttered low between her closely-pressed lips: “The fool + must die, for he is the queen’s friend!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. THE CONFIDANT. + </h2> + <p> + The queen was just ascending the steps of the great public staircase, and + she greeted John Heywood with a friendly smile. + </p> + <p> + “My lady,” said he aloud, “I have a few words in private to say to you, in + the name of his majesty.” + </p> + <p> + “Words in private!” repeated Catharine, as she stopped upon the terrace of + the palace. “Well, then, fall back, my lords and ladies; we wish to + receive his majesty’s mysterious message.” + </p> + <p> + The royal train silently and respectfully withdrew into the large anteroom + of the palace, while the queen remained alone with John Heywood on the + terrace. + </p> + <p> + “Now, speak, John.” + </p> + <p> + “Queen, heed well my words, and grave them deep on your memory! A + conspiracy is forged against you, and in a few days, at the great + festival, it will be ripe for execution. Guard well, therefore, every word + you utter, ay, even your very thoughts. Beware of every dangerous step, + for you may be certain that a listener stands behind you! And if you need + a confidant, confide in no one but me! I tell you, a great danger lies + before you, and only by prudence and presence of mind will you be able to + avoid it.” + </p> + <p> + This time the queen did not laugh at her friend’s warning voice. She was + serious; she even trembled. + </p> + <p> + She had lost her proud sense of security and her serene confidence—she + was no longer guiltless—she had a dangerous secret to keep, + consequently she felt a dread of discovery; and she trembled not merely + for herself, but also for him whom she loved. + </p> + <p> + “And in what consists this plot?” asked she, with agitation. + </p> + <p> + “I do not yet understand it; I only know that it exists. But I will search + it out, and if your enemies lurk about you with watchful eyes, well, then, + I will have spying eyes to observe them.” + </p> + <p> + “And is it I alone that they threaten?” + </p> + <p> + “No, queen, your friend also.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine trembled. “What friend, John?” + </p> + <p> + “Archbishop Cranmer.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the archbishop!” replied she, drawing a deep breath. + </p> + <p> + “And is he all, John? Does their enmity pursue only me and him?” + </p> + <p> + “Only you two!” said John Heywood, sadly, for he had fully understood the + queen’s sigh of relief, and he knew that she had trembled for another. + “But remember, queen, that Cranmer’s destruction would be likewise your + own; and that as you protect the archbishop, he also will protect you with + the king—you, queen, and your FRIENDS.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine gave a slight start, and the crimson on her cheek grew deeper. + “I shall always be mindful of that, and ever be a true and real friend to + him and to you; for you two are my only friends: is it not so?” + </p> + <p> + “No, your majesty, I spoke to you of yet a third, of Thomas Seymour.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he!” cried she with a sweet smile. Then she said suddenly, and in a + low quick voice: “You say I must trust no one here but you. Now, then, I + will give you a proof of my confidence. Await me in the green summer-house + at twelve o’clock to-night. You must be my attendant on a dangerous + excursion. Have you courage, John?” + </p> + <p> + “Courage to lay down my life for you, queen!” + </p> + <p> + “Come, then, but bring your weapon with you.” + </p> + <p> + “At your command! and is that your only order for to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “That is all, John! only,” added she, with hesitation and a slight blush, + “only, if you perchance meet Earl Sudley, you may say to him that I + charged you to greet him in my name.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” sighed John Hey wood, sadly. + </p> + <p> + “He has to-day saved my life, John,” said she, as if excusing herself. “It + becomes me well, then, to be grateful to him.” + </p> + <p> + And giving him a friendly nod, she stepped into the porch of the castle. + </p> + <p> + “Now let anybody say again, that chance is not the most mischievous and + spiteful of all devils!” muttered John Heywood. “This devil, chance, + throws in the queen’s way the very person she ought most to avoid; and she + must be, as in duty bound, very grateful to a lover. Oh, oh, so he has + saved her life? But who knows whether he may not be one day the cause of + her losing it!” + </p> + <p> + He dropped his head gloomily upon his breast, when suddenly he heard + behind him a low voice calling his name; and as he turned, he saw the + young Princess Elizabeth hastening toward him with a hurried step. She was + at that moment very beautiful. Her eyes gleamed with the fire of passion; + her cheeks glowed; and about her crimson lips there played a gentle, happy + smile. She wore, according to the fashion of the time, a close-fitting + high-necked dress, which showed off to perfection the delicate lines of + her slender and youthful form, while the wide standing collar concealed + the somewhat too great length of her neck, and made her ruddy, as yet + almost childish face stand out as it were from a pedestal. On either side + of her high, thoughtful brow, fell, in luxurious profusion, light flaxen + curls; her head was covered with a black velvet cap, from which a white + feather drooped to her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + She was altogether a charming and lovely apparition, full of nobleness and + grace, full of fire and energy; and yet, in spite of her youthfulness, not + wanting in a certain grandeur and dignity. Elizabeth, though still almost + a child, and frequently bowed and humbled by misfortune, yet ever remained + her father’s own daughter. And though Henry had declared her a bastard and + excluded her from the succession to the throne, yet she bore the stamp of + her royal blood in her high, haughty brow; in her keen, flashing eye. + </p> + <p> + As she now stood before John Heywood, she was not, however, the haughty, + imperious princess, but merely the shy, blushing maiden, who feared to + trust her first girlish secret to another’s ear, and ventured only with + trembling hand to draw aside the veil which concealed her heart. + </p> + <p> + “John Heywood,” said she, “you have often told me that you loved me; and I + know that my poor unfortunate mother trusted you, and summoned you as a + witness of her innocence. You could not at that time save the mother, but + will you now serve Anne Boleyn’s daughter, and be her faithful friend?” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said Heywood, solemnly, “and as true as there is a God above us, + you shall never find me a traitor.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you, John; I know that I may trust you. Listen then, I will now + tell you my secret—a secret which no one but God knows, and the + betrayal of which might bring me to the scaffold. Will you then swear to + me, that you will never, under any pretext, and from any motive + whatsoever, betray to anybody, so much as a single word of what I am now + about to tell you? Will you swear to me, never to intrust this secret to + any one, even on your death-bed, and not to betray it even in the + confessional?” + </p> + <p> + “Now as regards that, princess,” said John, with a laugh, “you are + perfectly safe. I never go to confession, for confession is a + highly-spiced dish of popery on which I long since spoilt my stomach; and + as concerns my deathbed, one cannot, under the blessed and pious reign of + Henry the Eighth, altogether know whether he will be really a participant + of any kind, or whether he may not make a far more speedy and convenient + trip into eternity by the aid of the hangman.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, be serious, John—do, I pray you! Let the fool’s mask, under + which you hide your sober and honest face, not hide it from me also. Be + serious, John, and swear to me that you will keep my secret.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, I swear, princess; I swear by your mother’s spirit to betray + not a word of what you are going to tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, John. Now lean this way nearer to me, lest the breeze may + catch a single word of mine and bear it farther. John, I love!” + </p> + <p> + She saw the half-surprised, half-incredulous smile which played around + John Heywood’s lips. “Oh,” continued she, passionately, “you believe me + not. You consider my fourteen years, and you think the child knows nothing + yet of a maiden’s feelings. But remember, John, that those girls who live + under a warm sun are early ripened by his glowing rays, and are already + wives and mothers when they should still be dreaming children. Well, now, + I too am the daughter of a torrid zone, only mine has not been the sun of + prosperity, and it has been sorrow and misfortune which have matured my + heart. Believe me, John, I love! A glowing, consuming fire rages within + me; it is at once my delight and my misery, my happiness and my future. + </p> + <p> + “The king has robbed me of a brilliant and glorious future; let them not, + then, grudge me a happy one, at least. Since I am never to be a queen, I + will at least be a happy and beloved wife. If I am condemned to live in + obscurity and lowliness, at the very least, I must not be prohibited from + adorning this obscure and inglorious existence with flowers, which thrive + not at the foot of the throne, and to illuminate it with stars more + sparkling than the refulgence of the most radiant kingly crown.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are mistaken about your own self!” said John Heywood, + sorrowfully. “You choose the one only because the other is denied. You + would love only because you cannot rule; and since your heart, which + thirsts for fame and honor, can find no other satisfaction, you would + quench its thirst with some other draught, and would administer love as an + opiate to lull to rest its burning pains. Believe me, princess, you do not + yet know yourself! You were not born to be merely a loving wife, and your + brow is much too high and haughty to wear only a crown of myrtle. + Therefore, consider well what you do, princess! Be not carried away by + your father’s passionate blood, which boils in your veins also. Think well + before you act. Your foot is yet on one of the steps to the throne. Draw + it not back voluntarily. Maintain your position; then, the next step + brings you again one stair higher up. Do not voluntarily renounce your + just claim, but abide in patience the coming of the day of retribution and + justice. Only do not yourself make it impossible, that there may then be a + full and glorious reparation. PRINCESS Elizabeth may yet one day be queen, + provided she has not exchanged her name for one less glorious and noble.” + </p> + <p> + “John Heywood,” said she, with a bewitching smile, “I have told you I love + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, love him as much as you please, but do it in silence, and tell him + not of it; but teach your love resignation.” + </p> + <p> + “John, he knows it already.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, poor princess! you are still but a child, that sticks its hands in + the fire with smiling bravery and scorches them, because it knows not that + fire burns.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it burn, John, burn! and let the flames curl over my head! Better be + consumed in fire than perish slowly and horribly with a deadly chill! I + love him, I tell you, and he already knows it!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, love him, but, at least, do not marry him!” cried John + Heywood, surlily. + </p> + <p> + “Marry!” cried she, with astonishment. “Marry! I had never thought of it.” + </p> + <p> + She dropped her head upon her breast, and stood there, silent and + thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + “I am much afraid I made a blunder, then!” muttered John Heywood. “I have + suggested a new thought to her. Ah, ah, King Henry has done well in + appointing me his fool! Just when we deem ourselves the wisest, we are the + greatest fools!” + </p> + <p> + “John,” said Elizabeth, as she raised her head again and smiled to him in + a glow of excitement, “John, you are entirely right; if we love, we must + marry.” + </p> + <p> + “But I said just the contrary, princess!” + </p> + <p> + “All right!” said she, resolutely. “All this belongs to the future; we + will busy ourselves with the present. I have promised my lover an + interview.” + </p> + <p> + “An interview!” cried John Heywood, in amazement. “You will not be so + foolhardy as to keep your promise?” + </p> + <p> + “John Heywood,” said she, with an air of approaching solemnity, “King + Henry’s daughter will never make a promise without fulfilling it. For + better or for worse, I will always keep my plighted word, even if the + greatest misery and ruin were the result!” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood ventured to offer no further opposition. There was at this + moment something peculiarly lofty, proud, and truly royal in her air, + which impressed him with awe, and before which he bowed. + </p> + <p> + “I have granted him an interview because he wished it,” said Elizabeth; + “and, John, I will confess it to you, my own heart longed for it. Seek + not, then, to shake my resolution; it is as firm as a rock. But if you are + not willing to stand by me, say so, and I will then look about me for + another friend, who loves me enough to impose silence on his thoughts.” + </p> + <p> + “But who, perhaps, will go and betray you. No, no, it has been once + resolved upon, and unalterably; so no one but I must be your confidant. + Tell me, then, what I am to do, and I will obey you.” + </p> + <p> + “You know, John, that my apartments are situated in yonder wing, + overlooking the garden. Well, in my dressing-room, behind one of the large + wall pictures, I have discovered a door leading into a lonely, dark + corridor. From this corridor there is a passage up into yonder tower. It + is unoccupied and deserted. Nobody ever thinks of entering that part of + the castle, and the quiet of the grave reigns throughout those apartments, + which nevertheless are furnished with a magnificence truly regal. There + will I receive him.” + </p> + <p> + “But how shall he make his way thither?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do not be concerned; I have thought over that many days since; and + while I was refusing my lover the interview for which he again and again + implored me, I was quietly preparing everything so as to be able one day + to grant it to him. Today this object is attained, and today have I + fulfilled his wish, voluntarily and unasked; for I saw he had no more + courage to ask again. Listen, then. From the tower, a spiral staircase + leads down to a small door, through which you gain entrance into the + garden. I have a key to this door. Here it is. Once in possession of this + key, he has nothing further to do but remain behind in the park this + evening, instead of leaving the castle; and by means of this he will come + to me, for I will wait for him in the tower, in the large room directly + opposite the staircase landing. Here, take the key; give it to him, and + repeat to him all that I have said.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, princess, there remains for you now only to appoint the hour at + which you will receive him there.” + </p> + <p> + “The hour,” said she, as she turned away her blushing face. “You + understand, John, that it is not feasible to receive him there by day, + because there is by day not a single moment in which I am not watched.” + </p> + <p> + “You will then receive him by night!” said John Heywood, sadly. “At what + hour?” + </p> + <p> + “At midnight! And now you know all; and I beg you, John, hasten and carry + him my message; for, look, the sun is setting, and it will soon be night.” + </p> + <p> + She nodded to him with a smile, and turned to go. + </p> + <p> + “Princess, you have forgotten the most important point. You have not yet + told me his name.” + </p> + <p> + “My God! and you do not guess it? John Heywood, who has such sharp eyes, + sees not that there is at this court but a single one that deserves to be + loved by a daughter of the king!” + </p> + <p> + “And the name of this single one is—” + </p> + <p> + “Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley!” whispered Elizabeth, as she turned away + quickly and entered the castle. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Thomas Seymour!” said John Heywood, utterly astounded. As if + paralyzed with horror, he stood there motionless, staring up at the sky + and repealing over and over, “Thomas Seymour! Thomas Seymour! So he is a + sorcerer who administers a love-potion to all the women, and befools them + with his handsome, saucy face. Thomas Seymour! The queen loves him; the + princess loves him; and then there is this Duchess of Richmond, who will + by all means be his wife! This much, however, is certain, he is a traitor + who deceives both, because to both he has made the same confession of + love. And there again is that imp, chance, which compels me to be the + confidant of both these women. But I will be well on my guard against + executing both my commissions to this sorcerer. Let him at any rate become + the husband of the princess; perhaps this would be the surest means of + freeing the queen from her unfortunate love.” + </p> + <p> + He was silent, and still gazed up thoughtfully at the sky. “Yes,” said he + then, quite cheerfully, “thus shall it be. I will combat the one love with + the other. For the queen to love him, is dangerous. I will therefore so + conduct matters that she must hate him. I will remain her confidant. I + will receive her letters and her commissions, but I will burn her letters + and not execute her commissions. I am not at liberty to tell her that the + faithless Thomas Seymour is false to her, for I have solemnly pledged my + word to the princess never to breathe her secret to any one; and I will + and must keep my word. Smile and love, then; dream on thy sweet dream of + love, queen; I wake for thee; I will cause the dark cloud resting on thee + to pass by. It may, perhaps, touch thine heart; but thy noble and + beautiful head—that at least it shall not be allowed to crush; that—” + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, what are you staring up at the sky for, as if you read there a + new epigram with which to make the king laugh, and the parsons rave?” + asked a voice near him; and a hand was laid heavily on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood did not look round at all; he remained in the same attitude, + gazing up steadily at the sky. He had very readily recognized the voice of + him who had addressed him; he knew very well that he who stood near him + was no other than the bold sorcerer whom he was just then cursing at the + bottom of his heart; no other than Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley. + </p> + <p> + “Say, John, is it really an epigram?” asked Thomas Seymour again. “An + epigram on the hypocritical, lustful, and sanctimonious priestly rabble, + that with blasphemous hypocrisy fawn about the king, and are ever watchful + how they can set a trap for one of us honorable and brave men? Is that + what Heaven is now revealing to you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord, I am only looking at a hawk which hovers about there in the + clouds. I saw him mount, earl, and only think of the wonder—he had + in each talon a dove! Two doves for one hawk. Is not that too much—wholly + contrary to law and nature?” + </p> + <p> + The earl cast on him a penetrating and distrustful look. But John Heywood, + remaining perfectly calm and unembarrassed, continued looking at the + clouds. + </p> + <p> + “How stupid such a brute is, and how much to his disadvantage will his + very greediness be! For since he holds a dove in each claw, he will not be + able to enjoy either of them; because he has no claw at liberty with which + to tear them. Soon as he wishes to enjoy the one, the other will escape; + when he grabs after that, the other flies away; and so at last he will + have nothing at all, because he was too rapacious and wanted more than he + could use.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are looking after this hawk in the skies? But you are perhaps + mistaken, and he whom you seek is not above there at all, but here below, + and perchance quite close to you?” asked Thomas Seymour significantly. + </p> + <p> + But John Heywood would not understand him. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said he, “he still flies, but it will not last long. For verily I + saw the owner of the dovecot from which the hawk has stolen the two doves. + He had a weapon; and he, be ye sure of it—he will kill this hawk, + because he has robbed him of his pet doves.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough, enough!” cried the earl, impatiently. “You would give me a + lesson, but you must know I take no counsel from a fool, even were he the + wisest.” + </p> + <p> + “In that you are right, my lord, for only fools are so foolish as to + hearken to the voice of wisdom. Besides, each man forges his own fortune. + And now, wise sir, I will give you a key, which you yourself have forged, + and behind which lies your fortune. There, take this key; and if you at + midnight slip through the garden to the tower over yonder, this key will + open to you the door of the same, and you can then without hesitation + mount the spiral staircase and open the door which is opposite the + staircase. Behind that you will find the fortune which you have forged for + yourself, sir blacksmith, and which will bid you welcome with warm lips + and soft arms. And so commending you to God, I must hasten home to think + over the comedy which the king has commanded me to write.” + </p> + <p> + “But you do not so much as tell me from whom this message comes?” said + Earl Sudley, retaining him. “You invite me to a meeting and give me a key, + and I know not who will await me there in that tower.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you do not know? There is then more than one who might await you + there? Well, then, it is the youngest and smallest of the two doves who + sends you the key.” + </p> + <p> + “Princess Elizabeth?” + </p> + <p> + “You have named her, not I!” said John Heywood, as he disengaged himself + from the earl’s grasp and hurried across the courtyard to betake himself + to his lodgings. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour watched him with a scowl, and then slowly directed his eyes + to the key that Heywood had given him. + </p> + <p> + “The princess then awaits me,” whispered he, softly. “Ah, who can read it + in the stars? who can know whither the crown will roll when it tumbles + from King Henry’s head? I love Catharine, but I love ambition still more; + and if it is demanded, to ambition must I sacrifice my heart.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. GAMMER GUETON’S NEEDLE. + </h2> + <p> + Slowly and lost in gloomy thought, John Heywood walked toward his + lodgings. These lodgings were situated in the second or inner court of the + vast palace of Whitehall, in that wing of the castle which contained the + apartments of all the higher officers of the royal household, and so those + of the court-jesters also; for the king’s fool was at that period a very + important and respectable personage, who occupied a rank equal to that of + a gentleman of the royal bed-chamber. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood had just crossed this second courtyard, when all at once + loud, wrangling voices, and the clear, peculiar ring of a box on the ear, + startled him out of his meditations. He stopped and listened. His face, + before so serious, had now reassumed its usual merry and shrewd + expression; his large eyes again glittered with humor and mischief. “There + again verily is my sweet, charming housekeeper, Gammer Gurton,” said John + Heywood, laughing; “and she no doubt is quarrelling again with my + excellent servant, that poor, long-legged, blear-eyed Hodge. Ah! ha! + Yesterday I surprised her as she applied a kiss to him, at which he made + as doleful a face as if a bee had stung him. To-day I hear how she is + boxing his ears. He is perhaps now laughing at it, and thinks it is a + rose-leaf which cools his cheek. That Hodge is such a queer bird! But we + will at once see what there is to-day, and what farce is being performed + now.” + </p> + <p> + He crept softly up-stairs, and, opening the door of his room, closed it + again behind him quickly and gently. Gammer Gurton, who was in the room + adjoining, had heard nothing, seen nothing; and had the heavens come + tumbling down at that moment, she would have scarcely noticed it; for she + had eyes and sense only for this long, lank lackey who stood before her + shaking with fear, and staring at her out of his great bluish-white eyes. + Her whole soul lay in her tongue; and her tongue ran as fast as a + will-wheel, and with the force of thunder. How, then, could Gammer Gurton + well have time and ears to hear her master, who had softly entered his + chamber and slyly crept to the door, only half closed, which separated his + room from that of the housekeeper? “How!” screamed Gammer Gurtoh, “you + silly raga muffin, you wish to make me believe that it was the cat that + ran away with my sewing-needle, as if my sewing-needle were a mouse and + smelt of bacon, you stupid, blear-eyed fool!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you call me a fool,” cried Hodge, with a laugh, which caused his + mouth to describe a graceful line across his face from ear to ear; “you + call me a fool, and that is a great honor for me, for then I am a servant + worthy of my master. And as to being blear-eyed, that must be caused by + the simple fact that I have nothing all day long before my eyes but you, + Gammer Gurton—you, with your face like a full moon—you, + sailing through the room like a frigate, and with your grappling-irons, + your hands, smashing to pieces everything except your own looking-glass.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall pay me for that, you double-faced, thread-bare lout!” screamed + Gammer Gurton, as she rushed on Hodge with clenched fist. + </p> + <p> + But John Heywood’s cunning servant had anticipated this; he had already + slipped under the large table which stood in the middle of the room. As + the housekeeper now made a plunge to drag him out of his extemporary + fortress, he gave her such a hearty pinch on the leg, that she sprang back + with a scream, and sank, wholly overcome by the pain, into the huge, + leather-covered elbow-chair which was near her workstand at the window. + </p> + <p> + “You are a monster, Hodge,” groaned she, exhausted—“a heartless, + horrible monster. You have stolen my sewing-needle—you only. For you + knew very well that it was my last one, and that, if I have not that, I + must go at once to the shopkeeper to buy some needles. And that is just + what you want, you weathercock, you. You only want me to go out, that you + may have an opportunity to play with Tib.” + </p> + <p> + “Tib? Who is Tib?” asked Hodge as he stretched out his long neck from + under the table, and stared at Gammer Gurton with well-assumed + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Now this otter wants me yet to tell him who Tib is!” screamed the + exasperated dame. “Well, then, I will tell you. Tib is the cook for the + major-domo over there—a black-eyed, false, coquettish little devil, + who is bad and mean enough to troll away the lover of an honest and + virtuous woman, as I am; a lover who is such a pitiful little thing that + one would think no one but myself could find him out and see him; nor + could I have done it had I not for forty years trained my eyes to the + search, and for forty years looked around for the man who was at length to + marry me, and make me a respectable mistress. Since my eyes then were at + last steadily fixed on this phantom of man, and I found nothing there, I + finally discovered you, you cobweb of a man!” + </p> + <p> + “What! you call me a cobweb?” screamed Hodge, as he crept from under the + table, and, drawing himself up to his full height, placed himself + threateningly in front of Gammer Gurton’s elbow-chair. “You call me a + cobweb? Now, I swear to you that you shall henceforth never more be the + spider that dwells in that web! For you are a garden-spider, an + abominable, dumpy, old garden-spider, for whom a web, such as Hodge is, is + much too fine and much too elegant. Be quiet, therefore, old spider, and + spin your net elsewhere! You shall not live in my net, but Tib—for, + yes, I do know Tib. She is a lovely, charming child of fourteen, as quick + and nimble as a kid, with lips red as the coral which you wear on your fat + pudding of a neck, with eyes which shine yet brighter than your nose, and + with a figure so slender and graceful that she might have been carved out + of one of your fingers. Yes, yes, I know Tib. She is an affectionate, good + child, who would never be so hard-hearted as to abuse the man she loves, + and could not be so mean and pitiful, even in thought, as to wish to marry + the man she did not love. Just because he is a man. Yes, I know Tib, and + now I will go straight to her and ask her if she will marry a good, honest + lad, who, to be sure, is somewhat lean, but who doubtless will become + fatter if he has any other fare than the meagre, abominable stuff on which + Gammer Gurton feeds him; a lad who, to be sure, is blear-eyed, but will + soon get over that disease when he no more sees Gammer Gurton, who acts on + his eyes like a stinking onion, and makes them always red and running + water. Good-by, old onion! I am going to Tib.” + </p> + <p> + But Gammer Gurton whirled up out of her elbow-chair like a top, and was + upon Hodge, whom she held by the coat-tail, and brought him to a stand. + </p> + <p> + “You dare go to Tib again! You dare pass that door and you shall see that + the gentle, peaceable, and patient Gammer Gurton is changed into a + lioness, when any one tries to tear from her that most sacred and dearest + of treasures, her husband. For you are my husband, inasmuch as I have your + word that you will marry me.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have not told you when and where I will do it, Gammer Gurton; and + so you can wait to all eternity, for only in heaven will I be your + husband.” + </p> + <p> + “That is an abominable, malicious lie!” screamed Gammer Gurton. “A + good-for-nothing lie, say I! For did you not long ago snivel and beg till + I was forced to promise you to make a will, and in it declare Hodge, my + beloved husband, sole heir of all my goods and chattels, and bequeath to + him everything I have scraped together in my virtuous and industrious + life?” + </p> + <p> + “But you did not make it—the will. You broke your word; and, + therefore, I will do the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have made it, you greyhound. I have made it; and this very day I + was going with you to a justice of the peace and have it signed, and then + to-morrow we would have got married.” + </p> + <p> + “You have made the will, you round world of love?” said Hodge tenderly, as + with his long, withered, spindling arms he tried to clasp the gigantic + waist of his beloved. “You have made the will and declared me your heir? + Come, then, Gammer Gurton, come, let us go to the justice of the peace!” + </p> + <p> + “But do you not see, then,” said Gammer Gurton, with a tender, cat-like + purr, “do you not see, then, that you rumple my frill when you hug me so? + Let me go, then, and help me find my needle quickly, for without the + needle we cannot go to the justice of the peace.” + </p> + <p> + “What, without the needle not go to the justice of the peace?” + </p> + <p> + “No; for only see this hole which Gib, the cat, tore in my prettiest cap + awhile ago, as I took the cap out of the box and laid it on the table. + Indeed I cannot go to the justice of the peace with such a hole in my cap! + Search then, Hodge, search, so that I can mend my cap, and go with you to + the justice of the peace!” + </p> + <p> + “Lord God, where in the world can it be, the unlucky needle? I must have + it, I must find it, so that Gammer Gurton may take her will to the justice + of the peace!” + </p> + <p> + And in frantic desperation, Hodge searched all about on the floor for the + lost needle, and Gammer Gurton stuck her large spectacles on her flaming + red nose and peered about on the table. So eager was she in the search, + that she even let her tongue rest a little, and deep silence reigned in + the room. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly this silence was broken by a voice; which seemed to come from the + courtyard. It was a soft, sweet voice that cried: “Hodge, dear Hodge, are + you there? Come to me in the court, only for a few minutes! I want to have + a bit of a laugh with you!” + </p> + <p> + It was as though an electric shock had passed through the room with that + voice, and struck at the same time both Gammer Gurton and Hodge. + </p> + <p> + Both startled, and discontinuing the search, stood there wholly immovable, + as if petrified. Hodge especially, poor Hodge, was as if struck by + lightning. His great bluish-white eyes appeared to be coming out of their + sockets; his long arms hung down, flapping and dangling about like a + flail; his knees, half bent, seemed already to be giving way in + expectation of the approaching storm. + </p> + <p> + This storm did not in fact make him wait long. “That is Tib!” screamed + Gammer Gurton, springing like a lioness upon Hodge and seizing him by the + shoulders with both her hands. “That is Tib, you thread-like, pitiful + greyhound! Well, was I not right, now, when I called you a faithless, + good-for-nothing scamp, that spares not innocence, and breaks the hearts + of the women as he would a cracker, which he swallows at his pleasure? Was + I not right, in saying that you were only watching for me to go out in + order to go and sport with Tib?” + </p> + <p> + “Hodge, my dear, darling Hodge,” cried the voice beneath there, and this + time louder and more tender than before, “Hodge, oh come, do now, come + with me in the court, as you promised me; come and get the kiss for which + you begged me this morning!” + </p> + <p> + “I will be a damned otter, if I begged her for it, and if I understand a + single word of what she says!” said Hodge, wholly dumfounded and quaking + all over. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you understand not a word of what she says?” screamed Gammer Gurton. + “Well, but I understand it. I understand that everything between us is + past and done with, and that I have nothing more to do with you, you + Moloch, you! I understand that I shall not go and make my will, to become + your wife and fret myself to death over this skeleton of a husband, that I + may leave you to chuckle as my heir. No, no, it is past. I am not going to + the justice of the peace, and I will tear up my will!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she is going to tear up her will!” howled Hodge; “and then I have + tormented myself in vain; in vain have endured the horrible luck of being + loved by this old owl! Oh, oh, she will not make her will, and Hodge will + remain the same miserable dog he always was!” + </p> + <p> + Gammer Gurton laughed scornfully. “Ah, you are aware at last what a + pitiable wretch you are, and how much a noble and handsome person, as I + am, lowered herself when she made up her mind to pick up such a weed and + make him her husband.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, I know it!” whined Hodge; “and I pray you pick me up and take + me, and above all things make your will!” + </p> + <p> + “No, I will not take you, and I shall not make my will! It is all over + with, I tell you; and now you can go as soon as you please to Tib, who has + called you so lovingly. But first give me back my sewing-needle, you + magpie, you! Give me here my sewing-needle, which you have stolen. It is + of no use to you now, for it is not necessary for me to go out in order + that you may go and see Tib. We have nothing more to do with each other, + and you can go where you wish. My sewing-needle, say I—my needle, or + I will hang you as a scarecrow in my pea-patch, to frighten the sparrows + out of it. My sewing-needle, or—” + </p> + <p> + She shook her clenched fist threateningly at Hodge, fully convinced that + now, as always before, Hodge would retreat before this menacing weapon of + his jealous and irritable lady-love, and seek safety under the bed or the + table. + </p> + <p> + This time, however, she was mistaken. Hodge, who saw that all was lost, + felt that his patience was at length exhausted; and his timidity was now + changed to the madness of despair. The lamb was transformed into a tiger, + and with a tiger’s rage he pounced upon Gammer Gurton, and, throwing aside + her fist, he dealt her a good sound blow on the cheek. + </p> + <p> + The signal was given, and the battle began. It was waged by both sides + with equal animosity and equal vigor; only Hodge’s bony hand made by far + the most telling blows on Gammer Gurton’s mass of flesh, and was always + certain, wherever he struck, to hit some spot of this huge mass; while + Gammer Gurton’s soft hand seldom touched that thin, threadlike figure, + which dexterously parried every blow. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, you fools!” suddenly shouted a stentorian voice. “See you not, you + goblins, that your lord and master is here? Peace, peace then, you devils, + and do not be hammering away at one another, but love each other.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the master!” exclaimed Gammer Gurton, lowering her fist in the + utmost contrition. + </p> + <p> + “Do not turn me away, sir!” moaned Hodge; “do not dismiss me from your + service because at last I have for once given the old hag a good bruising. + She has deserved it a long time, and an angel himself must at last lose + patience with her.” + </p> + <p> + “I turn you out of my service!” exclaimed John Heywood, as he wiped his + eyes, wet with laughing. “No, Hodge, you are a real jewel, a mine of fun + and merriment; and you two have, without knowing it, furnished me with the + choicest materials for a piece which, by the king’s order, I have to write + within six days. I owe you, then, many thanks, and will show my gratitude + forthwith. Listen well to me, my amorous and tender pair of turtle-doves, + and mark what I have to say to you. One cannot always tell the wolf by his + hide, for he sometimes put on a sheep’s skin; and so, too, a man cannot + always be recognized by his voice, for he sometimes borrows that of his + neighbor. Thus, for example, I know a certain John Heywood, who can mimic + exactly the voice of a certain little miss named Tib, and who knows how to + warble as she herself: ‘Hodge, my dear Hodge!’” And he repeated to them + exactly, and with the same tone and expression, the words that the voice + had previously cried. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it was you, sir?” cried Hodge, with a broad grin—“that Tib in + the court there, that Tib about whom we have been pummelling each other?” + </p> + <p> + “I was Tib, Hodge—I who was present during the whole of your + quarrel, and found it hugely comical to send Tib’s voice thundering into + the midst of our lovers’ quarrel, like a cannon-stroke! Ah, ha! Hodge, + that was a fine bomb-shell, was it not? And as I said ‘Hodge, my dear + Hodge,’ you tumbled about like a kernel of corn which a dung-beetle blows + with his breath. No, no, my worthy and virtuous Gammer Gurton, it was not + Tib who called the handsome Hodge, and more than that, I saw Tib, as your + contest began, go out at the courtyard gate.” + </p> + <p> + “It was not Tib!” exclaimed Gammer Gurton, much moved, and happy as love + could make her. “It was not Tib, and she was not in the court at all, and + Hodge could not then go down to her, while I went to the shopkeeper’s to + buy needles. Oh, Hodge, Hodge, will you forgive me for this; will you + forget the hard words which I spoke in the fury of my anguish, and can you + love me again?” + </p> + <p> + “I will try,” said Hodge, gravely; “and without doubt I shall succeed, + provided you go to-day forthwith to the justice, and make your will.” + </p> + <p> + “I will make my will, and to-morrow we will go to the priest; shall it not + be so, my angel?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we go to the priest to-morrow!” growled Hodge, as with a frightful + grimace he scratched himself behind the ears. + </p> + <p> + “And now come, my angel, and give me a kiss of reconciliation!” She spread + her arms out, and when Houge did not come to her, but remained immovable, + and steadfast in his position, she went to Hodge and pressed him tenderly + to her heart. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she uttered a shriek, and let go of Hodge, She had felt a + terrible pain in her breast. It seemed as though a small dagger had + pierced her bosom. + </p> + <p> + And there it was, the lost needle, and Hodge then was innocent and pure as + the early dawn. + </p> + <p> + He had not mischievously purloined the needle, so that Gammer Gurton would + be compelled to leave her house in order to fetch some new needles from + the shopkeeper’s; he had not intended to go to Tib, for Tib was not in the + court, but had gone out. + </p> + <p> + “Oh Hodge, Hodge, good Hodge, you innocent dove, will you forgive me?” + </p> + <p> + “Come to the justice of the peace, Gammer Gurton, and I forgive you!” + </p> + <p> + They sank tenderly into each other’s arms, wholly forgetful of their + master, who still stood near them, and looked on, laughing and nodding his + head. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, I have found the finest and most splendid materials for my + piece,” said John Heywood, as he left the loving pair and betook himself + to his own room. “Gammer Gurton has saved me, and King Henry will not have + the satisfaction of seeing me whipped by those most virtuous and most + lovely ladies of his court. To work, then, straightway to work!” + </p> + <p> + He seated himself at his writing-desk, and seized pen and paper. + </p> + <p> + “But how!” asked he, suddenly pausing. “That is certainly a rich subject + for a composition; but I can never in the world get an interlude out of + it! What shall I do with it? Abandon this subject altogether, and again + jeer at the monks and ridicule the nuns? That is antiquated and worn out! + I will write something new, something wholly new, and something which will + make the king so merry, that he will not sign a death-warrant for a whole + day. Yes, yes, a merry play shall it be, and then I will call it boldly + and fearlessly a comedy!” + </p> + <p> + He seized his pen and wrote: “Gammer Gurton’s Needle, a right pithy, + pleasant, and merry comedy.” + </p> + <p> + And thus originated the first English comedy, by John Heywood, fool to + King Henry the Eighth. [Footnote: This comedy was first printed in the + year 1661, but it was represented at Christ College fully a hundred years + previously. Who was the author of it is not known with certainty; but it + is possible that the writer of it was John Heywood, the epigrammatist and + court-jester.—See Dramaturgic oder Theorie und Geschichte der + dramatischen Kunst, von Theodore Mundt, vol i, p. 809. Flogel’s Geschichte + der Hofnarren, p. 399.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. LADY JANE. + </h2> + <p> + All was quiet in the palace of Whitehall. Even the servants on guard in + the vestibule of the king’s bedchamber had been a long time slumbering, + for the king had been snoring for several hours; and this majestical sound + was, to the dwellers in the palace, the joyful announcement that for one + fine night they were exempt from service, and might be free men. + </p> + <p> + The queen also had long since retired to her apartments, and dismissed her + ladies at an unusually early hour. She felt, she said, wearied by the + chase, and much needed rest. No one, therefore, was to disturb her, unless + the king should order it. + </p> + <p> + But the king, as we have said, slept, and the queen had no reason to fear + that her night’s rest would be disturbed. + </p> + <p> + Deep silence reigned in the palace. The corridors were empty and deserted, + the apartments all silent. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a figure tripped along softly and cautiously through the long + feebly lighted corridor. She was wrapped in a black mantle; a veil + concealed her face. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely touching the floor with her feet, she floated away, and glided + down a little staircase. Now she stops and listens. There is nothing to + hear; all is noiseless and still. + </p> + <p> + Then, on again. Now she wings her steps. For here she is sure of not being + heard. It is the unoccupied wing of the castle of Whitehall. Nobody + watches her here. + </p> + <p> + On, then, on, adown that corridor, descending those stairs. There she + stops before a door leading into the summer-house. She puts her ear to the + door, and listens. Then she claps her hands three times. + </p> + <p> + The sound is reechoed from the other side. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he is there, he is there!” Forgotten now are her cares, forgotten her + pains and tears. He is there. She has him again. + </p> + <p> + She throws open the door. It is dark indeed in the chamber, but she sees + him, for the eye of love pierces the night; and if the sees him not, yet + she feels his presence. + </p> + <p> + She rests on his heart; he presses her closely to his breast. Leaning on + each other, they grope cautiously along through the dark, desolate chamber + to the divan at the upper end, and there, both locked in a happy embrace, + they sink upon the cushion. + </p> + <p> + “At last I have you again! and my arms again clasp this divine form, and + again my lips press this crimson mouth! Oh, my beloved, what an eternity + has this separation been! Six days! Six long nights of agony! Have you not + felt how my soul cried out for you, and was filled with trepidation; how I + stretched my arms out into the night, and let them fall again disconsolate + and trembling with anguish, because they clasped nothing—naught but + the cold, vacant night breeze! Did you not hear, my beloved, how I cried + to you with sighs and tears, how in glowing dithyrambics I poured forth to + you my longing, my love, my rapture? But you, cruel you, remained ever + cold, ever smiling. Your eyes were ever flashing in all the pride and + grandeur of a Juno. The roses on your cheeks were not one whit the paler. + No, no, you have not longed for me; your heart has not felt this painful, + blissful anguish. You are first and above all things the proud, cold + queen, and next, next the loving woman.” + </p> + <p> + “How unjust and hard you are, my Henry!” whispered she softly. “I have + indeed suffered; and perhaps my pains have been more cruel and bitter than + yours, for I—I had to let them consume me within. You could pour + them forth, you could stretch out your arms after me, you could utter + lamentations and sighs. You were not, like me, condemned to laugh, and to + jest, and to listen with apparently attentive ear to all those often heard + and constantly repeated phrases of praise and adoration from those about + me. You were at least free to suffer. I was not. It is true I smiled, but + amidst the pains of death. It is true my cheeks did not blanch, but rouge + was the veil with which I covered their paleness; and then, Henry, in the + midst of my pains and longings, I had, too, a sweet consolation—your + letters, your poems, which fell like the dew of heaven upon my sick soul, + and restored it to health, for new torments and new hopes. Oh, how I love + them—those poems, in whose noble and enchanting language your love + and our sufferings are reechoed! How my whole soul flew forth to meet them + when I received them, and how pressed I my lips thousands and thousands of + times on the paper which seemed to me redolent with your breath and your + sighs! How I love that good, faithful Jane, the silent messenger of our + love! When I behold her entering my chamber, with the unsullied paper in + hand, she is to me the dove with the olive-leaf, that brings me peace and + happiness, and I rush to her, and press her to my bosom; and give her all + the kisses I would give you, and feel how poor and powerless I am, because + I cannot repay her all the happiness that she brings me. Ah, Henry, how + many thanks do we owe to poor Jane!” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you call her poor, when she can be near you, always behold yon, + always hear you?” + </p> + <p> + “I call her poor, because she is unhappy. For she loves, Henry—she + loves to desperation, to madness, and she is not loved. She is pining away + with grief and pain, and wrings her hands in boundless woe. Have you not + noticed how pale she is, and how her eyes become daily more dim?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I have not seen it, for I see naught but you, and Lady Jane is to me + a lifeless image, as are all other women. But what! You tremble; and your + whole frame writhes in my arms, as if in a convulsion! And what is that? + Are you weeping?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I weep, because I am so happy. I weep, because I was thinking how + fearful the suffering must be, to give the whole heart away, and receive + nothing in return, naught but death! Poor Jane!” + </p> + <p> + “What is she to us? We, we love each other. Come, dear one, let me kiss + the tears from your eyes; let me drink this nectar, that it may inspire + me, and transfigure me to a god! Weep no more—no, weep not; or, if + you will do so, be it only in the excess of rapture, and because word and + heart are too poor to hold all this bliss!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, let us shout for joy; let us be lost in blessedness!” exclaimed + she passionately, as with frantic violence she threw herself on his bosom. + </p> + <p> + Both were now silent, mutely resting on each other’s heart. + </p> + <p> + Oh, how sweet this silence; how entrancing this noiseless, sacred night! + How the trees without there murmur and rustle, as if they were singing a + heavenly lullaby to the lovers! how inquisitively the pale crescent moon + peeps through the window, as though she were seeking the twain whose + blessed confidante she is! + </p> + <p> + But happiness is so swift-winged, and time flies so fast, when love is + their companion! + </p> + <p> + Even now they must part again—now they must again say farewell. “Not + yet, beloved, stay yet! See, the night is still dark; and hark, the castle + clock is just striking two. No, go not yet.” + </p> + <p> + “I must, Henry, I must; the hours are past in which I can be happy.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you cold, proud soul! Does the head already long again for the crown; + and can you wait no longer for the purple to again cover your shoulders? + Come, let me kiss your shoulder; and think now, dear, that my crimson lips + are also a purple robe.” + </p> + <p> + “And a purple robe for which I would gladly give my crown and my life!” + cried she, with the utmost enthusiasm, as she folded him in her arms. + </p> + <p> + “Do you love me, then? Do you really love me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I love you!” + </p> + <p> + “Can you swear to me that you love no one except me?” + </p> + <p> + “I can swear it, as true as there is a God above us, who hears my oath.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless you for it, you dear, you only one—oh, how shall I call you?—you + whose name I may not utter! Oh, do you know that it is cruel never to name + the name of the loved one? Withdraw that prohibition; grudge me not the + painfully sweet pleasure of being able at least to call you by your name!” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said she, with a shudder; “for know you not that the sleep-walkers + awake out of their dreams when they are called by name? I am a + somnambulist, who, with smiling courage, moves along a dizzy height; call + me by name, and I shall awake, and, shuddering, plunge into the abyss + beneath. Ah, Henry, I hate my name, for it is pronounced by other lips + than yours. For you I will not be named as other men call me. Baptize me, + my Henry; give me another name—a name which is our secret, and which + no one knows besides us.” + </p> + <p> + “I name you Geraldine; and as Geraldine I will praise and laud you before + all the world. I will, in spite of all these spies and listeners, repeat + again and again that I love you, and no one, not the king himself, shall + be able to forbid me.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said she, with a shudder, “speak not of him! Oh, I conjure you, my + Henry, be cautious; think that you have sworn to me ever to think of the + danger that threatens us, and will, without doubt, dash us in pieces if + you, by only a sound, a look, or a smile, betray the sweet secret that + unites us two. Are you still aware what you have sworn to me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am aware of it! But it is an unnatural Draconian law. What! even when I + am alone with you, shall I never be allowed to address you otherwise than + with that reverence and restrain which is due the queen? Even when no one + can hear us, may I, by no syllable, by none, not the slightest intimation, + remind you of our love?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, do it not; for this castle has everywhere eyes and ears, and + everywhere are spies and listeners behind the tapestry; behind the + curtains; everywhere are they concealed and lurking, watching every + feature, every smile, every word, whether it may not afford ground for + suspicion. No, no, Henry; swear to me by our love that you will never, + unless here in this room, address me otherwise than your queen. Swear to + me that, beyond these walls, you will be to me only the respectful servant + of your queen, and at the same time the proud earl and lord, of whom it is + said that never has a woman been able to touch his heart. Swear to me that + you will not, by a look, by a smile, by even the gentlest pressure of the + hand, betray what beyond this room is a crime for both of us. Let this + room be the temple of our love; but when we once pass its threshold, we + will not profane the sweet mysteries of our happiness, by allowing unholy + eyes to behold even a single ray of it. Shall it be so, my Henry? + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it shall be so!” said he, with a troubled voice; “although I must + confess that this dreadful illusion often tortures me almost to death. Oh, + Geraldine, when I meet you elsewhere, when I observe the eye so icy and + immovable, with which you meet my look, I feel as it were my heart + convulsed; and I say to myself: ‘This is not she, whom I love—not + the tender, passionate woman, whom in the darkness of the night I + sometimes lock in my arms. This is Catharine, the queen, but not my loved + one. A woman cannot so disguise herself; art goes not so far as to falsify + the entire nature, the innermost being and life of a person.’ Oh, there + have been hours, awful, horrible hours, when it seemed to me as though all + this were a delusion, a mystification—as though in some way an evil + demon assumed the queen’s form by night to mock me, poor frenzied + visionary, with a happiness that has no existence, but lives only in my + imagination. When such thoughts come to me, I feel a frenzied fury, a + crushing despair, and I could, regardless of my oath and even the danger + that threatens you, rush to you, and, before all the courtly rabble and + the king himself, ask: ‘Are you really what you seem? Are you, Catharine + Parr, King Henry’s wife—nothing more, nothing else than that? Or are + you, my beloved, the woman who is mine in her every thought, her every + breath; who has vowed to me eternal love and unchanging truth; and whom I, + in spite of the whole world, and the king, press to my heart as my own?’” + </p> + <p> + “Unhappy man, if you ever venture that, you doom us both to death!” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so, then! In death you will at least be mine, and no one would + longer dare separate us, and your eyes would no longer look so cold and + strangely upon me, as they often now do. Oh, I conjure you, gaze not upon + me at all, if you cannot do it otherwise than with those cold, proud + looks, that benumb my heart. Turn away your eyes, and speak to me with + averted face.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, men will say that I hate you, Henry.” + </p> + <p> + “It is more agreeable to me for them to say you abhor me than for them to + see that I am wholly indifferent to you; that I am to you nothing more + than the Earl of Surrey, your lord chamberlain.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Henry. They shall see that you are more to me than merely that. + Before the whole assembled court I will give you a token of my love. Will + you then believe, you dear, foolish enthusiast, that I love you, and that + it is no demon that rests here in your arms and swears that she loves + nothing but you? Say, will you then believe me?” + </p> + <p> + “I will believe you! But no, there is no need of any sign, or any + assurance. Nay, I know it; I feel indeed the sweet reality that cuddles to + my side, warm, and filling me with happiness; and it is only the excess of + happiness that makes me incredulous.” + </p> + <p> + “I will convince you thoroughly; and you shall doubt no more, not even in + the intoxication of happiness. Listen, then. The king, as you know, is + about to hold a great tournament and festival of the poets, and it will + take place in a few days. Now, then, at this fete I will publicly, in the + presence of the king and his court, give you a rosette that I wear on my + shoulder, and in the silver fringe of which you will find a note from me. + Will that satisfy you, my Henry?” + </p> + <p> + “And do you still question it, my dear? Do you question it, when you will + make me proud and happy above all others of your court?” + </p> + <p> + He pressed her closely to his heart and kissed her. But suddenly she + writhed in his arms, and started up in wild alarm. + </p> + <p> + “Day is breaking, day is breaking! See there! a red streak is spreading + over the clouds. The sun is coming; day is coming, and already begins to + dawn.” + </p> + <p> + He endeavored to detain her still; but she tore herself passionately away, + and again enveloped her head in her veil. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said he, “day is breaking and it is growing light! Let me then, for + a moment at least, see your face. My soul thirsts for it as the parched + earth for the dew. Come, it is light here at the window. Let me see your + eyes.” + </p> + <p> + She tore herself vehemently away. “No, no, you must be gone! Hark, it is + already three o’clock. Soon everything will be astir in the castle. Did it + not seem as if some person passed by the door here? Haste, haste, if you + do not wish me to die of dread!” She threw his cloak over him; she drew + his hat over his brow; then once more she threw her arms around his neck + and pressed on his lips a burning kiss. “Farewell, my beloved! farewell, + Henry Howard! When we see each other again to-day, you are the Earl of + Surrey, and I, the queen—not your loved one—not the woman who + loves you! Happiness is past, and suffering awakes anew. Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + She herself opened the glass door, and pushed her lover out. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, Geraldine; good-night, my dear! Day comes, and I again greet + you as my queen, and I shall have to endure again the torture of your cold + looks and your haughty smiles.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. LOYOLA’S GENERAL. + </h2> + <p> + She rushed to the window and gazed after him till he had disappeared, then + she uttered a deep cry of anguish, and, wholly overcome by her agony, she + sank down on her knees weeping and wailing, wringing her hands, and + raising them to God. + </p> + <p> + But just before so happy and joyful, she was now full of woe and anguish; + and bitter sighs of complaint came trembling from her lips. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, oh,” moaned she, with sobs; “what terrible agonies are these, and how + full of despair the anguish that lacerates my breast! I have lain in his + arms; I have received his vows of love and accepted his kisses; and these + vows are not mine, and these kisses he gave not to me. He kissed me, and + he loves in me only her whom I hate. He lays his hands in mine and utters + vows of love which he dedicates to her. He thinks and feels for her only—her + alone. What a terrible torture this is! To be loved under her name; under + her name to receive the vows of love that yet belong to me only—to + me alone! For he loves me, me exclusively. They are my lips that he + kisses, my form that he embraces; to me are addressed his words and his + letters; and it is I that reply to them. He loves me, me only, and yet he + puts no faith in me. I am nothing to him, naught but a lifeless image, + like other women. This he has told me; and I did not become frenzied; and + I had the cruel energy to pass off the tears wrung from me by despair, for + tears of rapture. Oh, detestable, horrible mockery of fate—to be + what I am not, and not to be what I am!” + </p> + <p> + And with a shrill cry of agony she tore her hair, and with her fist smote + upon her breast, and wept and moaned aloud. + </p> + <p> + She heard naught; she saw naught; she felt naught but her inexpressible + and despairing anguish. + </p> + <p> + She did not once tremble for herself; she thought not at all of this—that + she would be lost if she were found in this place. + </p> + <p> + And yet at the other side of the room a door had opened, softly and + noiselessly, and a man had entered. + </p> + <p> + He shut the door behind him and walked up to Lady Jane, who still lay on + the floor. He stood behind her while she uttered her despairing + lamentation. He heard every word of her quivering lips; her whole heart + painfully convulsed and torn with grief lay unveiled before him; and she + knew it not. + </p> + <p> + Now he bent over her; and with his hand he lightly touched her shoulder. + At this touch she gave a convulsive start, as if hit by the stroke of a + sword, and her sobbing was immediately silenced. + </p> + <p> + An awful pause ensued. The woman lay on the floor motionless, breathless, + and near her, tall and cold as a figure of bronze, stood the man. + </p> + <p> + “Lady Jane Douglas,” said he then, sternly and solemnly, “stand up. It + becomes not your father’s daughter to be upon her knees, when it is not + God to whom she kneels. But you are not kneeling to God, but to an idol, + which you yourself have made, and to which you hate erected a temple in + your heart. This idol is called ‘Your own personal misfortune.’ But it is + written, ‘Thou shalt have no other Gods but me.’ Therefore I say to you + once more, Lady Jane Douglas, rise from your knees, for it is not your God + to whom you kneel.” + </p> + <p> + And as though these words exercised a magnetic power over her, she raised + herself up slowly from the floor, and now stood there before her father, + stern and cold as a statue of marble. + </p> + <p> + “Cast from you the sorrows of this world, which burden you, and hinder you + in the sacred work which God has imposed on you!” continued Earl Douglas + in his metallic, solemn voice. “It is written, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that + labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,’ saith our God. But + you, Jane, you are to throw down your trouble at the foot of the throne; + and your burden will become a crown that will glorify your head.” + </p> + <p> + He laid his hand on her head, but she wildly shook it off. + </p> + <p> + “No,” cried she, with heavy, faltering tongue, as if confused in a dream. + “Away with this crown! I wish no crown upon which devils have laid a + spell. I wish no royal robe that has been dyed crimson with the blood of + my beloved.” + </p> + <p> + “She is still in the delirium of her anguish,” muttered the earl, as he + contemplated the pale, trembling woman who had now sunk again to her + knees, and was staring straight before her with eyes bewildered and + stretched wide open. But the looks of the earl remained cold and unmoved, + and not the least compassion was aroused in him for his poor daughter, now + penetrated with anguish. + </p> + <p> + “Arise,” said he, in a hard, steelly voice. “The Church, by my mouth, + commands you to serve her as you have vowed to do; that is to say, with + glad heart and a sense of your reliance on God; that is to say, with + smiling lips and a serene, beaming eye, as becomes a disciple inspired by + faith, and as you have sworn to do in the hands of our lord and master, + Ignatius Loyola.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot! I cannot!” moaned she, in a low tone. “I cannot be glad at + heart when despair, like a wild boar, is rending my heart; I cannot + command my eye to shine when my eyes are dimmed with tears of anguish. Oh, + have pity, have compassion! Remember that you are my father; that I am + your daughter—the daughter of a wife whom you loved, and who would + find in the grave no rest if she knew how you are racking and torturing + me. My mother, my mother, if thy spirit is near me, come and protect me. + Let thy mild looks overshadow my head, and breathe a breath of thy love + into the heart of this cruel father, who is ready to sacrifice his child + on the altar of his God.” + </p> + <p> + “God has called me,” said the earl, “and, like Abraham, I too will learn + to obey. But I will not adorn my victim with flowers, but with a royal + crown. I will not plunge a knife into her breast, but will put a golden + sceptre into her hand and say: Thou art a queen before men, but before God + be thou a faithful and obedient servant. Thou hast all to command. But the + holy Church, to whose service thou hast consecrated thyself, and who will + bless thee if thou art faithful, who will dash thee in pieces with her + curse if thou darest deal treacherously, she commands thee. No, you are + not my daughter, but the priestess of the Church, consecrated to her holy + service. No, I have no sympathy with your tear’s and this anguish, for I + see the end of these sorrows, and I know that these tears will be as a + diadem of pearls about your temples. Lady Jane Douglas, it is the saintly + Loyola who sends you his commands by my mouth. Obey them, not because I am + your father, but because I am the general to whom you have sworn obedience + and fidelity unto your life’s end.” + </p> + <p> + “Then kill me, my father!” said she, feebly. “Let this life end, which is + but a torture, a protracted martyrdom. Punish me for my disobedience by + plunging your dagger deep into my breast. Punish me, and grudge me not the + repose of the grave.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor enthusiast!” said the father; “suppose you, we would be foolish + enough to subject you to so light a punishment! No, no, if you dare, in + insolent disobedience, rebel against my commands, your penance shall be a + terrible one, and your punishment without end. I will not kill you, but + him whom you love; it will be his head that falls; and you will be his + murderess. He shall die on the scaffold and you—you shall live in + disgrace.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, horrible!” groaned Jane, as she buried her face in her hands. + </p> + <p> + Her father continued: “Silly, short-sighted child, who thought she could + play with the sword, and did not see that she herself might feel the + stroke of this double-edged blade! You wanted to be the servant of the + Church, that you might thereby become mistress of the world. You would + acquire glory, but this glory must not singe your head with its fiery + rays. Silly child! he who plays with fire will be consumed. But we + penetrated your thoughts and the wish of which you yourself were + unconscious. We looked into the depths of your being, and when we found + love there, we made use of love for our own purposes and your salvation. + What do you bewail, then, and why do you weep? Have we not allowed you to + love? Have we not authorized you to give yourself entirely up to this + love? Do you not call yourself Earl Surrey’s wife, though you cannot name + to me the priest that married you? Lady Jane, obey, and we envy you not + the happiness of your love; dare to rebel against us, and disgrace and + shame overtake you, and you shall stand before all the world disowned and + scoffed at; you the strumpet, that—” + </p> + <p> + “Stop, my father!” cried Jane, as she sprang vehemently from the floor. + “Desist from your terrible words if you do not wish me to die of shame. + Nay, I submit, I obey! You are right, I cannot draw back.” + </p> + <p> + “And why would you either? Is it not a life pleasant and full of + enjoyment? Is it not rare good fortune to see our sins transfigured to + virtue; to be able to account earthly enjoyment the service of Heaven? And + what do you bewail then? That he does not love you? Nay, he does love you; + his vows of love still echo in your ears; your heart still trembles with + the fruition of happiness. What matters it if the Earl of Surrey with his + inward eyes sees the woman he folds in his arms to be another than you? + Yet in reality he loves but you alone. Whether you are for him named + Catharine Parr or Jane Douglas, it is all the same if you only are his + love.” + </p> + <p> + “But a day will come when he will discover his mistake, and when he will + curse me.” + </p> + <p> + “That day will never come. The holy Church will find a way to avert that, + if you bow to her will and are obedient to her.” + </p> + <p> + “I do bow to it!” sighed Jane. “I will obey; only promise me, my father, + that no harm shall happen to him; that I shall not be his murderess.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you shall become his savior and deliverer. Only you must fulfil + punctually the work I commit to you. First of all, then, tell me the + result of your meeting to-day. He does not doubt that you are the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he believes it so firmly that he would take the sacrament on it. That + is to say, he believes it now because I have promised him to give him + publicly a sign by which he may recognize that it is the queen that loves + him.” + </p> + <p> + “And this sign?” inquired her father, with a look beaming with joy. + </p> + <p> + “I have promised him that at the great tournament, the queen will give him + a rosette, and that in that rosette be will find a note from the queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the idea is an admirable one!” exclaimed Lord Douglas, “and only a + woman who wishes to avenge herself could conceive it. So, then, the queen + will become her own accuser, and herself give into our hands a proof of + her guilt. The only difficulty in the way is to bring the queen, without + arousing her suspicion, to wear this rosette, and to give it to Surrey.” + </p> + <p> + “She will do it if I beg her to do so, for she loves me; and I shall so + represent it to her that she will do it as an act of kindness to me. + Catharine is good-natured and agreeable, and cannot refuse a request.” + </p> + <p> + “And I will apprise the king of it. That is to say, I shall take good care + not to do this myself, for it is always dangerous to approach a hungry + tiger in his cage and carry him his food, because he might in his voracity + very readily devour our own hand together with the proffered meat.” + </p> + <p> + “But how?” asked she with an expression of alarm. “Will he content himself + with punishing Catharine alone; will he not also crush him—him whom + he must look upon as her lover?” + </p> + <p> + “He will do so. But you yourself shall save him and set him free. You + shall open his prison and give him freedom, and he will love you—you, + the savior of his life.” + </p> + <p> + “Father, father, it is a hazardous game that you are playing; and it may + happen that you will become thereby your daughter’s murderer. For, listen + well to what I tell you; if his head falls, I die by my own hands; if you + make me his murderess, you become thereby mine; and I will curse you and + execrate you in hell! What to me is a royal crown if it is stained with + Henry Howard’s blood? What care I for renown and honor, if he is not there + to see my greatness, and if his beaming eyes do not reflect back to me the + light of my crown? Protect him, therefore; guard his life as the apple of + your eye, if you wish me to accept the royal crown that you offer me, so + that the King of England may become again a vassal of the Church!” + </p> + <p> + “And that the whole of devout Christendom may praise Jane Douglas, the + pious queen who has succeeded in the holy work of bringing the rebellious + and recreant son of the Church, Henry the Eighth, back to the Holy Father + in Rome, to the only consecrated lord of the Church, truly penitent. On, + on, my daughter; do not despond. A high aim beckons you, and a brilliant + fortune awaits you! Our holy mother, the Church, will bless and praise + you, and Henry the Eighth will declare you his queen.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. THE PRISONER. + </h2> + <p> + Still all was calm and quiet in the palace of Whitehall. Nothing was + stirring, and nobody had heard how Lady Jane Douglas left her chamber and + glided down the corridor. + </p> + <p> + No one has heard it, and no eye is awake, and none sees what is now taking + place in the queen’s room. She is alone—all alone. The servants are + all asleep in their chambers. The queen herself has bolted the doors of + the anteroom on the inside, and no other door leads into her boudoir and + bedroom, except through this anteroom. She is therefore perfectly + secluded, perfectly secure. + </p> + <p> + Speedily and in haste she envelops herself in a long black mantle, the + hood of which she draws well over her head and brow, and which completely + covers and conceals her form. + </p> + <p> + And now she presses on a spring inserted in the frame of a picture. The + picture flies back and shows an opening, through which a person can quite + conveniently pass out. + </p> + <p> + Catharine does so. Then she carefully pushes the picture back to its place + from the outside, and for a long time walks on in the passage hollowed out + of the solid wall, till groping along she at last lays hold again of a + knob in the wall. She presses on it; and now at her feet opens a + trap-door, through which a feeble light forces its way and renders visible + a small narrow staircase there situated. Catharine enters and descends the + steps with winged feet. Now at the foot of the staircase she again presses + on a secret spring; and again a door opens, through which the queen passes + into a large hall. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” whispered she, fetching a long breath, “the green summer house at + last.” + </p> + <p> + She quickly traversed it and opened the next door. + </p> + <p> + “John Heywood?” + </p> + <p> + “I am here, queen!” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, hush! gently as possible, that the watch, who walks up and down + just behind the door, may not hear us. Come, we still have a long walk—let + us make haste.” + </p> + <p> + Again she pressed on a spring inserted in the wall; and again a door + opens. But before Catharine bolts this door, she takes the lamp burning on + the table there, which is to lighten the dark and difficult path through + which they are now to wend their way. + </p> + <p> + Now she bolts the door behind them; and they enter a long, dark corridor, + at the end of which is found still another staircase, and down which they + both go. Numberless steps conduct them below; gradually the air becomes + dense, the steps moist. The stillness of the grave is around them. No + sound of life, not the least noise, is now perceptible. + </p> + <p> + They are in a subterranean passage, which stretches out in length before + them farther than the eye can reach. Catharine turns to John Heywood; the + lamp lights up her face, which is pale, but exhibits an expression firm + and resolute. + </p> + <p> + “John Heywood, reflect once more! I ask not whether you have courage, for + I know that. I only wish to know whether you will employ this courage for + your queen?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not for the queen, but for the noble woman who has saved my son.” + </p> + <p> + “You must then be my protector to-day if we meet with dangers. But if it + be God’s will, we shall encounter no dangers. Let us go.” + </p> + <p> + They go vigorously forward, silent all the way. At length they come to a + place where the passage grows broader, and spreads out into a little open + chamber, on the side walls of which a few teats are placed. + </p> + <p> + “We have now accomplished half of the journey,” said Catharine; “and here + we will rest a little.” + </p> + <p> + She placed the lamp on the small marble table in the middle of the + passage, and sat down, pointing to John Heywood to take a seat near her. + </p> + <p> + “I am not the queen, here,” said she; “and you are not the king’s fool; + but I am a poor weak woman, and you are my protector. You may, therefore, + well have the right to sit by me.” + </p> + <p> + But John shook his head with a smile, and sat down at her feet. “St. + Catharine, savior of my son, I lie at thy feet, and devoutly return thanks + to thee.” + </p> + <p> + “John, are you acquainted with this subterranean passage?” asked the + queen. + </p> + <p> + John gave a sad smile. “I am acquainted with it, queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you know it? I supposed it was a secret of the king and queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will readily conceive that the fool knows it. For the King of + England and the fool are twin brothers. Yes, queen, I know this passage; + and I once wended it in anguish and tears.” + </p> + <p> + “What! You yourself, John Heywood?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, queen. And now I ask you, do you know the history of this + underground passage? You are silent. Now, well for you that you do not + know it. It is a long and bloody history, and if I should narrate to you + the whole of it, the night would be too short for it. When this passage + was built, Henry was still young, and possessed yet a heart. At that time, + he loved not merely his wives, but his friends and servants also—specially + Cromwell, the all-powerful minister. He then resided at Whitehall, and + Henry in the royal apartments of the Tower. But Henry was always longing + for his favorite; and so Cromwell one day surprised him with this + subterranean passage, the construction of which had occupied a hundred men + a whole year. Ah, ah, the king was then very much moved, and thanked his + powerful minister for this surprise with tears and hugs. There passed + scarcely a day that Henry did not go to Cromwell through this passage. So + he saw each day how the palace of Whitehall became more and more splendid + and glorious; and when he returned to the Tower, he discovered that this + residence was altogether unworthy of a king; but that his minister lived + by far more magnificently than the King of England. That, queen, was the + cause of Cromwell’s fall! The king wanted Whitehall. The sly Cromwell + noticed it, and made him a present of his gem, the palace on whose + construction and decoration he had labored ten years. Henry accepted the + present; but now Cromwell’s fall was irrevocable. The king could not, of + course, forgive Cromwell for having dared to offer him a present so + valuable, that Henry could not or would not repay it. He remained, + therefore, Cromwell’s debtor; and since this tormented and vexed him, he + swore Cromwell’s ruin. When Henry moved into Whitehall, it was concluded + that Cromwell must ascend the scaffold. Ah, the king is such an economical + builder! A palace costs him nothing but the head of a subject. With + Cromwell’s bead be paid for Whitehall; and Wolsey died for Hampton Court.” + </p> + <p> + “Not on the scaffold, though, John.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no; Henry preferred merely to break his heart, and not his head. + First, he had that wonderful pleasure-villa, Hampton Court, with all its + treasures, presented him by Wolsey; then he removed him from all his + offices, and deprived him of all his honors. Finally, he was to go to the + Tower as a prisoner; but he died on his way thither. No, you are right! + Wolsey did not die on the scaffold, he was put to death much more slowly + and more cruelly. He was not killed with the sword, but pricked to death + with pins!” + </p> + <p> + “Did you not say, John, that you had travelled this way once before?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, queen, and I did it to bid farewell to the noblest of men, and the + truest of friends, Thomas More! I begged and besought Cromwell so long + that he had compassion on my anguish, and allowed me to go through this + passage to Thomas More, that I might at least receive the blessing and + last kiss of affection of this saint. Ah, queen, speak no more of it to + me! From that day I became a fool; for I saw it was not worth the trouble + to be an honest man, when such men as More are executed as criminals. + Come, queen, let us go on!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, on, John!” said she, rising. “But do you know then whither we are + going?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, queen, do I not then know you? and did I not tell you that Anne Askew + is to be stretched upon the rack to-morrow, unless she recant?” + </p> + <p> + “I see that you have understood me,” said she, giving him a friendly nod. + “Yes, I am going to Anne Askew.” + </p> + <p> + “But how will you, without being seen and discovered, find out her cell?” + </p> + <p> + “John, even the unhappy have friends. Yes, the queen herself has a few; + and so chance, or it may be even God’s will, has so arranged matters, that + Anne Askew is occupying, just at this time, that small room in which the + secret passage terminates.” + </p> + <p> + “Is she alone in that room?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, all alone. The guard stands without before the door.” + </p> + <p> + “And should they hear you, and open the door?” + </p> + <p> + “Then without doubt I am lost, unless God supports me.” + </p> + <p> + They walked on in silence, both too much occupied with their own thoughts + to interrupt them by conversation. + </p> + <p> + But this long, extended walk at length wearied Catharine. She leaned + exhausted against the wall. + </p> + <p> + “Will you do me a favor, queen?” asked John Heywood. “Permit me to carry + you. Your little feet can bear you no farther; make me your feet, your + majesty!” + </p> + <p> + She refused with a friendly smile. “No, John, these are the + passion-stations of a saint; and you know one must make the round of them + in the sweat of his face, and on his knees.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, queen, how noble and how courageous you are!” exclaimed John Heywood. + “You do good without display, and you shun no danger, if it avails toward + the accomplishment of noble work.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, John,” said she, with a bewitching smile, “I dread danger; and just + on that account I begged you to accompany me. I shudder at the long, + desolate way, at the darkness and grave-like stillness of this passage. + Ah, John, I thought to myself, if I came here alone, the shades of Anne + Boleyn and Catharine would be roused from their sleep by me who wear their + crown; they would hover about me, and seize me by the hand and lead me to + their graves, to show me that there is yet room there for me likewise. You + see, then, that I am not at all courageous, but a cowardly and trembling + woman.” + </p> + <p> + “And nevertheless, you came, queen.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckoned on you, John Heywood. It was my duty to risk this passage, to + save, perchance, the life of the poor enthusiastic girl. For it shall not + be said that Catharine deserts her friends in misfortune, and that she + shrinks back at danger. I am but a poor, weak woman, John, who cannot + defend her friends with weapons, and, therefore, I must resort to other + means. But see, John, here the path forks! Ah, my God! I know it only from + the description that was given me, but no one said anything of this to me. + John, which way must we now turn?” + </p> + <p> + “This way, queen; and here we are at the end of our journey. That path + there leads to the torture-chamber, that is to say, to a small grated + window, through which one can overlook that room. When King Henry was in + special good-humor, he would resort with his friend to this grating to + divert himself a little with the tortures of the damned and blasphemers. + For you well know, queen, only such as have blasphemed God, or have not + recognized King Henry as the pope of their Church, have the honor of the + rack as their clue. But hush! here we are at the door, and here is the + spring that opens it.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine set her lamp on the ground and pressed the spring. + </p> + <p> + The door turned slowly and noiselessly on its hinges, and softly, like + shades, the two entered. + </p> + <p> + They now found themselves in a small, circular apartment, which seemed to + have been originally a niche formed in the wall of the Tower, rather than + a room. Through a narrow grated opening in the wall only a little air and + light penetrated into this dungeon, the bald, bare walls of which showed + the stones of the masonry. There was no chair, no table in the whole + space; only yonder in that corner on the earth they had heaped up some + straw. On this straw lay a pale, tender creature; the sunken, thin cheeks, + transparently white as alabaster; the brow so pure and clear; the entire + countenance so peaceful; the bare, meagre arms thrown back over the head; + the hands folded over the forehead, the head bent to one side in quiet, + peaceful slumber; the delicate, tender form wrapped in a long black dress, + gently stretched out, and on her lips a smile, such as only the happy + know. + </p> + <p> + That was Anne Askew, the criminal, the condemned—Anne Askew, who was + an atheist only for this, because she did not believe in the king’s vast + elevation and godlikeness, and would not subject her own free soul to that + of the king. + </p> + <p> + “She sleeps,” whispered Catharine, deeply mored, Wholly involuntarily she + folded her hands as she stepped to the couch of the sufferer, and a low + prayer trembled on her lips. + </p> + <p> + “So sleep the gust!” said Hey wood. “Angels comfort them in their + slumbers; and the breath of God refreshes them. Poor girl; how soon, and + they will wrench these noble, fair limbs, and torture thee for the honor + of God, and open to tones of distress that mouth which now smiles so + peacefully!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” said the queen, hastily. “I have come to save her, and God will + assist me to do it. I cannot spare her slumbers any longer. I must wake + her.” + </p> + <p> + She bent down and pressed a kiss on the young girl’s forehead. “Anne, + awake; I am here! I will save you and set you free. Anne, Anne, awake!” + </p> + <p> + She slowly raised her large, brilliant eyes, and nodded a salutation to + Catharine. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine Parr!” said she, with a smile. “I expected only a letter from + you; and have you come yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “The guards have been dismissed, and the turnkeys changed, Anne; for our + correspondence had been discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you will write to me no more in future! And yet your letters were my + only comfort,” sighed Anne Askew. “But that also is well; and perhaps it + will only make the path that I have to tread still easier. The heart may + move its pinions freely and easily, and return to God.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear me, Anne, hear,” said Catharine in a low and hurried voice. “A + terrible danger threatens you! The king has given orders to move you, by + means of the rack, to recant.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and what more?” asked Anne, with smiling face. + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunate, you know not what you are saying! You know not what fearful + agonies await you! You know not the power of pains, which are perhaps + still mightier than the spirit, and may overcome it.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I did know them now, what would it avail me?” asked Anne Askew. + “You say they will put me to the rack. Well, then, I shall have to bear + it, for I have no power to change their will.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, Anne, yet you have the power! Retract what you have said, Anne! + Declare that you repent, and that you perceive that you have been deluded! + Say that you will recognize the king as lord of the Church; that you will + swear to the six articles, and never believe in the Pope of Rome. Ah, + Anne, God sees your heart and knows your thoughts. You have no need to + make them known by your lips. He has given you life, and you have no right + to throw it away; you must seek to keep it so long as you can. Recant, + then! It is perfectly allowable to deceive those who would murder us. + Recant, then, Anne, recant! When they in their haughty arrogance demand of + you to say what they say, consider them as lunatics, to whom you make + apparent concessions only to keep them from raving. Of what consequence is + it whether you do or do not say that the king is the head of the Church? + From His heavens above, God looks down and smiles at this petty earthly + strife which concerns not Him, but men only. Let scholars and theologians + wrangle; we women have nothing to do with it. If we only believe in God, + and bear Him to our hearts, the form in which we do it is a matter of + indifference. But in this case the question is not about God, but merely + about external dogmas. Why should you trouble yourself with these? What + have you to do with the controversies of the priests? Recant, then, poor + enthusiastic child, recant!” + </p> + <p> + While Catharine, in a low tone and with fluttering breath, thus spoke, + Anne Askew had slowly arisen from her couch, and now stood, like a lily, + so slender and delicate, confronting the queen. + </p> + <p> + Her noble countenance expressed deep indignation. Her eyes shot lightning, + and a contemptuous smile was on her lips. + </p> + <p> + “What! Can you thus advise me?” said she. “Can you wish me to deny my + faith, and abjure my God, only to escape earthly pain? And your tongue + does not refuse to utter this, and your heart does not shrink with shame + while you do it? Look at these arms; what are they worth that I should not + sacrifice them to God? See these feeble limbs! Are they so precious that + I, like a disgusting niggard, should spare them? No, no, God is my highest + good—not this feeble, decaying body! For God I sacrifice it. I + should recant? Never! Faith is not enveloped in this or that garb; it must + be naked and open. So may mine be. And if I then am chosen to be an + example of pure faith, that denies not, and makes profession—well, + then, envy me not this preeminence. ‘Many are called, but few are chosen.’ + If I am one of the chosen, I thank God for it, and bless the erring + mortals who wish to make me such by means of the torture of the rack. Ah, + believe me, Catharine, I rejoice to die, for it is such a sad, desolate, + and desperate thing to live. Let me die, Catharine—die, to enter + into blessedness!” + </p> + <p> + “But, poor, pitiable child! this is more than death; it is the torture of + earth that threatens you. Oh, bethink you, Anne, that you are only a + feeble woman. Who knows whether the rack may not yet conquer your spirit, + and whether you, with your mangled limbs, may not by the fury of the pain + yet be brought to that point that you will recant and abjure your faith?” + </p> + <p> + “If I could do that,” cried Anne Askew, with flashing eyes, “believe me, + queen, as soon as I came to my senses I would lay violent hands on myself, + in order to give myself over to eternal damnation, as the punishment of my + recantation! God has ordered that I shall be a sign of the true faith. Be + His command fulfilled!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, so be it,” said Catharine resolutely. “Do not recant, but + save yourself from your executioners! I, Anne, I, will save you! I cannot + bear—I cannot think of it—that this dear noble form should be + sacrificed to a vile delusion of man; that they will torture to the honor + of God a noble likeness of the same God! Oh, come, come, I will save you! + I, the queen! Give me your hand. Follow me out of this dungeon. I know a + path that leads out of this place; and I will conceal you so long in my + own apartments that you can continue your flight without danger.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, queen, you shall not conceal her with you!” said John Heywood. + “You have been graciously pleased to allow me to be your confidant; envy + me not, then, a share in your noble work also. Not with you shall Anne + Askew find refuge, but with me. Oh, come, Anne, follow your friends. It is + life that calls you, that opens the doors to you, and desires to call you + by a thousand names to itself! Do you not hear them, all those sweet and + alluring voices; do you not see them, all those noble and smiling faces, + how they greet you and beckon to you? Anne Askew, it is the noble husband + that calls you! You know him not as yet, but he is waiting for you there + in the world without. Anne Askew, there are your children, who are + stretching their tender arms out to you. You have not yet borne them; but + love holds them in her arms, and will bring them to meet you. It is the + wife and the mother that the world yet demands of you, Anne. You ought not + to shun the holy calling which God has given you. Come, then, and follow + us—follow your queen, who has the right to order her subject. Follow + the friend, who has sworn that he will watch over you and protect you as a + father!” + </p> + <p> + “Father in heaven, protect me!” exclaimed Anne Askew, falling on her knees + and stretching her hands upward. “Father in heaven! they would tear away + Thy child, and alienate my heart from Thee! They are leading me into + temptation and alluring me with their words. Protect me, my Father; make + my ear deaf, that I may not hear them! Give me a sign that I am Thine; + that no one has any longer power over me, save Thou alone! A sign, that + Thou, Father, callest me!” + </p> + <p> + And as if God had really heard her prayer, a loud knocking was now + perceived at the outer door, and a voice cried: “Anne Askew, awake! and + hold yourself ready! The high chancellor and the Bishop of Winchester come + to fetch you away!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the rack!” groaned Catharine, as with a shudder she buried her face + in her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the rack!” said Anne, with a blissful smile. “God calls me!” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood had approached the queen and impetuously seized her hand. + “You see it is in vain,” said he, urgently. “Make haste then to save + yourself! Hasten to leave this prison before the door there opens.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Catharine, firmly and resolutely. “No, I stay. She shall not + surpass me in courage and greatness of soul! She will not deny her God; + well, then, I also will be a witness of my God. I will not in shame cast + my eyes to the ground before this young girl; like her, I will frankly and + openly profess my faith; like her I will say: ‘God alone is Lord of his + Church,’ God—” + </p> + <p> + There was a movement without; a key was heard to turn in the lock. + </p> + <p> + “Queen, I conjure you,” besought John Heywood, “by all that is holy to + you, by your love, come, come!” + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” cried she, vehemently. + </p> + <p> + But now Anne seized her hand, and stretching the other arm toward heaven, + she said in a loud, commanding voice: “In the name of God, I order you to + leave me!” + </p> + <p> + While Catharine drew back wholly involuntarily, John Heywood pushed her to + the secret door, and urging her out almost with violence, he drew the door + to behind them both. + </p> + <p> + Just as the secret door had closed, the other on the opposite side opened. + “With whom were you speaking?” asked Gardiner, peering around the room + with a sharp look. + </p> + <p> + “With the tempter, that wished to alienate me from God,” said she—“with + the tempter, who at the approach of your footsteps wanted to fool my heart + with fear, and persuade me to recant!” + </p> + <p> + “You are, then, firmly resolved? you do not retract?” asked Gardiner; and + a savage joy shone in his pale, hard countenance. + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not recant!” said she, with a face beaming with smiles. + </p> + <p> + “Then, in the name of God and of the king, I take you into the + torture-chamber!” cried Chancellor Wriothesley, as he advanced and laid + his heavy hand on Anne’s shoulder. “You would not hear the voice of love + warning you and calling you, so we will now try to arouse you from your + madness by the voice of wrath and damnation.” He beckoned to the + attendants on the rack, who stood behind him in the open door, and ordered + them to seize her and carry her to the torture-chamber. + </p> + <p> + Anne, smiling, turned them back. “Nay, not so!” said she. “The Saviour + went on foot, and bore His cross to the place of execution. I will tread + His path. Show me the way, I follow you. But let no one dare touch me. I + will show you that not by constraint, but gladly and freely, I tread the + path of suffering, which I shall endure for the sake of my God. Rejoice, + oh my soul!—sing, my lips! for the bridegroom is near, and the feast + is about to begin.” + </p> + <p> + And in exultant tones Anne Askew began to sing a hymn, that had not died + away when she entered the torture-chamber. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. PRINCESS ELIZABETH. + </h2> + <p> + The king sleeps. Let him sleep! He is old and infirm, and God has severely + punished the restless tyrant with a vacillating, ever-disquieted, + never-satisfied spirit, while He bound his body and made the spirit + prisoner of the body; while He made the ambitious king, struggling for the + infinite, a slave to his own flesh. How high soever his thoughts soar, + still the king remains a clumsy, confined, powerless child of humanity; + how much soever his conscience harasses him with disquiet and dread, yet + he must be calm and endure it. He cannot run away from his conscience; God + has fettered him by the flesh. The king is sleeping! But the queen is not; + and Jane Douglas is not; neither is the Princess Elizabeth. She has + watched with heart beating high. She is restless, and, pacing her room up + and down in strange confusion, waited for the hour that she had appointed + for the meeting. Now the hour had arrived. A glowing crimson overspread + the face of the young princess; and her hand trembled as she took the + light and opened the secret door to the corridor. She stood still for a + moment, hesitating; then, ashamed of her irresolution, she crossed the + corridor and ascended the small staircase which led to the tower-chamber. + With a hasty movement she pushed open the door and entered the small slip + that was at the end of her journey, and Thomas Seymour was already there. + </p> + <p> + As she saw him, an involuntary trepidation came over her, and for the + first time she now became conscious of her hazardous step. + </p> + <p> + As Seymour, the ardent young man, approached her with a passionate + salutation, she stepped shyly back and pushed away his hand. + </p> + <p> + “How! you will not allow me to kiss your hand?” asked he, and she thought + she observed on his face a slight, scornful smile. “You make me the + happiest of mortals by inviting me to this interview, and now you stand + before me rigid and cold, and I am not once permitted to clasp you in my + arms, Elizabeth!” + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth! He had called her by her first name without her having given + him permission to do so. That offended her. In the midst of her confusion, + that aroused the pride of the princess, and made her aware how much she + must have forgotten her own dignity, when another could be so forgetful of + it. + </p> + <p> + She wished to regain it. At this moment she would have given a year of her + life if she had not taken this step—if she had not invited the earl + to this meeting. + </p> + <p> + She wanted to try and regain in his eyes her lost position, and again to + become to him the princess. + </p> + <p> + Pride in her was still mightier than love. She meant her lover should at + the same time bow before her as her favored servant. + </p> + <p> + Therefore she gravely said: “Earl Thomas Seymour, you have often begged us + for a private conversation; we now grant it to you. Speak, then! what + matter of importance have you to bring before us?” + </p> + <p> + And with an air of gravity she stepped to an easy-chair, on which she + seated herself slowly and solemnly like a queen, who gives audience to her + vassals. + </p> + <p> + Poor, innocent child, that in her unconscious trepidation wished to + intrench herself behind her grandeur, as behind a shield, which might + conceal her maidenly fear and girlish anxiety! + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour, however, divined her thoughts; and his proud and cold + heart revolted against this child’s attempt to defy him. + </p> + <p> + He wanted to humble her; he wished to compel her to bow before him, and + implore his love as a gracious gift. + </p> + <p> + He therefore bowed low to the princess, and respectfully said: “Your + highness, it is true I have often besought you for an audience; but you + have so long refused me, that at last I could no longer summon up courage + to solicit it; and I let my wish be silent and my heart dumb. Therefore + seek not now, when these pains have been subdued, to excite them again. My + heart should remain dead, my lips mute. You have so willed; and I have + submitted to your will. Farewell, then, princess, and may your days be + happier and more serene than those of poor Thomas Seymour!” + </p> + <p> + He bowed low before her, and then went slowly to the door. He had already + opened it and was about to step out, when a hand was suddenly laid on his + shoulder and drew him with vehement impetuosity back into the room. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want to go?” asked Elizabeth, with fluttering breath and trembling + voice. “You want to leave me, and, flouting me, you want now, it may be, + to go to the Duchess of Richmond, your mistress, and relate to her with a + sneer that the Princess Elizabeth granted you an interview, and that you + have flouted her?” + </p> + <p> + “The Duchess of Richmond is not my mistress,” said the earl, earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “No, not your mistress; but she will very soon be your wife!” + </p> + <p> + “She will never be my wife!” + </p> + <p> + “And why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I do not love her, princess.” + </p> + <p> + A beam of delight passed over Elizabeth’s pale, agitated face. “Why do you + call me princess?” asked she. + </p> + <p> + “Because you have come as a princess to favor your poor servant with an + audience. But, ah, it would be greatly abusing your princely grace did I + want to protract this audience still further. I therefore retire, + princess.” + </p> + <p> + And again he approached the door. But Elizabeth rushed after him, and, + laying hold of his arms with both her hands, she wildly pushed him back. + </p> + <p> + Her eyes shot lightning; her lips trembled; a passionate warmth was + manifested in her whole being. Now she was the true daughter of her + father, inconsiderate and passionate in her wrath, destroying in her + ferocity. + </p> + <p> + “You shall not go,” muttered she, with her teeth firmly set. “I will not + let you go! I will not let you confront me any longer with that cold, + smiling face. Scold me; cast on me the bitterest reproaches, because I + have dared to brave you so long; curse me, if you can! Anything but this + smiling calmness. It kills me; it pierces my heart like a dagger. For you + see well enough that I have no longer the power to withstand you; you see + well enough that I love you. Yes, I love you to ecstasy and to + desperation; with desire and dread. I love you as my demon and my angel. I + am angry, because you have so entirely crushed the pride of my heart. I + curse you, because you have made me so entirely your slave; and the next + moment I fall on my knees and beseech God to forgive me this crime against + you. I love you, I say—not as those soft, gentle-hearted women love, + with a smile on the lip; but with madness and desperation, with jealousy + and wrath. I love you as my father loved Anne Boleyn, whom, in the hatred + of his love and the cruel wrath of his jealousy, he made to mount the + scaffold, because he had been told that she was untrue to him. Ah, had I + the power, I would do as my father did; I would murder you, if you should + dare ever to cease to love me. And now, Thomas Seymour, now say whether + you have the courage to desire to leave me?” + </p> + <p> + She looked bewitching in the naming might of her passion; she was so + young, so ardent; and Thomas Seymour was so ambitious! In his eyes + Elizabeth was not merely the beautiful, charming maiden, who loved him: + she was more than that: she was the daughter of Henry the Eighth, the + Princess of England, perchance some day the heiress of the throne. It is + true, her father had disinherited her, and by act of Parliament declared + her unworthy of succeeding to the throne.[Footnote: Burnet, vol. i, p. + 138] But Henry’s vacillating mind might change, and the disowned princess + might one day become queen. + </p> + <p> + The earl thought of this as he gazed on Elizabeth—as he saw her + before him, so charming, so young, and so glowing with passion. He thought + of it as he now clasped her in his arms, and pressed on her lips a burning + kiss. + </p> + <p> + “No, I will not go,” whispered he. “I will never more depart from your + side, if you do not wish me to go. I am yours!—your slave, your + vassal; and I will never be anything else but this alone. They may betray + me; your father may punish me for high treason; yet will I exult in my + good fortune, for Elizabeth loves me, and it will be for Elizabeth that I + die!” + </p> + <p> + “You shall not die!” cried she, clinging fast to him. “You shall live, + live at my side, proud, great, and happy! You shall be my lord and my + master; and if I am ever queen, and I feel here in my heart that I must + become so, then will Thomas Seymour be King of England.” + </p> + <p> + “That is to say, in the quiet and secrecy of your chamber I should perhaps + be so!” said he with a sigh. “But there without, before the world, I shall + still be ever only a servant; and at the best, I shall be called the + favorite.” + </p> + <p> + “Never, never, that I swear to you! Said I not that I loved you?” + </p> + <p> + “But the love of a woman is so changeable! Who knows how long it will be + before you will tread under your feet poor Thomas Seymour, when once the + crown has adorned your brow.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him well-nigh horrified. “Can this be, then? Is it possible + that one can forget and forsake what he once loved?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you ask, Elizabeth? Has not your father already his sixth wife?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” said she, as mournfully she dropped her head upon her + breast. “But I,” said she, after a pause, “I shall not be like my father + in that. I shall love you eternally! And that you may have a guaranty of + my faithfulness, I offer myself to you as your wife.” + </p> + <p> + Astonished, he looked inquiringly into her excited, glowing face! He did + not understand her. + </p> + <p> + But she continued, passionately: “Yes, you shall be my lord and my + husband! Come, my beloved, come! I have not called you to take upon + yourself the disgraceful role of the secret lover of a princess—I + have called you to be my husband. I wish a bond to unite us two, that is + so indissoluble that not even the wrath and will of my father, but only + death itself, can sever it. I will give you proof of my love and my + devotion; and you shall be forced to acknowledge that I truly love you. + Come, my beloved, that I may soon hail you as my husband!” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her as though petrified. “Whither will you lead me?” + </p> + <p> + “To the private chapel,” said she, innocently. “I have written Cranmer to + await me there at daybreak. Let us hasten, then!” + </p> + <p> + “Cranmer! You have written to the archbishop?” cried Seymour, amazed. + “How! what say you? Cranmer awaits us in the private chapel?” + </p> + <p> + “Without doubt he is waiting for us, as I have written him to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is he to do? What do you want of him?” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him in astonishment. “What do I want of him? Why, that he + may marry us!” + </p> + <p> + The earl staggered back as if stunned. “And have you written him that + also?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, indeed,” said she, with a charming, childlike smile. “I know very + well that it is dangerous to trust such secrets to paper. I have only + written him to come in his official robes, because I have an important + secret to confess to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, God be praised! We are not lost,” sighed Seymour. + </p> + <p> + “But how, I do not understand you?” asked she. “You do not extend me your + hand! You do not hasten to conduct me to the chapel!” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, I conjure you, tell me only this one thing: have you ever spoken + to the archbishop of your—no—of our love? Have you ever + betrayed to him so much, as a syllable of that which stirs our hearts?” + </p> + <p> + She blushed deeply beneath the steady gaze which he fixed on her. “Upbraid + me, Seymour,” whispered she. “But my heart was weak and timorous; and as + often as I tried to fulfil the holy duty, and confess everything honestly + and frankly to the archbishop, I could not do it! The word died on my + lips; and it was as though an invisible power paralyzed my tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “So, then, Cranmer knows nothing?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Seymour, he knows nothing as yet. But now he shall learn all; now we + will go before him and tell him that we love each other, and constrain + him, by our prayers, to bless our union, and join our hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” cried Seymour. “That can never be!” + </p> + <p> + “How! What do you say?” asked she in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “I say that Cranmer will never be so insane, nay, so criminal, as to + fulfil your wish. I say that you can never be my wife.” + </p> + <p> + She looked him full and square in the face. “Have you not then told me + that you loved me?” asked she. “Have I not sworn to you that I loved you + in return? Must we then not be married, in order to sanctify the union of + our hearts?” + </p> + <p> + Seymour sank his eyes to the ground before her pure innocent look, and + blushed for shame. She did not understand this blush; because he was + silent, she deemed him convinced. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” said she, “come; Cranmer is waiting for us!” + </p> + <p> + He again raised his eyes and looked at her in amazement, “Do you not see, + then, this is all only a dream that can never become reality? Do you not + feel that this precious fantasy of your great and noble heart will never + be realized? How! are you then so little acquainted with your father as + not to know that he would destroy us both if we should dare to set at + naught his paternal and his royal authority? Your birth would not secure + you from his destroying fury, for you well know he is unyielding and + reckless in his wrath; and the voice of consanguinity sounds not so loud + in him that it would not be drowned by the thunder of his wrath. Poor + child, you have learned that already! Remember with what cruelty he has + already revenged himself on you for the pretended fault of your mother; + how he transferred to you his wrath against her. Remember that he refused + your hand to the Dauphin of France, not for the sake of your happiness, + but because he said you were not worthy of so exalted a position. Anne + Boleyn’s bastard could never become Queen of France. And after such a + proof of his cruel wrath against you, will you dare cast in his face this + terrible insult?—compel him to recognize a subject, a servant, as + his son?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this servant is, however, the brother of a Queen of England!” said + she, shyly. “My father loved Jane Seymour too warmly not to forgive her + brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, ah, you do not know your father! He has no heart for the past; or, if + he has, it is only to take vengeance for an injury or a fault, but not to + reward love. King Henry would be capable of sentencing Anne Boleyn’s + daughter to death, and of sending to the block and rack Catharine Howard’s + brothers, because these two queens once grieved him and wounded his heart; + but he would not forgive me the least offence on account of my being the + brother of a queen who loved him faithfully and tenderly till her death. + But I speak not of myself. I am a warrior, and have too often looked death + in the face to fear him now. I speak only of you, Elizabeth. You have no + right to perish thus. This noble head must not be laid upon the block. It + is destined to wear a royal crown. A fortune still higher than love awaits + you—fame and power! I must not draw you away from this proud future. + The Princess Elizabeth, though abused and disowned, may yet one day mount + the throne of England. The Countess Seymour never! she disinherits + herself! Follow, then, your high destiny. Earl Seymour retires before a + throne.” + </p> + <p> + “That is to say, you disdained me?” asked she, angrily stamping the floor + with her foot. “That is to say, the proud Earl Seymour holds the bastard + too base for his coronet! That is to say, you love me not!” + </p> + <p> + “No, it means that I love you more than myself—better and more + purely than any other man can love you; for this love is so great that it + makes my selfishness and my ambition silent, and allows me to think only + of you and your future.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” sighed she, mournfully, “if you really loved me, you would not + consider—you would not see the danger, nor fear death. You would + think of nothing, and know nothing, save love.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I think of love, I think of you,” said Seymour. “I think that you + are to move along over the world, great, powerful, and glorious, and that + I will lend you my arm for this. I think of this, that my queen of the + future needs a general who will win victories for her, and that I will be + that general. But when this goal is reached—when you are queen—then + you have the power from one of your subjects to make a husband; then it + rests with your own will to elevate me to be the proudest, the happiest, + and the most enviable of all men. Extend me your hand, then, and I will + thank and praise God that he is so gracious to me; and my whole existence + will be spent in the effort to give you the happiness that you are so well + entitled to demand.” + </p> + <p> + “And until then?” asked she, mournfully. + </p> + <p> + “Until then, we will be constant, and love each other!” cried he, as he + gently pressed her in his arms. She gently repelled him. “Will you also be + true to me till then?” + </p> + <p> + “True till death!” + </p> + <p> + “They have told me that you would marry the Duchess of Richmond, in order + thereby to at length put an end to the ancient hatred between the Howards + and Seymours.” + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour frowned, and his countenance grew dark. “Believe me, this + hatred is invincible,” said he; “and no matrimonial alliance could wash it + away. It is an inheritance from many years in our families; and I am + firmly resolved not to renounce my inheritance. I shall just as little + marry the Duchess of Richmond, as Henry Howard will my sister, the + Countess of Shrewsbury.” + </p> + <p> + “Swear that to me! Swear to me, that you say the truth, and that this + haughty and coquettish duchess shall never be your wife. Swear it to me, + by all that is sacred to you!” + </p> + <p> + “I swear it by my love!” exclaimed Thomas Seymour, solemnly. + </p> + <p> + “I shall then at least have one sorrow the less,” sighed Elizabeth. “I + shall have no occasion to be jealous. And is it not true,” she then said, + “is it not true we shall often see each other? We will both keep this + secret of this tower faithfully and sacredly; and after days full of + privation and disappointment, we will here keep festival the nights full + of blissful pleasure and sweet transport. But why do you smile, Seymour?” + </p> + <p> + “I smile, because you are pure and innocent as an angel,” said he, as he + reverently kissed her hand. “I smile, because you are an exalted, godlike + child, whom one ought to adore upon his knees, and to whom one ought to + pray, as to the chaste goddess Vesta! Yes, my dear, beloved child, here we + will, as you say, pass nights full of blissful pleasure; and may I be + reprobate and damned, if I should ever be capable of betraying this sweet, + guileless confidence with which you favor me, and sully your angel + purity!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, we will be very happy, Seymour!” said she, smiling. “I lack only one + thing—a friend, to whom I can tell my happiness, to whom I can speak + of you. Oh, it often seems to me as if this love, which must always be + concealed, always shut up, must at last burst my breast; as if this secret + must with violence break a passage, and roar like a tempest over the whole + world. Seymour, I want a confidante of my happiness and my love.” + </p> + <p> + “Guard yourself well against desiring to seek such a one!” exclaimed + Seymour, anxiously. “A secret that three know, is a secret no more; and + one day your confidante will betray us.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so; I know a woman who would be incapable of that—a woman who + loves me well enough to keep my secret as faithfully as I myself; a woman + who could be more than merely a confidante, who could be the protectress + of our love. Oh, believe me, if we could gain her to our side, then our + future would be a happy and a blessed one, and we might easily succeed in + obtaining the king’s consent to our marriage.” + </p> + <p> + “And who is this woman?” + </p> + <p> + “It is the queen.” + </p> + <p> + “The queen!” cried Thomas Seymour, with such an expression of horror that + Elizabeth trembled; “the queen your confidante? But that is impossible! + That would be plunging us both inevitably into ruin. Unhappy child, be + very careful not to mention even a single word, a syllable of your + relation to me. Be very careful not to betray to her, even by the + slightest intimation, that Thomas Seymour is not indifferent to you! Ah, + her wrath would dash to pieces you and me!” + </p> + <p> + “And why do you believe that?” asked Elizabeth, gloomily. “Why do you + suppose that Catharine would fly into a passion because Earl Seymour loves + me? Or how?—it is she, perhaps, that you love, and you dare not + therefore let her know that you have sworn your love to me also? Ah, I now + see through it all; I understand it all! You love the queen—her + only. For that reason you will not go to the chapel with me; for that + reason you swore that you would not marry the Duchess of Richmond; and + therefore—oh, my presentiment did not deceive me—therefore + that furious ride in Epping Forest to-day. Ah, the queen’s horse must of + course become raving, and run away, that his lordship, the master of + horse, might follow his lady, and with her got lost in the thicket of the + woods!—And now,” said she, her eyes flashing with anger, and raising + her hand to heaven as if taking an oath, “now I say to you: Take heed to + yourself! Take heed to yourself, Seymour, that you do not, even by a + single word or a single syllable, betray your secret, for that word would + crush you! Yes, I feel it, that I am no bastard, that I am my father’s own + daughter; I feel it in this wrath and this jealousy that rages within me! + Take heed to yourself, Seymour, for I will go hence and accuse you to the + king, and the traitor’s head will fall upon the scaffold!” + </p> + <p> + She was beside herself. With clenched fists and a threatening air she + paced the room up and down. Tears gushed from her eyes; but she shook them + out of her eyelashes, so that they fell scattering about her like pearls. + Her father’s impetuous and untractable nature stirred within her, and his + blood seethed in her veins. + </p> + <p> + But Thomas Seymour had already regained his self-command and composure. He + approached the princess and despite her struggles clasped her in his arms. + </p> + <p> + “Little fool!” said he, between his kisses. “Sweet, dear fool, how + beautiful you are in your anger, and how I love you for it! Jealousy is + becoming to love; and I do not complain, though you are unjust and cruel + toward me. The queen has much too cold and proud a heart ever to be loved + by any man. Ah, only to think this is already treason to her virtue and + modesty; and surely she has not deserved this from us two, that we should + disdain and insult her. She is the first that has always been just to you; + and to me she has ever been only a gracious mistress!” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” murmured Elizabeth, completely ashamed; “she is a true + friend and mother; and I have her to thank for my present position at this + court.” + </p> + <p> + Then, after a pause, she said, smiling, and extending her hand to the + earl: “You are right. It would be a crime to suspect her; and I am a fool. + Forgive me, Seymour, forgive my absurd and childish anger; and I promise + you in return to betray our secret to no one, not even to the queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you swear that to me?” + </p> + <p> + “I swear it to you! and I swear to you more than that: I will never again + be jealous of her.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you do but simple justice to yourself and to the queen also,” said + the earl, with a smile, as he drew her again to his arms. + </p> + <p> + But she pushed him gently back. “I must now away. The morning dawns, and + the archbishop awaits me in the royal chapel.” + </p> + <p> + “And what will you say to him, beloved?” + </p> + <p> + “I will make my confession to him.” + </p> + <p> + “How! so you will then betray our love to him?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said she, with a bewitching smile, “that is a secret between us and + God; and only to Him alone can we confess it; because He alone can absolve + us from it. Farewell, then, Seymour, farewell, and think of me till we see + each other again! But when—say, when shall we meet again?” + </p> + <p> + “When there is a night like this one, beloved, when the moon is not in the + heavens. Oh, then I could wish there were a change of the moon every + week,” said she, with the charming innocence of a child. “Farewell, + Seymour, farewell; we must part.” + </p> + <p> + She clung to his tall, sturdy form as the ivy twines around the trunk of + an oak. Then they parted. The princess slipped again softly and unseen + into her apartments, and thence into the royal chapel; the earl descended + again the spiral staircase which led to the secret door of the garden. + </p> + <p> + Unobserved and unseen he returned to his palace; even his valet, who slept + in the anteroom, did not see him, as the earl crept past him lightly on + his toes, and betook himself to his sleeping-room. + </p> + <p> + But no sleep came to his eyes that night, and his soul was restless and + full of fierce torment. He was angry with himself, and accused himself of + treachery and perfidy; and then again, full of proud haughtiness, he still + tried to excuse himself and to silence his conscience, which was sitting + in judgment on him. + </p> + <p> + “I love her—her only!” said he to himself. “Catharine possesses my + heart, my soul; I am ready to devote my whole life to her. Yes, I love + her! I have this day so sworn to her; and she is mine for all eternity!” + </p> + <p> + “And Elizabeth?” asked his conscience. “Have you not sworn truth and love + to her also?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” said he. “I have only received her oath; I have not given her mine + in return. And when I vowed never to marry the Duchess of Richmond; when I + swore this ‘by my love,’ then I thought only of Catharine—of that + proud, beautiful, charming woman, at once maidenly and voluptuous; but not + of this young, inexperienced, wild child—of this unattractive little + princess!” + </p> + <p> + “But the princess may one day become a queen,” whispered his ambition. + </p> + <p> + “That, however, is very doubtful,” replied he to himself. “But it is + certain that Catharine will one day be the regent, and if I am at that + time her husband, then I am Regent of England.” + </p> + <p> + This was the secret of his duplicity and his double treachery. Thomas + Seymour loved nothing but himself, nothing but his ambition. He was + capable of risking his life for a woman; but for renown and greatness he + would have gladly sacrificed this woman. + </p> + <p> + For him there was only one aim, one struggle: to be come great and + powerful above all the nobles of the kingdom—to be the first man in + England. And to reach this aim, he would be afraid of no means; he would + shrink from no treachery and no sin. + </p> + <p> + Like the disciples of Loyola, he said, in justification of himself, “the + end sanctifies the means.” + </p> + <p> + And thus for him every means was right which conducted him to the end; + that is to say, to greatness and glory. + </p> + <p> + He was firmly convinced that he loved the queen ardently; and in his + nobler hours he did really love her. Depending on the moment, a son of the + hour, in him feeling and will varied with the rapidity of lightning, and + he ever was wholly and completely that with which the moment inflamed him. + </p> + <p> + When, therefore, he stood before the queen, he did not lie when he swore + that he loved her passionately. He really loved her, with double warmth, + since she had to his mind in some sort identified herself with his + ambition. He adored her, because she was the means that might conduct him + to his end; because she might some day hold in her hands the sceptre of + England. And on the day when this came to pass, he wished to be her lover + and her lord. She had accepted him as her lord, and he was entirely + certain of his future sway. + </p> + <p> + Consequently he loved the queen, but his proud and ambitious heart could + never be so completely animated by one love as that there should not be + room in it for a second, provided this second love presented him a + favorable chance for the attainment of the aim of his life. + </p> + <p> + Princess Elizabeth had this chance. And if the queen would certainly + become one day Regent of England, yet Elizabeth might some day perchance + become queen thereof. Of course, it was as yet only a perhaps, but one + might manage out of this perhaps to make a reality. Besides, this young, + passionate child loved him, and Thomas Seymour was himself too young and + too easily excitable to be able to despise a love that presented him with + such enticing promises and bright dreams of the future. + </p> + <p> + “It does not become a man to live for love alone,” said he to himself as + he now thought over the events of the night. “He must struggle for the + highest and wish to reach the greatest, and no means of attaining this end + ought he to leave unemployed. Besides, my heart is large enough to satisfy + a twofold love. I love them both—both of these fair women who fetch + me a crown. Let fate decide to which of the two I shall one day belong!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY. + </h2> + <p> + The great court festival, so long expected, was at last to take place + today. Knights and lords were preparing for the tournament; poets and + scholars for the feast of the poets. For the witty and brave king wished + to unite the two in this festival today, in order to give the world a rare + and great example of a king who could claim all virtue and wisdom as his + own; who could be equally great as a hero and as a divine; equally great + as a poet and as a philosopher and a scholar. + </p> + <p> + The knights were to fight for the honor of their ladies; the poets were to + sing their songs, and John Heywood to bring out his merry farces. Ay, even + the great scholars were to have a part in this festival; for the king had + specially, for this, summoned to London from Cambridge, where he was then + professor in the university, his former teacher in the Greek language, the + great scholar Croke, to whom belonged the merit of having first made the + learned world of Germany, as well as of England, again acquainted with the + poets of Greece. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 307.] He wished to recite with + Croke some scenes from Sophocles to his wondering court; and though, to be + sure, there was no one there who understood the Greek tongue, yet all, + without doubt, must be enraptured with the wonderful music of the Greek + and the amazing erudition of the king. + </p> + <p> + Preparations were going on everywhere; arrangements were being made; every + one was making his toilet, whether it were the toilet of the mind or of + the body. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, made his also; that is to say, he had + retired to his cabinet, and was busy filing away at the sonnets which he + expected to recite to-day, and in which he lauded the beauty and the grace + of the fair Geraldine. + </p> + <p> + He had the paper in his hand, and was lying on the velvet ottoman which + stood before his writing-table. + </p> + <p> + Had Lady Jane Douglas seen him now, she would have been filled with + painful rapture to observe how, with head leaned back on the cushion, his + large blue eyes raised dreamily to heaven, he smiled and whispered gentle + words. + </p> + <p> + He was wholly absorbed in sweet reminiscences; he was thinking of those + rapturous, blessed hours which he a few days before had spent with his + Geraldine; and as he thought of them he adored her, and repeated to her + anew in his mind his oath of eternal love and inviolable truth. + </p> + <p> + His enthusiastic spirit was completely filled with a sweet melancholy; and + he felt perfectly intoxicated by the magical happiness afforded him by his + Geraldine. + </p> + <p> + She was his—his at last! After struggles so long and painful, after + such bitter renunciation, and such mournful resignation, happiness had at + last arisen for him; the never expected had at last become indeed a + reality. Catharine loved him. With a sacred oath she had sworn to him that + she would one day become his wife; that she would become his wife before + God and man. + </p> + <p> + But when is the day to come on which he may show her to the world as his + consort? When will she be at length relieved from the burden of her royal + crown? When at length will fall from her those golden chains that bind her + to a tyrannical and bloodthirsty husband—to the cruel and arrogant + king? When will Catharine at length cease to be queen, in order to become + Lady Surrey? + </p> + <p> + Strange! As he asked himself this, there ran over him a shudder, and an + unaccountable dread fell upon his soul. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to him as if a voice whispered to him: “Thou wilt never live to + see that day! The king, old as he is, will nevertheless live longer than + thou! Prepare thyself to die, for death is already at thy door!” + </p> + <p> + And it was not the first time that he had heard that voice. Often before + it had spoken to him, and always with the same words, the same warning. + Often it seemed to him in his dreams as if he felt a cutting pain about + the neck; and he had seen a scaffold, from which his own head was rolling + down. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard was superstitious; for he was a poet, and to poets it is + given to perceive the mysterious connection between the visible and the + invisible world; to believe that supernatural powers and invisible forms + surround man, and either protect him or else curse him. + </p> + <p> + There were hours in which he believed in the reality of his dreams—in + which he did not doubt of that melancholy and horrible fate which they + foretold. + </p> + <p> + Formerly he had given himself up to it with smiling resignation; but now—since + he loved Catharine, since she belonged to him—now he would not die. + Now, when life held out to him its most enchanting enjoyments, its + intoxicating delights—now he would not leave them—now he + dreaded to die. He was therefore cautious and prudent; and, knowing the + king’s malicious, savage, and jealous character, he had always been + extremely careful to avoid everything that might excite him, that might + arouse the royal hyena from his slumbers. + </p> + <p> + But it seemed to him as though the king bore him and his family a special + spite; as though he could never forgive them that the consort whom he most + loved, and who had the most bitterly wronged him, had sprung from their + stock. In the king’s every word and every look, Henry Howard felt and was + sensible of this secret resentment of the king; he suspected that Henry + was only watching for the favorable moment when he could seize and + strangle him. + </p> + <p> + He was therefore on his guard. For now, when Geraldine loved him, his life + belonged no longer to himself alone; she loved him; she had a claim on + him; his days were, therefore, hallowed in his own eyes. + </p> + <p> + So he had kept silence under the petty annoyances and vexations of the + king. He had taken it even without murmuring, and without demanding + satisfaction, when the king had suddenly recalled him from the army that + was fighting against France, and of which he was commander-in-chief, and + in his stead had sent Lord Hertford, Earl of Sudley, to the army which was + encamped before Boulogne and Montreuil. He had quietly and without + resentment returned to his palace; and since he could no longer be a + general and warrior, he became again a scholar and poet. His palace was + now again the resort of the scholars and writers of England; and he was + always ready, with true princely munificence, to assist oppressed and + despised talent; to afford the persecuted scholar an asylum in his palace. + He it was who saved the learned Fox from starvation, and took him into his + house, where Horatius Junius and the poet Churchyard, afterward so + celebrated, had both found a home—the former as his physician and + the latter as his page. [Footnote: Nott’s Life of the Earl of Surrey] + </p> + <p> + Love, the arts, and the sciences, caused the wounds that the king had + given his ambition, to heal over; and he now felt no more rancor; now he + almost thanked the king. For to his recall only did he owe his good + fortune; and Henry, who had wished to injure him, had given him his + sweetest pleasure. + </p> + <p> + He now smiled as he thought how Henry, who had taken from him the baton, + had, without knowing it, given him in return his own queen, and had + exalted him when he wished to humble him. + </p> + <p> + He smiled, and again took in hand the poem in which he wished to celebrate + in song, at the court festival that day, the honor and praise of his + lady-love, whom no one knew, or even suspected—the fair Geraldine. + </p> + <p> + “The verses are stiff,” muttered he; “this language is so poor! It has not + the power of expressing all that fulness of adoration and ecstasy which I + feel. Petrarch was more fortunate in this respect. His beautiful, flexible + language sounds like music, and it is, even just by itself, the harmonious + accompaniment of his love. Ah, Petrarch, I envy thee, and yet would not be + like thee. For thine was a mournful and bitter-sweet lot. Laura never + loved thee; and she was the mother of twelve children, not a single one of + whom belonged to thee.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed with a sense of his own proud success in love, and seized + Petrarch’s sonnets, which lay near him on the table, to compare his own + new sonnet with a similar one of Petrarch’s. + </p> + <p> + He was so absorbed in these meditations, that he had not at all observed + that the hanging which concealed the door behind him was pushed aside, and + a marvellous young woman, resplendent with diamonds and sparkling with + jewelry, entered his cabinet. + </p> + <p> + For an instant she stood still upon the threshold, and with a smile + observed the earl, who was more and more absorbed in his reading. + </p> + <p> + She was of imposing beauty; her large eyes blazed and glowed like a + volcano; her lofty brow seemed in all respects designed to wear a crown. + And, indeed, it was a ducal coronet that sparkled on her black hair, which + in long ringlets curled down to her full, voluptuous shoulders. Her tall + and majestic form was clad in a white satin dress, richly trimmed with + ermine and pearls; two clasps of costly brilliants held fast to her + shoulders the small mantilla of crimson velvet, faced with ermine, which + covered her back and fell down to her waist. + </p> + <p> + Thus appeared the Duchess of Richmond, the widow of King Henry’s natural + son, Henry Richmond; the sister of Lord Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey; and + the daughter of the noble Duke of Norfolk. + </p> + <p> + Since her husband had died and left her a widow at twenty, she resided in + her brother’s palace, and had placed herself under his protection, and in + the world they were known as “the affectionate brother and sister.” + </p> + <p> + Ah, how little knew the world, which is ever wont to judge from + appearances, of the hatred and the love of these two; how little suspicion + had it of the real sentiments of this brother and sister! + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard had offered his sister his palace as her residence, because + he hoped by his presence to lay on her impulsive and voluptuous + disposition a restraint which should compel her not to overstep the bounds + of custom and decency. Lady Richmond had accepted this offer of his palace + because she was obliged to; inasmuch as the avaracious and parsimonious + king gave his son’s widow only a meagre income, and her own means she had + squandered and lavishly thrown away upon her lovers. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard had thus acted for the honor of his name; but he loved not + his sister; nay, he despised her. But the Duchess of Richmond hated her + brother, because her proud heart felt humbled by him, and under + obligations of gratitude. + </p> + <p> + But their hatred and their contempt were a secret that they both preserved + in the depths of the heart, and which they scarcely dared confess to + themselves. Both had veiled this their inmost feeling with a show of + affection, and only once in a while was one betrayed to the other by some + lightly dropped word or unregarded look. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. BROTHER AND SISTER. + </h2> + <p> + Lightly on the tips of her toes the duchess stole toward her brother, who + did not yet observe her. The thick Turkish carpet made her steps + inaudible. She already stood behind the earl, and he had not yet noticed + her. + </p> + <p> + Now she bent over his shoulder, and fastened her sparkling eyes on the + paper in her brother’s hand. + </p> + <p> + Then she read in a loud, sonorous voice the title of it: “Complaint, + because Geraldine never shows herself to her lover unless covered by her + veil.” [Footnote: Sonnet by Surrey.—See Nott’s Life and Works of + Surrey.] “Ah,” said the duchess, laughing, “now, then, I have spied out + your secret, and you must surrender to me at discretion. So you are in + love; and Geraldine is the name of the chosen one to whom you address your + poems! I swear to you, my brother, you will repay me dear for this + secret.” + </p> + <p> + “It is no secret at all, sister,” said the earl, with a quiet smile, as he + rose from the divan and saluted the duchess. “It is so little a secret, + that I shall recite this sonnet at the court festival this very evening. I + shall not, therefore, need your secrecy, Rosabella.” + </p> + <p> + “So the fair Geraldine never shows herself to you unless in a dark veil, + black as the night,” said the duchess, musingly. “But tell me, brother, + who then is the fair Geraldine? Of the ladies at court, I know not a + single one who bears that name.” + </p> + <p> + “So you see from that, the whole is only a fiction—a creation of my + fancy.” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” said she, smiling; “one does not write with such warmth and + enthusiasm unless he is really in love. You sing your lady-love, and you + give her another name. That is very plain. Do not deny it, Henry, for I + know indeed that you have a lady-love. It may be read in your eyes. And + look you! it is on account of this dear one that I have come to you. It + pains me, Henry, that you have no confidence in me, and allow me no share + in your joys and sorrows. Do you not know, then, how tenderly I love you, + my dear, noble brother?” + </p> + <p> + She put her arm tenderly round his neck, and wanted to kiss him. He bent + his head back, and laying his hand on her rosy, round chin, he looked + inquiringly and smilingly into her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “You want something of me, Rosabella!” said he. “I have never yet enjoyed + your tenderness and sisterly affection, except when you needed my + services.” + </p> + <p> + “How suspicious you are!” cried she, with a charming pout, as she shook + his hand away from her face. “I have come from wholly disinterested + sympathy; partly to warn you, partly to find out whether your love is + perchance fixed upon a lady that would render my warning useless.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, so you see, Rosabella, that I was right, and that your tenderness + was not aimless. Now, then, you want to warn me? I have yet to learn that + I need any warning.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, brother! For it would certainly be very dangerous and mischievous + for you, if your love should chance not to be in accordance with the + command of the king.” + </p> + <p> + A momentary flush spread over Henry Howard’s face, and his brow darkened. + </p> + <p> + “With the king’s command?” asked he, in astonishment. “I did not know that + Henry the Eighth could control my heart. And, at any rate, I would never + concede him that right. Say quickly, then, sister, what is it? What means + this about the king’s command, and what matrimonial scheme have you women + been again contriving? For I well know that you and my mother have no rest + with the thought of seeing me still unmarried. You want to bestow on me, + whether or no, the happiness of marriage; yet, nevertheless, it appears to + me that you both have sufficiently learned from experience that this + happiness is only imaginary, and that marriage in reality is, at the very + least, the vestibule of hell.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” laughed the duchess; “the only happy moment of my married + life was when my husband died. For in that I am more fortunate than my + mother, who has her tyrant still living about her. Ah, how I pity my + mother!” + </p> + <p> + “Dare not to revile our noble father!” cried the earl, almost + threateningly. “God alone knows how much he has suffered from our mother, + and how much he still suffers. He is not to blame for this unhappy + marriage. But you have not come to talk over these sad and disgraceful + family matters, sister! You wish to warn me, did you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, warn you!” said the duchess, tenderly, as she took her brother’s + hand and led him to the ottoman. “Come, let us sit down here, Henry, and + let us for once chat confidentially and cordially, as becomes brother and + sister. Tell me, who is Geraldine?” + </p> + <p> + “A phantom, an ideal! I have told you that already.” + </p> + <p> + “You really love, then, no lady at this court?” + </p> + <p> + “No, none! There is among all these ladies, with whom the queen has + surrounded herself, not one whom I am able to love.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, your heart then is free, Henry; and you will be so much more easily + inclined to comply with the king’s wish.” + </p> + <p> + “What does the king wish?” + </p> + <p> + She laid her head on her brother’s shoulder, and said in a low whisper: + “That the Howard and Seymour families be at last reconciled; that at last + they may reconcile the hatred, which has for centuries separated them, by + means of a firm and sincere bond of love.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the king wants that!” cried the earl, scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “Forsooth, now, he has made a good beginning toward bringing about this + reconciliation. He has insulted me before all Europe, by removing me from + my command, and investing a Seymour with my rank and dignity; and he + requires that I in return shall love this arrogant earl, who has robbed me + of what is my due; who has long intrigued and besieged the king’s ears + with lies and calumnies, till he has gained his end and supplanted me.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true the king recalled you from the army; but this was done in + order to give you the first place at his court—to appoint you lord + chamberlain to the queen.” + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard trembled and was silent. “It is true,” he then muttered; “I + am obliged to the king for this place.” + </p> + <p> + “And then,” continued the duchess, with an innocent air, “then I do not + believe either that Lord Hertford is to blame for your recall. To prove + this to you, he has made a proposal to the king, and to me also, which is + to testify to you and to all the world how great an honor Lord Hertford + esteems it to be allied to the Howards, and above all things to you, by + the most sacred bonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that noble, magnanimous lord!” cried Henry Howard, with a bitter + laugh. “As matters do not advance well with laurels, he tries the myrtles; + since he can win no battles, he wants to make marriages. Now, sister, let + me hear what he has to propose.” + </p> + <p> + “A double marriage, Henry. He asks my hand for his brother Thomas Seymour, + provided you choose his sister, Lady Margaret, for your wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Never!” cried the earl. “Never will Henry Howard present his hand to a + daughter of that house; never condescend so far as to elevate a Seymour to + be his wife. That is well enough for a king—not for a Howard!” + </p> + <p> + “Brother, you insult the king!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I insult him, then! He has insulted me, too, in arranging this base + scheme.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother, reflect; the Seymours are powerful, and stand high in the king’s + favor.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, in the king’s favor they stand high! But the people know their + proud, cruel, and arrogant disposition; and the people and nobility + despise them. The Seymours have the voice of the king in their favor; the + Howards the voice of the whole country, and that is of more consequence. + The king can exalt the Seymours, for they stand far beneath him. He cannot + exalt the Howards, for they are his equals. Nor can he degrade them. + Catharine died on the scaffold—the king became thereby only a + hangman—our escutcheon was not sullied by that act!” + </p> + <p> + “These are very proud words, Henry!” + </p> + <p> + “They become a son of the Norfolks, Rosabella! Ah, see that petty Lord + Hertford, Earl Seymour. He covets a ducal coronet for his sister. He wants + to give her to me to wife; for as soon as our poor father dies, I wear his + coronet! The arrogant upstarts! For the sister’s escutcheon, my coronet; + for the brother’s, your coronet. Never, say I, shall that be!” + </p> + <p> + The duchess had become pale, and a tremor ran through her proud form. Her + eyes flashed, and an angry word was already suspended on her lips; but she + still held it back. She violently forced herself to calmness and + self-possession. + </p> + <p> + “Consider once more, Henry,” said she, “do not decide at once. You speak + of our greatness; but you do not bear in mind the power of the Seymours. I + tell you they are powerful enough to tread us in the dust, despite all our + greatness. And they are not only powerful at the present; they will be so + in the future also; for it is well known in what disposition and what way + of thinking the Prince of Wales is trained up. The king is old, weak, and + failing; death lurks behind his throne, and will soon enough press him in + his arms. Then Edward is king. With him, the heresy of Protestantism + triumphs; and however great and numerous our party may be, yet we shall be + powerless and subdued. Yes, we shall be the oppressed and persecuted.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall then know how to fight, and if it must be so, to die also!” + cried her brother. “It is more honorable to die on the battle-field than + to purchase life and humiliation.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is honorable to die on the field of battle; but, Henry, it is a + disgrace to come to an end upon the scaffold. And that, my brother, may be + your fate, if you do not this time bend your pride; if you do not grasp + the hand that Lord Hertford extends to you in reconciliation, but mortally + offend him. He will take bloody vengeance, when once he comes into power.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him do it, if he can; my life is in God’s hand! My head belongs to + the king, but my heart to myself; and that I will never degrade to + merchandise, which I may barter for a little security and royal favor.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother, I conjure you, consider it!” cried the duchess, no longer able + to restrain her passionate disposition, and all ablaze in her savage + wrath. “Dare not in proud arrogance to destroy my future also! You may die + on the scaffold, if you choose; but I—I will be happy; I will at + last, after so many years of sorrow and disgrace, have my share of life’s + joys also. It is my due, and I will not relinquish it; and you shall not + be allowed to tear it from me. Know, then, my brother, I love Thomas + Seymour; all my desire, all my hope is fixed on him; and I will not tear + this love out of my heart; I will not give him up.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you love him, marry him, then!” exclaimed her brother. “Become + the wife of this Thomas Seymour! Ask the duke, our father, for his consent + to this marriage, and I am certain he will not refuse you, for he is + prudent and cautious, and will, better than I, calculate the advantages + which a connection with the Seymours may yield our family. Do that, + sister, and marry your dearly beloved. I do not hinder you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you do hinder me—you alone!” cried his sister, flaming with + wrath. “You will refuse Margaret’s hand; you will give the Seymours mortal + offence. You thereby make my union with Thomas Seymour impossible! In the + proud selfishness of your haughtiness, you see not that you are dashing to + atoms my happiness, while you are thinking only of your desire to offend + the Seymours. But I tell you, I love Thomas Seymour—nay, I adore + him. He is my happiness, my future, my eternal bliss. Therefore have pity + on me, Henry! Grant me this happiness, which I implore you for as Heaven’s + blessing. Prove to me that you love me, and are willing to make this + sacrifice for me. Henry, on my knees, I conjure you! Give me the man I + love; bend your proud head; become Margaret Seymour’s husband, that Thomas + Seymour may become mine.” + </p> + <p> + She had actually sunk upon her knees; and her face deluged with tears, + bewitchingly beautiful in her passionate emotion, she looked up + imploringly to her brother. + </p> + <p> + But the earl did not lift her up; on the contrary, with a smile, he fell + back a step. “How long is it now, duchess,” asked he, mockingly, “since + you swore that your secretary, Mr. Wilford, was the man whom you loved? + Positively, I believed you—I believed it till I one day found you in + the arms of your page. On that day, I swore to myself never to believe you + again, though you vowed to me, with an oath ever so sacred, that you loved + a man. Well, now, you love a man; but what one, is a matter of + indifference. To-day his name is Thomas, tomorrow Archibald, or Edward as + you please!” + </p> + <p> + For the first time the earl drew the veil away from his heart, and let his + sister see all the contempt and anger that he felt toward her. + </p> + <p> + The duchess also felt wounded by his words, as by a red-hot iron. + </p> + <p> + She sprang from her knees; and with flurried breath, with looks flashing + with rage, every muscle of her countenance convulsed and trembling, there + she stood before her brother. She was a woman no more; she was a lioness, + that, without compassion or pity, will devour him who has dared irritate + her. + </p> + <p> + “Earl of Surrey, you are a shameless wretch!” said she, with compressed, + quivering lips. “Were I a man, I would slap you in the face, and call you + a scoundrel. But, by the eternal God, you shall not say that you have done + this with impunity! Once more, and for the last time, I now ask you, will + you comply with Lord Hertford’s wish? Will you marry Lady Margaret, and + accompany me with Thomas Seymour to the altar?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I will not, and I will never do it!” exclaimed her brother, solemnly. + “The Howards bow not before the Seymours; and never will Henry Howard + marry a wife that he does not love!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you love her not!” said she, breathless, gnashing her teeth. “You do + not love Lady Margaret; and for this reason must your sister renounce her + love, and give up this man whom she adores. Ah, you love not this sister + of Thomas Seymour? She is not the Geraldine whom you adore—to whom + you dedicate your verses! Well, now, I will find her out—your + Geraldine. I will discover her; and then, woe to you and to her! You + refuse me your hand to lead me to the altar with Thomas Seymour; well, + now, I will one day extend you my hand to conduct you and your Geraldine + to the scaffold!” + </p> + <p> + And as she saw how the earl startled and turned pale, she continued with a + scornful laugh: “Ah, you shrink, and horror creeps over you! Does your + conscience admonish you that the hero, rigid in virtue, may yet sometimes + make a false step? You thought to hide your secret, if you enveloped it in + the veil of night, like your Geraldine, who, as you wailingly complain in + that poem there, never shows herself to you without a veil as black as + night. Just wait, wait! I will strike a light for you, before which all + your night-like veils shall be torn in shreds; I will light up the night + of your secret with a torch which will be large enough to set on fire the + fagot piles about the stake to which you and your Geraldine are to go!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, now you let me see for the first time your real countenance,” said + Henry Howard, shrugging his shoulders. “The angel’s mask falls from your + face; and I behold the fury that was hidden beneath it. Now you are your + mother’s own daughter; and at this moment I comprehend for the first time + what my father has suffered, and why he shunned not even the disgrace of a + divorce, just to be delivered from such a Megaera.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I thank you, thank you!” cried she, with a savage laugh. “You are + filling up the measure of your iniquity. It is not enough that you drive + your sister to despair; you revile your mother also! You say that we are + furies; well, indeed, for we shall one day be such to you, and we will + show you our Medusa-face, before which you will be stiffened to stone. + Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, from this hour out, I am your implacable + enemy; look out for the head on your shoulders, for my hand is raised + against it, and in my hand is a sword! Guard well the secret that sleeps + in your breast; for you have transformed me to a vampire that will suck + your heart’s blood. You have reviled my mother, and I will go hence and + tell her of it. She will believe me; for she well knows that you hate her, + and that you are a genuine son of your father; that is to say, a canting + hypocrite, a miserable fellow, who carries virtue on the lips and crime in + the heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Cease, I say, cease,” cried the earl, “if you do not want me to forget + that you are a woman and my sister!” + </p> + <p> + “Forget it by all means,” said she, scornfully. “I have forgotten long + since that you are my brother, as you have long since forgotten that you + are the son of your mother. Farewell, Earl of Surrey; I leave you and your + palace, and will from this hour out abide with my mother, the divorced + wife of the Duke of Norfolk. But mark you this: we two are separated from + you in our love—but not in our hate! Our hatred to you remains + eternal and unchangeable; and one day it will crush you! Farewell, Earl of + Surrey; we meet again in the king’s presence!” + </p> + <p> + She rushed to the door. Henry Howard did not hold her back. He looked + after her with a smile as she left the cabinet, and murmured, almost + compassionately: “Poor woman! I have, perhaps, cheated her out of a lover, + and she will never forgive me that. Well, let it be so! Let her, as much + as she pleases, be my enemy, and torment me with petty pin-prickings, if + she be but unable to harm her. I hope, though, that I have guarded well my + secret, and she could not suspect the real cause of my refusal. Ah, I was + obliged to wrap myself in that foolish family pride, and make haughtiness + a cloak for my love. Oh, Geraldine, thee would I choose, wert thou the + daughter of a peasant; and I would not hold my escutcheon tarnished, if + for thy sake I must draw a pale athwart it.—But hark! It is striking + four! My service begins! Farewell, Geraldine, I must to the queen!” + </p> + <p> + And while he betook himself to his dressing-room, to put on his state + robes for the great court feast, the Duchess of Richmond returned to her + own apartments, trembling and quivering with rage. She traversed these + with precipitate haste, and entered her boudoir, where Earl Douglas was + waiting for her. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said he, stepping toward her with his soft, lurking smile, “has he + consented?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said she, gnashing her teeth. “He swore he would never enter into an + alliance with the Seymours.” + </p> + <p> + “I well knew that,” muttered the earl. “And what do you decide upon now, + my lady?” + </p> + <p> + “I will have revenge! He wants to hinder me from being happy; I will for + that make him unhappy!” + </p> + <p> + “You will do well in that, my lady; for he is an apostate and perjurer; an + unfaithful son of the Church. He inclines to the heretical sect, and has + forgotten the faith of his fathers.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it!” said she, breathlessly. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas looked at her in astonishment, and continued: “But he is not + merely an atheist, he is a traitor also; and more than once he has reviled + his king, to whom he, in his pride of heart, believes himself far + superior.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it!” repeated she. + </p> + <p> + “So proud is he,” continued the earl, “so full of blasphemous haughtiness, + that he might lay his hands upon the crown of England.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it!” said the duchess again. But as she saw the earl’s astonished + and doubting looks, she added, with an inhuman smile: “I know everything + that you want that I should know! Only impute crimes to him; only accuse + him; I will substantiate everything, testify to everything that will bring + him to ruin. My mother is our ally; she hates the father as hotly as I the + son. Bring your accusation, then, Earl Douglas; we are your witnesses!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, indeed, my lady,” said he, with a gentle, insinuating smile. “I know + nothing at all; I have heard nothing; how, then, can I bring an + accusation? You know all; to you he has spoken. You must be his accuser!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, conduct me to the king!” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Will you allow me to give you some more advice first?” + </p> + <p> + “Do so, Earl Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + “Be very cautious in the choice of your means. Do not waste them all at + once, so that if your first thrust does not hit, you may not be afterward + without weapons. It is better, and far less dangerous, to surely kill the + enemy that you hate with a slow, creeping poison, gradually and day by + day, than to murder him at once with a dagger, which may, however, break + on a rib and become ineffective. Tell, then, what you know, not at once, + but little by little. Administer your drug which is to make the king + furious, gradually; and if you do not hit your enemy to-day, think that + you will do it so much the more surely to-morrow. Nor do you forget that + we have to punish, not merely the heretic Henry Howard, but above all + things the heretical queen, whose unbelief will call down the wrath of the + Most High upon this land.” + </p> + <p> + “Come to the king,” said she, hastily. “On the way you can tell me what I + ought to make known and what conceal. I will do implicitly what you say. + Now, Henry Howard,” said she softly to herself, “hold yourself ready; the + contest begins! In your pride and selfishness you have destroyed the + happiness of my life—my eternal felicity. I loved Thomas Seymour; I + hoped by his side to find the happiness that I have so long and so vainly + sought in the crooked paths of life. By this love my soul would have been + saved and restored to virtue. My brother has willed otherwise. He has, + therefore, condemned me to be a demon, instead of an angel. I will fulfil + my destiny. I will be an evil spirit to him.” [Footnote: The Earl of + Surrey, by his refusal to marry Margaret Seymour, gave occasion to the + rupture of the proposed alliance between Thomas Seymour and the Duchess of + Richmond, his sister. After that the duchess mortally hated him and + combined with his enemies against him. The Duchess of Richmond is + designated by all the historians of her time as “the most beautiful woman + of her century, but also a shameless Messalina.”—See Tytler, p. 890. + Also Burnet, vol. i, p. 134; Leti, vol. i, p. 83; and Nott’s Life of Henry + Howard.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. THE QUEEN’S TOILET. + </h2> + <p> + The festivities of the day are concluded, and the gallant knights and + champions, who have to-day broken a lance for the honor of their ladies, + may rest from their victories upon their laurels. The tournament of arms + was over, and the tournament of mind was about to begin. The knights, + therefore, retired to exchange the coat-of-mail for gold-embroidered + velvet apparel; the ladies to put on their lighter evening dresses; and + the queen, likewise with this design, had withdrawn to her dressing-room, + while the ladies and lords of her court were in attendance in the large + anteroom to escort her to the throne. + </p> + <p> + Without, it was beginning to grow dusky, and the twilight cast its long + shadows across this hall, in which the cavaliers of the court were walking + up and down with the ladies, and discussing the particularly important + events of the day’s tourney. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Sudley, Thomas Seymour, had borne off the prize of the day, + and conquered his opponent, Henry Howard. The king had been in raptures on + this account. For Thomas Seymour had been for some time his favorite; + perhaps because he was the declared enemy of the Howards. He had, + therefore, added to the golden laurel crown which the queen had presented + to the earl as the award, a diamond pin, and commanded the queen to fasten + it in the earl’s ruff with her own hand. Catharine had done so with sullen + countenance and averted looks; and even Thomas Seymour had shown himself + only a very little delighted with the proud honor with which the queen, at + her husband’s command, was to grace him. + </p> + <p> + The rigid popish party at court formed new hopes from this, and dreamed of + the queen’s conversion and return to the true, pure faith; while the + Protestant, “the heretical” party, looked to the future with gloomy + despondency, and were afraid of being robbed of their most powerful + support and their most influential patronage. + </p> + <p> + Nobody had seen that, as the queen arose to crown the victor, Thomas + Seymour, her handkerchief, embroidered with gold, fell from her hands, and + that the earl, after he had taken it up and presented it to the queen, had + thrust his hand for a moment, with a motion wholly accidental and + undesigned, into his ruff, which was just as white as the small + neatly-folded paper which he concealed in it, and which he had found in + the queen’s handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + One person had seen it. This little ruse of the queen had not escaped John + Heywood, who had immediately, by some cutting witticism, set the king to + laughing, and tried to draw the attention of the courtiers from the queen + and her lover. + </p> + <p> + He was now standing crowded into the embrasure of a window, and entirely + concealed behind the silk curtain; and so, without being seen, he let his + falcon eyes roam over the whole room. + </p> + <p> + He saw everything; he heard everything; and, noticed by none, he observed + all. + </p> + <p> + He saw how Earl Douglas now made a sign to Bishop Gardiner, and how he + quickly answered it. + </p> + <p> + As if by accident, both now left the groups with whom they had just been + chatting, and drew near each other, looking about for some place where, + unobserved and separated from the rest, they might converse together. In + all the windows were standing groups, chatting and laughing; only that + window behind the curtain of which John Heywood was concealed, was + unoccupied. + </p> + <p> + So Earl Douglas and the bishop turned thither. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we attain our end to-day?” asked Gardiner, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “With God’s gracious assistance, we shall annihilate all our enemies + to-day. The sword already hangs over their heads, and soon it will fall + and deliver us from them,” said Earl Douglas, solemnly. + </p> + <p> + “Are you, then, certain of it?” asked Gardiner, and an expression of cruel + delight flitted across his malicious, ashy face. “But tell me, how comes + it that Archbishop Cranmer is not here?” + </p> + <p> + “He is sick, and so had to remain at Lambeth.” + </p> + <p> + “May this sickness be the forerunner of his death!” muttered the bishop, + devoutly folding his hands. + </p> + <p> + “It will be so, your highness; God will destroy His enemies and bless us. + Cranmer is accused, and the king will judge him without mercy.” + </p> + <p> + “And the queen?” + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas was a moment silent, and then said, in a low whisper: “Wait + but a few hours more, and she will be queen no longer. Instead of + returning from the throne-room to her apartments, we shall accompany her + to the Tower.” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood, completely enveloped in the folds of the curtain, held his + breath and listened. + </p> + <p> + “And you are, then, perfectly sure of our victory?” asked Gardiner. “Can + no accident, no unforeseen circumstance, snatch it from us?” + </p> + <p> + “If the queen gives him the rosette—no! For then the king will find + Geraldine’s love-letter in the silver knot, and she is condemned. So all + depends on the queen’s wearing the rosette, and not discovering its + contents. But see, your highness, there is the Duchess of Richmond + approaching us. She makes a sign to me. Now pray for us, your highness, + for I am going with her to the king, and she will accuse this hated + Catharine Parr! I tell you, bishop, it is an accusation involving life and + death; and if Catharine escape one danger, she will run into another. Wait + here for me, your highness; I will return soon and tell you the result of + our scheme. Lady Jane, also, will soon bring us news here.” + </p> + <p> + He left the window and followed the duchess, who crossed the hall, and + with her disappeared through the door that led to the king’s apartments. + </p> + <p> + The ladies and lords of the court laughed and chatted away. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood stood, with throbbing heart and in breathless anxiety, behind + the curtain, close by Gardiner, who had folded his hands and was praying. + </p> + <p> + While Gardiner prayed, and Douglas accused and calumniated, the queen, + suspecting nothing of these plots they were framing against her, was in + her toilet-room and being adorned by her women. + </p> + <p> + She was to-day very beautiful, very magnificent to look upon; at once a + woman and queen; at the same time resplendent and modest, with a + bewitching smile on her rosy lips; and yet commanding respect in her proud + and glorious beauty. None of Henry’s queens had so well understood the art + of appearing in public, and none remained so much the woman while doing + so. + </p> + <p> + As she now stood before the large mirror, which the Republic of Venice had + sent the king as a wedding-gift, and which reflected the figure of the + queen sparkling with diamonds, she smiled, for she was obliged to confess + to herself that she was very beautiful to-day; and she thought that to-day + Thomas Seymour would look upon his love with pride. + </p> + <p> + As she thought of him, a deep crimson overspread her face, and a thrill + flew through her frame. How handsome he had been at the tournament that + day; how splendidly he leaped over the barriers; how his eye flashed; how + contemptuous had been his smile! And then, that look which he directed + over to her at the moment when he had conquered his antagonist, Henry + Howard, and hurled the lance from his hand! Oh, her heart was then ready + to burst with delight and rapture! + </p> + <p> + Wholly given up to her reverie, she sank in her gilded arm-chair and cast + her eyes to the ground, dreaming and smiling. + </p> + <p> + Behind her stood her women in respectful silence, waiting for a sign from + their mistress. But the queen no longer thought at all of them; she + imagined herself alone; she saw nobody but that handsome, manly face for + which she had reserved a place in her heart. + </p> + <p> + Now the door opened, and Lady Jane Douglas entered. She, too, was + magnificently dressed, and sparkling with diamonds; she, too, was + beautiful, but it was the pallid, dreadful beauty of a demon; and he who + looked upon her just then, as she entered the room, would have trembled, + and his heart would have been seized with an undefined fear. + </p> + <p> + She threw a quick glance on her mistress lost in revery; and as she saw + that her toilet was finished, she made a sign to the women, who silently + obeyed and left the room. + </p> + <p> + Still Catharine noticed nothing. Lady Jane stood behind her and observed + her in the mirror. As she saw the queen smile, her brow darkened and + fierce fire flashed in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “She shall smile no more,” said she to herself. “I suffer thus terribly by + her; well, now, she shall suffer too.” + </p> + <p> + Softly and noiselessly she slipped into the next room, the door of which + stood ajar, and opened with hurried hand a carton filled with ribbons and + bows. Then she drew from the velvet pocket, wrought with pearls, which + hung at her side, suspended by a gold chain, a dark-red rosette, and threw + it into the box. That was all. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane now returned to the adjoining room; and her countenance, which + had been previously gloomy and threatening, was now proud and joyful. + </p> + <p> + With a bright smile she walked up to the queen, and kneeling down at her + side, she pressed a fervent kiss on the hand that was hanging down. + </p> + <p> + “What is my queen musing over?” asked she, as she laid her head on + Catharine’s knee and tenderly looked up at her. + </p> + <p> + The queen gave a slight start, and raised her head. She saw Lady Jane’s + tender smile, and her yet searching looks. + </p> + <p> + Because she felt conscious of guilt, at least of guilty thoughts, she was + on her guard, and remembered John Heywood’s warning. + </p> + <p> + “She is observing me,” she said to herself; “she seems affectionate; so + she is brooding over some wicked plot.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, it is well you have come, Jane,” said she aloud. “You can help me; + for, to tell you the truth, I am in great perplexity. I am in want of a + rhyme, and I am thinking in vain how I shall find it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, are you composing poetry, queen?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Jane, does that surprise you? Shall I, the queen, be able, then, to + bear off no prize? I would give my precious jewels, if I could succeed in + composing a poem to which the king was obliged to award the prize. But I + am wanting in a musical ear; I cannot find the rhyme, and so shall be + obliged at last to give up the idea of winning laurels also. How the king + would enjoy it, though! For, to confess the truth to you, I believe he is + a little afraid that Henry Howard will bear off the prize, and he would be + very thankful to me if I could contest it with him. You well know the king + has no love for the Howards.” + </p> + <p> + “And you, queen?” asked Jane; and she turned so pale, that the queen + herself noticed it. + </p> + <p> + “You are unwell, Jane,” said she, sympathizingly. “Really, Jane, you seem + to be suffering. You need recreation; you should rest a little.” + </p> + <p> + But Jane had already regained her calm and earnest air, and she succeeded + in smiling. + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed!” said she. “I am well, and satisfied to be permitted to be + near you. But will you allow me, queen, to make a request of you?” + </p> + <p> + “Ask, Jane, ask, and it is granted beforehand; for I know that Jane will + request nothing that her friend cannot grant.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane was silent, and looked thoughtfully upon the ground. With firm + resolution she struggled with herself. Her proud heart reared fiercely up + at the thought of bowing before this woman, whom she hated, and of being + obliged to approach her with a fawning prayer. She felt such raging hate + against the queen, that in that hour she would willingly have given her + own life, if she could have first seen her enemy at her feet, wailing and + crushed. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard loved the queen; so Catharine had robbed her of the heart of + him whom she adored. Catharine had condemned her to the eternal torment of + renouncing him—to the rack of enjoying a happiness and a rapture + that was not hers—to warm herself at a fire which she like a thief + had stolen from the altar of another’s god. + </p> + <p> + Catharine was condemned and doomed. Jane had no more compassion. She must + crush her. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” asked the queen, “you are silent? You do not tell me what I am to + grant you?” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane raised her eyes, and her look was serene and peaceful. “Queen,” + said she, “I encountered in the ante-room one who is unhappy, deeply bowed + down. In your hand alone is the power to raise him up again. Will you do + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Will I do it!” exclaimed Catharine, quickly. “Oh, Jane, you well know how + much my heart longs to help and be serviceable to the unfortunate! Ah, so + many wounds are inflicted at this court, and the queen is so poor in balm + to heal them! Allow me this pleasure then, Jane, and I shall be thankful + to you, not you to me! Speak then, Jane, speak quickly; who is it that + needs my help?” + </p> + <p> + “Not your help, queen, but your compassion and your grace. Earl Sudley has + conquered poor Earl Surrey in the tournament to-day, and you comprehend + that your lord chamberlain feels himself deeply bowed and humbled.” + </p> + <p> + “Can I alter that, Jane? Why did the visionary earl, the enthusiastic + poet, allow himself a contest with a hero who already knows what he wants, + and ever accomplishes what he wills? Oh, it was wonderful to look upon, + with what lightning speed Thomas Seymour lifted him out of the saddle! And + the proud Earl Surrey, the wise and learned man, the powerful party + leader, was forced to bow before the hero, who like an angel Michael had + thrown him in the dust.” + </p> + <p> + The queen laughed. + </p> + <p> + That laugh went through Jane’s heart like a cutting sword. + </p> + <p> + “She shall pay me for that!” said she softly to herself. “Queen,” said she + aloud, “you are perfectly right; he has deserved this humiliation; but + now, after he is punished, you should lift him up. Nay, do not shake your + beautiful head. Do it for your own sake, queen; do it from prudence. Earl + Surrey, with his father, is the head of a powerful party, whom this + humiliation of the Howards fills with a still more burning hate against + the Seymours, and who will, in time to come, take a bloody revenge for + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you frighten me!” said the queen, who had now become serious. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane continued: “I saw how the Duke of Norfolk bit his lips, as his + son had to yield to Seymour; I heard how one, here and there, muttered low + curses and vows of vengeance against the Seymours.” + </p> + <p> + “Who did that? Who dared to do it?” exclaimed Catharine, springing up + impetuously from her arm-chair. “Who at this court is so audacious as to + wish to injure those whom the queen loves? Name him to me, Jane; I will + know his name! I will know it, that I may accuse him to the king. For the + king does not want that these noble Seymours should give way to the + Howards; he does not want that the nobler, the better, and more glorious, + should bow before these quarrelsome, domineering papists. The king loves + the noble Seymours, and his powerful arm will protect them against all + their enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “And, without doubt, your majesty will assist him in it?” said Jane, + smiling. + </p> + <p> + This smile brought the queen back to her senses again. + </p> + <p> + She perceived that she had gone too far; that she had betrayed too much of + her secret. She must, therefore, repair the damage, and allow her + excitement to be forgotten. Therefore she said, calmly: “Certainly, Jane; + I will assist the king to be just. But never will I be unjust, not even + against these papists. If I cannot love them, nevertheless no one shall + say that I hate them. And besides, it becomes a queen to rise above + parties. Say, then, Jane, what can I do for poor Surrey? With what shall + we bind up these wounds that the brave Seymour has inflicted on him?” + </p> + <p> + “You have publicly given the victor in the tournament a token of your + great favor—you have crowned him.” + </p> + <p> + “It was the king’s order,” exclaimed Catharine, warmly. + </p> + <p> + “Well! He will not, however, command you to reward the Earl of Surrey + also, if he likewise should gain the victory this evening. Do it, + therefore, of your own accord, queen. Give him openly, before your whole + court, a token of your favor! It is so easy for princes to make men happy, + to comfort the unfortunate! A smile, a friendly word, a pressure of the + hand is sufficient for it. A ribbon that you wear on your dress makes him + to whom you present it, proud and happy, and raises him high above all + others. Ponder it well, queen; I speak not for Earl Surrey’s sake; I am + thinking more of yourself. If you have the courage, publicly and in spite + of the disgrace with which King Henry threatens the Howards, to be + nevertheless just to them, and to recognize <i>their</i> merits as well as + that of others—believe me, if you do that, the whole of this + powerful party, which is now hostile to you, will fall at your feet + overcome and conquered. You will at last become the all-powerful and + universally loved Queen of England; and, like the heretics, the papists + also will call you their mistress and protectress. Consider no longer! Let + your noble and generous heart prevail! Spiteful fortune has prostrated + Henry Howard in the dust. Extend him your hand, queen, that he may rise + again, and again stand there at your court, proud and radiant as he always + was. Henry Howard well deserves that you should be gracious to him. Great + and beaming like a star, he shines on high above all men; and there is no + one who can say that he himself is more prudent or braver, wiser or more + learned, noble or greater, than the noble, the exalted Surrey. All England + resounds with his fame. The women repeat with enthusiasm his beautiful + sonnets and love-songs; the learned are proud to call him their equal, and + the warriors speak with admiration of his feats of arms. Be just, then, + queen! You have so highly honored the merit of valor; now, honor the merit + of mind also! You have, in Seymour, honored the warrior; now, in Howard, + honor the poet and the man!” + </p> + <p> + “I will do it,” said Catharine, as with a charming smile she looked into + Jane’s glowing and enthusiastic countenance. “I will do it, Jane, but upon + one condition!” + </p> + <p> + “And this condition is—” + </p> + <p> + Catharine put her arm around Jane’s neck, and drew her close to her heart, + “That you confess to me, that you love Henry Howard, whom you know how to + defend so enthusiastically and warmly.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane gave a start, and for a moment leaned her head on the queen’s + shoulder, exhausted. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” asked she, “do you confess it? Will you acknowledge that your + proud, cold heart is obliged to declare itself overcome and conquered?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I confess it,” cried Lady Jane, as with passionate vehemence she + threw herself at Catharine’s feet. “Yes, I love him—I adore him. I + know it is a disdained and unhappy love; but what would you have? My heart + is mightier than everything else. I love him; he is my god and my lord; I + adore him as my savior and lord. Queen, you know all my secret; betray me + if you will! Tell it to my father, if you wish him to curse me. Tell it to + Henry Howard, if it pleases you to hear how he scoffs at me. For he, queen—he + loves me not!” + </p> + <p> + “Poor unfortunate Jane!” exclaimed the queen, compassionately. + </p> + <p> + Jane uttered a low cry, and rose from her knees. That was too much. Her + enemy commiserated her. She, who was to blame for her sorrow—she + bemoaned her fate. + </p> + <p> + Ah, she could have strangled the queen; she could have plunged a dagger + into her heart, because she dared to commiserate her. + </p> + <p> + “I have complied with your condition, queen,” said she, breathing + hurriedly. “Will you now comply with my request?” + </p> + <p> + “And will you really be an advocate for this unthankful, cruel man, who + does not love you? Proudly and coldly he passes your beauty by, and you—you + intercede for him!” + </p> + <p> + “Queen, true love thinks not of itself! It sacrifices itself. It makes no + question of the reward it receives, but only of the happiness which it + bestows. I saw in his pale, sorrowful face, how much he suffered; ought I + not to think of comforting him? I approached him, I addressed him; I heard + his despairing lamentation over that misfortune, which, however, was not + the fault of his activity and courage, but, as all the world saw, the + fault of his horse, which was shy and stumbled. And as he, in all the + bitterness of his pain, was lamenting that you, queen, would despise and + scorn him, I, with full trust in your noble and magnanimous heart, + promised him that you would, at my request, yet give him to-day, before + your whole court, a token of your favor. Catharine, did I do wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Jane, no! You did right; and your words shall be made good. But how + shall I begin? What shall I do?” + </p> + <p> + “The earl this evening, after the king has read the Greek scene with + Croke, will recite some new sonnets which he has composed. When he has + done so, give him some kind of a present—be it what it may, no + matter—as a token of your favor.” + </p> + <p> + “But how, Jane, if his sonnets deserve no praise and no acknowledgment?” + </p> + <p> + “You may be sure that they do deserve it. For Henry Howard is a noble and + true poet, and his verses are full of heavenly melody and exalted + thoughts.” + </p> + <p> + The queen smiled. “Yes,” said she, “you love him ardently; for you have no + doubt as to him. We will, therefore, recognize him as a great poet. But + with what shall I reward him?” + </p> + <p> + “Give him a rose that you wear in your bosom—a rosette that is + fastened to your dress and shows your colors.” + </p> + <p> + “But alas, Jane, to-day I wear neither a rose nor a rosette.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet you can wear one, queen. A rosette is, indeed, wanting here on your + shoulder. Your purple mantle is too negligently fastened. We must put some + trimming here.” + </p> + <p> + She went hastily into the next room and returned with the box in which + were kept the queen’s ribbons embroidered with gold, and bows adorned with + jewels. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane searched and selected, here and there, a long time. Then she + took the crimson velvet rosette, which she herself had previously thrown + into the box, and showed it to the queen. + </p> + <p> + “See, it is at the same time tasteful and rich, for a diamond clasp + confines it in the middle. Will you allow me to fasten this rosette on + your shoulder, and will you give it to the Earl of Surrey?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Jane, I will give it to him, because you wish it. But, poor Jane, + what do, you gain by my doing it?” + </p> + <p> + “At any rate, a friendly smile, queen.” + </p> + <p> + “And is that enough for you? Do you love him so much, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I love him!” said Jane Douglas, with a sigh of pain, as she fastened + the rosette on the queen’s shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Jane, go and announce to the master of ceremonies that I am + ready, as soon as the king wishes it, to resort to the gallery.” Lady Jane + turned to leave the chamber. But, already upon the threshold, she returned + once more. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me, queen, for venturing to make one more request of you. You + have, however, just shown yourself too much the noble and true friend of + earlier days for me not to venture one more request.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, what is it, poor Jane?” + </p> + <p> + “I have intrusted my secret not to the queen, but to Catharine Parr, the + friend of my youth. Will she keep it, and betray to none my disgrace and + humiliation?” + </p> + <p> + “My word for that, Jane. Nobody but God and ourselves shall ever know what + we have spoken.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane humbly kissed her hand and murmured a few words of thanks; then + she left the queen’s room to go in quest of the master of ceremonies. + </p> + <p> + In the queen’s anteroom she stopped a moment, and leaned against the wall, + exhausted, and as it were crushed. Nobody was here who could observe and + listen to her. She had no need to smile, no need to conceal, beneath a + calm and equable appearance, all those tempestuous and despairing feelings + which were working within. She could allow her hatred and her resentment, + her rage and her despair, to pour forth in words and gestures, in tears + and imprecations, in sobs and sighs. She could fall on her knees and + beseech God for grace and mercy, and call on the devil for revenge and + destruction. + </p> + <p> + When she had so done, she arose, and her demeanor resumed its wonted cold + and calm expression. Only her cheeks were still paler; only a still + gloomier fire darted from her eyes, and a scornful smile played about her + thin, compressed lips. + </p> + <p> + She traversed the rooms and corridors, and now she entered the king’s + anteroom. As she observed Gardiner, who was standing alone and separated + from the rest in the embrasure of the window, she went up to him; and John + Heywood, who was still hidden behind the curtain, shuddered at the + frightful and scornful expression of her features. + </p> + <p> + She offered the bishop her hand, and tried to smile. “It is done” said + she, almost inaudibly. + </p> + <p> + “What! The queen wears the rosette?” asked Gardiner vivaciously. + </p> + <p> + “She wears the rosette, and will give it to him.” + </p> + <p> + “And the note is in it?” + </p> + <p> + “It is concealed under the diamond clasp.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then she is lost!” muttered Gardiner. “If the king finds this paper, + Catharine’s death-warrant is signed.” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said Lady Jane. “See! Lord Hertford is coming toward us. Let us go + to meet him.” + </p> + <p> + They both left the window and walked out into the hall. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood immediately slipped from behind the curtain, and, softly + gliding along by the wall, left the hall perceived by no one. + </p> + <p> + Outside, he stopped and reflected. + </p> + <p> + “I must see this conspiracy to the bottom,” said he to himself. “I must + find out through whom and by what they wish to destroy her; and I must + have sure and undeniable proof in my hands, in order to be able to convict + them, and successfully accuse them to the king. Therefore it is necessary + to be cautious and prudent. So let us consider what to do. The simplest + thing would be to beg the queen not to wear the rosette. But that is only + to demolish the web for this time, without, however, being able to kill + the spider that wove it. So she must wear the rosette; for besides, + without that I should never be able either to find out to whom she is to + give it. But the paper that is concealed in the rosette—that I must + have—that must not be in it. ‘If the king finds this paper. + Catharine’s death-warrant is signed.’ Now, my reverend priest of the + devil, the king will not find that paper, for John Heywood will not have + it so. But how shall I begin? Shall I tell the queen what I heard? No! She + would lose her cheerful spirit and become embarrassed, and the + embarrassment would be in the king’s eyes the most convincing proof of her + guilt. No, I must take this paper out of the rosette without the queen’s + being aware of it. Boldly to work, then! I must have this paper, and tweak + these hypocrites by the nose. How it can be done, it is not clear to me + yet; but I will do it—that is enough. Halloo, forward to the queen!” + </p> + <p> + With precipitant haste he ran through the halls and corridors, while with + a smile he muttered away to himself: “Thank God, I enjoy the honor of + being the fool; for only the king and the fool have the privilege of being + able to enter unannounced every room, even the queen’s.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine was alone in her boudoir, when the small door, through which the + king was accustomed to resort to her, was softly opened. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the king is coming!” said she, walking to the door to greet her + husband. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the king is coming, for the fool is already here,” said John + Heywood, who entered through the private door. “Are we alone, queen? Does + nobody overhear us?” + </p> + <p> + “No, John Heywood, we are all alone. What do you bring me?” + </p> + <p> + “A letter, queen.” + </p> + <p> + “From whom?” asked she, and a glowing crimson flitted over her cheek. + </p> + <p> + “From whom?” repeated John Heywood, with a waggish smile. “I do not know, + queen; but at any rate it is a begging letter; and without doubt you would + do well not to read it at all; for I bet you, the shameless writer of this + letter demands of you some impossibility—it may be a smile, or a + pressure of the hand, a lock of your hair, or perchance even a kiss. So, + queen, do not read the begging letter at all.” + </p> + <p> + “John,” said she, smiling, and yet trembling with impatience, “John, give + me the letter.” + </p> + <p> + “I will sell it to you, queen. I have learned that from the king, who + likewise gives nothing away generously, without taking in return more than + he gives. So let us trade. I give you the letter; you give me the rosette + which you wear on your shoulder there.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, indeed, John; choose something else—I cannot give you the + rosette.” + </p> + <p> + “And by the gods be it sworn!” exclaimed John, with comic pathos, “I give + you not the letter, if you do not give me the rosette.” + </p> + <p> + “Silly loon,” said the queen, “I tell you I cannot! Choose something else, + John; and I conjure you, dear John, give me the letter.” + </p> + <p> + “Then only, when you give me the rosette. I have sworn it by the gods, and + what I vow to them, that I stick to! No, no, queen—not those sullen + airs, not that angry frown. For if I cannot in earnest receive the rosette + as a present, then let us do like the Jesuits and papists, who even trade + with the dear God, and snap their fingers at Him. I must keep my oath! I + give you the letter, and you give me the rosette; but listen—you + only lend it to me; and when I have it in my hand a moment, I am generous + and bountiful, like the king, and I make you a present of your own + property.” + </p> + <p> + With a quick motion the queen tore the rosette from her shoulder, and + handed it to John Heywood. + </p> + <p> + “Now give me the letter, John.” + </p> + <p> + “Here it is,” said John Heywood as he received the rosette. “Take it; and + you will see that Thomas Seymour is my brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Your brother?” asked Catharine with a smile, as with trembling hand she + broke the seal. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my brother, for he is a fool! Ah, I have a great many brothers. The + family of fools is so very large!” + </p> + <p> + The queen no longer heard. She was reading the letter of her lover. She + had eyes only for those lines, that told her that Thomas Seymour loved + her, adored her, and was pining away with longing after her. She did not + see how John Heywood, with nimble hand, unfastened the diamond clasp from + the rosette, and took out of it the little paper that was concealed in the + folds of the ribbon. + </p> + <p> + “She is saved!” murmured he, while he thrust the fatal paper into his + doublet, and fastened the clasp again with the pin. “She is saved, and the + king will not sign her death-warrant this time.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine had read the letter to the end, and hid it in her bosom. + </p> + <p> + “Queen, you have sworn to burn up every letter that I bring you from him; + for, forbidden love-letters are dangerous things. One day they may find a + tongue and testify against you! Queen, I will not bring you again another + letter, if you do not first burn that one.” + </p> + <p> + “John, I will burn it up when once I have really read it. Just now I read + it only with my heart, not with my eyes. Allow me, then, to wear it on my + heart a few hours more.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you swear to me that you will burn it up this very day?” + </p> + <p> + “I swear it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will be satisfied this time. Here is your rosette; and like the + famous fox in the fable, that pronounced the grapes sour because he could + not get them, I say, take your rosette back; I will have none of it.” + </p> + <p> + He handed the queen the rosette, and she smilingly fastened it on her + shoulder again. + </p> + <p> + “John,” said she, with a bewitching smile, extending her hand to him, + “John, when will you at length permit me to thank you otherwise than with + words? When will you at length allow your queen to reward you for all this + service of love, otherwise than with words?” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood kissed her hand, and said mournfully: “I will demand a reward + of you on the day when my tears and my prayers succeed in persuading you + to renounce this wretched and dangerous love. On that day I shall have + really deserved a reward, and I will accept it from you with a proud + heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor John! So, then, you will never receive your reward; for that day + will never come!” + </p> + <p> + “So, then, I shall probably receive my reward, but from the king; and it + will be a reward whereby one loses hearing and sight, and head to boot. + Well, we shall see! Till then, farewell, queen! I must to the king; for + somebody might surprise me here, and come to the shrewd conclusion that + John Heywood is not always a fool, but sometimes also the messenger of + love! I kiss the hem of your garment; farewell, queen!” + </p> + <p> + He glided again through the private door. + </p> + <p> + “Now we will at once examine this paper,” said he, as he reached the + corridor and was sure of being seen by no one. + </p> + <p> + He drew the paper out of his doublet and opened it. “I do not know the + hand-writing,” muttered her, “but it was a woman that wrote it.” + </p> + <p> + The letter read: “Do you believe me now, my beloved? I swore to deliver to + you to-day, in the presence of the king and all of my court, this rosette; + and I have done so. For you I gladly risk my life, for you are my life; + and still more beautiful were it to die with you, than to live without + you. I live only when I rest in your arms; and those dark nights, when you + can be with me, are the light and sunshine of my days. Let us pray Heaven + a dark night may soon come; for such a night restores to me the loved one, + and to you, your happy wife, Geraldine.” + </p> + <p> + “Geraldine! who is Geraldine?” muttered John Heywood, slipping the paper + into his doublet again. “I must disentangle this web of lying and deceit. + I must know what all this means. For this is more than a conspiracy—a + false accusation. It concerns, as it seems, a reality. This letter the + queen is to give to a man; and in it, sweet recollections, happy nights, + are spoken of. So he who receives this letter is in league with them + against Catharine, and I dare say her worst enemy, for he makes use of + love against her. Some treachery or knavery is concealed behind this. + Either the man to whom this letter is addressed is deceived—and he + is unintentionally a tool in the hands of the papists—or he is in + league with them, and has given himself up to the villainy of playing the + part of a lover to the queen. But who can he be? Perchance, Thomas + Seymour. It were possible; for he has a cold and deceitful heart, and he + would be capable of such treachery. But woe be to him if it is he! Then it + will be I who accuses him to the king; and, by God! his head shall fall! + Now away to the king!” + </p> + <p> + Just as he entered the king’s anteroom, the door of the cabinet opened, + and the Duchess of Richmond, accompanied by Earl Douglas, walked out. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane and Gardiner were standing, as if by accident, near the door. + </p> + <p> + “Well, have we attained our end there also?” asked Gardiner. + </p> + <p> + “We have attained it,” said Earl Douglas. “The duchess has accused her + brother of a liaison with the queen. She has deposed that he sometimes + leaves the palace by night, and does not return to it before morning. She + has declared that for four nights she herself dogged her brother and saw + him as he entered the wing of the castle occupied by the queen; and one of + the queen’s maids has communicated to the duchess that the queen was not + in her room on that night.” + </p> + <p> + “And the king listened to the accusation, and did not throttle you in his + wrath!” + </p> + <p> + “He is just in that dull state of rage in which the lava that the crater + will afterward pour forth, is just prepared. As yet all is quiet, but be + sure there will be an eruption, and the stream of red-hot lava will busy + those who have dared excite the god Vulcan.” + </p> + <p> + “And does he know about the rosette?” asked Lady Jane. + </p> + <p> + “He knows everything. And until that moment he will allow no one to + suspect his wrath and fury. He says he will make the queen perfectly + secure, in order to get into his hands thereby sure proof of her guilt. + Well, we will furnish him this evidence; and hence it follows that the + queen is inevitably lost.” + </p> + <p> + “But hark! The doors are opened, and the master of ceremonies comes to + summon us to the golden gallery.” + </p> + <p> + “Just walk in,” muttered John Heywood, gliding along behind them. “I am + still here; and I will be the mouse that gnaws the net in which you want + to catch my noble-minded lioness.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. THE QUEEN’S ROSETTE. + </h2> + <p> + The golden gallery, in which the tourney of the poets was to take place, + presented to-day a truly enchanting and fairy-like aspect. Mirrors of + gigantic size, set in broad gilt frames, ornamented with the moat perfect + carved work, covered the walls, and threw back, a thousand times + reflected, the enormous chandeliers which, with their hundreds and + hundreds of candles, shed the light of day in the vast hall. Here and + there were seen, arranged in front of the mirrors, clusters of the rarest + and choicest flowers, which poured through the hall their fragrance, + stupefying and yet so enchanting, and outshone in brilliancy of colors + even the Turkish carpet, which stretched through the whole room and + changed the floor into one immense flower-bed. Between the clumps of + flowers were seen tables with golden vases, in which were refreshing + beverages; while at the other end of the enormous gallery stood a gigantic + sideboard, which contained the choicest and rarest dishes. At present the + doors of the sideboard, which, when open, formed a room of itself, were + closed. + </p> + <p> + They had not yet come to the material enjoyments; they were still occupied + in absorbing the spiritual. The brilliant and select company that filled + the hall was still for some time condemned to be silent, and to shut up + within them their laughter and gossip, their backbiting and slander, their + flattery and hypocrisy. + </p> + <p> + Just now a pause ensued. The king, with Croke, had recited to his court a + scene from “Antigone”; and they were just taking breath from the wonderful + and exalted enjoyment of having just heard a language of which they + understood not a word, but which they found to be very beautiful, since + the king admired it. + </p> + <p> + Henry the Eighth had again leaned back on his golden throne, and, panting, + rested from his prodigious exertion; and while he rested and dreamed, an + invisible band played a piece of music composed by the king himself, and + which, with its serious and solemn movement, strangely contrasted with + this room so brilliant and cheerful—with this splendid, laughing and + jesting assembly. + </p> + <p> + For the king had bidden them amuse themselves and be gay; to give + themselves up to unrestrained chit-chat. It was, therefore, natural for + them to laugh, and to appear not to notice the king’s exhaustion and + repose. + </p> + <p> + Besides, they had not for a long time seen Henry so cheerful, so full of + youthful life, so sparkling with wit and humor, as on this evening. His + mouth was overflowing with jests that made the gentlemen laugh, and the + beautiful, brilliant women blush, and, above all, the young queen, who sat + by him on the rich and splendid throne, and now and then threw stolen and + longing glances at her lover, for whom she would willingly and gladly have + given her royal crown and her throne. + </p> + <p> + When the king saw how Catharine blushed, he turned to her, and in his + tenderest tone begged her pardon for his jest, which, however, in its + sauciness, served only to make his queen still more beautiful, still more + bewitching. His words were then so tender and heartfelt, his looks so full + of love and admiration, that nobody could doubt but that the queen was in + highest favor with her husband, and that he loved her most tenderly. + </p> + <p> + Only the few who knew the secret of this tenderness of the king, so open + and so unreservedly displayed, comprehended fully the danger which + threatened the queen; for the king was never more to be dreaded than when + he flattered; and on no one did his wrath fall more crushingly than on him + whom he had just kissed and assured of his favor. + </p> + <p> + This was what Earl Douglas said to himself, when he saw with what a + cordial look Henry the Eighth chatted with his consort. + </p> + <p> + Behind the throne of the royal pair was seen John Heywood, in his + fantastic and dressy costume, with his face at once noble and cunning; and + the king just then broke out into loud, resounding laughter at his + sarcastic and satirical observations. + </p> + <p> + “King, your laugh does not please me to-day,” said John Heywood, + earnestly. “It smacks of gall. Do you not find it so, queen?” + </p> + <p> + The queen was startled from her sweet reveries, and that was what John + Heywood had wished. He, therefore, repeated his question. + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” said she: “I find the king to-day quite like the sun. He is + radiant and bright, like it.” + </p> + <p> + “Queen, you do not mean the sun, but the full moon,” said John Heywood. + “But only see, Henry, how cheerfully Earl Archibald Douglas over there is + chatting with the Duchess of Richmond! I love that good earl. He always + appears like a blind-worm, which is just in the notion of stinging some + one on the heel, and hence it comes that, when near the earl, I always + transform myself into a crane. I stand on one leg; because I am then sure + to have the other at least safe from the earl’s sting. King, were I like + you, I would not have those killed that the blind-worm has stung; but I + would root out the blind-worms, that the feet of honorable men might be + secure from them.” + </p> + <p> + The king cast at him a quick, searching look, which John Heywood answered + with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “Kill the blind-worms, King Henry,” said he; “and when you are once at + work destroying vermin, it will do no harm if you once more give these + priests also a good kick. It is now a long time since we burnt any of + them, and they are again becoming arrogant and malicious, as they always + were and always will be. I see even the pious and meek bishop of + Winchester, the noble Gardiner, who is entertaining himself with Lady Jane + over there, smiling very cheerfully, and that is a bad sign; for Gardiner + smiles only when he has again caught a poor soul, and prepared it as a + breakfast for his lord. I do not mean you, king, but his lord—the + devil. For the devil is always hungry for noble human souls; and to him + who catches one for him he gives indulgence for his sins for an hour. + Therefore Gardiner catches so many souls; for since he sins every hour, + every hour he needs indulgence.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very spiteful to-day, John Heywood,” said the queen, smiling, + while the king fixed his eyes on the ground, thoughtful and musing. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood’s words had touched the sore place of his heart, and, in + spite of himself, filled his suspicious soul with new doubts. + </p> + <p> + He mistrusted not merely the accused, but the accusers also; and if he + punished the one as criminals, he would have willingly punished the others + as informants. + </p> + <p> + He asked himself: “What aim had Earl Douglas and Gardiner in accusing the + queen; and why had they startled him out of his quiet and confidence?” At + that moment, when he looked on his beautiful wife, who sat by him in such + serene tranquillity, unembarrassed and smiling, he felt a deep anger fill + his heart, not against Catharine, but against Jane, who accused her. She + was so lovely and beautiful! Why did they envy him her? Why did they not + leave him in his sweet delusion? But perhaps she was not guilty. No, she + was not. The eye of a culprit is not thus bright and clear. The air of + infidelity is not thus unembarrassed—of such maidenly delicacy. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, the king was exhausted and disgusted. One can become satiated + even with cruelty; and, at this hour, Henry felt completely surfeited with + bloodshed. + </p> + <p> + His heart—for, in such moments of mental relaxation and bodily + enfeeblement, the king even had a heart—his heart was already in the + mood of pronouncing the word pardon, when his eye fell on Henry Howard, + who, with his father, the Duke of Norfolk, and surrounded by a circle of + brilliant and noble lords, was standing not far from the royal throne. + </p> + <p> + The king felt a deadly stab in his breast, and his eyes darted lightning + over toward that group. + </p> + <p> + How proud and imposing the figure of the noble earl looked; how high he + overtopped all others; how noble and handsome his countenance; how kingly + was his bearing and whole appearance! + </p> + <p> + Henry must admit all this; and because he must do so, he hated him. + </p> + <p> + Nay! no mercy for Catharine! If what her accusers had told him were true—if + they could give him the proofs of the queen’s guilt, then she was doomed. + And how could he doubt it? Had they not told him that in the rosette, + which the queen would give Earl Surrey, was contained a love-letter from + Catharine, which he would find? Had not Earl Surrey, in a confidential + hour, yesterday imparted this to his sister, the Duchess of Richmond, when + he wished to bribe her to be the messenger of love between the queen and + himself? Had she not accused the queen of having meetings by night with + the earl in the deserted tower? + </p> + <p> + Nay, no compassion for his fair queen, if Henry Howard was her lover. + </p> + <p> + He must again look over at his hated enemy. There he still stood by his + father, the Duke of Norfolk. How sprightly and gracefully the old duke + moved; how slim his form; and how lofty and imposing his bearing! The king + was younger than the duke; and yet he was fettered to his truckle-chair; + yet he sat on his throne like an immovable colossus, while he moved freely + and lightly, and obeyed his own will, not necessity. Henry could have + crushed him—this proud, arrogant earl, who was a free man, whilst + his king was nothing but a prisoner to his own flesh, a slave of his + unwieldy body. + </p> + <p> + “I will exterminate it—this proud, arrogant race of Howards!” + muttered the king, as he turned with a friendly smile to the Earl of + Surrey. + </p> + <p> + “You have promised us some of your poems, cousin!” said he. “So let us now + enjoy them; for you see, indeed, how impatiently all the beautiful women + look on England’s noblest and greatest poet, and how very angry with me + they would be if I still longer withhold this enjoyment from them! Even my + fair queen is full of longing after your songs, so rich in fancy; for you + well know, Howard, she loves poetry, and, above all things, yours.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine had scarcely heard what the king said. Her looks had encountered + Seymour’s, and their eyes were fixed on each other’s. But she had then + cast down to the floor her eyes, still completely filled with the sight of + her lover, in order to think of him, since she no longer dared gaze at + him. + </p> + <p> + When the king called her name, she started up and looked at him + inquiringly. She had not heard what he had said to her. + </p> + <p> + “Not even for a moment does she look toward me!” said Henry Howard to + himself. “Oh, she loves me not! or at least her understanding is mightier + than her love. Oh, Catharine, Catharine, fearest thou death so much that + thou canst on that account deny thy love?” + </p> + <p> + With desperate haste he drew out his portfolio. “I will compel her to look + at me, to think of me, to remember her oath,” thought he. “Woe to her, if + she does not fulfil it—if she gives me not the rosette, which she + promised me with so solemn a vow! If she does it not, then I will break + this dreadful silence, and before her king, and before her court, accuse + her of treachery to her love. Then, at least, she will not be able to cast + me off; for we shall mount the scaffold together.” + </p> + <p> + “Does my exalted queen allow me to begin?” asked he aloud, wholly + forgetting that the king had already given him the order to do so, and + that it was he only who could grant such a permission. + </p> + <p> + Catharine looked at him in astonishment. Then her glance fell on Lady Jane + Douglas, who was gazing over at her with an imploring expression. The + queen smiled; for she now remembered that it was Jane’s beloved who had + spoken to her, and that she had promised the poor young girl to raise + again the dejected Earl of Surrey and to be gracious to him. + </p> + <p> + “Jane is right,” thought she; “he appears to be deeply depressed and + suffering. Ah, it must be very painful to see those whom one loves + suffering. I will, therefore, comply with Jane’s request, for she says + this might revive the earl.” + </p> + <p> + With a smile she bowed to Howard. “I beg you,” said she, “to lend our + festival its fairest ornament—to adorn it with the fragrant flowers + of your poesy. You see we are all burning with desire to hear your + verses.” + </p> + <p> + The king shook with rage, and a crushing word was already poised upon his + lip. But he restrained himself. He wanted to have proofs first; he wanted + to see them not merely accused, but doomed also; and for that he needed + proofs of their guilt. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard now approached the throne of the royal pair, and with beaming + looks, with animated countenance, with a voice trembling with emotion, he + read his love-song to the fair Geraldine. A murmur of applause arose when + he had read his first sonnet. The king only looked gloomily, with fixed + eyes; the queen alone remained uninterested and cold. + </p> + <p> + “She is a complete actress,” thought Henry Howard, in the madness of his + pain. “Not a muscle of her face stirs; and yet this sonnet must remind her + of the fairest and most sacred moment of our love.” + </p> + <p> + The queen remained unmoved and cold. But had Henry Howard looked at Lady + Jane Douglas, he would have seen how she turned pale and blushed; how she + smiled with rapture, and how, nevertheless, her eyes filled with tears. + </p> + <p> + Earl Surrey, however, saw nothing but the queen; and the sight of her made + him tremble with rage and pain. His eyes darted lightning: his countenance + glowed with passion; his whole being was in desperate, enthusiastic + excitement. At that moment he would have gladly breathed out his life at + Geraldine’s feet, if she would only recognize him—if she would only + have the courage to call him her beloved. + </p> + <p> + But her smiling calmness, her friendly coolness, brought him to despair. + </p> + <p> + He crumpled the paper in his hand; the letters danced before his eyes; he + could read no more. + </p> + <p> + But he would not remain, mute, either. Like the dying swan, he would + breathe out his pain in a last song, and give sound and words to his + despair and his agony. He could no longer read; but he improvised. + </p> + <p> + Like a glowing stream of lava, the words flowed from his lips; in fiery + dithyrambic, in impassioned hymns, he poured forth his love and pain. The + genius of poesy hovered over him and lighted up his noble and thoughtful + brow. + </p> + <p> + He was radiantly beautiful in his enthusiasm; and even the queen felt + herself carried away by his words. His plaints of love, his longing pains, + his rapture and his sad fancies, found an echo in her heart. She + understood him; for she felt the same joy, the same sorrow and the same + rapture; only she did not feel all this for him. + </p> + <p> + But, as we have said, he enchanted her; the current of his passion carried + her away. She wept at his laments; she smiled at his hymns of joy. + </p> + <p> + When Henry Howard at length ceased, profound silence reigned in the vast + and brilliant hall. + </p> + <p> + All faces betrayed deep emotion; and this universal silence was the poet’s + fairest triumph; for it showed that envy and jealousy were dumb, and that + scorn itself could find no words. + </p> + <p> + A momentary pause ensued; it resembled that sultry, ominous stillness + which is wont to precede the bursting of a tempest; when Nature stops a + moment in breathless stillness, to gather strength for the uproar of the + storm. + </p> + <p> + It was a significant, an awful pause; but only a few understood its + meaning. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane leaned against the wall, completely shattered and breathless. + She felt that the sword was hanging over their heads, and that it would + destroy her if it struck her beloved. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas and the Bishop of Winchester had involuntarily drawn near + each other, and stood there hand in hand, united for this unholy struggle; + while John Heywood had crept behind the king’s throne, and in his + sarcastic manner whispered in his ear some epigrams, that made the king + smile in spite of himself. + </p> + <p> + But now the queen arose from her seat, and beckoned Henry Howard nearer to + her. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said she, almost with solemnity, “as a queen and as a woman I + thank you for the noble and sublime lyrics which you have composed in + honor of a woman! And for that the grace of my king has exalted me to be + the first woman in England, it becomes me, in the name of all women, to + return to you my thanks. To the poet is due a reward other than that of + the warrior. To the victor on the battlefield is awarded a laurel crown. + But you have gained a victory not less glorious, for you have conquered + hearts! We acknowledge ourselves vanquished, and in the name of all these + noble women, I proclaim you their knight! In token of which, accept this + rosette, my lord. It entitles you to wear the queen’s colors; it lays you + under obligation to be the knight of all women!” + </p> + <p> + She loosened the rosette from her shoulder, and handed it to the earl. + </p> + <p> + He had sunk on one knee before her, and already extended his hand to + receive this precious and coveted pledge. + </p> + <p> + But at this moment the king arose, and, with an imperious gesture, held + back the queen’s hand. + </p> + <p> + “Allow me, my lady,” said he, in a voice quivering with rage—“allow + me first to examine this rosette, and convince myself that it is worth + enough to be presented to the noble earl as his sole reward. Let me see + this rosette.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine looked with astonishment into that face convulsed with passion + and fury, but without hesitation she handed him the rosette. + </p> + <p> + “We are lost!” murmured Earl Surrey, while Earl Douglas and Gardiner + exchanged with each other looks of triumph; and Jane Douglas murmured in + her trembling heart prayers of anxiety and dread, scarcely hearing the + malicious and exultant words which the Duchess of Richmond was whispering + in her ear. + </p> + <p> + The king held the rosette in his hand and examined it. But his hands + trembled so much that he was unable to unfasten the clasp which held it + together. + </p> + <p> + He, therefore, handed it to John Heywood. “These diamonds are poor,” said + he, in a curt, dry tone. “Unfasten the clasp, fool; we will replace it + with this pin here. Then will the present gain for the earl a double + value; for it will come at the same time from me and from the queen.” + </p> + <p> + “How gracious you are to-day!” said John Heywood, smiling—“as + gracious as the cat, that plays a little longer with the mouse before she + devours it.” + </p> + <p> + “Unfasten the clasp!” exclaimed the king, in a thundering voice, no longer + able to conceal his rage. Slowly John Heywood unfastened the clasp from + the ribbon. He did it with intentional slowness and deliberation; he let + the king see all his movements, every turn of his fingers; and it + delighted him to hold those who had woven this plot in dreadful suspense + and expectation. + </p> + <p> + Whilst he appeared perfectly innocent and unembarrassed, his keen, + piercing glance ran over the whole assembly, and he noticed well the + trembling impatience of Gardiner and Earl Douglas; and it did not escape + him how pale Lady Jane was, and how full of expectation were the intent + features of the Duchess of Richmond. + </p> + <p> + “They are the ones with whom this conspiracy originated,” said John + Heywood to himself. “But I will keep silence till I can one day convict + them.” + </p> + <p> + “There, here is the clasp!” said he then aloud to the king. “It stuck as + tightly in the ribbon as malice in the hearts of priests and courtiers!” + </p> + <p> + The king snatched the ribbon out of his hand, and examined it by drawing + it through his fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing! nothing at all!” said he, gnashing his teeth; and now, deceived + in his expectations and suppositions, he could no longer muster strength + to withstand that roaring torrent of wrath which overflowed his heart. The + tiger was again aroused in him; he had calmly waited for the moment when + the promised prey would be brought to him; now, when it seemed to be + escaping him, his savage and cruel disposition started up within him. The + tiger panted and thirsted for blood; and that he was not to get it, made + him raging with fury. + </p> + <p> + With a wild movement he threw the rosette on the ground, and raised his + arm menacingly toward Henry Howard. “Dare not to touch that rosette,” + cried he, in a voice of thunder, “before you have exculpated yourself from + the guilt of which you are accused.” + </p> + <p> + Earl Surrey looked him steadily and boldly in the eye. “Have I been + accused, then?” asked he. “Then I demand, first of all, that I be + confronted with my accusers, and that my fault be named!” + </p> + <p> + “Ha, traitor! Do you dare to brave me?” yelled the king, stamping + furiously with his foot. “Well, now, I will be your accuser and I will be + your judge!” + </p> + <p> + “And surely, my king and husband, you will be a righteous judge,” said + Catharine, as she inclined imploringly toward the king and grasped his + hand. “You will not condemn the noble Earl Surrey without having heard + him; and if you find him guiltless, you will punish his accusers?” + </p> + <p> + But this intercession of the queen made the king raging. He threw her hand + from him, and gazed at her with looks of such flaming wrath, that she + involuntarily trembled. + </p> + <p> + “Traitoress yourself!” yelled he, wildly. “Speak not of innocence—you + who are yourself guilty; and before you dare defend the earl, defend + yourself!” + </p> + <p> + Catharine rose from her seat and looked with flashing eyes into the king’s + face blazing with wrath. “King Henry of England,” said she, solemnly, “you + have openly, before your whole court, accused your queen of a crime. I now + demand that you name it!” + </p> + <p> + She was of wondrous beauty in her proud, hold bearing—in her + imposing, majestic tranquillity. + </p> + <p> + The decisive moment had come, and she was conscious that her life and her + future were struggling with death for the victory. + </p> + <p> + She looked over to Thomas Seymour, and their eyes met. She saw how he laid + his hand on his sword, and nodded to her a smiling greeting. + </p> + <p> + “He will defend me; and before he will suffer me to be dragged to the + Tower, he himself will plunge his sword into my breast,” thought she, and + a joyous, triumphant assurance filled her whole heart. + </p> + <p> + She saw nothing but him, who had sworn to die with her when the decisive + moment came. She looked with a smile on the blade which he had already + half drawn from its scabbard; and she hailed it as a dear, + long-yearned-for friend. + </p> + <p> + She saw not that Henry Howard also had lain his hand on his sword; that + he, too, was ready for her defence, firmly resolved to slay the king + himself, before his mouth uttered the sentence of death over the queen. + </p> + <p> + But Lady Jane Douglas saw it. She understood how to read the earl’s + countenance; she felt that he was ready to go to death for his beloved; + and it filled her heart at once with woe and rapture. + </p> + <p> + She, too, was now firmly resolved to follow her heart and her love; and, + forgetting all else besides these, she hastened forward, and was now + standing by Henry Howard. + </p> + <p> + “Be prudent, Earl Surrey,” said she, in a low whisper. “Take your hand + from your sword. The queen, by my mouth, commands you to do so!” + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard looked at her astonished and surprised; but he let his hand + slip from the hilt of his sword, and again looked toward the queen. + </p> + <p> + She had repeated her demand; she had once more demanded of the king—who, + speechless and completely overcome with anger, had fallen back into his + seat—to name the crime of which she was accused. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, my queen, you demand it, and you shall hear it,” cried he. + “You want to know the crime of which you are accused? Answer me then, my + lady! They accuse you of not always staying at night in your + sleeping-room. It is alleged that you sometimes leave it for many hours; + and that none of your women accompanied you when you glided through the + corridors and up the secret stairs to the lonely tower, in which, was + waiting for you your lover, who at the same time entered the tower through + the small street door.” + </p> + <p> + “He knows all!” muttered Henry Howard; and again he laid his hand on his + sword, and was about to approach the queen. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane held him back. “Wait for the issue,” said she. “There is still + time to die!” + </p> + <p> + “He knows all!” thought the queen also; and now she felt within herself + the daring courage to risk all, that at least she might not stand there a + traitoress in the eyes of her lover. + </p> + <p> + “He shall not believe that I have been untrue to him,” thought she. “I + will tell all—confess all, that he may know why I went and whither.” + </p> + <p> + “Now answer, my Lady Catharine!” thundered the king. “Answer, and tell me + whether you have been falsely accused. Is it true that you, eight days + ago, in the night between Monday and Tuesday, left your sleeping-room at + the hour of midnight, and went secretly to the lonely tower? Is it true + that you received there a man who is your lover?” + </p> + <p> + The queen looked at him in angry pride. “Henry, Henry, woe to you, that + you dare thus insult your own wife!” cried she. + </p> + <p> + “Answer me! You were not on that night in your sleeping-room?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Catharine, with dignified composure, “I was not there.” + </p> + <p> + The king sank back in his seat, and a real roar of fury sounded from his + lips. It made the women turn pale, and even the men felt themselves + tremble. + </p> + <p> + Catharine alone had not heeded it at all; she alone had heard nothing save + that cry of amazement which Thomas Seymour uttered; and she saw only the + angry and up-braiding looks which he threw across at her. She answered + these looks with a friendly and confident smile, and pressed both her + hands to her heart, as she looked at him. + </p> + <p> + “I will justify myself before him at least,” thought she. + </p> + <p> + The king had recovered from his first shock. He again raised himself up, + and his countenance now exhibited a fearful, threatening coolness. + </p> + <p> + “You confess, then,” asked he, “that you were not in your sleeping-room on + that night?” + </p> + <p> + “I have already said so,” exclaimed Catharine, impatiently. The king + compressed his lips so violently, that they bled. “And a man was with + you?” asked he—“a man with whom you made an assignation, and whom + you received in the lonely tower?” + </p> + <p> + “A man was with me. But I did not receive him in the lonely tower; and it + was no assignation.” + </p> + <p> + “Who was that man?” yelled the king. “Answer me! Tell me his name, if you + do not want me to strangle you myself!” + </p> + <p> + “King Henry, I fear death no longer!” said Catharine, with a contemptuous + smile. + </p> + <p> + “Who was that man? Tell me his name!” yelled the king once more. + </p> + <p> + The queen raised herself more proudly, and her defiant look ran over the + whole assembly. + </p> + <p> + “The man,” said she, solemnly, “who was with me on that night—he is + named—” + </p> + <p> + “He is named John Heywood!” said this individual; as he seriously and + proudly walked forward from behind the king’s throne. “Yes, Henry, your + brother, the fool John Heywood, had on that night the proud honor of + accompanying your consort on her holy errand; but, I assure you, that he + was less like the king, than the king is just now like the fool.” + </p> + <p> + A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly. The king leaned back in his + royal seat speechless. “And now, King Henry,” said Catharine, calmly—“now + I will tell you whither I went with John Heywood on that night.” + </p> + <p> + She was silent, and for a moment leaned back on her seat. She felt that + the looks of all were directed to her; she heard the king’s wrathful + groan; she felt her lover’s flashing, reproachful glances; she saw the + derisive smile of those haughty ladies, who had never forgiven her—that + she, from a simple baroness, had become queen. But all this made her only + still bolder and more courageous. + </p> + <p> + She had arrived at the turning-point of her life, where she must risk + everything to avoid sinking into the abyss. + </p> + <p> + But Lady Jane also had arrived at such a decisive moment of her existence. + She, too, said to herself: “I must at this hour risk all, if I do not want + to lose all.” She saw Henry Howard’s pale, expectant face. She knew, if + the queen now spoke, the whole web of their conspiracy would be revealed + to him. + </p> + <p> + She must, therefore, anticipate the queen. She must warn Henry Howard. + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing!” whispered she to him. “We were prepared for that. I have + put into her hands the means of escape!” + </p> + <p> + “Will you now at last speak?” exclaimed the king, quivering with + impatience and rage. “Will you at last tell us where you were on that + night?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell!” exclaimed Catharine, rising up again boldly and resolutely + “But woe be to those who drive me to this! For I tell you beforehand, from + the accused I will become an accuser who demands justice, if not before + the throne of the King of England, yet before the throne of the Lord of + all kings! King Henry of England, do you ask me whither I went on that + night with John Heywood? I might, perhaps, as your queen and consort, + demand that you put this question to me not before so many witnesses, but + in the quiet of our chamber; but you seek publicity, and I do not shun it. + Well, hear the truth, then, all of you! On that night, between Monday and + Tuesday, I was not in my sleeping-apartment, because I had a grave and + sacred duty to perform; because a dying woman called on me for help and + pity! Would you know, my lord and husband, who this dying woman was? It + was Anne Askew!” + </p> + <p> + “Anne Askew!” exclaimed the king in astonishment; and his countenance + exhibited a less wrathful expression. + </p> + <p> + “Anne Askew!” muttered the others; and John Heywood very well saw how + Bishop Gardiner’s brow darkened, and how Chancellor Wriothesley turned + pale and cast down his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I was with Anne Askew!” continued the queen—“with Anne Askew, + whom those pious and wise lords yonder had condemned, not so much on + account of her faith, but because they knew that I loved her. Anne Askew + was to die, because Catharine Parr loved her! She was to go to the stake, + that my heart also might burn with fiery pains! And because it was so, I + was obliged to risk everything in order to save her. Oh, my king, say + yourself, did I not owe it to this poor girl to try everything in order to + save her? On my account she was to suffer these tortures. For they had + shamefully stolen from me a letter which Anne Askew, in the distress of + her heart, had addressed to me; and they showed this letter to you in + order to cast suspicion on me and accuse me to you. But your noble heart + repelled the suspicion; and now their wrath fell again on Anne Askew, and + she must suffer, because they did not find me punishable. She must atone + for having dared to write to me. They worked matters with you so that she + was put to the rack. But when my husband gave way to their urging, yet the + noble king remained still awake in him. ‘Go,’ said he, ‘rack her and kill + her; but see first whether she will not recant.’” + </p> + <p> + Henry looked astonished into her noble and defiant face. “Do you know + that?” asked he. “And yet we were alone, and no human being present. Who + could tell you that?” + </p> + <p> + “When man is no longer able to help, then God undertakes!” said Catharine + solemnly. “It was God who commanded me to go to Anne Askew, and try + whether I could save her. And I went. But though the wife of a noble and + great king, I am still but a weak and timid woman. I was afraid to tread + this gloomy and dangerous path alone; I needed a strong manly arm to lean + upon; and so John Heywood lent me his.” + </p> + <p> + “And you were really with Anne Askew,” interposed the king, thoughtfully—“with + that hardened sinner, who despised mercy, and in the stubbornness of her + soul would not be a partaker of the pardon that I offered her?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord and husband,” said the queen, with tears in her eyes, “she whom + you have just accused stands even now before the throne of the Lord, and + has received from her God the forgiveness of her sins! Therefore, do you + likewise pardon her; and may the flames of the stake, to which yesterday + the noble virgin body of this girl was bound, have consumed also the wrath + and hatred which had been kindled in your heart against her! Anne Askew + passed away like a saint; for she forgave all her enemies and blessed her + tormentors.” + </p> + <p> + “Anne Askew was a damnable sinner, who dared resist the command of her + lord and king!” interrupted Bishop Gardiner, looking daggers at her. + </p> + <p> + “And dare you maintain, my lord, that you at that time fulfilled the + commands of your royal master simply and exactly?” asked Catharine. “Did + you keep within them with respect to Anne Askew? No! I say; for the king + had not ordered you to torture her; he had not bidden you to lacerate in + blasphemous wrath a noble human form, and distort that likeness of God + into a horrible caricature. And that, my lord, you did! Before God and + your king, I accuse you of it—I, the queen! For you know, my lord + and husband, I was there when Anne Askew was racked. I saw her agony, and + John Heywood saw it with me.” + </p> + <p> + The eyes of all were now directed inquiringly to the king, of whose + ferocity and choler every one expected a violent outbreak. + </p> + <p> + But this time they were mistaken. The king was so well satisfied to find + his consort clear of the crime laid to her charge, that he willingly + forgave her for having committed a crime of less weighty character. + Besides, it filled him with respect to see his consort confronting her + accusers so boldly and proudly; and he felt toward them just as burning + wrath and hatred as he had before harbored against the queen. He was + pleased that the malignant and persistent persecutors of his fair and + proud wife should now be humbled by her before the eyes of all his court. + </p> + <p> + Therefore he looked at her with an imperceptible smile, and said with deep + interest: “But how could this happen, my lady? By what path did you get + thither?” + </p> + <p> + “That is an inquiry which any one except the king is authorized to make. + King Henry alone knows the way that I went!” said Catharine, with a slight + smile. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood, who was still standing behind the king’s throne, now bent + down close to Henry’s ear, and spoke with him a long time in a quick, low + tone. + </p> + <p> + The king listened to him attentively; then he murmured so loud that the + bystanders could very well understand him: “By God, she is a spirited and + brave woman; and we should be obliged to confess that, even were she not + our queen!” + </p> + <p> + “Continue, my lady!” said he then aloud, turning to the queen with a + gracious look. “Relate to me, Catharine, what saw you then in the + torture-chamber?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my king and lord, it horrifies me only to think of it,” cried she, + shuddering and turning pale. “I saw a poor young woman who writhed in + fearful agony, and whose staring eyes were raised in mute supplication to + Heaven. She did not beg her tormentors for mercy; she wanted from them no + compassion and no pity; she did not scream and whine from the pain, though + her limbs cracked and her flesh snapped apart like glass; she raised her + clasped hands to God, and her lips murmured low prayers, which, perhaps, + made the angels of heaven weep, but were not able to touch the hearts of + her tormentors. You had ordered her to be racked, if she would not + retract. They did not ask her whether she would do this—they racked + her. But her soul was strong and full of courage; and, under the tortures + of the executioner, her lips remained mute. Let theologians say and + determine whether Anne Askew’s faith was a false one; but this they will + not dare deny: that in the noble enthusiasm of this faith, she was a + heroine who at least did not deny her God. At length, worn out with so + much useless exertion, the assistant executioners discontinued their + bloody work, to rest from the tortures which they had prepared for Anne + Askew. The lieutenant of the Tower declared the work of the rack ended. + The highest degrees had been applied, and they had proved powerless; + cruelty was obliged to acknowledge itself conquered. But the priests of + the Church, with savage vehemence, demanded that she should be racked once + more. Dare deny that, ye lords, whom I behold standing there opposite with + faces pale as death! Yes, my king, the servants of the rack refused to + obey the servants of God; for in the hearts of the hangman’s drudges there + was more pity than in the hearts of the priests! And when they refused to + proceed in their bloody work, and when the lieutenant of the Tower, in + virtue of the existing law, declared the racking at an end, then I saw one + of the first ministers of our Church throw aside his sacred garments; then + the priest of God transformed himself into a hangman’s drudge, who, with + bloodthirsty delight, lacerated anew the noble mangled body of the young + girl, and more cruel than the attendants of the rack, unsparingly they + broke and dislocated the limbs, which they had only squeezed in their + screws. [Footnote: Burnet’s “History of the Reformation,” vol. i, p. 132.] + Excuse me, my king, from sketching this scene of horror still further! + Horrified and trembling, I fled from that frightful place, and returned to + my room, shattered and sad at heart.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine ceased, exhausted, and sank back into her seat. + </p> + <p> + A breathless stillness reigned around. All faces were pale and colorless. + Gardiner and Wriothesley stood with their eyes fixed, gloomy and defiant, + expecting that the king’s wrath would crush and destroy them. + </p> + <p> + But the king scarcely thought of them; he thought only of his fair young + queen, whose boldness inspired him with respect, and whose innocence and + purity filled him with a proud and blissful joy. + </p> + <p> + He was, therefore, very much inclined to forgive those who in reality had + committed no offence further than this, that they had carried out a little + too literally and strictly the orders of their master. + </p> + <p> + A long pause had ensued—a pause full of expectation and anxiety for + all who were assembled in the hall. Only Catharine reclined calmly in her + chair, and with beaming eyes looked across to Thomas Seymour, whose + handsome countenance betrayed to her the gratification and satisfaction + which he felt at this clearing up of her mysterious night-wandering. + </p> + <p> + At last the king arose, and, bowing low before his consort, said in a + loud, full-toned voice: “I have deeply and bitterly injured you, my noble + wife; and as I publicly accused you, I will also publicly ask your + forgiveness! You have a right to be angry with me; for it behooved me, + above all, to believe with unshaken firmness in the truth and honor of my + wife. My lady, you have made a brilliant vindication of yourself; and I, + the king, first of all bow before you, and beg that you may forgive me and + impose some penance.” + </p> + <p> + “Leave it to me, queen, to impose a penance on this repentant sinner!” + cried John Hey wood, gayly. “Your majesty is much too magnanimous, much + too timid, to treat him as roughly as my brother King Henry deserves. + Leave it to me, then, to punish him; for only the fool is wise enough to + punish the king after his deserts.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine nodded to him with a grateful smile. She comprehended perfectly + John Heywood’s delicacy and nice tact; she apprehended that he wanted by a + joke to relieve her from her painful situation, and put an end to the + king’s public acknowledgment, which at the same time must turn to her + bitter reproach—bitter, though it were only self-reproach. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said she, smiling, “what punishment, then, will you impose upon + the king?” + </p> + <p> + “The punishment of recognizing the fool as his equal!” + </p> + <p> + “God is my witness that I do so!” cried the king, almost solemnly. “Fools + we are, one and all, and we fall short of the renown which we have before + men.” + </p> + <p> + “But my sentence is not yet complete, brother!” continued John Heywood. “I + furthermore give sentence, that you also forthwith allow me to recite my + poem to you, and that you open your ears in order to hear what John + Heywood, the wise, has indited!” + </p> + <p> + “You have, then, fulfilled my command, and composed a new interlude?” + cried the king, vivaciously. + </p> + <p> + “No interlude, but a wholly novel, comical affair—a play full of + lampoons and jokes, at which your eyes are to overflow, yet not with + weeping, but with laughter. To the right noble Earl of Surrey belongs the + proud honor of having presented to our happy England her first sonnets. + Well, now, I also will give her something new. I present her the first + comedy; and as he sings the beauty of his Geraldine, so I celebrate the + fame of Gammer Gurton’s sewing-needle—Gammer Gurton’s needle—so + my piece is called; and you, King Henry, shall listen to it as a + punishment for your sins!” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so,” cried the king, cheerfully, “provided you permit it, Kate! + But before I do so, I make also one more condition—a condition for + you, queen! Kate, you have disdained to impose a penance on me, but grant + me at least the pleasure of being allowed to fulfil some wish of yours! + Make me a request, that I may grant it you!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, my lord and king,” said Catharine with a charming smile, “I + beg you to think no more of the incidents of this day, and to forgive + those whom I accused, only because their accusation was my vindication. + They who brought charges against me have in this hour felt contrition for + their own fault. Let that suffice, king, and forgive them, as I do!” + </p> + <p> + “You are a noble and great woman, Kate!” cried the king; and, as his + glance swept over toward Gardiner with an almost contemptuous expression, + he continued: “Your request is granted. But woe to them who shall dare + accuse you again! And have you nothing further to demand, Kate?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, one thing more, my lord and husband!” She leaned nearer to the + king’s ear, and whispered: “They have also accused your noblest and most + faithful servant; they have accused Cranmer. Condemn him not, king, + without having heard him; and if I may beg a favor of you, it is this: + talk with Cranmer yourself. Tell him of what they have charged him, and + hear his vindication.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be so, Kate,” said the king, “and you shall be present! But let + this be a secret between us, Kate, and we will carry it out in perfect + silence. And now, then, John Heywood, let us hear your composition; and + woe to you, if it does not accomplish what you promised—if it does + not make us laugh! For you well know that you are then inevitably exposed + to the rods of our injured ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “They shall have leave to whip me to death, if I do not make you laugh!” + cried John Heywood, gayly, as he drew out his manuscript. + </p> + <p> + Soon the hall rang again with loud laughter; and in the universal + merriment no one observed that Bishop Gardiner and Earl Douglas slipped + quietly away. + </p> + <p> + In the anteroom without, they stopped and looked at each other long and + silently; their countenances expressed the wrath and bitterness which + filled them; and they understood this mute language of their features. + </p> + <p> + “She must die!” said Gardiner in a short and quick tone. “She has for once + escaped from our snares; we will tie them all the tighter next time!” + </p> + <p> + “And I already hold in my hand the threads out of which we will form these + snares,” said Earl Douglas. “We have to-day falsely accused her of a + love-affair. When we do it again, we shall speak the truth. Did you see + the looks that Catharine exchanged with the heretical Earl Sudley, Thomas + Seymour?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw them, earl!” + </p> + <p> + “For these looks she will die, my lord. The queen loves Thomas Seymour, + and this love will be her death.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” said Bishop Gardiner, solemnly, as he raised his eyes devoutly to + heaven. “Amen! The queen has grievously and bitterly injured us to-day; + she has insulted and abused us before all the court. We will requite her + for it some day! The torture-chamber, which she has depicted in such + lively colors, may yet one day open for her, too—not that she may + behold another’s agonies, but that she may suffer agonies herself. We + shall one day avenge ourselves!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. REVENGE. + </h2> + <p> + Miss Holland, the beautiful and much-admired mistress of the Duke of + Norfolk, was alone in her magnificently adorned boudoir. It was the hour + when ordinarily the duke was wont to be with her; for this reason she was + charmingly attired, and had wrapped herself in that light and voluptuous + negligee which the duke so much liked, because it set off to so much + advantage the splendid form of his friend. + </p> + <p> + But to-day the expected one did not make his appearance: in his stead his + valet had just come and brought the fair miss a note from his master. This + note she was holding in her hand, while with passionate violence she now + walked up and down her boudoir. A glowing crimson blazed upon her cheeks, + and her large, haughty eyes darted wild flashes of wrath. + </p> + <p> + She was disdained—she, Lady Holland, was forced to endure the + disgrace of being dismissed by her lover. + </p> + <p> + There, there, in that letter which she held in her hand, and which burned + her fingers like red-hot iron—there it stood in black and white, + that he would see her no more; that he renounced her love; that he + released her. + </p> + <p> + Her whole frame shook as she thought of this. It was not the anguish of a + loving heart which made her tremble; it was the wounded pride of the + woman. + </p> + <p> + He had abandoned her. Her beauty, her youth no longer had the power to + enchain him—the man with white hairs and withered features. + </p> + <p> + He had written her that he was satiated and weary, not of her, but only of + love in general; that his heart had become old and withered like his face: + and that there was still in his breast no more room for love, but only for + ambition. + </p> + <p> + Was not that a revolting, an unheard-of outrage—to abandon the + finest woman in England for the sake of empty, cold, stern ambition? + </p> + <p> + She opened the letter once more. Once more she read that place. Then + grinding her teeth with tears of anger in her eyes: “He shall pay me for + this! I will take vengeance for this insult!” She thrust the letter into + her bosom, and touched the silver bell. + </p> + <p> + “Have my carriage brought round!” was her order to the servant who + entered; and he withdrew in silence. + </p> + <p> + “I will avenge myself!” muttered she, as with trembling hands she wrapped + herself in her large Turkish shawl. “I will avenge myself; and, by the + Eternal! it shall be a bloody and swift vengeance! I will show him that I, + too, am ambitious, and that my pride is not to be humbled. He says he will + forget me. Oh, I will compel him to think of me, even though it be only to + curse me!” + </p> + <p> + With hasty step she sped through the glittering apartments, which the + liberality of her lover had furnished so magnificently, and descended to + the carriage standing ready for her. + </p> + <p> + “To the Duchess of Norfolk’s!” said she to the footman standing at the + door of the carriage, as she entered it. + </p> + <p> + The servant looked at her in astonishment and inquiringly. + </p> + <p> + “To the Duke of Norfolk; is it not, my lady?” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed, to the duchess!” cried she with a frown, as she leaned back + on the cushion. + </p> + <p> + After a short time, the carriage drew up before the palace of the duchess, + and with haughty tread and commanding air she passed through the porch. + </p> + <p> + “Announce me to the duchess immediately,” was her order to the lackey who + was hurrying to meet her. + </p> + <p> + “Your name, my lady?” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Arabella Holland.” + </p> + <p> + The servant stepped back, and stared at her in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Arabella Holland! and you order me to announce you to the duchess?” + </p> + <p> + A contemptuous smile played a moment about the thin lips of the beautiful + miss. “I see you know me,” said she, “and you wonder a little to see me + here. Wonder as much as you please, good friend; only conduct me + immediately to the duchess.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt whether her ladyship receives calls to-day,” stammered the + servant, hesitatingly. + </p> + <p> + “Then go and ask; and, that I may learn her answer as soon as possible, I + will accompany you.” + </p> + <p> + With a commanding air, she motioned to the servant to go before her; and + he could not summon up courage to gainsay this proud beauty. + </p> + <p> + In silence they traversed the suite of stately apartments, and at length + stood before a door hung with tapestry. + </p> + <p> + “I must beg you to wait here a moment, my lady, so that I can announce you + to the duchess, who is there in her boudoir.” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed; I will assume that office myself,” said Miss Holland, as with + strong hand she pushed back the servant and opened the door. + </p> + <p> + The duchess was sitting at her writing-table, her back turned to the door + through which Arabella had entered. She did not turn round; perhaps she + had not heard the door open. She continued quietly writing. + </p> + <p> + Miss Arabella Holland with stately step crossed the room, and now stood + close to the chair of the duchess. + </p> + <p> + “Duchess, I would like to speak with you,” said she, coolly and calmly. + </p> + <p> + The duchess uttered a cry and looked up. “Miss Holland!” cried she amazed, + and hastily rising. “Miss Holland! you here with me, in my house! What do + you want here? How dare you cross my threshold?” + </p> + <p> + “I see you still hate me, my lady,” said Arabella, smiling. “You have not + yet forgiven me that the duke, your husband, found more delight in my + young, handsome face, than in yours, now growing old—that my + sprightly, wanton disposition pleased him better than your cold, stately + air.” + </p> + <p> + The duchess turned pale with rage, and her eyes darted lightning. + “Silence, you shameless creature! silence, or I will call my servants to + rid me of you!” + </p> + <p> + “You will not call them; for I have come to be reconciled with you, and to + offer you peace.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace with you!” sneered the duchess—“peace with that shameless + woman who stole from me my husband, the father of my children?—who + loaded me with the disgrace of standing before the whole world as a + repudiated and despised wife, and of suffering myself to be compared with + you, that the world might decide which of us two was worthier of his love? + Peace with you, Miss Holland?—with the impudent strumpet who + squanders my husband’s means in lavish luxury, and, with scoffing + boldness, robs my children of their lawful property?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true, the duke is very generous,” said Miss Holland, composedly. + “He loaded me with diamonds and gold.” + </p> + <p> + “And meanwhile I was doomed almost to suffer want,” said the duchess, + grinding her teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Want of love, it may be, my lady, but not want of money; for you are very + magnificently fitted up; and every one knows that the Duchess of Norfolk + is rich enough to be able to spare the trifles that her husband laid at my + feet. By Heaven! my lady, I would not have deemed it worth the trouble to + stoop for them, if I had not seen among these trifles his heart. The heart + of a man is well worth a woman’s stooping for! You have neglected that, my + lady, and therefore you lost your husband’s heart. I picked it up. That is + all. Why will you make a crime of that?” + </p> + <p> + “That is enough!” cried the duchess. “It does not become me to dispute + with you; I desire only to know what gave you the courage to come to me?” + </p> + <p> + “My lady, do you hate me only? Or do you also hate the duke your husband?” + </p> + <p> + “She asks me whether I hate him!” cried the duchess, with a wild, scornful + laugh. “Yes, Miss Holland, yes! I hate him as ardently as I despise you. I + hate him so much that I would give my whole estate—ay, years of my + life—if I could punish him for the disgrace he has put upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, my lady, we shall soon understand each other; for I too hate him,” + said Miss Holland, quietly seating herself on the velvet divan, and + smiling as she observed the speechless astonishment of the duchess. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my lady, I hate him; and without doubt still more ardently, still + more intensely than you yourself; for I am young and fiery; you are old, + and have always managed to preserve a cool heart.” + </p> + <p> + The duchess was convulsed with rage; but silently, and with an effort, she + gulped down the drop of wormwood which her wicked rival mingled in the cup + of joy which she presented to her. + </p> + <p> + “You do hate him, Miss Holland?” asked she, joyfully. + </p> + <p> + “I hate him, and I have come to league myself with you against him. He is + a traitor, a perfidious wretch, a perjurer. I will take vengeance for my + disgrace!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, has he then deserted you also?” + </p> + <p> + “He has deserted me also.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, God be praised!” cried the duchess, and her face beamed with + joy. “God is great and just; and He has punished you with the same weapons + with which you sinned! For your sake, he deserted me; and for the sake of + another woman, he forsakes you.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, my lady!” said Miss Holland, proudly. “A woman like me is not + forsaken on account of a woman; and he who loves me will love no other + after me. There, read his letter!” + </p> + <p> + She handed the duchess her husband’s letter. + </p> + <p> + “And what do you want to do now?” asked the duchess, after she had read + it. + </p> + <p> + “I will have revenge, my lady! He says he no longer has a heart to love; + well, now, we will so manage, that he may no longer have a head to think. + Will you be my ally, my lady?” + </p> + <p> + “I will.” + </p> + <p> + “And I also will be,” said the Duchess of Richmond, who just then opened + the door and came out of the adjoining room. + </p> + <p> + Not a word of this entire conversation had escaped her, and she very well + understood that the question was not about some petty vengeance, but her + father’s head. She knew that Miss Holland was not a woman that, when + irritated, pricked with a pin; but one that grasped the dagger to strike + her enemy a mortal blow. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I too will be your ally,” cried the Duchess of Richmond; “we have + all three been outraged by the same man. Let, then, our revenge be a + common one. The father has insulted you; the son, me. Well, then, I will + help you to strike the father, if you in return will assist me to destroy + the son.” + </p> + <p> + “I will assist you,” said Arabella, smiling; “for I also hate the haughty + Earl of Surrey, who prides himself on his virtue, as if it were a golden + fleece which God himself had stuck on his breast. I hate him; for he never + meets me but with proud disregard; and he alone is to blame for his + father’s faithlessness.” + </p> + <p> + “I was present when with tears he besought the duke, our father, to free + himself from your fetters, and give up this shameful and disgraceful + connection with you,” said the young duchess. + </p> + <p> + Arabella answered nothing. But she pressed her hands firmly together, and + a slight pallor overspread her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “And why are you angry with your brother?” asked the old duchess, + thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Why am I angry with him, do you ask, my mother? I am not angry with him; + but I execrate him, and I have sworn to myself never to rest till I have + avenged myself. My happiness, my heart, and my future, lay in his hands; + and he has remorselessly trodden under his haughty feet these—his + sister’s precious treasures. It lay with him to make me the wife of the + man I love; and he has not done it, though I lay at his feet weeping and + wringing my hands.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was a great sacrifice that you demanded,” said her mother. “He had + to give his hand to a woman he did not love, so that you might be Thomas + Seymour’s wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother, you defend him; and yet he it is that blames you daily; and but + yesterday it seemed to him perfectly right and natural that the duke had + forsaken you, our mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he do that?” inquired the duchess, vehemently. “Well, now, as he has + forgotten that I am his mother, so will I forget that he is my son. I am + your ally! Revenge for our injured hearts! Vengeance on father and son!” + </p> + <p> + She held out both hands, and the two young women laid their hands in hers. + </p> + <p> + “Vengeance on father and son!” repeated they both; and their eyes flashed, + and crimson now mantled their cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “I am tired of living like a hermit in my palace, and of being banished + from court by the fear that I may encounter my husband there.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall encounter him there no more,” said her daughter, laconically. + </p> + <p> + “They shall not laugh and jeer at me,” cried Arabella. “And when they + learn that he has forsaken me, they shall also know how I have avenged + myself for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thomas Seymour can never become my husband so long as Henry Howard lives; + for he has mortally offended him, as Henry has rejected the hand of his + sister. Perhaps I may become his wife, if Henry Howard is no more,” said + the young duchess. “So let us consider. How shall we begin, so as to + strike them surely and certainly?” + </p> + <p> + “When three women are agreed, they may well be certain of their success,” + said Arabella, shrugging her shoulders. “We live—God be praised for + it—under a noble and high-minded king, who beholds the blood of his + subjects with as much pleasure as he does the crimson of his royal mantle, + and who has never yet shrunk back when a death-warrant was to be signed.” + </p> + <p> + “But this time he will shrink back,” said the old duchess. “He will not + dare to rob the noblest and most powerful family of his kingdom of its + head.” + </p> + <p> + “That very risk will stimulate him,” said the Duchess of Richmond, + laughing; “and the more difficult it is to bring down these heads, so much + the more impatiently will he hanker after it. The king hates them both, + and he will thank us, if we change his hatred into retributive justice.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let us accuse both of high treason!” cried Arabella. “The duke is a + traitor; for I will and can swear that he has often enough called the king + a bloodthirsty tiger, a relentless tyrant, a man without truth and without + faith, although he coquettishly pretends to be the fountain and rock of + all faith.” + </p> + <p> + “If he has said that, and you have heard him, you are in duty bound to + communicate it to the king, if you do not want to be a traitoress + yourself,” exclaimed the young duchess, solemnly. + </p> + <p> + “And have you not noticed that the duke has for some time borne the same + coat-of-arms as the king?” asked the Duchess of Norfolk. “It is not enough + for his haughty and ambitious spirit to be the first servant of this land; + he strives to be lord and king of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell that to the king, and by to-morrow the head of the traitor falls. + For the king is as jealous of his kingdom as ever a woman was of her + lover. Tell him that the duke bears his coat-of-arms, and his destruction + is certain.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell him so, daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “We are sure of the father, but what have we for the son?” + </p> + <p> + “A sure and infallible means, that will as certainly dispatch him into + eternity as the hunter’s tiny bullet slays the proudest stag. Henry loves + the queen; and I will furnish the king proof of that,” said the young + duchess. + </p> + <p> + “Then let us go to the king!” cried Arabella, impetuously. + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed! That would make a sensation, and might easily frustrate our + whole plan,” said the Duchess of Richmond. “Let us first talk with Earl + Douglas, and hear his advice. Come; every minute is precious! We owe it to + our womanly honor to avenge ourselves. We cannot and will not leave + unpunished those who have despised our love, wounded our honor, and + trodden under foot the holiest ties of nature!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT. + </h2> + <p> + The Princess Elizabeth was sitting in her room, melancholy and absorbed in + thought. Her eyes were red with weeping; and she pressed her hand on her + heart, as if she would repress its cry of anguish. + </p> + <p> + With a disconsolate, perplexed look she gazed around her chamber, and its + solitude was doubly painful to her to-day, for it testified to her + forsaken condition, to the disgrace that still rested on her. For were it + not so, to-day would have been to the whole court a day of rejoicing, of + congratulations. + </p> + <p> + To-day was Elizabeth’s birthday; fourteen years ago to-day, Anne Boleyn’s + daughter had seen the light of this world. + </p> + <p> + “Anne Boleyn’s daughter!” That was the secret of her seclusion. That was + why none of the ladies and lords of the court had remembered her birthday; + for that would have been at the same time a remembrance of Anne Boleyn, of + Elizabeth’s beautiful and unfortunate mother, who had been made to atone + for her grandeur and prosperity by her death. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, the king had called his daughter Elizabeth a bastard, and + solemnly declared her unworthy of succeeding to the throne. + </p> + <p> + Her birthday, therefore, was to Elizabeth only a day of humiliation and + pain. Reclining on her divan, she thought of her despised and joyless + past, of her desolate and inglorious future. + </p> + <p> + She was a princess, and yet possessed not the rights of her birth; she was + a young maiden, and yet doomed, in sad resignation, to renounce all the + delights and enjoyments of youth, and to condemn her passionate and ardent + heart to the eternal sleep of death. For when the Infante of Spain sued + for her hand, Henry the Eighth had declared that the bastard Elizabeth was + unworthy of a princely husband. But in order to intimidate other suitors + also, he had loudly and openly declared that no subject should dare be so + presumptuous as to offer his hand to one of his royal daughters, and he + who dared to solicit them in marriage should be punished as a traitor. + </p> + <p> + So Elizabeth was condemned to remain unmarried; and nevertheless she + loved; nevertheless she harbored only this one wish, to be the wife of her + beloved, and to be able to exchange the proud title of princess for the + name of Countess Seymour. + </p> + <p> + Since she loved him, a new world, a new sun had arisen on her; and before + the sweet and enchanting whispers of her love, even the proud and alluring + voices of her ambition had to be silent. She no longer thought of it, that + she would never be a queen; she was only troubled that she could not be + Seymour’s wife. + </p> + <p> + She no longer wanted to rule, but she wanted to be happy. But her + happiness reposed on him alone—on Thomas Seymour. + </p> + <p> + Such were her thoughts, as she was in her chamber on the morning of her + birthday, alone and lonely; and her eyes reddened by tears, her painfully + convulsed lips, betrayed how much she had wept to-day; how much this young + girl of fourteen years had already suffered. + </p> + <p> + But she would think no more about it; she would not allow the lurking, + everywhere-prying, malicious, and wicked courtiers the triumph of seeing + the traces of her tears, and rejoicing at her pains and her humiliation. + She was a proud and resolute soul; she would rather have died than to have + accepted the sympathy and pity of the courtiers. + </p> + <p> + “I will work,” said she. “Work is the best balm for all pains.” + </p> + <p> + And she took up the elaborate silk embroidery which she had begun for her + poor, unfortunate friend, Anne of Cleves, Henry’s divorced wife. But the + work occupied only her fingers, not her thoughts. + </p> + <p> + She threw it aside and seized her books. She took Petrarch’s Sonnets; and + his love plaints and griefs enchained and stirred her own love-sick heart. + </p> + <p> + With streaming tears, and yet smiling and full of sweet melancholy, + Elizabeth read these noble and tender poems. It appeared to her as if + Petrarch had only said what she herself so warmly felt. There were her + thoughts, her griefs. He had said them in his language; she must now + repeat them in her own. She seated herself, and with hands trembling with + enthusiasm, fluttering breath, perfectly excited and glowing, in glad + haste she began a translation of Petrarch’s first sonnet. [Footnote: + Elizabeth, who even as a girl of twelve years old spoke four languages, + was very fond of composing verses, and of translating the poems of foreign + authors. But she kept her skill in this respect very secret, and was + always very angry if any one by chance saw one of her poems. After her + death there were found among her papers many translations, especially of + Petrarch’s Sonnets, which were the work of her earliest youth.—Leti, + vol. i, p. 150.] A loud knock interrupted her; and in the hastily opened + door now appeared the lovely form of the queen. + </p> + <p> + “The queen!” exclaimed Elizabeth with delight. “Have you come to me at + such an early morning hour?” + </p> + <p> + “And should I wait till evening to wish my Elizabeth happiness on her + festival? Should I first let the sun go down on this day, which gave to + England so noble and so fair a princess?” asked Catharine. “Or you + thought, perhaps, I did not know that this was your birthday, and that + to-day my Elizabeth advances from the years of childhood, as a proud + maiden full of hope?” + </p> + <p> + “Full of hope?” said Elizabeth, sadly. “Anne Boleyn’s daughter has no + hopes: and when you speak of my birthday, you remind me at the same time + of my despised birth!” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be despised no longer!” said Catharine, and, as she put her arm + tenderly around Elizabeth’s neck, she handed her a roll of parchment. + </p> + <p> + “Take that, Elizabeth; and may this paper be to you the promise of a + joyful and brilliant future! At my request, the king has made this law, + and he therefore granted me the pleasure of bringing it to you.” + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth opened the parchment and read, and a radiant expression + overspread her countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Acknowledged! I am acknowledged!” cried she. “The disgrace of my birth is + taken away! Elizabeth is no more a bastard—she is a royal princess!” + </p> + <p> + “And she may some day be a queen!” said Catharine, smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” cried Elizabeth, “it is not that which stirs me with such joy. But + the disgrace of my birth is taken away; and I may freely hold up my head + and name my mother’s name! Now thou mayst sleep calmly in thy grave, for + it is no longer dishonored! Anne Boleyn was no strumpet; she was King + Henry’s lawful wife, and Elizabeth is the king’s legitimate daughter! I + thank Thee, my God—I thank Thee!” And the young, passionate girl + threw herself on her knees, and raised her hands and her eyes to heaven. + </p> + <p> + “Spirit of my glorified mother,” said she, solemnly, “I call thee! Come to + me! Overshadow me with thy smile, and bless me with thy breath! Queen Anne + of England, thy daughter is no longer a bastard, and no one dares venture + more to insult her. Thou wert with me when I wept and suffered, my mother; + and often in my disgrace and humiliation, it was as if I heard thy voice, + which whispered comfort to me; as if I saw thy heavenly eyes, which poured + peace and love into my breast! Oh, abide with me now also, my mother—now, + when my disgrace is taken away, abide with me in my prosperity; and guard + my heart, that it may be kept pure from arrogance and pride, and remain + humble in its joy! Anne Boleyn, they laid thy beautiful, innocent head + upon the block; but this parchment sets upon it again the royal crown; and + woe, woe to those who will now still dare insult thy memory!” + </p> + <p> + She sprang from her knees and rushed to the wall opposite, on which was a + large oil painting, which represented Elizabeth herself as a child playing + with a dog. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, mother, mother!” said she, “this picture was the last earthly thing + on which thy looks rested; and to these painted lips of thy child thou + gavest thy last kiss, which thy cruel hangman would not allow to thy + living child. Oh, let me sip up this last kiss from that spot; let me + touch with my mouth the spot that thy lips have consecrated!” + </p> + <p> + She bent down and kissed the picture. + </p> + <p> + “And now come forth out of thy grave, my mother,” said she, solemnly. “I + have been obliged so long to hide, so long to veil thee! Now thou + belongest to the world and to the light! The king has acknowledged me as + his lawful daughter; he cannot refuse me to have a likeness of my mother + in my room.” + </p> + <p> + As she thus spoke, she pressed on a spring set in the broad gilt frame of + the picture; and suddenly the painting was seen to move and slowly open + like a door, so as to render visible another picture concealed beneath it, + which represented the unfortunate Anne Boleyn in bridal attire, in the + full splendor of her beauty, as Holbein had painted her, at the desire of + her husband the king. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful and angelic that countenance is!” said Catharine, stepping + nearer. “How innocent and pure those features! Poor queen! Yet thine + enemies succeeded in casting suspicion on thee and bringing thee to the + scaffold. Oh, when I behold thee, I shudder; and my own future rises up + before me like a threatening spectre! Who can believe herself safe and + secure, when Anne Boleyn was not secure; when even she had to die a + dishonorable death? Ah, do but believe me, Elizabeth, it is a melancholy + lot to be Queen of England; and often indeed have I asked the morning + whether I, as still Queen of England, shall greet the evening. But no—we + will not talk of myself in this hour, but only of you, Elizabeth—of + your future and of your fortune. May this document be acceptable to you, + and realize all the wishes that slumber in your bosom!” + </p> + <p> + “One great wish of mine it has fulfilled already,” said Elizabeth, still + occupied with the picture. “It allows me to show my mother’s likeness + unveiled! That I could one day do so was her last prayer and last wish, + which she intrusted to John Heywood for me. To him she committed this + picture. He alone knew the secret of it, and he has faithfully preserved + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, John Heywood is a trusty and true friend,” said Catharine, heartily; + “and it was he who assisted me in inclining the king to our plan and in + persuading him to acknowledge you.” + </p> + <p> + With an unutterable expression Elizabeth presented both hands to her. “I + thank you for my honor, and the honor of my mother,” said she; “I will + love you for it as a daughter; and never shall your enemies find with me + an open ear and a willing heart. Let us two conclude with each other a + league offensive and defensive! Lot us keep true to each other; and the + enemies of the one shall be the enemies of the other also. And where we + see danger we will combat it in common; and we will watch over each other + with a true sisterly eye, and warn one another whenever a chance flash + brings to light an enemy who is stealing along in the darkness, and wants + with his dagger to assassinate us from behind.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it!” said Catharine, solemnly. “We will remain inseparable, and + true to one another, and love each other as sisters!” + </p> + <p> + And as she imprinted a warm kiss on Elizabeth’s lips, she continued: “But + now, princess, direct your looks once more to that document, of which at + first you read only the beginning. Do but believe me, it is important + enough for you to read it quite to the end; for it contains various + arrangements for your future, and settles on you a suite and a yearly + allowance, as is suitable for a royal princess.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what care I for these things?” cried Elizabeth, merrily. “That is my + major-domo’s concern, and he may attend to it.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is yet another paragraph that will interest you more,” said + Catharine, with a slight smile; “for it is a full and complete reparation + to my proud and ambitious Elizabeth. You recollect the answer which your + father gave to the King of France when he solicited your hand for the + dauphin?” + </p> + <p> + “Do I recollect it!” cried Elizabeth, her features quickly becoming + gloomy. “King Henry said: ‘Anne Boleyn’s daughter is not worthy to accept + the hand of a royal prince.’” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, Elizabeth, that the reparation made to you may be complete, + the king, while he grants you your lawful title and honor, has decreed + that you are permitted to marry only a husband of equal birth; to give + your hand only to a royal prince, if you would preserve your right of + succeeding to the throne, Oh, certainly, there could be no more complete + recantation of the affront once put upon you. And that he consented to do + this, you owe to the eloquent intercession of a true and trusty friend; + you have John Hey wood to thank for it.” + </p> + <p> + “John Heywood!” cried Elizabeth, in a bitter tone. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I thank you, queen, that it was not you who determined my father to + this decision. John Heywood did it, and you call him my friend? You say + that he is a true and devoted servant to us both? Beware of his fidelity, + queen, and build not on his devotedness; for I tell you his soul is full + of falsehood; and while he appears to bow before you in humbleness, his + eyes are only searching for the place on your heel where he can strike you + most surely and most mortally. Oh, he is a serpent, a venomous serpent; + and he has just wounded me mortally and incurably. But no,” continued she, + energetically, “I will not submit to this fraud; I will not be the slave + of this injurious law! I will be free to love and to hate as my heart + demands; I will not be shackled, nor be compelled to renounce this man, + whom I perhaps love, and to marry that one, whom I perhaps abhor.” + </p> + <p> + With an expression of firm, energetic resolve, she took the roll of + parchment and handed it back to Catharine. “Queen, take this parchment + back again; return it to my father, and tell him that I thank him for his + provident goodness, but will decline the brilliant lot which this act + offers me. I love freedom so much, that even a royal crown cannot allure + me when I am to receive it with my hands bound and my heart not free.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor child!” sighed Catharine, “you know not, then, that the royal crown + always binds us in fetters and compresses our heart in iron clamps? Ah, + you want to be free, and yet a queen! Oh, believe me, Elizabeth, none are + less free than sovereigns! No one has less the right and the power to live + according to the dictates of his heart than a prince.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” exclaimed Elizabeth, with flashing eyes, “then I renounce the + melancholy fortune of being, perchance, one day queen. Then I do not + subscribe to this law, which wants to guide my heart and limit my will. + What! shall the daughter of King Henry of England allow her ways to be + traced out by a miserable strip of parchment? and shall a sheet of paper + be able to intrude itself between me and my heart? I am a royal princess; + and why will they compel me to give my hand only to a king’s son? Ay, you + are right; it is not my father that has made this law, for my father’s + proud soul has never been willing to submit to any such constraint of + miserable etiquette. He has loved where he pleased; and no Parliament—no + law—has been able to hinder him in this respect. I will be my + father’s own daughter. I will not submit to this law!” + </p> + <p> + “Poor child!” said Catharine, “nevertheless you will be obliged to learn + well how to submit; for one is not a princess without paying for it. No + one asks whether our heart bleeds. They throw a purple robe over it, and + though it be reddened with our heart’s blood, who then sees and suspects + it? You are yet so young, Elizabeth; you yet hope so much!” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so much, because I have already suffered so much—my eyes + have been already made to shed so many tears. I have already in my + childhood had to take before-hand my share of the pain and sorrow of life; + now I will demand my share of life’s pleasure and enjoyment also.” + </p> + <p> + “And who tells you that you shall not have it? This love forces on you no + particular husband; it but gives you the proud right, once disputed, of + seeking your husband among the princes of royal blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” cried Elizabeth, with flashing eyes, “if I should ever really be a + queen, I should be prouder to choose a husband whom I might make a king, + than such a one as would make me a queen. [Footnote: Elizabeth’s own + words,—Leti, vol. ii, p. 62.] Oh, say yourself, Catharine, must it + not be a high and noble pleasure to confer glory and greatness on one we + love, to raise him in the omnipotence of our love high above all other + men, and to lay our own greatness, our own glory, humbly at his feet, that + he may be adorned therewith and make his own possession what is ours?” + </p> + <p> + “By Heaven, you are as proud and ambitious as a man!” said Catharine, + smiling. “Your father’s own daughter! So thought Henry when he gave his + hand to Anne Boleyn; so thought he when he exalted me to be his queen. But + it behooves him thus to think and act, for he is a man.” + </p> + <p> + “He thought thus, because he loved—not because he was a man.” + </p> + <p> + “And you, too, Elizabeth—do you, too, think thus because you love?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I love!” exclaimed Elizabeth, as with an impulsive movement she + threw herself into Catharine’s arms, and hid her blushing face in the + queen’s bosom. “Yes, I love! I love like my father—regardless of my + rank, of my birth; but feeling only that my lover is of equally high birth + in the nobility of his sentiment, in his genius and noble mind; that he is + my superior in all the great and fine qualities which should adorn a man, + and yet are conferred on so few. Judge now, queen, whether that law there + can make me happy. He whom I love is no prince—no son of a king.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor Elizabeth!” said Catharine, clasping the young girl fervently in her + arms. + </p> + <p> + “And why do you bewail my fate, when it is in your power to make me + happy?” asked Elizabeth, urgently. + </p> + <p> + “It was you who prevailed on the king to relieve me of the disgrace that + rested on me; you will also have power over him to set aside this clause + which contains my heart’s sentence of condemnation.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine shook her head with a sigh. “My power does not reach so far,” + said she, sadly. “Ah, Elizabeth, why did you not put confidence in me? Why + did you not let me know sooner that your heart cherished a love which is + in opposition to this law? Why did you not tell your friend your dangerous + secret?” + </p> + <p> + “Just because it is dangerous I concealed it from you; and just on that + account I do not even now mention the name of the loved one. Queen, you + shall not through me become a guilty traitoress against your husband; for + you well know that he punishes every secret concealed from him as an act + of high treason. No, queen; if I am a criminal, you shall not he my + accomplice. Ah, it is always dangerous to be the confidant of such a + secret. You see that in John Heywood. He alone was my confidant, and he + betrayed me. I myself put the weapons into his hands, and he turned them + against me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” said Catharine, thoughtfully; “John Heywood is true and trusty, + and incapable of treachery.” + </p> + <p> + “He has betrayed me!” exclaimed Elizabeth, impetuously. “He knew—he + only—that I love, and that my beloved, though of noble, still is not + of princely birth. Yet it was he, as you said yourself, who moved the king + to introduce this paragraph into the act of succession.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, without doubt, he has wished to save you from an error of your + heart.” + </p> + <p> + “No, he has been afraid of the danger of being privy to this secret, and + at the cost of my heart and my happiness he wanted to escape this danger. + But oh, Catharine, you are a noble, great and strong woman; you are + incapable of such petty fear—such low calculation; therefore, stand + by me; be my savior and protectress! By virtue of that oath which we have + just now mutually taken—by virtue of that mutual clasp of the hands + just given—I call you to my help and my assistance. Oh, Catharine, + allow me this high pleasure, so full of blessing, of being at some time, + perhaps, able to make him whom I love great and powerful by my will. Allow + me this intoxicating delight of being able with my hand to offer to his + ambition at once power and glory—it may be even a crown. Oh, + Catharine, on my knees I conjure you—assist me to repeal this hated + law, which wants to bind my heart and my hand!” + </p> + <p> + In passionate excitement she had fallen before the queen, and was holding + up her hands imploringly to her. + </p> + <p> + Catharine, smiling, bent down and raised her up in her arms. “Enthusiast,” + said she, “poor young enthusiast! Who knows whether you will thank me for + it one day, if I accede to your wish; and whether you will not some time + curse this hour which has brought you, perhaps, instead of the hoped-for + pleasure, only a knowledge of your delusion and misery?” + </p> + <p> + “And were it even so,” cried Elizabeth, energetically, “still it is better + to endure a wretchedness we ourselves have chosen, than to be forced to a + happy lot. Say, Catharine—say, will you lend me your assistance? + Will you induce the king to withdraw this hated clause? If you do it not, + queen, I swear to you, by the soul of my mother, that I will not submit to + this law; that I will solemnly, before all the world, renounce the + privilege that is offered me; that I—” + </p> + <p> + “You are a dear, foolish child,” interrupted Catharine—“a child, + that in youthful presumption might dare wish to fetch the lightnings down + from heaven, and borrow from Jupiter his thunderbolt. Oh, you are still + too young and inexperienced to know that fate regards not our murmurs and + our sighs, and, despite our reluctance and our refusal, still leads us in + its own ways, not our own. You will have to learn that yet, poor child!” + </p> + <p> + “But I will not!” cried Elizabeth, stamping on the floor with all the + pettishness of a child. “I will not ever and eternally be the victim of + another’s will; and fate itself shall not have power to make me its + slave!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we will see now,” said Catharine, smiling. “We will try this time, + at least, to contend against fate; and I will assist you if I can.” + </p> + <p> + “And I will love you for it as my mother and my sister at once,” cried + Elizabeth, as with ardor she threw herself into Catharine’s arms. “Yes, I + will love you for it; and I will pray God that He may one day give me the + opportunity to show my gratitude, and to reward you for your magnanimity + and goodness.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. INTRIGUES. + </h2> + <p> + For a few days past the king’s gout had grown worse, and, to his wrath and + grief, it confined him as a prisoner to his rolling chair. + </p> + <p> + The king was, therefore, very naturally gloomy and dejected, and hurled + the lightnings of his wrath on all those who enjoyed the melancholy + prerogative of being in his presence. His pains, instead of softening his + disposition, seemed only to heighten still more his natural ferocity; and + often might be heard through the palace of Whitehall the king’s angry + growl, and his loud, thundering invectives, which no longer spared any + one, nor showed respect for any rank or dignity. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas, Gardiner, and Wriothesley very well knew how to take + advantage of this wrathful humor of the king for their purposes, and to + afford the cruel monarch, tortured with pain, one satisfaction at least—the + satisfaction of making others suffer also. + </p> + <p> + Never had there been seen in England so many burnt at the stake as in + those days of the king’s sickness; never had the prisons been so crowded; + never had so much blood flowed as King Henry now caused to be shed. + [Footnote: During the king’s reign, and at the instigation of the clergy, + twenty-eight hundred persons were burnt and executed, because they would + not recognize the religious institutions established by the king as the + only right and true ones.—Leti, vol. i, p. 34.] But all this did not + yet suffice to appease the blood-thirstiness of the king, and his friends + and counsellors, and his priests. + </p> + <p> + Still there remained untouched two mighty pillars of Protestantism that + Gardiner and Wriothesley had to overthrow. These were the queen and + Archbishop Cranmer. + </p> + <p> + Still there were two powerful and hated enemies whom the Seymours had to + overcome; these were the Duke of Norfolk and his son, the Earl of Surrey. + </p> + <p> + But the various parties that in turn besieged the king’s ear and + controlled it, were in singular and unheard-of opposition, and at the same + time inflamed with bitterest enmity, and they strove to supplant each + other in the favor of the king. + </p> + <p> + To the popish party of Gardiner and Earl Douglas, everything depended on + dispossessing the Seymours of the king’s favor; and they, on the other + hand, wanted above all things to continue in power the young queen, + already inclined to them, and to destroy for the papists one of their most + powerful leaders, the Duke of Norfolk. + </p> + <p> + The one party controlled the king’s ear through the queen; the other, + through his favorite, Earl Douglas. + </p> + <p> + Never had the king been more gracious and affable to his consort—never + had he required more Earl Douglas’s presence than in those days of his + sickness and bodily anguish. + </p> + <p> + But there was yet a third party that occupied an important place in the + king’s favor—a power which every one feared, and which seemed to + keep itself perfectly independent and free from all foreign influences. + This power was John Heywood, the king’s fool, the epigrammatist, who was + dreaded by the whole court. + </p> + <p> + Only one person had influence with him. John Heywood was the friend of the + queen. For the moment, then, it appeared as if the “heretical party,” of + which the queen was regarded as the head, was the most powerful at court. + </p> + <p> + It was therefore very natural for the popish party to cherish an ardent + hatred against the queen; very natural for them to be contriving new plots + and machinations to ruin her and hurl her from the throne. + </p> + <p> + But Catharine knew very well the danger that threatened her, and she was + on her guard. She watched her every look, her every word; and Gardiner and + Douglas could not examine the queen’s manner of life each day and hour + more suspiciously than she herself did. + </p> + <p> + She saw the sword that hung daily over her head; and, thanks to her + prudence and presence of mind, thanks to the ever-thoughtful watchfulness + and cunning of her friend Heywood! she had still known how to avoid the + falling of that sword. + </p> + <p> + Since that fatal ride in the wood of Epping Forest, she had not again + spoken to Thomas Seymour alone; for Catharine very well knew that + everywhere, whithersoever she turned her steps, some spying eye might + follow her, some listener’s ear might be concealed, which might hear her + words, however softly whispered, and repeat them where they might be + interpreted into a sentence of death against her. + </p> + <p> + She had, therefore, renounced the pleasure of speaking to her lover + otherwise than before witnesses, and of seeing him otherwise than in the + presence of her whole court. + </p> + <p> + What need had she either for secret meetings? What mattered it to her pure + and innocent heart that she was not permitted to be alone with him? Still + she might see him, and drink courage and delight from the sight of his + haughty and handsome face; still she might be near him, and could listen + to the music of his voice, and intoxicate her heart with his fine, + euphonious and vigorous discourse. + </p> + <p> + Catharine, the woman of eight-and-twenty, had preserved the enthusiasm and + innocence of a young girl of fourteen. Thomas Seymour was her first love; + and she loved him with that purity and guileless warmth which is indeed + peculiar to the first love only. + </p> + <p> + It sufficed her, therefore, to see him; to be near him; to know that he + loved her; that he was true to her; that all his thoughts and wishes + belonged to her, as hers to him. + </p> + <p> + And that she knew. For there ever remained to her the sweet enjoyment of + his letters—of those passionately written avowals of his love. If + she was not permitted to say also to him how warmly and ardently she + returned this love, yet she could write it to him. + </p> + <p> + It was John Heywood, the true and discreet friend, that brought her these + letters, and bore her answers to him, stipulating, as a reward for this + dangerous commission, that they both should regard him as the sole + confidant of their love; that both should burn up the letters which he + brought them. He had not been able to hinder Catharine from this unhappy + passion, but wanted at least to preserve her from the fatal consequences + of it. Since he knew that this love needed a confidant, he assumed this + role, that Catharine, in the vehemence of her passion and in the + simplicity of her innocent heart, might not make others sharers of her + dangerous secret. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood therefore watched over Catharine’s safety and happiness, as + she watched over Thomas Seymour and her friends. He protected and guarded + her with the king, as she guarded Cranmer, and protected him from the + constantly renewed assaults of his enemies. + </p> + <p> + This it was that they could never forgive the queen—that she had + delivered Cranmer, the noble and liberal-minded Archbishop of Canterbury, + from their snares. More than once Catharine had succeeded in destroying + their intriguing schemes, and in rending the nets that Gardiner and Earl + Douglas, with so sly and skilful a hand, had spread for Cranmer. + </p> + <p> + If, therefore, they would overthrow Cranmer, they must first overthrow the + queen. For this there was a real means—a means of destroying at once + the queen and the hated Seymours, who stood in the way of the papists. + </p> + <p> + If they could prove to the king that Catharine entertained criminal + intercourse with Thomas Seymour, then were they both lost; then were the + power and glory of the papists secured. + </p> + <p> + But whence to fetch the proofs of this dangerous secret, which the crafty + Douglas had read only in Catharine’s eyes, and for which he had no other + support than his bare conviction? How should they begin to influence the + queen to some inconsiderate step, to a speaking witness of her love? + </p> + <p> + Time hung so heavily on the king’s hands! It would have been so easy to + persuade him to some cruel deed—to a hasty sentence of death! + </p> + <p> + But it was not the blood of the Seymours for which the king thirsted. Earl + Douglas very well knew that. He who observed the king day and night—he + who examined and sounded his every sigh, each of his softly murmured + words, every twitch of his mouth, every wrinkle of his brow—he well + knew what dark and bloody thoughts stirred the king’s soul, and whose + blood it was for which he thirsted. + </p> + <p> + The royal tiger would drink the blood of the Howards; and that they still + lived in health, and abundance, and glory, while he, their king and + master, lonely and sad, was tossing on his couch in pain and agony—that + was the worm which gnawed at the king’s heart, which made his pains yet + more painful, his tortures yet keener. + </p> + <p> + The king was jealous—jealous of the power and greatness of the + Howards. It filled him with gloomy hatred to think that the Duke of + Norfolk, when he rode through the streets of London, was everywhere + received with the acclamations and rejoicing of the people, while he, the + king, was a prisoner in his palace. It was a gnawing pain for him to know + that Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was praised as the handsomest and + greatest man of England; that he was called the noblest poet; the greatest + scholar; while yet he, the king, had also composed his poems and written + his learned treatises, aye, even a particular devout book, which he had + printed for his people, and ordered them to read instead of the Bible. + [Footnote: Burnet, vol. i, p. 95.] + </p> + <p> + It was the Howards who everywhere disputed his fame. The Howards + supplanted him in the favor of his people, and usurped the love and + admiration which were due to the king alone, and which should be directed + toward no one but him. He lay on his bed of pain, and without doubt the + people would have forgotten him, if he had not by the block, the stake, + and the scaffold, daily reminded them of himself. He lay on his bed of + pain, while the duke, splendid and magnificent, exhibited himself to the + people and transported them with enthusiasm by the lavish and kingly + generosity with which he scattered his money among the populace. + </p> + <p> + Yes, the Duke of Norfolk was the king’s dangerous rival. The crown was not + secure upon his head so long as the Howards lived. And who could + conjecture whether in time to come, when Henry closed his eyes, the + exultant love of the people might not call to the throne the Duke of + Norfolk, or his noble son, the Earl of Surrey, instead of the rightful + heir—instead of the little boy Edward, Henry’s only son? + </p> + <p> + When the king thought of that, he had a feeling as though a stream of fire + were whirling up to his brain; and he convulsively clenched his hands, and + screamed and roared that he would take vengeance—vengeance on those + hated Howards, who wanted to snatch the crown from his son. + </p> + <p> + Edward, the little boy of tender age—he alone was the divinely + consecrated, legitimate heir to the king’s crown. It had cost his father + so great a sacrifice to give his people this son and successor! In order + to do it, he had sacrificed Jane Seymour, his own beloved wife; he had let + the mother be put to death, in order to preserve the son, the heir of his + crown. + </p> + <p> + And the people did not once thank the king for this sacrifice that Jane + Seymour’s husband had made for them. The people received with shouts the + Duke of Norfolk, the father of that adulterous queen whom Henry loved so + much that her infidelity had struck him like the stab of a poisoned + dagger. + </p> + <p> + These were the thoughts that occupied the king on his bed of pain, and + upon which he dwelt with all the wilfulness and moodiness of a sick man. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have to sacrifice these Howards to him!” said Earl Douglas to + Gardiner, as they had just again listened to a burst of rage from their + royal master. “If we would at last succeed in ruining the queen, we must + first destroy the Howards.” + </p> + <p> + The pious bishop looked at him inquiringly, and in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas smiled. “Your highness is too exalted and noble to be always + able to comprehend the things of this world. Your look, which seeks only + God and heaven, does not always see the petty and pitiful things that + happen here on the earth below.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but,” said Gardiner, with a cruel smile, “I see them, and it charms + my eye when I see how God’s vengeance punishes the enemies of the Church + here on earth. Set up then, by all means, a stake or a scaffold for these + Howards, if their death can be to us a means to our pious and godly end. + You are certain of my blessing and my assistance. Only I do not quite + comprehend how the Howards can stand in the way of our plots which are + formed against the queen, inasmuch as they are numbered among the queen’s + enemies, and profess themselves of the Church in which alone is + salvation.” + </p> + <p> + “The Earl of Surrey is an apostate, who has opened his ear and heart to + the doctrines of Calvin!” + </p> + <p> + “Then let his head fall, for he is a criminal before God, and no one ought + to have compassion on him! And what is there that we lay to the charge of + the father?” + </p> + <p> + “The Duke of Norfolk is well-nigh yet more dangerous than his son; for + although a Catholic, he has not nevertheless the right faith; and his soul + is full of unholy sympathy and injurious mildness. He bewails those whose + blood is shed because they were devoted to the false doctrine of the + priests of Baal; and-he calls us both the king’s blood-hounds.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” cried Gardiner with an uneasy, dismal smile, “we will show + him that he has called us by the right name; we will rend him in pieces!” + </p> + <p> + “Besides, as we have said, the Howards stand in the way of our schemes in + relation to the queen,” said Earl Douglas, earnestly. “The king’s mind is + so completely filled with this one hatred and this one jealousy, that + there is no room in it for any other feeling, for any other hate. It is + true he signs often enough these death-warrants which we lay before him; + but he does it, as the lion, with utter carelessness and without anger, + crushes the little mouse that is by chance under his paws. But if the lion + is to rend in pieces his equal, he must beforehand be put into a rage. + When he is raging, then you must let him have his prey. The Howards shall + be his first prey. But, then, we must exert ourselves, that when the lion + again shakes his mane his wrath may fall upon Catharine Parr and the + Seymours.” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord our God will be with us, and enlighten us, that we may find the + right means to strike His enemies a sure blow!” exclaimed Gardiner, + devoutly folding his hands. + </p> + <p> + “I believe the right means are already found,” said Earl Douglas, with a + smile; “and even before this day descends to its close, the gates of the + Tower will open to receive this haughty and soft-hearted Duke of Norfolk + and this apostate Earl Surrey. Perchance we may even succeed in striking + at one blow the queen together with the Howards. See! an equipage stops + before the grand entrance, and I see the Duchess of Norfolk and her + daughter, the Duchess of Richmond, getting out of the carriage. Only see! + they are making signs to us. I have promised to conduct these two noble + and pious ladies to the king, and I shall do so. Whilst we are there, pray + for us, your highness, that our words, like well-aimed arrows, may strike + the king’s heart, and then rebound upon the queen and the Seymours!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. THE ACCUSATION. + </h2> + <p> + In vain had the king hoped to master his pains, or at least to forget + them, while he tried to sleep. Sleep had fled from the king’s couch; and + as he now sat in his rolling-chair, sad, weary, and harassed with pain, he + thought, with gloomy spite, that the Duke of Norfolk told him but + yesterday that sleep was a thing under his control, and he could summon it + to him whenever it seemed good to him. This thought made him raving with + anger; and grinding his teeth, he muttered: “He can sleep; and I, his lord + and king—I am a beggar that in vain whines to God above for a little + sleep, a little forgetfulness of his pains! But it is this traitorous + Norfolk that prevents me from sleeping. Thoughts of him keep me awake and + restless. And I cannot crush this traitor with these hands of mine; I am a + king, and yet so powerless and weak, that I can find no means of accusing + this traitor, and convicting him of his sinful and blasphemous deeds. Oh, + where may I find him—that true friend, that devoted servant, who + ventures to understand my unuttered thoughts, and fulfil the wishes to + which I dare not give a name?” + </p> + <p> + Just as he was thus thinking, the door behind him opened and in walked + Earl Douglas. His countenance was proud and triumphant, and so wild a joy + gleamed from his eyes that even the king was surprised at it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said he, peevishly, “you call yourself my friend; and you are + cheerful, Douglas, while your king is a poor prisoner whom the gout has + chained with brazen bands to this chair.” + </p> + <p> + “You will recover, my king, and go forth from this imprisonment as the + conqueror, dazzling and bright, that by his appearance under God’s + blessing treads all his enemies in the dust—that triumphs over all + those who are against him, and would betray their king!” + </p> + <p> + “Are there, then, any such traitors, who threaten their king?” asked + Henry, with a dark frown. + </p> + <p> + “Ay, there are such traitors!” + </p> + <p> + “Name them to me!” said the king, trembling with passionate impatience. + “Name them to me, that my arm may crush them and my avenging justice + overtake the heads of the guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “It is superfluous to mention them, for you, King Henry, the wise and + all-knowing—you know their names.” + </p> + <p> + And bending down closer to the king’s ear, Earl Douglas continued: “King + Henry, I certainly have a right to call myself your most faithful and + devoted servant, for I have read your thoughts. I have understood the + noble grief that disturbs your heart, and banishes sleep from your eyes + and peace from your soul. You saw the foe that was creeping in the dark; + you heard the low hiss of the serpent that was darting his venomous sting + at your heel. But you were so much the noble and intrepid king, that you + would not yourself become the accuser—nay, you would not once draw + back the foot menaced by the serpent. Great and merciful, like God + Himself, you smiled upon him whom you knew to be your enemy. But I, my + king—I have other duties. I am like the faithful dog, that has eyes + only for the safety of his master, and falls upon every one that comes to + menace him. I have seen the serpent that would kill you, and I will bruise + his head!” + </p> + <p> + “And what is the name of this serpent of which you speak?” asked the king; + and his heart beat so boisterously that he felt it on his trembling lips. + </p> + <p> + “It is called,” said Earl Douglas, earnestly and solemnly—“it is + called Howard!” + </p> + <p> + The king uttered a cry, and, forgetting his gout and his pains, arose from + his chair. + </p> + <p> + “Howard!” said he, with a cruel smile. “Say you that a Howard threatens + our life? Which one is it? Name me the traitor!” + </p> + <p> + “I name them both—father and son! I name the Duke of Norfolk and the + Earl of Surrey! I say that they both are traitors, who threaten the life + and honor of my king, and with blasphemous arrogance dare stretch out + their hands even to the crown!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I knew it, I knew it!” screamed the king. “And it was this that made + me sleepless, and ate into my body like red-hot iron.” + </p> + <p> + And as he fastened on Douglas his eyes flashing with rage, he asked, with + a grim smile: “Can you prove that these Howards are traitors? Can you + prove that they aim at my crown?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope to be able to do so,” said Douglas. “To be sure, there are no + great convincing facts—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said the king, interrupting him with a savage laugh, “there is no + need of great facts. Give into my hand but a little thread, and I will + make out of it a cord strong enough to haul the father and son up to the + gallows at one time.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, for the son there is proof enough,” said the earl, with a smile: “and + as regards the father, I will produce your majesty some accusers against + him, who will be important enough to bring the duke also to the block. + Will you allow me to bring them to you immediately?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, bring them, bring them!” cried the king. “Every minute is precious + that may lead these traitors sooner to their punishment.” + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas stepped to the door and opened it. Three veiled female + figures entered and bowed reverentially. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” whispered the king, with a cruel smile, as he sank back again into + his chair, “they are the three Fates that spin the Howards’ thread of + life, and will now, it is to be hoped, break it off. I will furnish them + with the scissors for it; and if they are not sharp enough, I will, with + my own royal hands, help them to break the thread.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Earl Douglas, as, at a sign from him, the three women + unveiled themselves—“sire, the wife, the daughter, and the mistress + of the Duke of Norfolk have come to accuse him of high treason. The mother + and the sister of the Earl of Surrey are here to charge him with a crime + equally worthy of death.” + </p> + <p> + “Now verily,” exclaimed the king, “it must be a grievous and blasphemous + sin which so much exasperates the temper of these noble women, and makes + them deaf to the voice of nature!” + </p> + <p> + “It is indeed such a sin,” said the Duchess of Norfolk, in a solemn tone; + and, approaching a few paces nearer to the king, she continued: “Sire, I + accuse the duke, my divorced husband, of high treason and disloyalty to + his king. He has been so bold as to appropriate your own royal + coat-of-arms; and on his seal and equipage, and over the entrance of his + palace, are displayed the arms of the kings of England.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” said the king, who, now that he was certain of the + destruction of the Howards, had regained his calmness and self-possession, + and perfectly reassumed the air of a strict, impartial judge. “Yes, he + bears the royal arms on his shield, but yet, if we remember rightly, the + crown and paraph of our ancestor Edward the Third are wanting.” + </p> + <p> + “He has now added this crown and this paraph to his coat-of-arms,” said + Miss Holland. “He says he is entitled to them; for that, like the king, he + also is descended in direct line from Edward the Third; and, therefore, + the royal arms belong likewise to him.” + </p> + <p> + “If he says that, he is a traitor who presumes to call his king and master + his equal,” cried the king, coloring up with a grim joy at now at length + having his enemy in his power. + </p> + <p> + “He is indeed a traitor,” continued Miss Holland. “Often have I heard him + say he had the same right to the throne of England as Henry the Eighth; + and that a day might come when he would contend with Henry’s son for that + crown.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” cried the king, and his eyes darted flashes so fierce that even Earl + Douglas shrank before them, “ah, he will contend with my son for the crown + of England! It is well, now; for now it is my sacred duty, as a king and + as a father, to crush this serpent that wants to bite me on the heel; and + no compassion and no pity ought now to restrain me longer. And were there + no other proofs of his guilt and his crime than these words that he has + spoken to you, yet are they sufficient, and will rise up against him, like + the hangman’s aids who are to conduct him to the block.” + </p> + <p> + “But there are yet other proofs,” said Miss Holland, laconically. + </p> + <p> + The king was obliged to unbutton his doublet. It seemed as though joy + would suffocate him. + </p> + <p> + “Name them!” commanded he. + </p> + <p> + “He dares deny the king’s supremacy; he calls the Bishop of Rome the sole + head and holy Father of the Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, does he so?” exclaimed the king, laughing. “Well, we shall see now + whether this holy Father will save this faithful son from the scaffold + which we will erect for him. Yes, yes, we must give the world a new + example of our incorruptible justice, which overtakes every one, however + high and mighty he may be, and however near our throne he may stand. + Really, really, it grieves our heart to lay low this oak which we had + planted so near our throne, that we might lean upon it and support + ourselves by it; but justice demands this sacrifice, and we will make it—not + in wrath and spite, but only to meet the sacred and painful duty of our + royalty. We have greatly loved this duke, and it grieves us to tear this + love from our heart.” + </p> + <p> + And with his hand, glittering with jewels, the king wiped from his eyes + the tears which were not there. + </p> + <p> + “But how?” asked the king, then, after a pause, “will you have the courage + to repeat your accusation publicly before Parliament? Will you, his wife, + and you, his mistress, publicly swear with a sacred oath to the truth of + your declaration?” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so,” said the duchess, solemnly, “for he is no longer my + husband, no longer the father of my children, but simply the enemy of my + king; and to serve him is my most sacred duty.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so,” cried Miss Holland, with a bewitching smile; “for he is no + longer my lover, but only a traitor, an atheist, who is audacious enough + to recognize as the holy head of Christendom that man at Rome who has + dared to hurl his curse against the sublime head of our king. It is this, + indeed, that has torn my heart from the duke, and that has made me now + hate him as ardently as I once loved him.” + </p> + <p> + With a gracious smile, the king presented both his hands to the two women. + “You have done me a great service to-day, my ladies,” said he, “and I will + find a way to reward you for it. I will give you, duchess, the half of his + estate, as though you were his rightful heir and lawful widow. And you, + Miss Holland, I will leave in undisputed possession of all the goods and + treasures that the enamored duke has given you.” + </p> + <p> + The two ladies broke out into loud expressions of thanks and into + enthusiastic rapture over the liberal and generous king, who was so + gracious as to give them what they already had, and to bestow on them what + was already their own property. + </p> + <p> + “Well, and are you wholly mute, my little duchess,” asked the king after a + pause, turning to the Duchess of Richmond, who had withdrawn to the + embrasure of a window. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said the duchess, smiling, “I was only waiting for my cue.” + </p> + <p> + “And this cue is—” + </p> + <p> + “Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey! As your majesty knows, I am a merry and + harmless woman; and I understand better how to laugh and joke than to talk + much seriously. The two noble and fair ladies have accused the duke, my + father; and they have done so in a very dignified and solemn manner. I + wish to accuse my brother, Henry Howard; but you must exercise + forbearance, if my words sound less solemn and elevated. They have told + you, sire, that the Duke of Norfolk is a traitor and a criminal who + denominates the Pope of Rome, and not you, my exalted king, the head of + the Church. Now, the Earl of Surrey is neither a traitor nor a papist; and + he has neither devised criminal plots against the throne of England, nor + has he denied the supremacy of the king. No, sire, the Earl of Surrey is + no traitor and no papist!” + </p> + <p> + The duchess paused, and looked with a malicious and droll smile into the + astonished faces of those present. + </p> + <p> + A dark frown gathered on the king’s brow, and his eyes, which just before + had looked so cheerful, were now fixed with an angry expression on the + young duchess. + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, my lady, have you made your appearance here?” asked he. “Why + have you come here, if you have nothing further to say than what I already + know—that the Earl of Surrey is a very loyal subject, and a man + without any ambition, who neither courts the favor of my people nor thinks + of laying his traitorous hands on my crown?” + </p> + <p> + The young duchess shook her head with a smile. “I know not whether he does + all that,” said she. “I have indeed heard that he said, with bitter scorn, + that you, my king, wanted to be the protector of religion, yet you + yourself were entirely without religion and without belief. Also, he of + late broke out into bitter curses against you, because you had robbed him + of his field-marshal’s staff, and given it to Earl Hertford, that noble + Seymour. Also, he meant to see whether the throne of England were so firm + and steady that it had no need of his hand and his arm to prop it. All + that I have of course heard from him; but you are right, sire, it is + unimportant—it is not worth mentioning, and therefore I do not even + make it as an accusation against him.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you are always a mad little witch, Rosabella!” cried the king, who + had regained his cheerfulness. “You say you will not accuse him, and yet + you make his head a plaything that you poise upon your crimson lips. But + take care, my little duchess—take care, that this head does not fall + from your lips with your laughing, and roll down to the ground; for I will + not stop it—this head of the Earl of Surrey, of whom you say that he + is no traitor.” + </p> + <p> + “But is it not monotonous and tiresome, if we accuse the father and son of + the same crime?” asked the duchess, laughing. “Let us have a little + variation. Let the duke be a traitor; the son, my king, is by far a worse + criminal!” + </p> + <p> + “Is there, then, a still worse and more execrable crime than to be a + traitor to his king and master, and to speak of the anointed of the Lord + without reverence and love?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, your majesty, there is a still worse crime; and of that I accuse the + Earl of Surrey. He is an adulterer!” + </p> + <p> + “An adulterer!” repeated the king, with an expression of abhorrence. “Yes, + my lady, you are right; that is a more execrable and unnatural crime, and + we shall judge it strictly. For it shall not be said that modesty and + virtue found no protector in the king of this land, and that he will not + as a judge punish and crash all those who dare sin against decency and + morals. Oh, the Earl of Surrey is an adulterer, is he?” + </p> + <p> + “That is to say, sire, he dares with his sinful love to pursue a virtuous + and chaste wife. He dares to raise his wicked looks to a woman who stands + as high above him as the sun above mortals, and who, at least by the + greatness and high position of her husband, should be secure from all + impure desires and lustful wishes.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” cried the king, indignantly, “I see already whither that tends. It + is always the same accusation; and now I say, as you did just now, let us + have a little variation! The accusation I have already often heard; but + the proofs are always wanting.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, this time, it may be, we can give the proofs,” said the duchess, + earnestly. “Would you know, my noble king, who the Geraldine is to whom + Henry Howard addresses his love-songs? Shall I tell you the real name of + this woman to whom, in the presence of your sacred person and of your + whole court, he uttered his passionate protestations of love and his oath + of eternal faithfulness? Well, now, this Geraldine—so adored, so + deified—is the queen!” + </p> + <p> + “That is not true!” cried the king, crimson with anger; and he clenched + his hands so firmly about the arms of his chair that it cracked. “That is + not true, my lady!” + </p> + <p> + “It is true!” said the duchess, haughtily and saucily. “It is true, sire, + for the Earl of Surrey has confessed to me myself that it is the queen + whom he loves, and that Geraldine is only a melodious appellation for + Catharine.” + </p> + <p> + “He has confessed it to you yourself?” inquired the king, with gasping + breath. “Ah, he dares love his king’s wife? Woe to him, woe!” + </p> + <p> + He raised his clenched fist threateningly to heaven, and his eyes darted + lightning. “But how!” said he, after a pause—“has he not recently + read before us a poem to his Geraldine, in which he thanks her for her + love, and acknowledges himself eternally her debtor for the kiss she gave + him?” + </p> + <p> + “He has read before your majesty such a poem to Geraldine.” + </p> + <p> + The king uttered a low cry, and raised himself in his seat. “Proofs,” said + he, in a hoarse, hollow voice—“proofs—or, I tell you, your own + head shall atone for this accusation!” + </p> + <p> + “This proof, your majesty, I will give you!” said Earl Douglas, solemnly. + “It pleases your majesty, in the fulness of your gentleness and mercy, to + want to doubt the accusation of the noble duchess. Well, now, I will + furnish you infallible proof that Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, really + loves the queen, and that he really dares to extol and adore the king’s + wife as his Geraldine. You shall with your own ears, sire, hear how Earl + Surrey swears his love to the queen.” + </p> + <p> + The scream which the king now uttered was so frightful, and gave evidence + of so much inward agony and rage, that it struck the earl dumb, and made + the cheeks of the ladies turn pale. + </p> + <p> + “Douglas, Douglas, beware how you rouse the lion!” gasped the king. “The + lion might rend you yourself in pieces!” + </p> + <p> + “This very night I will give you the proof that you demand, sire. This + very night you shall hear how Earl Surrey, sitting at the feet of his + Geraldine, swears to her his love.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well!” said the king. “This night, then! Woe to you, Douglas, if + you cannot redeem your word!” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so, your majesty. For this, it is only necessary that you will + be graciously pleased to swear to me that you will not, by a sigh or a + breath, betray yourself. The earl is suspicious; and the fear of an evil + conscience has sharpened his ear. He would recognize you by your sigh, and + his lips would not speak those words and avowals which you desire to + hear.” + </p> + <p> + “I swear to you that I will not by any sigh or breath betray my presence!” + said the king, solemnly. “I swear this to you by the holy mother of God! + But now let that suffice. Air—air—I suffocate! Everything + swims before my eyes. Open the window, that a little air may flow in! Ah! + that is good! This air at least is pure, and not infected with sin and + slander!” + </p> + <p> + And the king had Earl Douglas roll him to the opened window, and inspired + in long draughts that pure fresh air. Then he turned to the ladies with an + agreeable smile. + </p> + <p> + “My ladies,” said he, “I thank you! You have to-day shown yourselves my + true and devoted friends! I shall ever remember it, and I beg of you, if + at any time you need a friend and protector, to apply to us with all + confidence. We shall never forget what great service you have to-day + rendered us.” + </p> + <p> + He nodded to them in a friendly manner, whilst, with a majestic wave of + the hand, he dismissed them, and concluded the audience. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Douglas,” exclaimed the king, vehemently, as soon as the ladies + had retired—“now I have had enough of this dreadful torture! Oh, you + say I am to punish the traitors—these Surreys—and you inflict + on me the most frightful pains of the rack!” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, there was no other means of delivering up this Surrey to you. You + were wishing that he were a criminal; and I shall prove to you that he is + so.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I shall then be able at least to tread his hated head under my feet,” + said the king, grinding his teeth. “I shall no more tremble before this + malicious enemy, who goes about among my people with his hypocritical + tongue, while I, tortured with pain, sit in the dungeon of my sickroom. + Yes, yes, I thank you, Douglas, that you will hand him over to my arm of + vengeance; and my soul is full of joy and serenity at it. Ah, why were you + obliged to cloud this fair, this sublime hour? Why was it necessary to + weave the queen into this gloomy web of guilt and crime? Her cheerful + smile and her radiant looks have ever been an enjoyment so dear to my + eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I do not by any means say that the queen is guilty. Only there was + no other means to prove to you Earl Surrey’s guilt than that you should + hear for yourself his confession of love to the queen.” + </p> + <p> + “And I will hear it!” cried the king, who had now already overcome the + sentimental emotion of his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will have full conviction of Surrey’s guilt; and woe to the queen, + should I find her also guilty! This night, then, earl! But till then, + silence and secrecy! We will have father and son seized and imprisoned at + the same hour; for otherwise the imprisonment of the one might easily + serve as a warning to the other, and he might escape my just wrath. Ah, + they are so sly—these Howards—and their hearts are so full of + cunning and malice! But now they shall escape me no more; now they are + ours! How it does me good to think that! And how briskly and lightly my + heart leaps! It is as though a stream of new life were rushing through my + veins, and a new power were infused into my blood. Oh, it was these + Howards that made me sick. I shall be well again when I know that they are + in the Tower. Yes, yes, my heart leaps with joy, and this is to be a happy + and blessed day. Call the queen hither to me, that I may once more enjoy + her rosy face before I make it turn pale with terror. Yes, let the queen + come, and let her adorn herself; I want to see her once more in the full + splendor of her youth and her royalty, before her star goes out in + darkness. I will once more delight myself with her before I make her weep. + Ah, know you, Douglas, that there is no enjoyment keener, more devilish, + and more heavenly, than to see such a person who smiles and suspects + nothing, while she is already condemned; who still adorns her head with + roses, while the executioner is already sharpening the axe that is to lay + that head low; who still has hopes of the future, and of joy and + happiness, while her hour of life has already run out; while I have + already bidden her stop and descend into the grave! So, call the queen to + me; and tell her that we are in a merry mood, and want to jest and laugh + with her! Call all the ladies and lords of our court; and have the royal + saloons opened; and let them be radiant with the brilliancy of the lights; + and let us have music—loud, crashing music—for we want at + least to make this a merry day for us since it seems as though we should + have a sad and unhappy night. Yes, yes, a merry day we will have; and + after that, let come what come may! The saloons shall resound with + laughter and joyfulness; and naught but rejoicing and fun shall be heard + in the great royal saloons. And invite also the Duke of Norfolk, my noble + cousin, who shares with me my royal coat-of-arms. Yes, invite him, that I + may enjoy once more his haughty and imposing beauty and grandeur before + this august sun is extinguished and leaves us again in night and darkness. + Then invite also Wriothesley, the high chancellor, and let him bring with + him a few gallant and brave soldiers of our body-guard. They are to be the + noble duke’s suite, when he wishes to leave our feast and go homeward—homeward—if + not to his palace, yet to the Tower, and to the grave. Go, go, Douglas, + and attend to all this for me! And send me here directly my merry fool, + John Heywood. He must pass away the time for me till the feast begins. He + must make me laugh and be gay.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go and fulfil your orders, sire,” said Earl Douglas. “I will order + the feast, and impart your commands to the queen and your court. And first + of all, I will send John Heywood to you. But pardon me, your majesty, if I + venture to remind you that you have given me your royal word not to betray + our secret by a single syllable, or even by a sigh.” + </p> + <p> + “I gave my word, and I will keep it!” said the king. “Go now, Earl + Douglas, and do what I have bidden you!” + </p> + <p> + Wholly exhausted by this paroxysm of cruel delight, the king sank back in + his seat, and moaning and groaning he rubbed his leg, the piercing pains + of which he had for a moment forgotten, but which now reminded him of + their presence with so much the more cruel fury. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, ah!” moaned the king. “He boasts of being able to sleep when he + pleases. Well, this time we will be the one to lull this haughty earl to + sleep. But it will be a sleep out of which he is never to awake again!” + </p> + <p> + While the king thus wailed and suffered, Earl Douglas hastened with quick, + firm step through the suite of royal apartments. A proud, triumphant smile + played about his lips, and a joyful expression of victory flashed from his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Triumph! triumph! we shall conquer!” said he, as he now entered his + daughter’s chamber and extended his hand to Lady Jane. “Jane, we have at + last reached the goal, and you will soon be King Henry’s seventh wife!” + </p> + <p> + A rosy shimmer flitted for a moment over Lady Jane’s pale, colorless + cheeks, and a smile played about her lips—a smile, however, which + was more sad than loud sobs could have been. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said she in a low tone, “I fear only that my poor head will be too + weak to wear a royal crown.” + </p> + <p> + “Courage, courage, Jane, lift up your head, and be again my strong, proud + daughter!” + </p> + <p> + “But, I suffer so much, my father,” sighed she. “It is hell that burns + within me!” + </p> + <p> + “But soon, Jane, soon you shall feel again the bliss of heaven! I had + forbidden you to grant Henry Howard a meeting, because it might bring us + danger. Well, then, now your tender heart shall be satisfied. To-night you + shall embrace your lover again!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” murmured she, “he will again call me his Geraldine, and it will not + be I, but the queen, that he kisses in my arms!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to-day, it will still be so, Jane; but I swear to you that to-day is + the last time that you are obliged to receive him thus.” + </p> + <p> + “The last time that I see him?” asked Jane, with an expression of alarm. + </p> + <p> + “No, Jane, only the last time that Henry Howard loves in you the queen, + and not you yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he will never love me!” murmured she, sadly. + </p> + <p> + “He will love you, for you it will be that will save his life. Hasten, + then. Jane, haste! Write him quickly one of those tender notes that you + indite with so masterly a hand. Invite him to a meeting to-night at the + usual time and place.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I shall at last have him again!” whispered Lady Jane; and she stepped + to the writing-table and with trembling hand began to write. + </p> + <p> + But suddenly she stopped, and looked at her father sharply and + suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “You swear to me, my father, that no danger threatens him if he comes?” + </p> + <p> + “I swear to you, Jane, that you shall be the one to save his life! I swear + to you, Jane, that you shall take vengeance on the queen—vengeance + for all the agony, the humiliation and despair that you have suffered by + her. To-day she is yet Queen of England! To-morrow she will be nothing + more than a criminal, who sighs in the confinement of the Tower for the + hour of her execution. And you will be Henry’s seventh queen. Write, then, + my daughter, write! And may love dictate to you the proper words!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. THE FEAST OF DEATH. + </h2> + <p> + For a long time the king had not appeared in such good spirits as on this + festive evening. For a long time he had not been so completely the tender + husband, the good-natured companion, the cheerful bon-vivant. + </p> + <p> + The pains of his leg seemed to have disappeared, and even the weight of + his body seemed to be less burdensome than usual, for more than once he + rose from his chair, and walked a few steps through the brilliantly + lighted saloon, in which the ladies and lords of his court, in festive + attire, were moving gently to and fro; in which music and laughter + resounded. How tender he showed himself toward the queen to-day; with what + extraordinary kindness he met the Duke of Norfolk; with what smiling + attention, he listened to the Earl of Surrey, as he, at the king’s desire, + recited some new sonnets to Geraldine! + </p> + <p> + This marked preference for the noble Howards enraptured the Roman Catholic + party at court, and filled it with new hopes and new confidence. + </p> + <p> + But one there was who did not allow himself to be deceived by this mask + which King Henry had to-day put on over his wrathful face. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood had faith neither in the king’s cheerfulness nor in his + tenderness. He knew the king; he was aware that those to whom he was most + friendly often had the most to fear from him. Therefore, he watched him; + and he saw, beneath this mask of friendliness, the king’s real angry + countenance sometimes flash out in a quick, hasty look. + </p> + <p> + The resounding music and the mad rejoicing no more deceived John Heywood. + He beheld Death standing behind this dazzling life; he smelt the reek of + corruption concealed beneath the perfume of these brilliant flowers. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood no longer laughed and no longer chatted. He watched. + </p> + <p> + For the first time in a long while the king did not need to-day the + exciting jest and the stinging wit of his fool in order to be cheerful and + in good humor. + </p> + <p> + So the fool had time and leisure to be a reasonable and observant man; and + he improved the time. + </p> + <p> + He saw the looks of mutual understanding and secure triumph that Earl + Douglas exchanged with Gardiner, and it made him mistrustful to notice + that the favorites of the king, at other times so jealous, did not seem to + be at all disturbed by the extraordinary marks of favor which the Howards + were enjoying this evening. + </p> + <p> + Once he heard how Gardiner asked Wriothesley, as he passed by, “And the + soldiers of the Tower?” and how he replied just as laconically, “They + stand near the coach, and wait.” + </p> + <p> + It was, therefore, perfectly clear that somebody would be committed to + prison this very day. There was, therefore, among the laughing, + richly-attired, and jesting guests of this court, one who this very night, + when he left these halls radiant with splendor and pleasure, was to behold + the dark and gloomy chambers of the Tower. + </p> + <p> + The only question was, who that one was for whom the brilliant comedy of + this evening was to be changed to so sad a drama. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood felt his heart oppressed with an unaccountable apprehension, + and the king’s extraordinary tenderness toward the queen terrified him. + </p> + <p> + As now he smiled on Catharine, as he now stroked her cheeks, so had the + king smiled on Anne Boleyn in the same hour that he ordered her arrest; so + had he stroked Buckingham’s cheek on the same day that he signed his + death-warrant. + </p> + <p> + The fool was alarmed at this brilliant feast, resounding music, and the + mad merriment of the king. He was horrified at the laughing faces and + frivolous jests, which came streaming from all those mirthful lips. + </p> + <p> + O Heaven! they laughed, and death was in the midst of them; they laughed, + and the gates of the Tower were already opened to admit one of those merry + guests of the king into that house which no one in those days of Henry the + Eighth left again, save to go to the stake or to ascend the scaffold! + </p> + <p> + Who was the condemned? For whom were the soldiers below at the carriage + waiting? John Heywood in vain racked his brain with this question. + </p> + <p> + Nowhere could he spy a trace that might lead him on the right track; + nowhere a clew that might conduct him through this labyrinth of horrors. + </p> + <p> + “When you are afraid of the devil, you do well to put yourself under his + immediate protection,” muttered John Heywood; and sad and despondent at + heart, he crept behind the king’s throne and crouched down by it on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood had such a little, diminutive form, and the king’s throne was + so large and broad, that it altogether concealed the little crouching + fool. + </p> + <p> + No one had noticed that John Heywood was concealed there behind the king. + Nobody saw his large, keen eyes peeping out from behind the throne and + surveying and watching the whole hall. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood could see everything and hear everything going on in the + vicinity of the king. He could observe every one who approached the queen. + </p> + <p> + He saw Lady Jane likewise, who was standing by the queen’s seat. He saw + how Earl Douglas drew near his daughter, and how she turned deadly pale as + he stepped up to her. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood held his breath and listened. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas stood near his daughter, and nodded to her with a peculiar + smile. “Go, now, Jane, go and change your dress. It is time. Only see how + impatiently and longingly Henry Howard is already looking this way, and + with what languishing and enamored glances he seems to give a hint to the + queen. Go then, Jane, and think of your promise.” + </p> + <p> + “And will you, my father, also think of your promise?” inquired Lady Jane, + with trembling lips. “Will no danger threaten him?” + </p> + <p> + “I will, Jane. But now make haste, my daughter, and be prudent and + adroit.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane bowed, and murmured a few unintelligible words. Then she + approached the queen, and begged permission to retire from the feast, + because a severe indisposition had suddenly overtaken her. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane’s countenance was so pale and deathlike, that the queen might + well believe in the indisposition of her first maid of honor, and she + allowed her to retire. Lady Jane left the hall. The queen continued the + conversation with Lord Hertford, who was standing by her. It was a very + lively and warm conversation, and the queen therefore did not heed what + was passing around her; and she heard nothing of the conversation between + the king and Earl Douglas. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood, still crouching behind the king’s throne, observed + everything and heard every word of this softly whispered conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Earl Douglas, “it is late and the hour of midnight is drawing + nigh. Will your majesty be pleased to conclude the feast? For you well + know that at mid-night we must be over there in the green summer-house, + and it is a long way there.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, at midnight!” muttered the king. “At midnight the carnival is + at an end; and we shall tear off our mask, and show our wrathful + countenance to the criminals! At midnight we must be over in the green + summer-house. Yes, Douglas, we must make haste; for it would be cruel to + let the tender Surrey wait still longer. So we will give his Geraldine + liberty to leave the feast; and we ourselves must begin our journey. Ah, + Douglas, it is a hard path that we have to tread, and the furies and gods + of vengeance bear our torches. To work, then—to work!” + </p> + <p> + The king arose from his seat, and stepped to the queen, to whom he + presented his hand with a tender smile. + </p> + <p> + “My lady, it is late,” said he; “and we, who are king of so many subjects—we + are, nevertheless, in turn, the subject of a king. This is the physician, + and we must obey him. He has ordered me to seek my couch before midnight, + and, as a loyal subject must do, I obey. We wish you, therefore, a + good-night, Kate; and may your beautiful eyes on the morrow also shine as + starlike as they do to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “They will shine to-morrow as to-night, if my lord and husband is still as + gracious to me to-morrow as to-day,” said Catharine, with perfect + artlessness and without embarrassment, as she gave her hand to the king. + Henry cast on her a suspicious, searching look, and a peculiar, malicious + expression was manifested in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Do you believe then, Kate, that we can ever be ungracious to you?” asked + he. + </p> + <p> + “As to that, I think,” said she, with a smile, “that even the sun does not + always shine; and that a gloomy night always succeeds his splendor.” + </p> + <p> + The king did not reply. He looked her steadily in the face, and his + features suddenly assumed a gentler expression. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps he had compassion on his young wife. Perhaps he felt pity for her + youth and her enchanting smile, which had so often revived and refreshed + his heart. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas at least feared so. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said he, “it is late. The hour of midnight is drawing nigh.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let us go,” exclaimed the king, with a sigh. “Yes once again, + good-night, Kate! Nay, do not accompany me! I will leave the hall quite + unobserved; and I shall be pleased, if my guests will still prolong the + fair feast till morning. All of you remain here! No one but Douglas + accompanies me.” + </p> + <p> + “And your brother, the fool!” said John Heywood, who long before had come + out of his hiding-place and was now standing by the king. “Yes, come, + brother Henry; let us quit this feast. It is not becoming for wise men of + our sort to grant our presence still longer to the feast of fools. Come to + your couch, king, and I will lull your ear to sleep with the sayings of my + wisdom, and enliven your soul with the manna of my learning.” + </p> + <p> + While John Heywood thus spoke, it did not escape him that the features of + the earl suddenly clouded and a dark frown settled on his brow. + </p> + <p> + “Spare your wisdom for to-day, John,” said the king; “for you would indeed + be preaching only to deaf ears. I am tired, and I require not your + erudition, but sleep. Good-night, John.” + </p> + <p> + The king left the hall, leaning on Earl Douglas’s arm. + </p> + <p> + “Earl Douglas does not wish me to accompany the king,” whispered John + Heywood. “He is afraid the king might blab out to me a little of that + diabolical work which they will commence at midnight. Well, I call the + devil, as well as the king, my brother, and with his help I too will be in + the green-room at midnight. Ah, the queen is retiring; and there is the + Duke of Norfolk leaving the hall. I have a slight longing to see whether + the duke goes hence luckily and without danger, or if the soldiers who + stand near the coach, as Wriothesley says, will perchance be the duke’s + bodyguard for this night.” + </p> + <p> + Slipping out of the hall with the quickness of a cat, John Heywood passed + the duke in the anteroom and hurried on to the outer gateway, before which + the carriages were drawn up. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood leaned against a pillar and watched. A few minutes, and the + duke’s tall and proud form appeared in the entrance-hall; and the footman, + hurrying forward, called his carriage. + </p> + <p> + The carriage rolled up; the door was opened. + </p> + <p> + Two men wrapped in black mantles sat by the coachman; two others stood + behind as footmen, while a fifth was by the open door of the carriage. + </p> + <p> + The duke first noticed him as his foot had already touched the step of the + carriage. + </p> + <p> + “This is not my equipage! These are not my people!” said he; and he tried + to step back. But the pretended servant forced him violently into the + carriage and shut the door. “Forward!” ordered he. The carriage rolled on. + A moment still, John Heywood saw the duke’s pale face appear at the open + carriage window, and it seemed to him as though he were stretching out his + arms, calling for help—then the carriage disappeared in the night. + “Poor duke!” murmured John Heywood. “The gates of the Tower are heavy, and + your arm will not be strong enough to open them again, when they have once + closed behind you. But it avails nothing to think more about him now. The + queen is also in danger. Away, then, to the queen!” + </p> + <p> + With fleet foot John Heywood hastened back into the castle. Through + passages and corridors he slipped hurriedly along. + </p> + <p> + Now he stood in the corridor which led to the apartments of the queen. + </p> + <p> + “I will constitute her guard to-night,” muttered John Heywood, as he hid + himself in one of the niches in the corridor. “The fool by his prayers + will keep far from the door of his saint the tricks of the devil, and + protect her from the snares which the pious Bishop Gardiner and the crafty + courtier Douglas want to lay for her feet. My queen shall not fall and be + ruined. The fool yet lives to protect her.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. THE QUEEN + </h2> + <p> + From the niche in which John Heywood had hid himself he could survey the + entire corridor and all the doors opening into it—could see + everything and hear everything without being himself seen, for the + projecting pilaster completely shaded him. + </p> + <p> + So John Heywood stood and listened. All was quiet in the corridor. In the + distance was now and then heard the deadened sound of the music; and the + confused hum of many voices from the festive halls forced its way to the + listener’s ear. + </p> + <p> + This was the only thing that John Heywood perceived. All else was still. + But this stillness did not last long. The corridor was lighted up, and the + sound of rapidly approaching footsteps was heard. + </p> + <p> + It was the gold-laced lackeys, who bore the large silver candelabra to + light the queen, who, with her train of ladies, was passing through the + corridor. + </p> + <p> + She looked wondrously beautiful. The glare of the candles borne before her + illumined her countenance, which beamed with cheerfulness. As she passed + the pillar behind which John Heywood was standing, she was talking in + unrestrained gayety with her second maid of honor; and a clear and lively + laugh rang from her lips, which disclosed both rows of her dazzling white + teeth. Her eyes sparkled; her checks were flushed with a rich red; bright + as stars glittered the diamonds in the diadem that encircled her lofty + brow; like liquid gold shone her dress of gold brocade, the long trail of + which, trimmed with black ermine, was borne by two lovely pages. + </p> + <p> + Arrived at the door of her bed-chamber, the queen dismissed her pages and + lackeys, and permitted only the maid of honor to cross the threshold of + her chamber with her. + </p> + <p> + In harmless gossip the pages glided down the corridor and the staircase. + Then came the lackeys who bore the candelabra. They also left the + corridor. + </p> + <p> + Now all was quiet again. Still John Heywood stood and listened, firmly + resolved to speak to the queen yet that night, even should he be obliged + to wake her from sleep. Only he wanted to wait till the maid of honor also + had left the queen’s room. + </p> + <p> + Now the door opened, and the maid of honor came out. She crossed the + corridor to that side where her own apartments were situated. John Heywood + heard her open the door and then slide the bolt on the inside. + </p> + <p> + “Now but a brief time longer, and I will go to the queen,” muttered John + Heywood. + </p> + <p> + He was just going to leave his lurking-place, when he perceived a noise as + if a door were slowly and cautiously opened. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood cowered again close behind the pillar, and held his breath to + listen. + </p> + <p> + A bright light fell over the corridor. A dress came rustling nearer and + nearer. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood gazed astounded and amazed at the figure, which just brushed + past without seeing him. + </p> + <p> + That figure was Lady Jane Douglas—Lady Jane, who, on account of + indisposition, had retired from the feast in order to betake herself to + rest. Now, when all rested, she watched—when all laid aside their + festive garments, she had adorned herself with the same. Like the queen, + she wore a dress of gold brocade, trimmed with ermine, and, like her, a + diadem of diamonds adorned Lady Jane’s brow. + </p> + <p> + Now she stood before the queen’s door and listened. Then a fierce sneer + flitted across her deathly pale face, and her dark eyes flashed still + more. + </p> + <p> + “She sleeps,” muttered she. “Only sleep, queen—sleep till we shall + come to wake you! Sleep, so that I can wake for you.” + </p> + <p> + She raised her arm threateningly toward the door, and wildly shook her + head. Her long black ringlets encircled and danced around her sullen brow + like the snakes of the furies; and pale and colorless, and with demon-like + beauty, she resembled altogether the goddess of vengeance, in scornful + triumph preparing to tread her victim beneath her feet. + </p> + <p> + With a low laugh she now glided adown the corridor, but not to that + staircase yonder, but farther down to the end, where on the wall hung a + life-size picture of Henry the Sixth. She pressed on a spring; the picture + flew open, and through the door concealed behind it Lady Jane left the + corridor. + </p> + <p> + “She is going to the green-room to a meeting with Henry Howard!” whispered + John Heywood, who now stepped forth from behind the pillar. “Oh, now I + comprehend it all; now the whole of this devilish plot is clear to me; + Lady Jane is Earl Surrey’s lady-love, and they want to make the king + believe that it is the queen. Doubtless this Surrey is with them in the + conspiracy, and perhaps he will call Jane Douglas by the name of the + queen. They will let the king see her but a moment. She wears a gold + brocade dress and a diamond diadem like the queen; and thereby they hope + to deceive Henry. She has the queen’s form precisely; and everybody knows + the astonishing similarity and likeness of Lady Jane’s voice to that of + the queen. Oh, oh, it is a tolerably cunning plot! But nevertheless you + shall not succeed, and you shall not yet gain the victory. Patience, only + patience! We likewise will be in the green-room, and face to face with + this royal counterfeit we will place the genuine queen!” + </p> + <p> + With hurried step John Heywood also left the corridor, which was now + lonely and still, for the queen had gone to rest. + </p> + <p> + Yes, the queen slept, and yet over yonder in the green-room everything was + prepared for her reception. + </p> + <p> + It was to be a very brilliant and extraordinary reception; for the king, + in his own person, had betaken himself to that wing of the castle, and the + chief master of ceremonies, Earl Douglas, had accompanied him. + </p> + <p> + To the king, this excursion, which he had to make on foot, had been very + troublesome; and this inconvenience had made him only still more furious + and excited, and the last trace of compassion for his queen had + disappeared from the king’s breast, for on Catharine’s account he had been + obliged to make this long journey to the green-room; and with a grim joy + Henry thought only how terrible was to be his punishment for Henry Howard + and also for Catharine. + </p> + <p> + Now that Earl Douglas had brought him hither, the king no longer had any + doubts at all of the queen’s guilt. It was no longer an accusation—it + was proof. For never in the world would Earl Douglas have dared to bring + him, the king, hither, if he were not certain that he would give him here + infallible proofs. + </p> + <p> + The king, therefore, no longer doubted; at last Henry Howard was in his + power, and he could no more escape him. So he was certain of being able to + bring these two hated enemies to the block, and of feeling his sleep no + longed disturbed by thoughts of his two powerful rivals. + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Norfolk had already passed the gates of the Tower, and his son + must soon follow him thither. + </p> + <p> + At this thought the king felt an ecstasy so savage and bloodthirsty, that + he wholly forgot that the same sword that was to strike Henry Howard’s + head was drawn on his queen also. + </p> + <p> + They were now standing in the green-room, and the king leaned panting and + moaning on Earl Douglas’s arm. + </p> + <p> + The large wide room, with its antique furniture and its faded glory, was + only gloomily and scantily lighted in the middle by the two wax candles of + the candelabrum that Earl Douglas had brought with him; while further away + it was enveloped in deep gloom, and seemed to the eye through this gloom + to stretch out to an interminable length. + </p> + <p> + “Through the door over there comes the queen,” said Douglas; and he + himself shrank at the loud sound of his voice, which in the large, + desolate room became of awful fulness. “And that, there, is Henry Howard’s + entrance. Oh, he knows that path very thoroughly; for he has often enough + already travelled it in the dark night, and his foot no longer stumbles on + any stone of offence!” + </p> + <p> + “But he will perchance stumble on the headsman’s block!” muttered the + king, with a cruel laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I now take the liberty of asking one question more,” said Douglas; and + the king did not suspect how stormily the earl’s heart beat at this + question. “Is your majesty satisfied to see the earl and the queen make + their appearance at this meeting? Or, do you desire to listen to a little + of the earl’s tender protestations?” + </p> + <p> + “I will hear not a little, but all!” said the king. “Ah, let us allow the + earl yet to sing his swan-like song before he plunges into the sea of + blood!” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Earl Douglas, “then we must put out this light, and your + majesty must be content merely to hear the guilty ones, and not to see + them also. We will then betake ourselves to the boudoir here, which I have + opened for this purpose, and in which is an easy-chair for your majesty. + We will place this chair near the open door, and then your majesty will be + able to hear every word of their tender whisperings.” + </p> + <p> + “But how shall we, if we extinguish this our only light, at last attain to + a sight of this dear loving pair, and be able to afford them the dramatic + surprise of our presence?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, as soon as the Earl of Surrey enters, twenty men of the king’s + bodyguard will occupy the anteroom through which the earl must pass; and + it needs but a call from you to have them enter the hall with their + torches. I have taken care also that before the private backgate of the + palace two coaches stand ready, the drivers of which know very well the + street that leads to the Tower!” + </p> + <p> + “Two coaches?” said the king, laughing. “Ah, ah, Douglas, how cruel we are + to separate the tender, loving pair on this journey which is yet to be + their last! Well, perhaps we can compensate them for it, and allow these + turtledoves to make the last trip—the trip to the stake—together. + No, no, we will not separate them in death. Together they may lay their + heads on the block.” + </p> + <p> + The king laughed, quite delighted with his jest, while, leaning on the + earl’s arm, he crossed to the little boudoir on the other side, and took + his place in the armchair set near the door. + </p> + <p> + “Now we must extinguish the light; and may it please your majesty to await + in silence the things that are to come.” + </p> + <p> + The earl extinguished the light, and deep darkness and a grave-like + stillness now followed. + </p> + <p> + But this did not last long. Now was heard quite distinctly the sound of + footsteps. They came nearer and nearer—now a door was heard to open + and shut again, and it was as though some one were creeping softly along + on his toes in the hall. + </p> + <p> + “Henry Howard!” whispered Douglas. + </p> + <p> + The king could scarcely restrain the cry of savage, malicious delight that + forced its way to his lips. + </p> + <p> + The hated enemy was then in his power; he was convicted of the crime; he + was inevitably lost. + </p> + <p> + “Geraldine!” whispered a voice, “Geraldine!” + </p> + <p> + And as if his low call had already been sufficient to draw hither the + loved one, the secret door here quite close to the boudoir opened. The + rustling of a dress was very distinctly heard, and the sound of footsteps. + </p> + <p> + “Geraldine!” repeated Earl Surrey. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am, my Henry!” + </p> + <p> + With an exclamation of delight, the woman rushed forward toward the sound + of the loved voice. + </p> + <p> + “The queen!” muttered Henry; and in spite of himself he felt his heart + seized with bitter grief. + </p> + <p> + He saw with his inward eye how they held each other in their embrace. He + heard their kisses and the low whisper of their tender vows, and all the + agonies of jealousy and wrath filled his soul. But yet the king prevailed + upon himself to be silent and swallow down his rage. He wanted to hear + everything, to know everything. + </p> + <p> + He clenched his hands convulsively, and pressed his lips firmly together + to hold in his panting breath. He wanted to hear. + </p> + <p> + How happy they both were! Henry had wholly forgotten that he had come to + reproach her for her long silence; she did not think about this being the + last time she might see her lover. + </p> + <p> + They were with each other, and this hour was theirs. What did the whole + world matter to them? What cared they whether or not mischief and ruin + threatened them hereafter? + </p> + <p> + They sat by each other on the divan, quite near the boudoir. They jested + and laughed; and Henry Howard kissed away the tears that the happiness of + the present caused his Geraldine to shed. + </p> + <p> + He swore to her eternal and unchanging love. In blissful silence she drank + in the music of his words; and then she reiterated, with jubilant joy, his + vows of love. + </p> + <p> + The king could scarcely restrain his fury. + </p> + <p> + The heart of Earl Douglas leaped with satisfaction and gratification. “A + lucky thing that Jane has no suspicion of our presence,” thought he—“otherwise + she would have been less unrestrained and ardent, and the king’s ear would + have imbibed less poison.” + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane thought not at all of her father; she scarcely remembered that + this very night would destroy her hated rival the queen. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard had called her his Geraldine only. Jane had entirely forgot + that it was not she to whom her lover had given this name. + </p> + <p> + But he himself finally reminded her of it. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, Geraldine,” said Earl Surrey—and his voice, which had + been hitherto so cheerful and sprightly, was now sad—“do you know, + Geraldine, that I have had doubts of you? Oh, those were frightful, + horrible hours; and in the agony of my heart I came at last to the + resolution of going to the king and accusing myself of this love that was + consuming my heart. Oh, fear naught! I would not have accused you. I would + have even denied that love which you have so often and with such + transporting reality sworn to me. I would have done it in order to see + whether my Geraldine could at last gain courage and strength to lover. He + saw how he pressed her hands to his lips; how he put his hand to her head + to raise it from the floor.” + </p> + <p> + The king was speechless with rage. He could only lift his arm to beckon + the soldiers to approach; to point to Henry Howard, who had not yet + succeeded in raising the queen’s head from the floor. + </p> + <p> + “Arrest him!” said Earl Douglas, lending words to the king’s mute sign. + “In the king’s name arrest him, and conduct him to the Tower!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, arrest him!” said the king; and, as with youthful speed he walked up + to Henry Howard and put his hand heavily on his shoulder, he with terrible + calmness continued: “Henry Howard, your wish shall be fulfilled; you shall + mount the scaffold for which you have so much longed!” + </p> + <p> + The earl’s noble countenance remained calm and unmoved; his bright beaming + eye fearlessly encountered the eye of the king flashing with wrath. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said he, “my life is in your hand, and I very well know that you + will not spare it. I do not even ask you to do so. But spare this noble + and beautiful woman, whose only crime is that she has followed the voice + of her heart. Sire, I alone am the guilty one. Punish me, then—torture + me, if you like—but be merciful to her.” + </p> + <p> + The king broke out into a loud laugh. “Ah, he begs for her!” said he. + “This little Earl Surrey presumes to think that his sentimental + love-plaint can exercise an influence on the heart of his judge! No, no, + Henry Howard; you know me better. You say, indeed, that I am a cruel man, + and that blood cleaves to my crown. Well, now, it is our pleasure to set + in our crown a new blood-red ruby; and if we want to take it from + Geraldine’s heart’s blood, your sonnets will not hinder us from doing so, + my good little earl. That is all the reply I have to make to you; and I + think it will be the last time that we shall meet on earth!” + </p> + <p> + “There above we shall see each other again, King Henry of England!” said + Earl Surrey, solemnly. “There. But still this hour was hers, and she would + enjoy it. She clung fast to his breast; she drew him with irresistible + force to her heart, which now trembled no longer for love, but from a + nameless anxiety. + </p> + <p> + “Let us fly! Let us fly!” repeated she, breathlessly. “See! This hour is + yet ours. Let us avail ourselves of it; for who knows whether the next + will still belong to us?” + </p> + <p> + “No! it is no longer yours,” yelled the king, as he sprang like a roused + lion from his seat. “Your hours are numbered, and the next already belongs + to the hangman!” + </p> + <p> + A piercing shriek burst from Geraldine’s lips. Then was heard a dull fall. + </p> + <p> + “She has fainted,” muttered Earl Douglas. + </p> + <p> + “Geraldine, Geraldine, my loved one!” cried Henry Howard. “My God, my God! + she is dying! You have killed her! Woe to you!” + </p> + <p> + “Woe to yourself!” said the king, solemnly. “Here with the light! Here, + you folks!” + </p> + <p> + The door of the anteroom opened, and in it appeared four soldiers with + torches in their hands. + </p> + <p> + “Light the candles, and guard the door!” said the king, whose dazzled eyes + were not yet able to bear this bright glare of light which now suddenly + streamed through the room. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers obeyed his orders. A pause ensued. The king had put his hand + before his eyes, and was struggling for breath and self-control. + </p> + <p> + When at length he let his hand glide down, his features had assumed a + perfectly calm, almost a serene expression. + </p> + <p> + With a hasty glance he surveyed the room. He saw the queen in her dress + glistening with gold; he saw how she lay on the floor, stretched at full + length, her face turned to the ground, motionless and rigid. + </p> + <p> + He saw Henry Howard, who knelt by his beloved and was busy about her with + all the anxiety and agony of an acknowledge of her love openly and + frankly; whether her heart had the power to burst that iron band which the + deceitful rules of the world had placed around it; whether she would + acknowledge her lover when he was willing to die for her. “Yes, Geraldine, + I wanted to do it, that I might finally know which feeling is stronger in + you—love or pride—and whether you could then still preserve + the mask of indifference, when death was hovering over your lover’s head. + Oh, Geraldine, I should deem it a fairer fate to die united with you, than + to be obliged to still longer endure this life of constraint and hateful + etiquette.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” said she, trembling, “we will not die. My God, life is indeed so + beautiful when you are by my side! And who knows whether a felicitous and + blissful future may not still await us?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, should we die, then should we be certain of this blissful future, my + Geraldine. There, above, there is no more separation—no more + renunciation for us. There above, you are mine, and the bloody image of + your husband no longer stands between us.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall no longer do so, even here on earth,” whispered Geraldine. + “Come, my beloved; let us fly far, far hence, where no one knows us—where + we can cast from us all this hated splendor, to live for each other and + for love.” + </p> + <p> + She threw her arms about her lover, and in the ecstasy of her love she had + wholly forgotten that she could never indeed think to flee with him, that + he belonged to her only so long as he saw her not. + </p> + <p> + An inexplicable anxiety overpowered her heart; and in this anxiety she + forgot everything—even the queen and the vengeance she had vowed. + </p> + <p> + She now remembered her father’s words, and she trembled for her lover’s + life. + </p> + <p> + If now her father had not told her the truth—if now he had + notwithstanding sacrificed Henry Howard in order to ruin the queen—if + she was not able to save him, and through her fault he were to perish on + the scaffold—above Henry the Eighth will no more be the judge, but + the condemned criminal; “and your bloody and accursed deeds will witness + against you!” + </p> + <p> + The king laughed. “You avail yourself of your advantage,” said he. + “Because you have nothing more to lose and the scaffold is sure of you, + you do not stick at heaping up the measure of your sins a little more, and + you revile your legitimate, God-appointed king! But you should bear in + mind, earl, that before the scaffold there is yet the rack, and that it is + very possible indeed that a painful question might there be put to the + noble Earl Surrey, to which his agonies might prevent him from returning + an answer. Now, away with you! We have nothing more to say to each other + on earth!” + </p> + <p> + He motioned to the soldiers, who approached the Earl of Surrey. As they + reached their hands toward him, he turned on them a look so proud and + commanding that they involuntarily recoiled a step. + </p> + <p> + “Follow me!” said Henry Howard, calmly; and, without even deigning the + king a single look more, with head proudly erect, he walked to the door. + </p> + <p> + Geraldine still lay on the ground—her face turned to the floor. She + stirred not. She seemed to have fallen into a deep swoon. + </p> + <p> + Only as the door with a sullen sound closed behind Earl Surrey, a low wail + and moan was perceived—such as is wont to struggle forth at the last + hour from the breast of the dying. + </p> + <p> + The king did not heed it. He still gazed, with eyes stern and flashing + with anger, toward the door through which Earl Surrey had passed. + </p> + <p> + “He is unyielding,” muttered he. “Not even the rack affrights him; and in + his blasphemous haughtiness he moves along in the midst of the soldiers, + not as a prisoner, but as a commander. Oh, these Howards are destined to + torment me; and even their death will scarcely be a full satisfaction to + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Earl Douglas, who had observed the king with a keen, + penetrating eye, and knew that he had now reached the height of his wrath, + at which he shrank from no deed of violence and no cruelty—“sire, + you have sent Earl Surrey to the Tower. But what shall be done with the + queen, who lies there on the floor in a swoon?” + </p> + <p> + The king roused himself from his reverie; and his bloodshot eyes were + fixed on Geraldine’s motionless form with so dark an expression of hate + and rage, that Earl Douglas exultingly said to himself: “The queen is + lost! He will be inexorable!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the queen!” cried Henry, with a savage laugh. “Yea, verily, I forgot + the queen. I did not think of this charming Geraldine! But you are right, + Douglas; we must think of her and occupy ourselves a little with her! Did + you not say that a second coach was ready? Well, then, we will not hinder + Geraldine from accompanying her beloved. She shall be where he is—in + the Tower, and on the scaffold! We will therefore wake this sentimental + lady and show her the last duty of a cavalier by conducting her to her + carriage!” + </p> + <p> + He was about to approach the figure of the queen lying on the floor. Earl + Douglas held him back. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said he, “it is my duty—as your faithful subject, who loves + you and trembles for your welfare—it is my duty to implore you to + spare yourself and preserve your precious and adored person from the + venomous sting of anger and grief. I conjure you, therefore, do not deign + to look again on this woman, who has so deeply injured you. Give me your + orders—what am I to do with her—and allow me first of all to + accompany you to your apartments.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said the king, “she is not worthy of having my eyes rest + on her again; and she is even too contemptible for my anger! We will call + the soldiers that they may conduct this traitoress and adulteress to the + tower, as they have done her paramour.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet for that there is needed still a formality. The queen will not be + admitted into the Tower without the king’s written and sealed order.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will draw up that order.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, in that cabinet yonder may be found the necessary + writing-materials, if it please your majesty.” + </p> + <p> + The king leaned in silence on the earl’s arm, and allowed himself to be + led again into the cabinet. + </p> + <p> + With officious haste Earl Douglas made the necessary arrangements. He + rolled the writing-table up to the king; he placed the large sheet of + white paper in order, and slipped the pen into the king’s hand. + </p> + <p> + “What shall I write?” asked the king, who, by the exertion of his night’s + excursion, and of his anger and vexation, began at length to be exhausted. + </p> + <p> + “An order for the queen’s imprisonment, sire.” + </p> + <p> + The king wrote. Earl Douglas stood behind him, with eager attention, in + breathless expectation, his look steadily fixed on the paper over which + the king’s hand, white, fleshy, and sparkling with diamonds, glided along + in hasty characters. + </p> + <p> + He had at length reached his goal. When at last he should hold in his hand + the paper which the king was then writing—when he had induced Henry + to return to his apartments before the imprisonment of the queen had taken + place—then was he victorious. Not that woman there would he then + imprison; but, with the warrant in his hand, he would go to the real + queen, and take her to the Tower. + </p> + <p> + Once in the Tower, the queen could no longer defend herself; for the king + would see her no more; and if before the Parliament she protested her + innocence in ever so sacred oaths, still the king’s testimony must convict + her; for he had himself surprised her with her paramour. + </p> + <p> + No, there was no escape for the queen. She had once succeeded in clearing + herself of an accusation, and proving her innocence, by a rebutting alibi. + But this time she was irretrievably lost, and no alibi could deliver her. + </p> + <p> + The king completed his work and arose, whilst Douglas, at his command, was + employed in setting the king’s seal to the fatal paper. + </p> + <p> + From the hall was heard a slight noise, as though some person were + cautiously moving about there. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas did not notice it; he was just in the act of pressing the + signet hard on the melted sealing-wax. + </p> + <p> + The king heard it, and supposed that it was Geraldine, and that she was + just waking from her swoon and rising. + </p> + <p> + He stepped to the door of the hall, and looked toward the place where she + was lying. But no—she had not yet risen; she still lay stretched at + full length on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “She has come to; but she still pretends to be in a swoon,” thought the + king; and he turned to Douglas. + </p> + <p> + “We are done,” said he; “the warrant for imprisonment is prepared, and the + sentence of the adulterous queen is spoken. We have done with her forever; + and never shall she again behold our face, or again hear our voice. She is + sentenced and damned, and the royal mercy has nothing more to do with this + sinner. A curse on the adulteress! A curse on the shameless woman who + deceived her husband, and gave herself up to a traitorous paramour! Woe to + her, and may shame and disgrace forever mark her name, which—” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the king stopped and listened. The noise that he had heard just, + before was now repeated louder and quicker; it came nearer and nearer. + </p> + <p> + And now the door opened and a figure entered—a figure which made the + king stare with astonishment and admiration. It came nearer and nearer, + light, graceful, and with the freshness of youth; a gold-brocade dress + enveloped it; a diadem of diamonds sparkled on the brow; and brighter yet + than the diamonds beamed the eyes. + </p> + <p> + No, the king was not mistaken. It was the queen, She was standing before + him—and yet she still lay motionless and stiff upon the floor + yonder. + </p> + <p> + The king uttered a cry, and, turning pale, reeled a step backward. + </p> + <p> + “The queen!” exclaimed Douglas, in terror; and he trembled so violently + that the paper in his hand rattled and fluttered. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the queen!” said Catharine, with a haughty smile. “The queen, who + comes to scold her husband, that, contrary to his physician’s orders, he + still refrains from his slumbers at so late an hour of the night.” + </p> + <p> + “And the fool!” said John Heywood, as with humorous pathos he stepped + forward from behind the queen—“the fool, who comes to ask Earl + Douglas how he dared deprive John Heywood of his office, and usurp the + place of king’s fool to Henry, and deceive his most gracious majesty with + all manner of silly pranks and carnival tricks.” + </p> + <p> + “And who”—asked the king, in a voice quivering with rage, fastening + his flashing looks on Douglas with an annihilating expression—“who, + then, is that woman there? Who has dared with such cursed mummery to + deceive the king, and calumniate the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Earl Douglas, who very well knew that his future and that of + his daughter depended on the present moment, and whom this consciousness + had speedily restored to his self-possession and calmness—“sire, I + beseech your majesty for a moment of private explanation; and I shall be + entirely successful in vindicating myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not grant it him, brother Henry,” said John Heywood; “he is a + dangerous juggler; and who knows whether he may not yet, in his private + conversation, convince you that he is king, and you nothing more than his + lickspittle, fawning, hypocritical servant Earl Archibald Douglas.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord and husband, I beg you to hear the earl’s justification,” said + Catharine, as she extended her hand to the king with a bewitching smile. + </p> + <p> + “It would be cruel to condemn him unheard, I will hear him, but it shall + be done in your presence, Kate, and you yourself shall decide whether or + not his justification is sufficient.” + </p> + <p> + “No indeed, my husband; let me remain an entire stranger to this night’s + conspiracy, so that spite and anger may not fill my heart and rob me of + the supreme confidence which I need, to be able to walk on at your side + happy and smiling in the midst of my enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, Kate,” said the king, thoughtfully. “You have many enemies + at our court; and we have to accuse ourselves that we have not always + succeeded in stopping our ear to their malicious whisperings, and in + keeping ourselves pure from the poisonous breath of their calumny. Our + heart is still too artless, and we cannot even yet comprehend that men are + a disgusting, corrupt race, which one should tread beneath his feet, but + never take to his heart. Come, Earl Douglas, I will hear you; but woe to + you, if you are unable to justify yourself!” + </p> + <p> + He retired to the embrasure of the large window of the boudoir. Earl + Douglas followed him thither, and let the heavy velvet curtain drop behind + them. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said he, hardily and resolutely, “the question now is this: Whose + head would you rather give over to the executioner, mine or the Earl of + Surrey’s? You have the choice between the two. You are aware that I have + ventured for a moment to deceive you. Well, send me to the Tower then, and + set free the noble Henry Howard, that he may henceforth disturb your sleep + and poison your days; that he may further court the love of the people, + and perhaps some day rob your son of the throne that belongs to him. Here + is my head, sire; it is forfeited to the headsman’s axe, and Earl Surrey + is free!” + </p> + <p> + “No, he is not free, and never shall be!” said the king, grinding his + teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Then, my king, I am justified; and instead of being angry with me, you + will thank me? It is true I have played a hazardous game, but I did so in + the service of my king. I did it because I loved him, and because I read + on your lofty clouded brow the thoughts that begirt with darkness my + master’s soul, and disturbed the sleep of his nights. You wanted to have + Henry Howard in your power; and this crafty and hypocritical earl knew how + to conceal his guilt so securely under the mask of virtue and loftiness of + soul! But I knew him, and behind this mask I had seen his face distorted + with passion and crime. I wanted to unmask him; but for this, it was + necessary that I should deceive first him, and then for the hour even + yourself. I knew that he burned with an adulterous love for the queen, and + I wanted to avail myself of the madness of this passion, in order to bring + him surely and unavoidably to a richly-deserved punishment. But I would + not draw the pure and exalted person of the queen into this net with which + we wanted to surround Earl Surrey. I was obliged, then, to seek a + substitute for her; and I did so. There was at your court a woman whose + whole heart belongs, after God, to the king alone; and who so much adores + him, that she would be ready at any hour gladly to sacrifice for the king + her heart’s blood, her whole being—ay, if need be, even her honor + itself—a woman, sire, who lives by your smile, and worships you as + her redeemer and savior—a woman whom you might, as you pleased, make + a saint or a strumpet; and who, to please you, would be a shameless Phyrne + or a chaste veiled nun.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me her name, Douglas,” said the king, “tell me it! It is a rare and + precious stroke of fortune to be so loved; and it would be a sin not to + want to enjoy this good fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I will tell you her name when you have first forgiven me,” said + Douglas, whose heart leaped for joy, and who well understood that the + king’s anger was already mollified and the danger now almost overcome. “I + said to this woman: ‘You are to do the king a great service; you are to + deliver him from a powerful and dangerous foe! You are to save him from + Henry Howard!’ ‘Tell me what I must do!’ cried she, her looks beaming with + joy. ‘Henry Howard loves the queen. You must be the queen to him. You must + receive his letters, and answer them in the queen’s name. You must grant + him interviews by night, and, favored by the darkness of the night, make + him believe that it is the queen whom he holds in his arms. He must be + convinced that the queen is his lady-love; and in his thoughts, as in his + deeds, he must be placed before the king as a traitor and criminal whose + head is forfeited to the headsman’s axe. One day we will let the king be a + witness of a meeting that Henry Howard believes he has with the queen; it + will then be in his power to punish his enemy for his criminal passion, + which is worthy of death!’ And as I thus spoke to the woman, sire, she + said with a sad smile: ‘It is a disgraceful and dishonorable part that you + assign me; but I undertake it, for you say I may thereby render a service + to the king. I shall disgrace myself for him; but he will perhaps bestow + upon me in return a gracious smile; and then I shall be abundantly + rewarded.’” + </p> + <p> + “But this woman is an angel!” cried the king, ardently—“an angel + whom we should kneel to and adore. Tell me her name, Douglas!” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, as soon as you have forgiven me! You know now all my guilt and all + my crime. For, as I bade that noble woman, so it came to pass, and Henry + Howard has gone to the Tower in the firm belief that it was the queen whom + he just now held in his arms.” + </p> + <p> + “But why did you leave me in this belief, Douglas? Why did you fill my + heart with wrath against the noble and virtuous queen also?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I dared not reveal the deception to you before you had sentenced + Surrey, for your noble and just moral sense would have been reluctant to + punish him on account of a crime that he had not committed; and in your + first wrath you would also have blamed this noble woman who has sacrificed + herself for her king.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” said the king, “I should have misjudged this noble woman, + and, instead of thanking her, I should have destroyed her.” + </p> + <p> + “Therefore, my king, I quietly allowed you to make out an order for the + queen’s incarceration. But you remember well, sire, I begged you to return + to your apartments before the queen was arrested. Well, now, there I + should have disclosed to you the whole secret, which I could not tell you + in the presence of that woman. For she would die of shame if she suspected + that you knew of her love for the king, so pure and self-sacrificing, and + cherished in such heroic silence.” + </p> + <p> + “She shall never know it, Douglas! But now at length satisfy my desire. + Tell me her name.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, you have forgiven me, then? You are no longer angry with me that I + dared to deceive you?” + </p> + <p> + “I am no longer angry with you, Douglas; for you have acted rightly. The + plan, which you have contrived and carried out with such happy results, + was as crafty as it was daring.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, sire; and I will now tell you the name. That woman, sire, + who at my wish gave herself up a sacrifice to this adulterous earl, who + endured his kisses, his embraces, his vows of love, in order to render a + service to her king—that woman was my daughter, Lady Jane Douglas!” + </p> + <p> + “Lady Jane!” cried the king. “No, no, this is a new deception. That + haughty, chaste, and unapproachable Lady Jane—that wonderfully + beautiful marble statue really has then a heart in her breast, and that + heart belongs to me? Lady Jane, the pure and chaste virgin, has made for + me this prodigious sacrifice, of receiving this hated Surrey as her lover, + in order, like a second Delilah, to deliver him into my hand? No, Douglas, + you are lying to me. Lady Jane has not done that!” + </p> + <p> + “May it please your majesty to go yourself and take a look at that + fainting woman, who was to Henry Howard the queen.” + </p> + <p> + The king did not reply to him; but he drew back the curtain and reentered + the cabinet, in which the queen was waiting with John Heywood. + </p> + <p> + Henry did not notice them. With youthful precipitation he crossed the + cabinet and the hall. Now he stood by the figure of Geraldine still lying + on the floor. + </p> + <p> + She was no longer in a swoon. She had long since regained her + consciousness; and terrible were the agonies and tortures that rent her + heart. Henry Howard had incurred the penalty of the headsman’s axe, and it + was she that had betrayed him. + </p> + <p> + But her father had sworn to her that she should save her lover. + </p> + <p> + She durst not die then. She must live to deliver Henry Howard. + </p> + <p> + There were burning, as it were, the fires of hell in her poor heart; but + she was not at liberty to heed these pains. She could not think of herself—only + of him—of Henry Howard, whom she must deliver, whom she must save + from an ignominious death. + </p> + <p> + For him she sent up her fervent prayers to God; for him her heart trembled + with anxiety and agony, as the king now advanced to her, and, bending + down, gazed into her eyes with a strange expression, at once scrutinizing + and smiling. + </p> + <p> + “Lady Jane,” said he then, as he presented her his hand, “arise from the + ground and allow your king to express to you his thanks for your sublime + and wonderful sacrifice! Verily, it is a fair lot to be a king; for then + one has at least the power of punishing traitors, and of rewarding those + that serve us. I have to-day done the one, and I will not neglect to do + the other also. Stand up, then, Lady Jane; it does not become you to lie + on your knees before me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, let me kneel, my king,” said she, passionately; “let me beseech you + for mercy, for pity! Have compassion, King Henry—compassion on the + anxiety and agony which I endure. It is not possible that this is all a + reality! that this juggling is to be changed into such terrible earnest! + Tell me, King Henry—I conjure you by the agonies which I suffer for + your sake—tell me, what will you do with Henry Howard? Why have you + sent him to the Tower?” + </p> + <p> + “To punish the traitor as he deserves,” said the king, as he cast a dark + and angry look across at Douglas, who had also approached his daughter, + and was now standing close by her. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane uttered a heartrending cry, and sank down again, senseless and + completely exhausted. + </p> + <p> + The king frowned. “It is possible,” said he—“and I almost believe it—that + I have been deceived in many ways this evening, and that now again my + guilelessness has been played upon in order to impose upon me a charming + story. However, I have given my word to pardon; and it shall not be said + that Henry the Eighth, who calls himself God’s vicegerent, has ever broken + his word; nor even that he has punished those whom he has assured of + exemption from punishment. My Lord Douglas, I will fulfil my promise. I + forgive you.” + </p> + <p> + He extended his hand to Douglas, who kissed it fervently. The king bent + down closer to him. “Douglas,” whispered he, “you are as cunning as a + serpent; and I now see through your artfully-woven web! You wanted to + destroy Surrey, but the queen was to sink into the abyss with him. Because + I am indebted to you for Surrey, I forgive you what you have done to the + queen. But take heed to yourself, take heed that I do not meet you again + on the same track; do not ever try again, by a look, a word, ay, even by a + smile, to cast suspicion on the queen. The slightest attempt would cost + you your life! That I swear to you by the holy mother of God; and you know + that I have never yet broken that oath. As regards Lady Jane, we do not + want to consider that she has misused the name of our illustrious and + virtuous consort in order to draw this lustful and adulterous earl into + the net which you had set for him; she obeyed your orders, Douglas; and we + will not now decide what other motives besides have urged her to this + deed. She may settle that with God and her own conscience, and it does not + behoove us to decide about it.” + </p> + <p> + “But it behooves me, perhaps, my husband, to ask by what right Lady Jane + has dared to appear here in this attire, and to present to a certain + degree a counterfeit of her queen?” asked Catharine in a sharp tone. “I + may well be allowed to ask what has made my maid of honor, who left the + festive hall sick, now all at once so well that she goes roaming about the + castle in the night time, and in a dress which seems likely to be mistaken + for mine? Sire, was this dress perchance a craftily-devised stratagem, in + order to really confound us with one another? You are silent, my lord and + king. It is true, then, they have wanted to carry out a terrible plot + against me; and, without the assistance of my faithful and honest friend, + John Heywood, who brought me here, I should without doubt be now condemned + and lost, as the Earl of Surrey is.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, John, it was you then that brought a little light into this + darkness?” cried the king, with a cheerful laugh, as he laid his hand on + Heywood’s shoulder. “Now, verily, what the wise and prudent did not see, + that the fool has seen through!” + </p> + <p> + “King Henry of England,” said John Heywood, solemnly, “many call + themselves wise, and yet they are fools; and many assume the mask of + folly, because fools are allowed to be wise.” + </p> + <p> + “Kate,” said the king, “you are right; this was a bad night for you, but + God and the fool have saved you and me. We will both be thankful for it. + But it is well if you do as you before wished, and ask and inquire nothing + more concerning the mysteries of this night. It was brave in you to come + here, and I will be mindful of it. Come, my little queen, give me your arm + and conduct me to my apartments. I tell you, child, it gives me joy to be + able to lean on your arm, and see your dear sprightly face blanched by no + fear or terrors of conscience. Come, Kate, you alone shall lead me, and to + you alone will I trust myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, you are too heavy for the queen,” said the fool, as he put his neck + under the other arm. “Let me share with her the burden of royalty.” + </p> + <p> + “But before we go,” said Catharine, “I have, my husband, one request. Will + you grant it?” + </p> + <p> + “I will grant you everything that you may ask, provided you will not + require me to send you to the Tower.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I wish to dismiss my maid of honor, Lady Jane Douglas, from my + service—that is all,” said the queen, as her eyes glanced with an + expression of contempt, and yet at the same time of pain, at the form of + her friend of other days, prostrate on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “She is dismissed!” said the king. “You will choose another maid of honor + to-morrow. Come, Kate!” + </p> + <p> + And the king, supported by his consort and John Heywood, left the room + with slow and heavy steps. + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas watched them with a sullen, hateful expression. As the door + closed after them he raised his arm threateningly toward heaven, and his + trembling lips uttered a fierce curse and execration. + </p> + <p> + “Vanquished! vanquished again!” muttered he, gnashing his teeth. “Humbled + by this woman whom I hate, and whom I will yet destroy! Yes, she has + conquered this time; but we will commence the struggle anew, and our + envenomed weapon shall nevertheless strike her at last!” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he felt a hand laid heavily on his shoulder, and a pair of + glaring, flaming eyes gazed at him. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Lady Jane, as she threw her right hand threateningly toward + heaven—“father, as true as there is a God above us, I will accuse + you yourself to the king as a traitor—I will betray to him all your + accursed plots—if you do not help me to deliver Henry Howard!” + </p> + <p> + Her father looked with an expression almost melancholy in her face, + painfully convulsed and pale as marble. “I will help you!” said he. “I + will do it, if you will help me also, and further my plans.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, only save Henry Howard, and I will sign myself away to the devil with + my heart’s blood!” said Jane Douglas, with a horrible smile. “Save his + life, or, if you have not the power to do that, then at least procure me + the happiness of being able to die with him.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. UNDECEIVED. + </h2> + <p> + Parliament, which had not for a long time now ventured to offer any + further opposition to the king’s will—Parliament had acquiesced in + his decree. It had accused Earl Surrey of high treason; and, on the sole + testimony of his mother and his sister, he had been declared guilty of + lese majeste and high treason. A few words of discontent at his removal + from office, some complaining remarks about the numerous executions that + drenched England’s soil with blood—that was all that the Duchess of + Richmond had been able to bring against him. That he, like his father, + bore the arms of the Kings of England—that was the only evidence of + high treason of which his mother the Duchess of Norfolk could charge him. + [Footnote: Tytler, p. 402. Burnet, vol. i, p. 95.] + </p> + <p> + These accusations were of so trivial a character, that the Parliament well + knew they were not the ground of his arrest, but only a pretext for it—only + a pretext, by which the king said to his pliant and trembling Parliament: + “This man is innocent; but I will that you condemn him, and therefore you + will account the accusation sufficient.” + </p> + <p> + Parliament had not the courage to oppose the king’s will. These members of + Parliament were nothing more than a flock of sheep, who, in trembling + dread of the sharp teeth of the dog, go straight along the path which the + dog shows them. + </p> + <p> + The king wanted them to condemn the Earl of Surrey, and they condemned + him. + </p> + <p> + They summoned him before their judgment-seat, and it was in vain that he + proved his innocence in a speech spirited and glowing with eloquence. + These noble members of Parliament would not see that he was innocent. + </p> + <p> + It is true, indeed, there were a few who were ashamed to bow their heads + so unreservedly beneath the king’s sceptre, which dripped with blood like + a headsman’s axe. There were still a few to whom the accusation appeared + insufficient; but they were outvoted; and in order to give Parliament a + warning example, the king, on the very same day, had these obstinate ones + arrested and accused of some pretended crime. For this people, enslaved by + the king’s cruelty and savage barbarity, were already so degenerate and + debased in self-consciousness, that men were always and without trouble + found, who, in order to please the king and his bloodthirstiness and + sanctimonious hypocrisy, degraded themselves to informers, and accused of + crime those whom the king’s dark frown had indicated to them as offenders. + </p> + <p> + So Parliament had doomed the Earl of Surrey to die, and the king had + signed his death-warrant. + </p> + <p> + Early next morning he was to be executed; and in the Tower-yard the + workmen were already busy in erecting the scaffold on which the noble earl + was to be beheaded. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard was alone in his cell. He had done with life and earthly + things. He had set his house in order and made his will; he had written to + his mother and sister, and forgiven them for their treachery and + accusation; he had addressed a letter to his father, in which he exhorted + him, in words as noble as they were touching, to steadfastness and + calmness, and bade him not to weep for him, for death was his desire, and + the grave the only refuge for which he longed. + </p> + <p> + He had then, as we have said, done with life; and earthly things no longer + disturbed him. He felt no regret and no fear. Life had left him nothing + more to wish; and he almost thanked the king that he would so soon deliver + him from the burden of existence. + </p> + <p> + The future had nothing more to offer him; why then should he desire it? + Why long for a life which could be for him now only an isolated, desolate, + and gloomy one? For Geraldine was lost to him! He knew not her fate; and + no tidings of her had penetrated to him through the solitary prison walls. + Did the queen still live? Or had the king in his wrath murdered her on + that very night when Henry was carried to the Tower, and his last look + beheld his beloved lying at her husband’s feet, swooning and rigid. + </p> + <p> + What had become of the queen—of Henry Howard’s beloved Geraldine? He + knew nothing of her. He had hoped in vain for some note, some message from + her; but he had not dared to ask any one as to her fate. Perhaps the king + desisted from punishing her likewise. Perhaps his murderous inclination + had been satisfied by putting Henry Howard to death; and Catharine escaped + the scaffold. It might, therefore, have been ruinous to her, had he, the + condemned, inquired after her. Or, if she had gone before him, then he was + certain of finding her again, and of being united with her forevermore + beyond the grave. + </p> + <p> + He believed in a hereafter, for he loved; and death did not affright him, + for after death came the reunion with her, with Geraldine, who either was + already waiting for him there above, or would soon follow him. + </p> + <p> + Life had nothing more to offer him. Death united him to his beloved. He + hailed death as his friend and savior, as the priest who was to unite him + to his Geraldine. He heard the great Tower clock of the prison which with + threatening stroke made known the hour; and each passing hour he hailed + with a joyous throb of the heart. The evening came and deep night + descended upon him—the last night that was allotted to him-the last + night that separated him from his Geraldine. + </p> + <p> + The turnkey opened the door to bring the earl a light, and to ask whether + he had any orders to give. Heretofore it had been the king’s special + command not to allow him a light in his cell; and he had spent these six + long evenings and nights of his imprisonment in darkness. But to-day they + were willing to give him a light; to-day they were willing to allow him + everything that he might still desire. The life which he must leave in a + few hours was to be once more adorned for him with all charms and + enjoyments which he might ask for. Henry Howard had but to wish, and the + jailer was ready to furnish him everything. + </p> + <p> + But Henry Howard wished for nothing; he demanded nothing, save that they + would leave him alone-save that they would remove from his prison this + light which dazzled him, and which opposed to his enrapturing dreams the + disenchanting reality. + </p> + <p> + The king, who had wanted to impose a special punishment in condemning him + to darkness—the king had, contrary to his intention, become thereby + his benefactor. For with darkness came dreams and fantasies. With the + darkness came Geraldine. + </p> + <p> + When night and silence were all around him, then there was light within; + and an enchanting whisper and a sweet, enticing voice resounded within + him. The gates of his prison sprang open, and on the wings of thought + Henry Howard soared away from that dismal and desolate place. On the wings + of thought he came to her—to his Geraldine. + </p> + <p> + Again she was by him, in the large, silent hall. Again night lay upon + them, like a veil concealing, blessing, and enveloping them;—and + threw its protection over their embraces and their kisses. Solitude + allowed him to hear again the dear music of her voice, which sang for him + so enchanting a melody of love and ecstasy. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard must be alone, so that he can hear his Geraldine. Deep + darkness must surround him, so that his Geraldine can come to him. + </p> + <p> + He demanded, therefore, for his last night, nothing further than to be + left alone, and without a light. The jailer extinguished the light and + left the cell. But he did not shove the great iron bolt across the door. + He did not put the large padlock on it, but he only left the door slightly + ajar, and did not lock it at all. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard took no notice of this. What cared he, whether this gate was + locked or no-he who no longer had a desire for life and freedom! + </p> + <p> + He leaned back on his seat, and dreamed with eyes open. There below in the + yard they were working on the scaffold which Henry Howard was to ascend as + soon as day dawned. The dull monotony of the strokes of the hammers fell + on his ear. Now and then the torches, which lighted the workmen at their + melancholy task, allowed to shine up into his cell a pale glimmer of + light, which danced on the walls in ghost-like shapes. + </p> + <p> + “There are the ghosts of all those that Henry has put to death,” thought + Henry Howard; “they gather around me; like will-o’-the-wisps, they dance + with me the dance of death, and in a few hours I shall be forever theirs.” + </p> + <p> + The dull noise of hammers and saws continued steadily on, and Henry Howard + sank deeper and deeper in reverie. + </p> + <p> + He thought, he felt, and desired nothing but Geraldine. His whole soul was + concentrated in that single thought of her. It seemed to him he could bid + his spirit see her, as though he could command his senses to perceive her. + Yes, she was there; he felt-he was conscious of her presence. Again he lay + at her feet, and leaned his head on her knee, and listened again to those + charming revelations of her love. + </p> + <p> + Completely borne away from the present, and from existence, he saw, he + felt, only her. The mystery of love was perfected, and, under the veil of + night, Geraldine had again winged her way to him, and he to her. + </p> + <p> + A happy smile played about his lips, which faltered forth rapturous words + of greeting. Overcome by a wonderful hallucination, he saw his beloved + approaching him; he stretched out his arms to clasp her; and it did not + arouse him when he felt instead of her only the empty air. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you float away from me again, Geraldine?” asked he, in a low tone. + “Wherefore do you withdraw from my arms, to whirl with the + will-o’-the-wisps in the death-dance? Come, Geraldine, come; my soul burns + for you. My heart calls you with its last faltering throb. Come, + Geraldine, oh, come!” + </p> + <p> + What was that? It was as though the door were gently opened, and the latch + again gently fastened. It was as though a foot were moving softly over the + floor-as though the shape of a human form shaded for a moment the + flickering light which danced around the walls. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard saw it not. + </p> + <p> + He saw naught but his Geraldine, whom he with so much fervency and longing + wished by his side. He spread his arms; he called her with all the ardor, + all the enthusiasm of a lover. + </p> + <p> + Now he uttered a cry of ecstasy. His prayer of love was answered. The + dream had become a reality. His arms no longer clasped the empty air; they + pressed to his breast the woman whom he loved, and for whom he was to die. + </p> + <p> + He pressed his lips to her mouth and she returned his kisses. He threw his + arms around her form, and she pressed him fast, fast to her bosom. + </p> + <p> + Was this a reality? Or was it madness that was creeping upon him and + seizing upon his brain, and deceiving him with fantasies so enchanting? + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard shuddered as he thought this, and, falling upon his knees, he + cried in a voice trembling with agony and love: “Geraldine, have pity on + me! Tell me that this is no dream, that I am not mad—that you are + really—you are Geraldine—you—the king’s consort, whose + knees I now clasp! Speak, oh speak, my Geraldine!” + </p> + <p> + “I am she!” softly whispered she. “I am Geraldine—am the woman whom + you love, and to whom you have sworn eternal truth and eternal love! Henry + Howard, my beloved, I now remind you of your oath! Your life belongs to + me. This you have vowed, and I now come to demand of you that which is my + own!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, my life belongs to you, Geraldine! But it is a miserable, melancholy + possession, which you will call yours only a few hours longer.” + </p> + <p> + She threw her arms closely around his neck; she raised him to her heart; + she kissed his mouth, his eyes. He felt her tears, which trickled like hot + fountains over his face; he heard her sighs, which struggled from her + breast like death-groans. + </p> + <p> + “You must not die!” murmured she, amid her tears. “No, Henry, you must + live, so that I too can live; so that I shall not become mad from agony + and sorrow for you! My God, my God, do you not then feel how I love you? + Know you not, then, that your life is my life, and your death my death?” + </p> + <p> + He leaned his head on her shoulder, and, wholly intoxicated with + happiness, he scarcely heard what she was speaking. + </p> + <p> + She was again there! What cared he for all the rest? + </p> + <p> + “Geraldine,” softly whispered he, “do you recollect still how we first met + each other? how our hearts were united in one throb, how our lips clung to + each other in one kiss? Geraldine, my life, my loved one, we then swore + that naught could separate us, that our love should survive the grave! + Geraldine, do you remember that still?” + </p> + <p> + “I remember it, my Henry! But you shall not die yet; and not in death, but + in life, shall your love for me be proved! Ay, we will live, live! And + your life shall be my life, and where you are, there will I be also! + Henry, do you remember that you vowed this to me with a solemn oath!” + </p> + <p> + “I remember it, but I cannot keep my word, my Geraldine! Hear you how they + are sawing and hammering there below? Know you what that indicates, + dearest?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, Henry! It is the scaffold that they are building there below. + The scaffold for you and me. For I too will die if you will not live; and + the axe that seeks your neck shall find mine also, if you wish not that we + both live!” + </p> + <p> + “Do I wish it! But how can we, beloved?” + </p> + <p> + “We can, Henry, we can! All is ready for the flight! It is all arranged, + everything prepared! The king’s signet-ring has opened to me the gates of + the prison; the omnipotence of gold has won over your jailer. He will not + see it, when two persons instead of one leave this dungeon. Unmolested and + without hinderance, we will both leave the Tower by ways known only to + him, over secret corridors and staircases, and will go aboard a boat which + is ready to take us to a ship, which lies in the harbor prepared to sail, + and which as soon as we are aboard weighs anchor and puts to sea with us. + Come, Henry, come! Lay your arm in mine, and let us leave this prison!” + </p> + <p> + She threw both her arms around his neck, and drew him forward. He pressed + her fast to his heart and whispered: “Yes, come, come, my beloved! Let us + fly! To you belongs my life, you alone!” + </p> + <p> + He raised her up in his arms, and hastened with her to the door. He pushed + it hastily open with his foot and hurried forward down the corridor; but + having arrived just at the first turn he reeled back in horror. + </p> + <p> + Before the door wore standing soldiers with shouldered arms. There stood + also the lieutenant of the Tower, and two servants behind him with lighted + candles. Geraldine gave a scream, and with anxious haste rearranged the + thick veil that had slipped from her head. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard also had uttered a cry, but not on account of the soldiers + and the frustrated flight. + </p> + <p> + His eyes, stretched wide open, stared at this figure at his side, now so + closely veiled. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to him as though like a spectre a strange face had risen up + close by him—as though it were not the beloved head of the queen + that rested there on his shoulder. He had seen this face only as a vision, + as the fantasy of a dream; but he knew with perfect certainty that it was + not her countenance, not the countenance of his Geraldine. + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant of the Tower motioned to his servants, and they carried the + lighted candles into the earl’s cell. + </p> + <p> + Then he gave Henry Howard his hand and silently led him back into the + prison. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard exhibited no reluctance to follow him; but his hand had + seized Geraldine’s arm, and he drew her along with him; his eye rested on + her with a penetrating expression, and seemed to threaten her. + </p> + <p> + They were now again in the room which they had before left with such + blessed hopes. + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant of the Tower motioned to the servants to retire, then + turned with solemn earnestness to Earl Surrey. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said he, “it is at the king’s command that I bring you these + lights. His majesty knows all that has happened here this night. He knew + that a plot was formed to rescue you; and while they believed they were + deceiving him, the plotters themselves were deceived. They had succeeded + under various artful false pretences in influencing the king to give his + signet-ring to one of his lords. But his majesty was already warned, and + he already knew that it was not a man, as they wanted to make him believe, + but a woman, who came, not to take leave of you, but to deliver you from + prison.—My lady, the jailer whom you imagined that you had bribed + was a faithful servant of the king. He betrayed your plot to me; and it + was I who ordered him to make a show of favoring your deed. You will not + be able to release Earl Surrey; but if such is your command, I will myself + see you to the ship that lies in the harbor for you ready to sail. No one + will hinder you, my lady, from embarking on it; Earl Surrey is not + permitted to accompany you!—My lord, soon the night is at an end, + and you know that it will be your last night. The king has ordered that I + am not to prevent this lady, if she wishes to spend this night with you in + your room. But she is allowed to do so only on the condition that the + lights in your room remain burning. That is the king’s express will, and + these are his own words: ‘Tell Earl Surrey that I allow him to love his + Geraldine, but that he is to open his eyes to see her! That he may see, + you will give him a light; and I command him not to extinguish it so long + as Geraldine is with him. Otherwise he may confound her with another + woman; for in the dark one cannot distinguish even a harlequin from a + queen!’—You have now to decide, my lord, whether this lady remains + with you, or whether she goes, and the light shall be put out!” + </p> + <p> + “She shall remain with me, and I very much need the light!” said Earl + Surrey; and his penetrating look rested steadily on the veiled figure, + which shook at his words, as if in an ague. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any other wish besides this, my lord?” + </p> + <p> + “None, save that I may be left alone with her.” + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant bowed and left the room. + </p> + <p> + They wore now alone again, and stood confronting each other in silence. + Naught was heard but the beating of their hearts, and the sighs of anguish + that burst from Geraldine’s trembling lips. + </p> + <p> + It was an awful, a terrible pause. Geraldine would gladly have given her + life could she thereby have extinguished the light and veiled herself in + impenetrable darkness. + </p> + <p> + But the earl would see. With an angry, haughty look, he stepped up to her, + and, as with commanding gesture lie raised his arm, Geraldine shuddered + and submissively bowed her head. + </p> + <p> + “Unveil your face!” said he, in a tone of command. She did not stir. She + murmured a prayer, then raised her clasped hands to Henry and in a low + moan, said: “Mercy! mercy!” + </p> + <p> + He extended his hand and seized the veil. + </p> + <p> + “Mercy!” repeated she, in a voice of still deeper supplication—of + still greater distress. + </p> + <p> + But he was inexorable. He tore the veil from her face and stared at her. + Then with a wild shriek he reeled back and covered his face with his + hands. + </p> + <p> + Jane Douglas durst not breathe or stir. She was pale as marble; her large, + burning eyes were fastened with an unutterable expression of entreaty upon + her lover, who stood before her with covered head, and crushed with + anguish. She loved him more than her life, more than her eternal + salvation; and yet she it was that had brought him to this hour of agony. + </p> + <p> + At length Earl Surrey let his hands fall from his face, and with a fierce + movement dashed the tears from his eyes. + </p> + <p> + As he looked at her, Jane Douglas wholly involuntarily sank upon her + knees, and raised her hands imploringly to him. “Henry Howard,” said she, + in a low whisper, “I am Geraldine! Me have you loved; my letters have you + read with ecstasy, and to me have you often sworn that you loved my mind + yet more than my appearance. And often has my heart been filled with + rapture, when you told me you would love me however my face might change, + however old age or sickness might alter my features. You remember, Henry, + how I once asked you whether you would cease to love me, if now God + suddenly put a mask before my face, so that you could not recognize my + features. You replied to me: ‘Nevertheless, I should love and adore you; + for what in you ravishes me, is not your face, but you yourself—yourself + with your glorious being and nature. It is your soul and your heart which + can never change, which lie before me like a holy book, clear and bright!’ + That was your reply to me then, as you swore to love me eternally. Henry + Howard, I now remind you of your oath! I am your Geraldine. It is the same + soul, the same heart; only God has put a mask upon my face!” + </p> + <p> + Earl Surrey had listened to her with eager attention, with increasing + amazement. + </p> + <p> + “It is she! It is really!” cried he, as she ceased. “It is Geraldine!” + </p> + <p> + And wholly overcome, wholly speechless with anguish, he sank into a seat. + </p> + <p> + Geraldine flew to him; she crouched at his feet; she seized his drooping + hand and covered it with kisses. And amid streaming tears, often + interrupted by her sighs and her sobs, she recounted to him the sad and + unhappy history of her love; she unveiled before him the whole web of + cunning and deceit, that her father had drawn around them both. She laid + her whole heart open and unveiled before him. She told him of her love, of + her agonies, of her ambition, and her remorse. She accused herself; but + she pleaded her love as an excuse, and with streaming tears, clinging to + his knees, she implored him for pity, for forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + He thrust her violently from him, and stood up in order to escape her + touch. His noble countenance glowed with anger: his eyes darted lightning; + his long flowing hair shaded his lofty brow and his face like a sombre + veil. He was beautiful in his wrath, beautiful as the archangel Michael + trampling the dragon beneath his feet. And thus he bent down his head + toward her; thus he gazed at her with flashing and contemptuous looks. + </p> + <p> + “I forgive you?” said he. “Never will that be! Ha, shall I forgive you?—you, + who have made my entire life a ridiculous lie, and transformed the tragedy + of my love into a disgusting farce? Oh, Geraldine, how I have loved you; + and now you have become to me a loathsome spectre, before which my soul + shudders, and which I must execrate! You have crushed my life, and even + robbed my death of its sanctity; for now it is no longer the martyrdom of + my love, but only the savage mockery of my credulous heart. Oh, Geraldine, + how beautiful it would have been to die for you!—to go to death with + your name upon my lips!—to bless you!—to thank you for my + happy lot, as the axe was already uplifted to smite off my head! How + beautiful to think that death does not separate us, but is only the way to + an eternal union; that we should lose each other but a brief moment here, + to find each other again forevermore!” + </p> + <p> + Geraldine writhed at his feet like a worm trodden upon; and her groans of + distress and her smothered moans were the heartrending accompaniment of + his melancholy words. + </p> + <p> + “But that is now all over!” cried Henry Howard; and his face, which was + before convulsed with grief and agony, now glowed again with wrath. “You + have poisoned my life and my death; and I shall curse you for it, and my + last word will be a malediction on the harlequin Geraldine!” + </p> + <p> + “Have pity!” groaned Jane. “Kill me, Henry; stamp my head beneath your + feet; only let this torture end!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, no pity!” yelled he, wildly; “no pity for this impostor, who has + stolen my heart and crept like a thief into my love! Arise, and leave this + room; for you fill me with horror; and when I behold you, I feel only that + I must curse you! Ay, a curse on you and shame, Geraldine! Curse on the + kisses that I have impressed on your lips—on the tears of rapture + that I have wept on your bosom. When I ascend the scaffold, I will curse + you, and my last words shall be: ‘Woe to Geraldine!—for she is my + murderess!’” + </p> + <p> + He stood there before her with arm raised on high, proud and great in his + wrath. She felt the destroying lightning of his eyes, though she durst not + look up at him, but lay at his feet moaning and convulsed, and concealing + her face in her veil, as she shuddered at her own picture. + </p> + <p> + “And this be my last word to you Geraldine,” said Henry Howard, panting + for breath: “Go hence under the burden of my curse, and live—if you + can!” + </p> + <p> + She unveiled her head, and raised her countenance toward him. A + contemptuous smile writhed about her deathly pale lips. “Live!” said she. + “Have we not sworn to die with each other? Your curse does not release me + from my oath, and when you descend into the grave, Jane Douglas will stand + upon its brink, to wail and weep until you make a little place for her + there below; until she has softened your heart and you take her again, as + your Geraldine, into your grave. Oh, Henry! in the grave, I no longer wear + the face of Jane Douglas—that hated face, which I would tear with my + nails. In the grave, I am Geraldine again. There I may again lie close to + your heart, and again you will say to me: ‘I love not your face and your + external form! I love you yourself; I love your heart and mind; and that + can never change; and can never be otherwise!’” + </p> + <p> + “Silence!” said he, roughly; “silence, if you do not want me to run mad! + Cast not my own words in my face. They defile me, for falsehood has + desecrated and trodden them in the mire. No! I will not make room for you + in my grave. I will not again call you Geraldine. You are Jane Douglas, + and I hate you, and I hurl my curse upon your criminal head! I tell you—” + </p> + <p> + He suddenly paused, and a slight convulsion ran through his whole frame. + </p> + <p> + Jane Douglas uttered a piercing scream, and sprang from her knees. + </p> + <p> + Day had broken; and from the prison-tower sounded the dismal, plaintive + stroke of the death-bell. + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear, Jane Douglas?” said Surrey. “That bell summons me to death. + You it is that has poisoned my last hour. I was happy when I loved you. I + die in despair, for I despise and hate you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, you dare not die!” cried she, clinging to him with passionate + anguish. “You dare not go to the grave with that fierce curse upon your + lips. I cannot be your murderess. Oh, it is not possible that they will + put you to death—you, the beautiful, the noble and the virtuous Earl + Surrey. My God, what have you done to excite their wrath? You are + innocent; and they know it. They cannot execute you; for it would be + murder! You have committed no offence; you have been guilty of nothing; no + crime attaches to your noble person. It is indeed no crime to love Jane + Douglas, and me have you loved—me alone.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not you,” said he proudly; “I have nothing to do with Lady Jane + Douglas. I loved the queen, and I believed she returned my love. That is + my crime.” + </p> + <p> + The door opened: and in solemn silence the lieutenant of the Tower entered + with the priests and his assistants. In the door was seen the bright-red + dress of the headsman, who was standing upon the threshold with face calm + and unmoved. + </p> + <p> + “It is time!” solemnly said the lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + The priest muttered his prayers, and the assistants swung their censers. + Without, the death-bell kept up its wail; and from the court was heard the + hum of the mob, which, curious and bloodthirsty as it ever is, had + streamed hither to behold with laughing mouth the blood of the man who but + yesterday was its favorite. + </p> + <p> + Earl Surrey stood there a moment in silence. His features worked and were + convulsed, and a deathlike pallor covered his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + He trembled, not at death, but at dying. It seemed to him that he already + felt on his neck the cold broad-axe which that frightful man there held in + his hand. Oh, to die on the battle-field—what a boon it would have + been! To come to an end on the scaffold—what a disgrace was this! + </p> + <p> + “Henry Howard, my son, are you prepared to die?” asked the priest. “Have + you made your peace with God? Do you repent of your sins, and do you + acknowledge death as a righteous expiation and punishment? Do you forgive + your enemies, and depart hence at peace with yourself and with mankind?” + </p> + <p> + “I am prepared to die,” said Surrey, with a proud smile; “the other + questions, my father, I will answer to my God.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you confess that you were a wicked traitor? And do you beg the + forgiveness of your noble and righteous, your exalted and good king, for + the blasphemous injury to his sacred majesty?” + </p> + <p> + Earl Surrey looked him steadily in the eye. “Do you know what crime I am + accused of?” + </p> + <p> + The priest cast down his eyes, and muttered a few unintelligible words. + </p> + <p> + With a haughty movement of the head, Henry Howard turned from the priest + to the lieutenant of the Tower. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know my crime, my lord?” said he. + </p> + <p> + But the lord lieutenant also dropped his eyes, and remained silent. + </p> + <p> + Henry Howard smiled. “Well, now, I will tell you. I have, as it becomes + me, my father’s son, borne the arms of our house on my shield and over the + entrance of my palace, and it has been discovered that the king bears the + same arms that we do. That is my high treason! I have said that the king + is deceived in many of his servants, and often promotes his favorites to + high honors which they do not deserve. That is my offence against his + majesty; and it is that for which I shall lay my head upon the block. + [Footnote: These two insignificant accusations were the only points that + could be made out against the Earl of Surrey. Upon these charges, brought + by his mother and sister, he was executed.—Tytler, p. 492; Burnet, + vol. I, p. 75; Leti, vol. I, p. 108.] But make yourself easy; I shall + myself add to my crimes one more, so that they may be grievous enough to + make the conscience of the righteous and generous king quiet. I have given + up my heart to a wretched and criminal love, and the Geraldine whom I have + sung in many a poem, and have celebrated even before the king, was nothing + but a miserable coquettish strumpet!” + </p> + <p> + Jane Douglas gave a scream, and sank upon the ground as if struck by + lightning. + </p> + <p> + “Do you repent of this sin, my son?” asked the priest. “Do you turn your + heart away from this sinful love, in order to turn it to God?” + </p> + <p> + “I not only repent of this love, but I execrate it! and now, my father, + let us go; for you see, indeed, my lord is becoming impatient. He bears in + mind that the king will find no rest until the Howards also have gone to + rest. Ah, King Henry! King Henry! Thou callest thyself the mighty king of + the world, and yet thou tremblest before the arms of thy subject! My lord, + if you go to the king to-day, give him Henry Howard’s greeting; and tell + him, I wish his bed may be as easy to him as the grave will be to me. Now, + come, my lords! It is time.” + </p> + <p> + With head proudly erect and calm step, he turned to the door. But now Jane + Douglas sprang from the ground; now she rushed to Henry Howard and clung + to him with all the might of her passion and agony. “I leave you not!” + cried she, breathless and pale as death. “You dare not repulse me, for you + have sworn that we shall live and die together.” + </p> + <p> + He hurled her from him in fierce wrath, and drew himself up before her, + lofty and threatening. + </p> + <p> + “I forbid you to follow me!” cried he, in a tone of command. She reeled + back against the wall and looked at him, trembling and breathless. + </p> + <p> + He was still lord over her soul; she was still subject to him in love and + obedience. She could not therefore summon up courage to defy his command. + </p> + <p> + She beheld him as he left the room and passed down the corridor with his + dreadful train; she heard their footsteps gradually die away; and then + suddenly in the yard sounded the hollow roll of the drum. + </p> + <p> + Jane Douglas fell on her knees to pray, but her lips trembled so much that + she could find no words for her prayer. + </p> + <p> + The roll of the drum ceased in the court below, and only the death-bell + still continued to wail and wail. She heard a voice speaking loud and + powerful words. + </p> + <p> + It was his voice; it was Henry Howard that was speaking. And now again the + hollow roll of the drums drowned his voice. + </p> + <p> + “He dies! He dies, and I am not with him!” cried she, with a shriek; and + she gathered herself up, and as if borne by a whirlwind she dashed out of + the room, through the corridor, and down the stairs. + </p> + <p> + There she stood in the court. That dreadful black pile above there, in the + midst of this square crowded with men—that was the scaffold. Yonder + she beheld him prostrate on his knees. She beheld the axe in the + headsman’s hand; she saw him raise it for the fatal stroke. + </p> + <p> + She was a woman no longer, but a lioness! Not a drop of blood was in her + cheeks. Her nostrils were expanded and her eyes darted lightning. + </p> + <p> + She drew out a dagger that she had concealed in her bosom, and made a path + through the amazed, frightened, yielding crowd. + </p> + <p> + With one spring she had rushed up the steps of the scaffold. She now stood + by him on the top of it—close by that kneeling figure. + </p> + <p> + There was a flash through the air. She heard a peculiar whiz—then a + hollow blow. A red vapor-like streak of blood spurted up, and covered Jane + Douglas with its crimson flood. + </p> + <p> + “I come, Henry, I come!” cried she, with a wild shout. “I shall be with + thee in death!” And again there was a flash through the air. It was the + dagger that Jane Douglas plunged into her heart. + </p> + <p> + She had struck well. No sound—no groan burst from her lips. With a + proud smile she sank by her lover’s headless corpse, and with a last dying + effort she said to the horrified headsman: “Let me share his grave! Henry + Howard, in life and in death I am with thee!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. NEW INTRIGUES. + </h2> + <p> + Henry Howard was dead; and now one would have thought the king might be + satisfied and quiet, and that sleep would no longer flee from his eyelids, + since Henry Howard, his great rival, had closed his eyes forever; since + Henry Howard was no longer there, to steal away his crown, to fill the + world with the glory of his deeds, to dim the genius of the king by his + own fame as a poet. + </p> + <p> + But the king was still dissatisfied. Sleep still fled from his couch. + </p> + <p> + The cause of this was that his work was only just half done. Henry + Howard’s father, the Duke of Norfolk, still lived. The cause of this was, + that the king was always obliged to think of this powerful rival; and + these thoughts chased sleep from his eyelids. His soul was sick of the + Howards; therefore his body suffered such terrible pains. If the Duke of + Norfolk would close his eyes in death, then would the king also be able to + close his again in refreshing sleep! But this court of peers—and + only by such a court could the duke be judged—this court of peers + was so slow and deliberate! It worked far less rapidly, and was not near + so serviceable, as the Parliament which had so quickly condemned Henry + Howard. Why must the old Howard bear a ducal title? Why was he not like + his son, only an earl, so that the obedient Parliament might condemn him? + </p> + <p> + That was the king’s inextinguishable grief, his gnawing pain, which made + him raving with fury and heated his blood, and thereby increased the pains + of his body. + </p> + <p> + He raved and roared with impatience. Through the halls of his palace + resounded his savage vituperation. It made every one tremble and quake, + for no one was sure that it was not he that was to fall that day a victim + to the king’s fury. No one could know whether the king’s ever-increasing + thirst for blood would not that day doom him. + </p> + <p> + With the most jealous strictness the king, from his sick-couch, watched + over his royal dignity; and the least fault against that might arouse his + wrath and bloodthirstiness. Woe to those who wanted still to maintain that + the pope was the head of the Church! Woe to those who ventured to call God + the only Lord of the Church, and honored not the king as the Church’s holy + protector! The one, like the other, were traitors and sinners, and he had + Protestants and Roman Catholics alike executed, however near they stood to + his own person, and however closely he was otherwise bound to them. + </p> + <p> + Whoever, therefore, could avoid it, kept himself far from the dreaded + person of the king; and whoever was constrained by duty to be near him, + trembled for his life, and commended his soul to God. + </p> + <p> + There were only four persons who did not fear the king, and who seemed to + be safe from his destroying wrath. There was the queen, who nursed him + with devoted attention, and John Heywood, who with untiring zeal sustained + Catharine in her difficult task, and who still sometimes succeeded in + winning a smile from the king. There were, furthermore, Gardiner, bishop + of Winchester, and Earl Douglas. + </p> + <p> + Lady Jane Douglas was dead. The king had therefore forgiven her father, + and again shown himself gracious and friendly to the deeply-bowed earl. + Besides, it was such an agreeable and refreshing feeling to the suffering + king to have some one about him who suffered yet more than he himself! It + comforted him to know that there could be agonies yet more horrible than + those pains of the body under which he languished. Earl Douglas suffered + these agonies; and the king saw with a kind of delight how his hair turned + daily more gray, and his features became more relaxed and feeble. Douglas + was younger than the king, and yet how old and gray his face was beside + the king’s well-fed and blooming countenance! + </p> + <p> + Could the king have seen the bottom of his soul, he would have had less + sympathy with Earl Douglas’s sorrow. + </p> + <p> + He considered him only as a tender father mourning the death of his only + child. He did not suspect that it was less the father that Jane’s painful + death had smitten, than the ambitious man, the fanatical Roman Catholic, + the enthusiastic disciple of Loyola, who with dismay saw all his plans + frustrated, and the moment drawing nigh when he would be divested of that + power and consideration which he enjoyed in the secret league of the + disciples of Jesus. With him, therefore, it was less the daughter, for + whom he mourned, than the king’s seventh wife. And that Catharine wore the + crown, and not his daughter—not Jane Douglas—his it was that + he could never forgive the queen. + </p> + <p> + He wanted to take vengeance on the queen for Jane’s death; he wanted to + punish Catharine for his frustrated hopes, for his desires that she had + trampled upon. But Earl Douglas durst not himself venture to make another + attempt to prejudice the king’s mind against his consort. Henry had + interdicted him from it under the penalty of his wrath. With words of + threatening, he had warned him from such an attempt; and Earl Douglas very + well knew that King Henry was inflexible in his determination, when the + matter under consideration was the execution of a threatened punishment, + Yet what Douglas durst not venture, that Gardiner could venture—Gardiner, + who, thanks to the capriciousness of the sick king, had for the few days + past enjoyed again the royal favor so unreservedly that the noble + Archbishop Cranmer had received orders to leave the court and retire to + his episcopal residence at Lambeth. + </p> + <p> + Catharine had seen him depart with anxious forebodings; for Cranmer had + ever been her friend and her support. His mild and serene countenance had + ever been to her like a star of peace in the midst of this tempest-tossed + and passion-lashed court life; and his gentle and noble words had always + fallen like a soothing balm on her poor trembling heart. + </p> + <p> + She felt that with his departure she lost her noblest support, her + strengthening aid, and that she was now surrounded only by enemies and + opponents. True, she still had John Heywood, the faithful friend, the + indefatigable servant; but since Gardiner had exercised his sinister + influence over the king’s mind, John Heywood durst scarcely risk himself + in Henry’s presence. True, she had also Thomas Seymour, her lover; but she + knew and felt that she was everywhere surrounded by spies and + eavesdroppers, and that now it required nothing more than an interview + with Thomas Seymour—a few tender words—perchance even only a + look full of mutual understanding and love, in order to send him and her + to the scaffold. + </p> + <p> + She trembled not for herself, but for her lover. That made her cautious + and thoughtful. That gave her courage never to show Thomas Seymour other + than a cold, serious face; never to meet him otherwise than in the circle + of her court; never to smile on him; never to give him her hand. + </p> + <p> + She was, however, certain of her future. She knew that a day would come on + which the king’s death would deliver her from her burdensome grandeur and + her painful royal crown; when she should be free—free to give her + hand to the man whom alone on earth she loved, and to become his wife. + </p> + <p> + She waited for that day, as the prisoner does for the hour of his release; + but like him she knew that a premature attempt to escape from her dungeon + would bring her only ruin and death, and not freedom. + </p> + <p> + She must be patient and wait. She must give up all personal intercourse + with her lover; and even his letters John Heywood could bring her but very + seldom, and only with the greatest caution. How often already had not John + Heywood conjured her to give up this correspondence also! how often had he + not with tears in his eyes besought her to renounce this love, which might + one day be her ruin and her death! Catharine laughed at his gloomy + forebodings, and opposed to his dark prophecies a bravery reliant on the + future, the joyous courage of her love. + </p> + <p> + She would not die, for happiness and love were awaiting her; she would not + renounce happiness and love, for the sake of which she could endure this + life in other respects—this life of peril, of resignation, of + enmity, and of hatred. + </p> + <p> + But she wanted to live in order to be happy hereafter. This thought made + her brave and resolute; it gave her courage to defy her enemies with + serene brow and smiling lip; it enabled her to sit with bright eye and + rosy cheeks at the side of her dreaded and severe husband, and, with + cheerful wit and inexhaustible good-humor, jest away the frown from his + brow, and vexation from his soul. + </p> + <p> + But just because she could do this, she was a dangerous antagonist to + Douglas and Gardiner. Just on that account, it was to be their highest + effort to destroy this beautiful young woman, who durst defy them and + weaken their influence with the king. If they could but succeed in + rendering the king’s mind more and more gloomy; if they could but + completely fill him again with fanatical religious zeal; then, and then + only, could they hope to attain their end; which end was this: to bring + back the king as a contrite, penitent, and humble son of the only saving + mother Church, and to make him again, from a proud, vain, and imperious + prince, an obedient and submissive son of the pope. + </p> + <p> + The king was to renounce this vain and blasphemous arrogance of wishing to + be himself head of his Church. He was to turn away from the spirit of + novelty and heresy, and again become a faithful and devout Catholic. + </p> + <p> + But in order that they might attain this end, Catharine must be removed + from him; he must no longer behold her rosy and beautiful face, and no + longer allow himself to be diverted by her sensible discourse and her keen + wit. + </p> + <p> + “We shall not be able to overthrow the queen,” said Earl Douglas to + Gardiner, as the two stood in the king’s anteroom, and as Catharine’s + cheerful chit-chat and the king’s merry laugh came pealing to them from + the adjoining room. “No, no, Gardiner, she is too powerful and too crafty. + The king loves her very much; and she is such an agreeable and refreshing + recreation to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Just on that account we must withdraw her from him,” said Gardiner, with + a dark frown. “He must turn away his heart from this earthly love; and + after we shall have mortified this love in him, this savage and arrogant + man will return to us and to God, contrite and humble.” But we shall not + be able to mortify it, friend. It is so ardent and selfish a love. + </p> + <p> + “So much the greater will be the triumph, if our holy admonitions are + successful in touching his heart, Douglas. It is true he will suffer very + much if he is obliged to give up this woman. But he needs precisely this + suffering in order to become contrite and penitent. His mind must first be + entirely darkened, so that we can illuminate it with the light of faith. + He must first be rendered perfectly isolated and comfortless in order to + bring him back to the holy communion of the Church, and to, find him again + accessible to the consolations of that faith which alone can save.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” sighed Douglas, “I fear that this will be a useless struggle. The + king is so vain of his self-constituted high-priesthood!” + </p> + <p> + “But he is such a weak man, and such a great sinner!” said Gardiner, with + a cold smile. “He trembles so much at death and God’s judgment, and our + holy mother the Church can give him absolution, and by her holy sacraments + render death easy to him. He is a wicked sinner and has stings of + conscience. This it is that will bring him back again to the bosom of the + Catholic Church.” + </p> + <p> + “But when will that come to pass? The king is sick, and any day may put an + end to his life. Woe to us, if he die before he has given the power into + our hands, and nominated us his executors! Woe to us, if the queen is + appointed regent, and the king selects the Seymours as her ministers! Oh, + my wise and pious father, the work that you wish to do must be done soon, + or it must remain forever unaccomplished.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done this very day,” said Gardiner, solemnly; and bending + down closer to the earl’s ear, he continued: “we have lulled the queen + into assurance and self-confidence, and by this means she shall be ruined + this very day. She relies so strongly on her power over the king’s + disposition, that she often summons up courage even to contradict him, and + to set her own will in opposition to his. That shall be her ruin this very + day! For mark well, earl; the king is now again like a tiger that has been + long fasting. He thirsts for blood! The queen has an aversion to human + blood, and she is horrified when she hears of executions. So we must + manage that these opposing inclinations may come into contact, and contend + with each other.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I understand now,” whispered Douglas; “and I bow in reverence before + the wisdom of your highness. You will let them both contend with their own + weapons.” + </p> + <p> + “I will point out a welcome prey to his appetite for blood, and give her + silly compassion an opportunity to contend with the king for his prey. Do + you not think, earl, that this will be an amusing spectacle, and one + refreshing to the heart, to see how the tiger and dove struggle with each + other? And I tell you the tiger thirsts so much for blood! Blood is the + only balm that he applies to his aching limbs, and by which alone he + imagines that he can restore peace and courage to his tortured conscience + and his dread of death. Ah, ha! we have told him that, with each new + execution of a heretic, one of his great sins would be blotted out, and + that the blood of the Calvinists serves to wash out of his account-book + some of his evil deeds. He would be so glad to be able to appear pure and + guiltless before the tribunal of his God! Therefore he needs very much + heretical blood. But hark—the hour strikes which summons me to the + royal chamber! There has been enough of the queen’s laughing and + chit-chat. We will now endeavor to banish the smile forever from her face. + She is a heretic; and it is a pious work, well pleasing to God, if we + plunge her headlong into ruin!” + </p> + <p> + “May God be with your highness, and assist you by His grace, that you may + accomplish this sublime work!” + </p> + <p> + “God will be with us, my son, since for Him it is that we labor and harass + ourselves. To His honor and praise we bring these misbelieving heretics to + the stake, and make the air re-echo with the agonizing shrieks of those + who are racked and tortured. That is music well pleasing to God; and the + angels in heaven will triumph and be glad when the heretical and infidel + Queen Catharine also has to strike up this music of the damned. Now I go + to the holy labor of love and godly wrath. Pray for me, my son, that I may + succeed. Remain here in the anteroom, and await my call; perhaps we shall + need you. Pray for us, and with us. Ah, we still owe this heretical queen + a grudge for Anne Askew. To-day we will pay her. Then she accused us, + to-day we will accuse her, and God and His host of saints and angels are + with us.” + </p> + <p> + And the pious and godly priest crossed himself, and with head humbly bowed + and a soft smile about his thin, bloodless lips, strode through the hall + in order to betake himself to the king’s chamber. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV. THE KING AND THE PRIEST. + </h2> + <p> + “God bless and preserve your majesty!” said Gardiner as he entered, to the + king, who just then was sitting with the queen at the chess-board. With + frowning brow and compressed lips he looked over the game, which stood + unfavorable for him, and threatened him with a speedy checkmate. + </p> + <p> + It was not wise in the queen not to let the king win; for his + superstitious and jealous temper looked upon such a won game of chess as + withal an assault on his own person. And he who ventured to conquer him at + chess was always to Henry a sort of traitor that threatened his kingdom, + and was rash enough to attempt to seize the crown. + </p> + <p> + The queen very well knew that, but—Gardiner was right—she was + too self-confident. She trusted a little to her power over the king; she + imagined he would make an exception in her favor. And it was so dull to be + obliged ever to be the losing and conquered party at this game; to permit + the king always to appear as the triumphant victor, and to bestow on his + game praise which he did not deserve. Catharine wanted to allow herself + for once the triumph of having beaten her husband. She fought him man to + man; she irritated him by the ever-approaching danger. The king, who at + the beginning had been cheerful, and laughed when Catharine took up one of + his pieces—the king now no longer laughed. It was no more a game. It + was a serious struggle; and he contended with his consort for the victory + with impassioned eagerness. Catharine did not even see the clouds which + were gathering on the king’s brow. Her looks were directed only to the + chess-board; and, breathless with expectation and glowing with eagerness, + she considered the move she was about to make. + </p> + <p> + But Gardiner was very well aware of the king’s secret anger; and he + comprehended that the situation was favorable for him. + </p> + <p> + With soft, sneaking step he approached the king, and, standing behind him, + looked over the game. + </p> + <p> + “You are checkmated in four moves, my husband!” said the queen with a + cheerful laugh, as she made her move. + </p> + <p> + A still darker frown gathered on the king’s brow, and his lips were + violently compressed. + </p> + <p> + “It is true, your majesty,” said Gardiner. “You will soon have to succumb. + Danger threatens you from the queen.” + </p> + <p> + Henry gave a start, and turned his face to Gardiner with an expression of + inquiry. In his exasperated mood against the queen, the crafty priest’s + ambiguous remark struck him with double keenness. + </p> + <p> + Gardiner was a very skilful hunter; the very first arrow that he shot had + hit. But Catharine, too, had heard it whiz. Gardiner’s slow, ambiguous + words had startled her from her artless security; and as she now looked + into the king’s glowing, excited face, she comprehended her want of + prudence. + </p> + <p> + But it was too late to remedy it. The king’s checkmate was unavoidable; + and Henry himself had already noticed his defeat. + </p> + <p> + “It is all right!” said the king, impetuously. “You have won, Catharine, + and, by the holy mother of God! you can boast of the rare good fortune of + having vanquished Henry of England!” + </p> + <p> + “I will not boast of it, my noble husband!” said she, with a smile. “You + have played with me as the lion does with the puppy, which he does not + crush only because he has compassion on him, and he pities the poor little + creature. Lion, I thank you. You have been magnanimous to-day. You have + let me win.” + </p> + <p> + The king’s face brightened a little. Gardiner saw it. He must prevent + Catharine from following up her advantage further. + </p> + <p> + “Magnanimity is an exalted, but a very dangerous virtue,” said he, + gravely; “and kings above all things dare not exercise it; for magnanimity + pardons crimes committed, and kings are not here to pardon, but to + punish.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, indeed,” said Catharine; “to be able to be magnanimous is the + noblest prerogative of kings; and since they are God’s representatives on + earth, they too must exercise pity and mercy, like God himself.” + </p> + <p> + The king’s brow again grew dark, and his sullen looks stared at the + chess-board. + </p> + <p> + Gardiner shrugged his shoulders, and made no reply. He drew a roll of + papers out of his gown and handed it to the king. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said he, “I hope you do not share the queen’s views; else it would + be bad for the quiet and peace of the country. Mankind cannot be governed + by mercy, but only through fear. Your majesty holds the sword in his + hands. If you hesitate to let it fall on evil-doers, they will soon wrest + it from your hands, and you will be powerless!” + </p> + <p> + “Those are very cruel words, your highness!” exclaimed Catharine, who + allowed herself to be carried away by her magnanimous heart, and suspected + that Gardiner had come to move the king to some harsh and bloody decision. + </p> + <p> + She wanted to anticipate his design; she wanted to move the king to + mildness. But the moment was unpropitious for her. + </p> + <p> + The king, whom she had just before irritated by her victory over him, felt + his vexation heightened by the opposition which she offered to the bishop; + for this opposition was at the same time directed against himself. The + king was not at all inclined to exercise mercy; it was, therefore, a very + wicked notion of the queen’s to praise mercy as the highest privilege of + princes. + </p> + <p> + With a silent nod of the head, he took the papers from Gardiner’s hands, + and opened them. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said he, running over the pages, “your highness is right; men do not + deserve to be treated with mercy, for they are always ready to abuse it. + Because we have for a few weeks lighted no fagot-piles and erected no + scaffolds, they imagine that we are asleep; and they begin their + treasonable and mischievous doings with redoubled violence, and raise + their sinful fists against us, in order to mock us. I see here an + accusation against one who has presumed to say that there is no king by + the grace of God; and that the king is a miserable and sinful mortal, just + as well as the lowest beggar. Well, we will concede this man his point—we + will not be to him a king by the grace of God, but a king by the wrath of + God! We will show him that we are not yet quite like the lowest beggar, + for we still possess at least wood enough to build a pile of fagots for + him.” + </p> + <p> + And as the king thus spoke, he broke out into a loud laugh, in which + Gardiner heartily chimed. + </p> + <p> + “Here I behold the indictment of two others who deny the king’s + supremacy,” continued Henry, still turning over the leaves of the papers. + “They revile me as a blasphemer, because I dare call myself God’s + representative—the visible head of His holy Church; they say that + God alone is Lord of His Church, and that Luther and Calvin are more + exalted representatives of God than the king himself. Verily we must hold + our royalty and our God-granted dignity very cheap, if we should not + punish these transgressors, who blaspheme in our sacred person God + Himself.” + </p> + <p> + He continued turning over the leaves. Suddenly a deep flush of anger + suffused his countenance, and a fierce curse burst from his lips. He threw + the paper on the table, and struck it with his clenched fist. “Are all the + devils let loose, then?” yelled he, in wrath. “Does sedition blaze so + wildly in my land, that we have no longer the power to subdue it? Here a + fanatical heretic on the public street has warned the people not to read + that holy book which I myself, like a well-intentioned and provident + father and guardian, wrote for my people, and gave it them that they might + be edified and exalted thereby. And this book that felon has shown to the + people, and said to them: ‘You call that the king’s book; and you are + right; for it is a wicked book, a work of hell, and the devil is the + king’s sponsor!’ Ah, I see well we must again show our earnest and angry + face to this miserable, traitorous rabble, that it may again have faith in + the king. It is a wretched, disgusting, and contemptible mob—this + people! They are obedient and humble only when they tremble and feel the + lash. Only when they are trampled in the dust, do they acknowledge that we + are their master; and when we have racked them and burnt, they have + respect for our excellency. We must, however, brand royalty on their + bodies so that they may be sensible of it as a reality. And by the eternal + God, we will do that! Give me the pen here that I may sign and ratify + these warrants. But dip the pen well, your highness, for there are eight + warrants, and I must write my name eight times. Ah, ah, it is a hard and + fatiguing occupation to be a king, and no day passes without trouble and + toil!” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord our God will bless this toil to you!” said Gardiner, solemnly, + as he handed the king the pen. + </p> + <p> + Henry was preparing to write, as Catharine laid her hand on his, and + checked him. + </p> + <p> + “Do not sign them, my husband,” said she, in a voice of entreaty. “Oh, by + all that is sacred to you, I conjure you not to let yourself be carried + away by your momentary vexation; let not the injured man be mightier in + you than the righteous king. Let the sun set and rise on your wrath; and + then, when you are perfectly calm, perfectly composed—then pronounce + judgment on these accused. For consider it well, my husband, these are + eight death-warrants that you are here about to sign; and with these few + strokes of the pen, you will tear eight human beings from life, from + family, and from the world; you will take from the mother, her son; from + the wife, her husband; and from the infant children, their father. + Consider it, Henry; it is so weighty a responsibility that God has placed + in your hand, and it is presumptuous not to meet it in holy earnestness + and undisturbed tranquillity of mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, by the holy mother!” cried the king, striking vehemently upon the + table, “I believe, forsooth, you dare excuse traitors and blasphemers of + their king! You have not heard then of what they are accused?” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard it,” said Catharine, more and more warmly; “I have heard, + and I say, nevertheless, sign not those death-warrants, my husband. It is + true these poor creatures have grievously erred, but they erred as human + beings. Then let your punishment also be human. It is not wise, O king, to + want to avenge so bitterly a trifling injury to your majesty. A king must + be exalted above reviling and calumny. Like the sun, he must shine upon + the just and the unjust, no one of whom is so mighty that he can cloud his + splendor and dim his glory. Punish evil-doers and criminals, but be noble + and magnanimous toward those who have injured your person.” + </p> + <p> + “The king is no person that can be injured!” said Gardiner. “The king is a + sublime idea, a mighty, world-embracing thought. Whoever injures the king, + has not injured a person, but a divinely instituted royalty—the + universal thought that holds together the whole world!” + </p> + <p> + “Whoever injures the king has injured God!” yelled the king; “and whoever + seizes our crown and reviles us, shall have his hand struck off, and his + tongue torn out, as is done to atheists and patricides!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, strike off their hand then, mutilate them; but do not kill them!” + cried Catharine, passionately. “Ascertain at least whether their crime is + so grievous as they want to make you believe, my husband. Oh, it is so + easy now to be accused as a traitor and atheist! All that is needed for it + is an inconsiderate word, a doubt, not as to God, but to his priests and + this Church which you, my king, have established; and of which the lofty + and peculiar structure is to many so new and unusual that they ask + themselves in doubt whether that is a Church of God or a palace of the + king, and that they lose themselves in its labyrinthine passages, and + wander about without being able to find the exit.” + </p> + <p> + “Had they faith,” said Gardiner, solemnly, “they would not lose their way; + and were God with them, the entrance would not be closed to them.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I well know that YOU are always inexorable!” cried Catharine, + angrily. “But it is not to you either that I intercede for mercy, but to + the king; and I tell you, sir bishop, it would be better for you, and more + worthy of a priest of Christian love, if you united your prayers with + mine, instead of wanting to dispose the king’s noble heart to severity. + You are a priest; and you have learned in your own life that there are + many paths that lead to God, and that we, one and all, doubt and are + perplexed which of them is right.” + </p> + <p> + “How!” screamed the king, as he rose from his seat and gazed at Catharine + with angry looks. “You mean, then, that the heretics also may find + themselves on a path that leads to God?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean,” cried she, passionately, “that Jesus Christ, too, was called an + atheist, and executed. I mean that Stephen was stoned by Paul, and that, + nevertheless, both are now honored as saints and prayed to as such. I + mean, that Socrates was not damned because he lived before Christ, and so + could not be acquainted with his religion; and that Horace and Julius + Caesar, Phidias and Plato, must yet be called great and noble spirits, + even though they were heathen. Yes, my lord and husband, I mean that it + behooves us well to exercise gentleness in matters of religion, and that + faith is not to be obtruded on men by main force as a burden, but is to be + bestowed upon them as a benefit through their own conviction.” + </p> + <p> + “So you do not hold these eight accused to be criminals worthy of death?” + asked Henry with studied calmness, and a composure maintained with + difficulty. + </p> + <p> + “No, my husband! I hold that they are poor, erring mortals, who seek the + right path, and would willingly travel it; and who, therefore, ask in + doubt all along, ‘Is this the right way?’” + </p> + <p> + “It is enough!” said the king, as he beckoned Gardiner to him, and, + leaning on his arm, took a few steps across the room. “We will speak no + more of these matters. They are too grave for us to wish to decide them in + the presence of our gay young queen. The heart of woman is always inclined + to gentleness and forgiveness. You should have borne that in mind, + Gardiner, and not have spoken of these matters in the queen’s presence.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, it was, however, the hour that you appointed for consultation on + these matters.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it the hour!” exclaimed the king, quickly. “Well, then we did wrong + to devote it to anything else than grave employments; and you will pardon + me, queen, if I beg you to leave me alone with the bishop. Affairs of + state must not be postponed.” + </p> + <p> + He presented Catharine his hand, and with difficulty, and yet with a + smiling countenance, conducted her to the door. As she stopped, and, + looking him in the eye with an expression inquiring and anxious, opened + her lips to speak to him, he made an impatient gesture with his hand, and + a dark frown gathered on his brow. + </p> + <p> + “It is late,” said he, hastily, “and we have business of state.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine did not venture to speak; she bowed in silence and left the + room. The king watched her with sullen brow and angry looks. Then he + turned round to Gardiner. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” asked he, “what do you think of the queen?” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Gardiner, so slowly and so deliberately that each word had + time to penetrate the king’s sensitive heart like the prick of a needle—“I + think that she does not deem them criminals that call the holy book which + you have written a work of hell; and that she has a great deal of sympathy + for those heretics who will not acknowledge your supremacy.” + </p> + <p> + “By the holy mother, I believe she herself would speak thus, and avow + herself among my enemies, if she were not my wife!” cried the king, in + whose heart rage began already to seethe like lava in a volcano. + </p> + <p> + “She does it already, although she is your wife, sire! She imagines her + exalted position renders her unamenable, and protects her from your + righteous wrath; therefore she does what no one else dares do, and speaks + what in the mouth of any other would be the blackest treason.” + </p> + <p> + “What does she? and what says she?” cried the king. “Do not hesitate to + tell me, your highness. It behooves me well to know what my wife does and + says.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, she is not merely the secret patroness of heretics and reformers, + but she is also a professor of their faith. She listens to their false + doctrine with eager mind, and receives the cursed priests of this sect + into her apartments, in order to hear their fanatical discourse and + hellish inspiration. She speaks of these heretics as true believers and + Christians; and denominates Luther the light that God has sent into the + world to illuminate the gloom and falsehood of the Church with the + splendor of truth and love—that Luther, sire, who dared write you + such shameful and insulting letters, and ridiculed in such a brutal manner + your royalty and your wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + “She is a heretic; and when you say that, you say everything!” screamed + the king. The volcano was ripe for an eruption, and the seething lava must + at last have an outlet. “Yes, she is a heretic!” repeated the king; “and + yet we have sworn to exterminate these atheists from our land.” + </p> + <p> + “She very well knows that she is secure from your wrath,” said Gardiner, + with a shrug of his shoulders. “She relies on the fact that she is the + queen, and that in the heart of her exalted husband love is mightier than + the faith.” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody shall suppose that he is secure from my wrath, and no one shall + rely on the security afforded him by my love. She is a proud, arrogant, + and audacious woman!” cried the king, whose looks were just then fixed + again on the chess-board, and whose spite was heightened by the + remembrance of the lost game. “She ventures to brave us, and to have a + will other than ours. By the holy mother, we will endeavor to break her + stubbornness, and bend her proud neck beneath our will! Yes, I will show + the world that Henry of England is still the immovable and incorruptible. + I will give the heretics an evidence that I am in reality the defender and + protector of the faith and of religion in my land, and that nobody stands + too high to be struck by my wrath, and to feel the sword of justice on his + neck. She is a heretic; and we have sworn to destroy heretics with fire + and sword. We shall keep our oath.” + </p> + <p> + “And God will bless you with His blessing. He will surround your head with + a halo of fame; and the Church will praise you as her most glorious + pastor, her exalted head.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so!” said the king, as with youthful alacrity he strode across the + room; and, stepping to his writing-table, with a vigorous and fleet hand + he wrote down a few lines. Gardiner stood in the middle of the room with + his hands folded; and his lips murmured in an undertone a prayer, while + his large flashing eyes were fastened on the king with a curious and + penetrating expression. + </p> + <p> + “Here, your highness,” the king then said, “take this paper—take it + and order everything necessary. It is an arrest-warrant; and before the + night draws on, the queen shall be in the Tower.” + </p> + <p> + “Verily, the Lord is mighty in you!” cried Gardiner, as he took the paper; + “the heavenly hosts sing their hallelujah and look down with rapture on + the hero who subdues his own heart to serve God and the Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Take it and speed you!” said the king, hastily. “In a few hours + everything must be done. Give Earl Douglas the paper, and bid him go with + it to the lord-lieutenant of the Tower, so that he himself may repair + hither with the yeomen of the guard. For this woman is yet a queen, and + even in the criminal I will still recognize the queen. The lord-lieutenant + himself must conduct her to the Tower. Hasten then, say I! But, hark you, + keep all this a secret, and let nobody know anything of it till the + decisive moment arrives. Otherwise her friends might take a notion to + implore my mercy for this sinner; and I abhor this whining and crying. + Silence, then, for I am tired and need rest and sleep. I have, as you say, + just done a work well pleasing to God; perhaps He may send me, as a reward + for it, invigorating and strengthening sleep, which I have now so long + desired in vain.” + </p> + <p> + And the king threw back the curtains of his couch, and, supported by + Gardiner, laid himself on the downy cushion. + </p> + <p> + Gardiner drew the curtains again, and thrust the fatal paper into his + pocket. Even in his hands it did not seem to him secure enough. What! + might not some curious eye fasten on it, and divine its contents? Might + not some impertinent and shameless friend of the queen snatch this paper + from him, and carry it to her and give her warning? No, no, it was not + secure enough in his hands. He must hide it in the pocket of his gown. + There, no one could find it, no one discover it. + </p> + <p> + So there he hid it. In the gown with its large folds it was safe; and, + after he had thus concealed the precious paper, he left the room with + rapid strides, in order to acquaint Earl Douglas with the glorious result + of his plans. + </p> + <p> + Not a single time did he look back. Had he done so, he would have sprung + back into that room as a tiger pounces on his prey. He would have plunged, + as the hawk stoops at the dove, at that piece of white paper that lay + there on the floor, exactly on the spot where Gardiner was before standing + when he placed into his pocket the arrest-warrant written by the king. + </p> + <p> + Ah, even the gown of a priest is not always close enough to conceal a + dangerous secret; and even the pocket of a bishop may sometimes have holes + in it. + </p> + <p> + Gardiner went away with the proud consciousness of having the order of + arrest in his pocket; and that fatal paper lay on the floor in the middle + of the king’s chamber. + </p> + <p> + Who will come to pick it up? Who will become the sharer of this dangerous + secret? To whom will this mute paper proclaim the shocking news that the + queen has fallen into disgrace, and is this very day to be dragged to the + Tower as a prisoner? + </p> + <p> + All is still and lonely in the king’s apartment. Nothing is stirring, not + even the heavy damask curtains of the royal couch. + </p> + <p> + The king sleeps. Even vexation and anger are a good lullaby; they have so + agitated and prostrated the king, that he has actually fallen asleep from + weariness. + </p> + <p> + Ah, the king should have been thankful to his wife for his vexation at the + lost game of chess, and his wrath at Catharine’s heretical sentiments. + These had fatigued him; these had lulled him to sleep. + </p> + <p> + The warrant of arrest still lay on the floor. Now, quite softly, quite + cautiously, the door opens. Who is it that dares venture to enter the + king’s room unsummoned and unannounced? + </p> + <p> + There are only three persons who dare venture that: the queen, Princess + Elizabeth, and John Heywood the fool. Which of the three is it? + </p> + <p> + It is Princess Elizabeth, who comes to salute her royal father. Every + forenoon at this hour she had found the king in his room. Where was he + then to-day? As she looked around the room with an inquiring and surprised + air, her eye fell on that paper which lay there on the floor. She picked + it up, and examined it with childish curiosity. What could this paper + contain? Surely it was no secret—else, it would not lie here on the + floor. + </p> + <p> + She opened it and read. Her fine countenance expressed horror and + amazement; a low exclamation escaped her lips. But Elizabeth had a strong + and resolute soul; and the unexpected and the surprising did not dull her + clear vision, nor cloud her sharp wit. The queen was in danger. The queen + was to be imprisoned. THAT, this dreadful paper shrieked in her ear; but + she durst not allow herself to be stunned by it. She must act; she must + warn the queen. + </p> + <p> + She hid the paper in her bosom, and light as a zephyr she floated away + again out of the chamber. + </p> + <p> + With flashing eyes and cheeks reddened by her rapid race Elizabeth entered + the queen’s chamber; with passionate vehemence she clasped her in her arms + and tenderly kissed her. + </p> + <p> + “Catharine, my queen, and my mother,” said she, “we have sworn to stand by + and protect each other when danger threatens us. Fate is gracious to me, + for it has given into my hand the means of making good my oath this very + day. Take that paper and read! It is an order for your imprisonment, made + out by the king himself. When you have read it, then let us consider what + is to be done, and how we can avert the danger from you.” + </p> + <p> + “An order of imprisonment!” said Catharine, with a shudder, as she read + it. “An order of imprisonment—that is to say, a death-warrant! For + when once the threshold of that frightful Tower is crossed, it denotes + that it is never to be left again; and if a queen is arrested and accused, + then is she also already condemned. Oh, my God, princess, do you + comprehend that—to have to die while life still throbs so fresh and + warm in our veins? To be obliged to go to death, while the future still + allures us with a thousand hopes, a thousand wishes? My God, to have to + descend into the desolate prison and into the gloomy grave, while the + world greets us with alluring voices, and spring-tide has scarcely awoke + in our heart!” + </p> + <p> + Streams of tears burst from her eyes, and she hid her face in her + trembling hands. + </p> + <p> + “Weep not, queen,” whispered Elizabeth, herself trembling and pale as + death. “Weep not; but consider what is to be done. Each minute, and the + danger increases; each minute brings the evil nearer to us.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said Catharine, as she again raised her head, and shook + the tears from her eyes. “Yes, you are right; it is not time to weep and + wail. Death is creeping upon me; but I—I will not die. I live still; + and so long as there is a breath in me I will fight against death. God + will assist me; God will help me to overcome this danger also, as I have + already done so many others.” + </p> + <p> + “But what will you do? where can you begin? You know not the accusation. + You know not who accuses you, nor with what you are charged.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet I suspect it!” said the queen, musingly. “When I now recall to mind + the king’s angry countenance, and the malicious smile of that malignant + priest, I believe I know the accusation. Yes—everything is now clear + to me. Ah, it is the heretic that they would sentence to death. Well, now, + my lord bishop, I still live; and—we will see which of us two will + gain the victory!” + </p> + <p> + With proud step and glowing cheeks she hurried to the door. Elizabeth held + her hack. “Whither are you going?” cried she, in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “To the king!” said she, with a proud smile. “He has heard the bishop; now + he shall hear me also. The king’s disposition is fickle and easily + changed. We will now see which cunning is the stronger—the cunning + of the priest or the cunning of the woman. Elizabeth, pray for me. I go to + the king; and you will either see me free and happy, or never again.” + </p> + <p> + She imprinted a passionate kiss on Elizabeth’s lips, and hurriedly left + the chamber. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV. CHESS-PLAY. + </h2> + <p> + It was many days since the king had been as well as he was to-day. For a + long time he had not enjoyed such refreshing sleep as on the day when he + signed the warrant for the queen’s imprisonment. But he thought nothing at + all about it. Sleep seemed to have obliterated all recollection of it from + his memory. Like an anecdote which you listen to, and smile at for the + moment, but soon forget, so had the whole occurrence vanished again from + him. It was an anecdote of the moment—a transient interlude—nothing + further. + </p> + <p> + The king had slept well, and he had no care for anything else. He + stretched himself, and lay lounging on his couch, thinking with rapture + how fine it would be if he could enjoy such sweet and refreshing repose + every day, and if no bad dreams and no fear would frighten away sleep from + his eyes. He felt very serene and very good-humored; and had any one now + come to beg a favor of the king, he would have granted it in the first joy + after such invigorating sleep. But he was alone; no one was with him; he + must repress his gracious desires. But no. Was it not as though something + were stirring and breathing behind the curtains? The king threw back the + curtains, and a soft smile flitted over his features; for before his bed + sat the queen. There she sat with rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes, and + greeted him with a roguish smile. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Kate, it is you!” cried the king. “Well, now, I understand how it + happened that I have had such a sound and refreshing sleep! You stood by + as my good angel, and scared the pains and bad dreams away from my couch.” + </p> + <p> + And as he said this, he reached out his hand and tenderly stroked her + velvet cheek. He did not at all recollect that he had already, as it were, + devoted that charming head to the scaffold, and that in a few hours more + those bright eyes were to behold naught but the night of the dungeon. + Sleep, as we have said, had lulled to rest also the recollection of this; + and the evil thoughts had not yet awoke again in him. To sign an order of + arrest or a death-warrant was with the king such a usual and every-day + matter, that it constituted no epoch in his life, and neither burdened him + with troubles of conscience nor made his heart shudder and tremble. + </p> + <p> + But Catharine thought of it, and as the king’s hand stroked her cheek, it + was as though death were just then touching her, never again to release + her. However, she overcame this momentary horror, and had the courage to + preserve her serene and innocent air. + </p> + <p> + “You call me your good angel, my husband,” said she, with a smile; “but + yet I am nothing more than your little Puck, who bustles about you, and + now and then makes you laugh with his drolleries.” + </p> + <p> + “And a dear little Puck you are, Katie,” cried the king, who always gazed + upon his wife’s rosy and fresh countenance with real satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “Then I will prove myself this very day your Puck, and allow you no more + repose on your couch,” said she, as she made a mock effort to raise him + up. “Do you know, my husband, why I came here? A butterfly has tapped at + my window. Only think now, a butterfly in winter! That betokens that this + time winter is spring; and the clerk of the weather above there has + confounded January with March. The butterfly has invited us, king; and + only see! the sun is winking into the window to us, and says we have but + to come out, as he has already dried the walks in the garden below, and + called forth a little grass on the plat. And your rolling chair stands all + ready, my lord and husband, and your Puck, as you see, has already put on + her furs, and clad herself in armor against the winter, which, however, is + not there!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, help me, my dearest Puck, so that I can arise, and obey the + command of the butterfly and the sun and my lovely wife,” cried the king, + as he put his arm around Catharine’s neck, and slowly raised himself from + the couch. + </p> + <p> + She busied herself about him with officious haste; she put her arm + tenderly on his shoulder and supported him, and properly arranged for him + the gold chain, which had slipped out of place on his doublet, and + playfully plaited the lace ruff which was about his neck. + </p> + <p> + “Is it your order, my husband, that your servants come?—the master + of ceremonies, who, without doubt, awaits your back in the anteroom—the + lord bishop—who a while ago made such a black-looking face at me? + But how! my husband, your face, too, is now in an eclipse? How? Has your + Puck perchance said something to put you out of tune?” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed!” said the king, gloomily; but he avoided meeting her smiling + glance and looking in her rosy face. + </p> + <p> + The evil thoughts had again awoke in him; and he now remembered the + warrant of arrest that he had given Gardiner. He remembered it, and he + regretted it. For she was so fair and lovely—his young queen; she + understood so well by her jests to smooth away care from his brow, and + affright vexation from his soul—she was such an agreeable and + sprightly pastime, such a refreshing means of driving away ennui. + </p> + <p> + Not for her sake did he regret what he had done, but only on his own + account. From selfishness alone, he repented having issued that order for + the queen’s imprisonment. Catharine observed him. Her glance, sharpened by + inward fear, read his thoughts on his brow, and understood the sigh which + involuntarily arose from his breast. + </p> + <p> + She again seized courage; she might succeed in turning away by a smile the + sword that hung over her head. + </p> + <p> + “Come, my lord and husband,” said she, cheerfully, “the sun beckons to us, + and the trees shake their heads indignantly because we are not yet there.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, come, Kate,” said the king, rousing himself with an effort from his + brown study; “come, we will go down into God’s free air. Perhaps He is + nearer to us there, and may illuminate us with good thoughts and wholesome + resolutions. Come, Kate.” + </p> + <p> + The queen gave him her arm, and, supported on it, the king advanced a few + steps. But suddenly Catharine stood still; and as the king fastened on her + his inquiring look, she blushed and cast down her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” asked the king, “why do you linger?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, I was considering your words; and what you say about the sun and + wholesome resolutions has touched my heart and startled my conscience. My + husband, you are right; God is there without, and I dare not venture to + behold the sun, which is God’s eye, before I have made my confession and + received absolution. Sire, I am a great sinner, and my conscience gives me + no rest. Will you be my confessor, and listen to me?” + </p> + <p> + The king sighed. “Ah,” thought he, “she is hurrying to destruction, and by + her own confession of guilt she will make it impossible for me to hold her + guiltless!” + </p> + <p> + “Speak!” said he aloud. + </p> + <p> + “First,” said she, with downcast eyes—“first, I must confess to you + that I have to-day deceived you, my lord and king. Vanity and sinful pride + enticed me to this; and childish anger made me consummate what vanity + whispered to me. But I repent, my king; I repent from the bottom of my + soul, and I swear to you, my husband—yes, I swear to you by all that + is sacred to me, that it is the first and only time that I have deceived + you. And never will I venture to do it again, for it is a dismal and awful + feeling to stand before you with a guilty conscience.” + </p> + <p> + “And in what have you deceived us, Kate?” asked the king; and his voice + trembled. + </p> + <p> + Catharine drew from her dress a small roll of paper, and, humbly bowing, + handed it to the king. “Take and see for yourself, my husband,” said she. + </p> + <p> + With hurried hand the king opened the paper, and then looked in utter + astonishment, now at its contents, and now at the blushing face of the + queen. + </p> + <p> + “What!” said he, “you give me a pawn from the chess-board! What does that + mean?” + </p> + <p> + “That means,” said she, in a tone of utter contrition—“that means, + that I stole it from you, and thereby cheated you out of your victory. Oh, + pardon me, my husband! but I could no longer endure to lose always, and I + was afraid you would no more allow me the pleasure of playing with you, + when you perceived what a weak and contemptible antagonist I am. And + behold, this little pawn was my enemy! It stood near my queen and + threatened her with check, while it discovered check to my king from your + bishop. You were just going to make this move, which was to ruin me, when + Bishop Gardiner entered. You turned away your eyes and saluted him. You + were not looking on the game. Oh, my lord and husband, the temptation was + too alluring and seductive; and I yielded to it. Softly I took the pawn + from the board, and slipped it into my pocket. When you looked again at + the game, you seemed surprised at first; but your magnanimous and lofty + spirit had no suspicion of my base act; so you innocently played on; and + so I won the game of chess. Oh, my king, will you pardon me, and not be + angry with me?” The king broke out into a loud laugh, and looked with an + expression of tenderness at Catharine, who stood before him with downcast + eyes, abashed and blushing. This sight only redoubled his merriment, and + made him again and again roar out with laughter. + </p> + <p> + “And is that all your crime, Kate?” asked he, at length, drying his eyes. + “You have stolen a pawn from me—this is your first and only + deception?” + </p> + <p> + “Is it not indeed great enough, sire? Did I not purloin it because I was + so high-minded as to want to win a game of chess from you? Is not the + whole court even now acquainted with my splendid luck? And does it not + know that I have been the victor to-day, whilst yet I was not entitled to + be so—whilst I deceived you so shamefully?” + </p> + <p> + “Now, verily,” said the king, solemnly, “happy are the men who are not + worse deceived by their wives than you have deceived me to-day; and happy + are the women whose confessions are so pure and innocent as yours have + been to-day! Do but lift up your eyes again, my Katie; that sin is + forgiven you; and by God and by your king it shall be accounted to you as + a virtue.” + </p> + <p> + He laid his hand on her head, as if in blessing, and gazed at her long and + silently. Then, said he, laughingly: + </p> + <p> + “According to this, then, my Kate, I should have been the victor of + to-day, and not have lost that game of chess.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said she, dolefully, “I must have lost it, if I had not stolen the + pawn.” + </p> + <p> + Again the king laughed. Catharine said, earnestly: + </p> + <p> + “Do but believe me, my husband, Bishop Gardiner alone was the cause of my + fall. Because he was by, I did not want to lose. My pride revolted to + think that this haughty and arrogant priest was to be witness of my + defeat. In mind, I already saw the cold and contemptuous smile with which + he would look down on me, the vanquished; and my heart rose in rebellion + at the thought of being humbled before him. And now I have arrived at the + second part of my fault which I want to confess to you to-day. Sire, I + must acknowledge another great fault to you. I have grievously offended + against you to-day, in that I contradicted you, and withstood your wise + and pious words. Ah, my husband, it was not done to spite you, but only to + vex and annoy the haughty priest. For I must confess to you, my king, I + hate this Bishop of Winchester—ay, yet more—I have a dread of + him; for my foreboding heart tells me that he is my enemy, that he is + watching each of my looks, each of my words, so that he can make from them + a noose to strangle me. He is the evil destiny that creeps up behind me + and would one day certainly destroy me, if your beneficent hand and your + almighty arm did not protect me. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, when I behold him, my husband, I would always gladly fly to your + heart, and say to you: ‘Protect me, my king, and have compassion on me! + Have faith in me and love me; for if you do not, I am lost! The evil fiend + is there to destroy me.’” + </p> + <p> + And, as she thus spoke, she clung affectionately to the king’s side, and, + leaning her head on his breast, looked up to him with a glance of tender + entreaty and touching devotion. + </p> + <p> + The king bent down and kissed her brow. “Oh, sancta simplicitas,” softly + murmured he—“she knows not how nigh she is to the truth, and how + much reason she has for her evil forebodings!” Then he asked aloud: “So, + Kate, you believe that Gardiner hates you?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not believe it, I know it!” said she. “He wounds me whenever he can; + and though his wounds are made only with pins, that comes only from this, + that he is afraid that you might discover it if he drew a dagger on me, + whilst you might not notice the pin with which he secretly wounds me. And + what was his coming here to-day other than a new assault on me? He knows + very well—and I have never made a secret of it—that I am an + enemy to this Roman Catholic religion the pope of which has dared to hurl + his ban against my lord and husband; and that I seek with lively interest + to be instructed as to the doctrine and religion of the so-called + reformers.” + </p> + <p> + “They say that you are a heretic,” said the king, gravely. + </p> + <p> + “Gardiner says that! But if I am so, you are so too, my king; for your + belief is mine. If I am so, so too is Cranmer, the noble Archbishop of + Canterbury; for he is my spiritual adviser and helper. But Gardiner wishes + that I were a heretic, and he wants me likewise to appear so to you. See, + my husband, why it was that he laid those eight death-warrants before you + awhile ago. There were eight, all heretics, whom you were to condemn—not + a single papist among them; and yet I know that the prisons are full of + papists, who, in the fanaticism of their persecuted faith, have spoken + words just as worthy of punishment as those unfortunate ones whom you were + to-day to send from life to death by a stroke of your pen. Sire, I should + have prayed you just as fervently, just as suppliantly, had they been + papists whom you were to sentence to death! But Gardiner wanted a proof of + my heresy; and therefore he selected eight heretics, for whom I was to + oppose your hard decree.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” said the king, thoughtfully; “there was not a single papist + among them! But tell me, Kate—are you really a heretic, and an + adversary of your king?” + </p> + <p> + With a sweet smile she looked deep into his eyes, and humbly crossed her + arms over her beautiful breast. + </p> + <p> + “Your adversary!” whispered she. “Are you not my husband and my lord? Was + not the woman made to be subject to the man? The man was created after the + likeness of God, and the woman after the likeness of man. So the woman is + only the man’s second self; and he must have compassion on her in love; + and he must give her of his spirit, and influence her understanding from + his understanding. Therefore your duty is to instruct me, my husband; and + mine is, to learn of you. And of all the women in the world, to no one is + this duty made so easy as to me; for God has been gracious to me and given + me as my husband a king whose prudence, wisdom, and learning are the + wonder of all the world.” [Footnote: The queen’s own words, as they have + been given by all historical writers. See on this point Burnet, vol. I, p. + 84; Tytler, p. 413; Larrey’s “Histoire d’Angleterre,” vol. II, p. 201; + Leti, vol. I, p. 154, (death-sign) Historical. The king’s own words.] + “What a sweet little flatterer you are, Kate!” said the king, with a + smile; “and with what a charming voice you want to conceal the truth from + us! The truth is, that you yourself are a very learned little body, who + has no need at all to learn anything from others, but who would be well + able to instruct others.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if it is so, as you say,” cried Catharine, “well, then would I teach + the whole world to love my king as I do, and to be subject to him in + humility, faithfulness, and obedience, as I am.” + </p> + <p> + And as she thus spoke, she threw both her arms about the king’s neck, and + leaned her head with a languishing expression upon his breast. + </p> + <p> + The king kissed her, and pressed her fast to his heart. He thought no + longer of the danger that was hovering over Catharine’s head; he thought + only that he loved her, and that life would be very desolate, very tedious + and sad without her. + </p> + <p> + “And now, my husband,” said Catharine, gently disengaging herself from him—“now, + since I have confessed to you and received absolution from you—now + let us go down into the garden, so that God’s bright sun may shine into + our hearts fresh and glad. Come, my husband, your chair is ready; and the + bees and the butterflies, the gnats and the flies, have already practised + a hymn, with which they are going to greet you, my husband.” + </p> + <p> + Laughing and jesting, she drew him along to the adjoining room, where the + courtiers and the rolling-chair were standing ready; and the king mounted + his triumphal car, and allowed himself to be rolled through the carpeted + corridors, and down the staircases, transformed into broad inclined planes + of marble, into the garden. + </p> + <p> + The air had the freshness of winter and the warmth of spring. The grass + like a diligent weaver was already beginning to weave a carpet over the + black level of the square; and already here and there a tiny blossom, + curious and bashful, was peeping out and appeared to be smiling in + astonishment at its own premature existence. The sun seemed so warm and + bright; the heavens were so blue! + </p> + <p> + At the king’s side went Catharine, with such rosy cheeks and sparkling + eyes. Those eyes were always directed to her husband; and her charming + prattle was to the king like the melodious song of birds, and made his + heart leap for pleasure and delight. But how? What noise all at once + drowned Catharine’s sweet prattle? And what was it that flashed up there + at the end of that large alley which the royal pair with their suite had + just entered? + </p> + <p> + It was the noise of soldiers advancing; and shining helmets and + coats-of-mail flashed in the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + One band of soldiers held the outlet from the alley; another advanced up + it in close order. At their head were seen striding along Gardiner and + Earl Douglas, and at their side the lieutenant of the Tower. + </p> + <p> + The king’s countenance assumed a lowering and angry expression and his + cheeks were suffused with crimson. With the quickness of youth he rose + from his chair, and, raised to his full height, he looked with flaming + eyes at the procession. + </p> + <p> + The queen seized his hand and pressed it to her breast. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said she, with a low whisper, “protect me, my husband, for fear + already overpowers me again! It is my enemy—it is Gardiner—that + comes, and I tremble.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall no longer tremble before him, Kate!” said the king. “Woe to + them, that dare make King Henry’s consort tremble! I will speak with + Gardiner.” + </p> + <p> + And almost roughly pushing aside the queen, the king, utterly heedless in + his violent excitement of the pain of his foot, went in a quick pace to + meet the advancing troop. + </p> + <p> + He ordered them by his gesture to halt, and called Gardiner and Douglas to + him. “What want you here? And what means this strange array?” asked he, in + a rough tone. + </p> + <p> + The two courtiers stared at him with looks of amazement, and durst not + answer him. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” asked the king, with ever-rising wrath, “will you at length tell + me by what right you intrude into my garden with an armed host—specially + at the same hour that I am here with my consort? Verily, there is no + sufficient excuse for such a gross violation of the reverence which you + owe your king and master; and I marvel, my lord master of ceremonies, that + you did not seek to prevent this indecorum!” + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas muttered a few words of apology, which the king did not + understand, or did not want to understand. + </p> + <p> + “The duty of a master of ceremonies is to protect his king from every + annoyance, and you, Earl Douglas, offer it to me yourself. Perchance you + want thereby to show that you are weary of your office. Well, then, my + lord, I dismiss you from it, and that your presence may not remind me of + this morning’s transaction, you will leave the court and London! Farewell, + my lord!” + </p> + <p> + Earl Douglas, turning pale and trembling, staggered a few steps backward, + and gazed at the king with astonishment. He wanted to speak, but Henry, + with a commanding wave of the hand, bade him be silent. + </p> + <p> + “And now for you, my lord bishop!” said the king, and his eyes were turned + on Gardiner with an expression so wrathful and contemptuous, that he + turned pale and looked down to the ground. “What means this strange train + with which the priest of God approaches his royal master to-day? And under + what impulse of Christian love are you going to hold to-day a heretic hunt + in the garden of your king?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Gardiner, completely beside himself, “your majesty well knows + why I come; it was at your majesty’s command that I with Earl Douglas and + the lieutenant of the Tower came, in order to—” + </p> + <p> + “Dare not to speak further!” yelled the king, who became still more angry + because Gardiner would not understand him and comprehend the altered state + of his mind. “How dare you make a pretence of my commands, whilst I, full + of just amazement, question you as to the cause of your appearance? That + is to say, you want to charge your king with falsehood. You want to excuse + yourself by accusing me. Ah, my worthy lord bishop, this time you are + thwarted in your plan, and I disavow you and your foolish attempt. No! + there is nobody here whom you shall arrest; and, by the holy mother of + God, were your eyes not blind, you would have seen that here, where the + king is taking an airing with his consort, there could be no one whom + these catchpolls had to look for! The presence of the royal majesty is + like the presence of God; it dispenses happiness and peace about it; and + whoever is touched by his glory, is graced and sanctified thereby.” + </p> + <p> + “But, your majesty,” screamed Gardiner, whom anger and disappointed hope + had made forgetful of all considerations, “you wanted me to arrest the + queen; you yourself gave me the order for it; and now when I come to + execute your will—now you repudiate me.” + </p> + <p> + The king uttered a yell of rage, and with lifted arm moved some steps + toward Gardiner. + </p> + <p> + But suddenly he felt his arm held back. It was Catharine, who had hurried + up to the king. “Oh, my husband,” said she, in a low whisper, “whatever he + may have done, spare him! Still he is a priest of the Lord; and so let his + sacred robe protect him, though perchance his deeds condemn him!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, do you plead for him?” cried the king. “Really, my poor wife, you + suspect not how little ground you have to pity him, and to beg my mercy + for him. [Footnote: The king’s own words,—See Leti, vol. I, p. 133,] + But you are right. We will respect his cassock, and think no more of what + a haughty and intriguing man is wrapped in it.—But beware, priest, + that you do not again remind me of that. My wrath would then inevitably + strike you; and I should have as little mercy for you as you say I ought + to show to other evil-doers. And in as much as you are a priest, be + penetrated with a sense of the gravity of your office and the sacredness + of your calling. Your episcopal see is at Winchester, and I think your + duties call you thither. We no longer need you, for the noble Archbishop + of Canterbury is coming back to us, and will have to fulfil the duties of + his office near us and the queen. Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + He turned his back on Gardiner, and, supported on Catharine’s arm, + returned to his rolling-chair. + </p> + <p> + “Kate,” said he, “just now a lowering cloud stood in your sky, but, thanks + to your smile and your innocent face, it has passed harmlessly over. We + thinks we still owe you special thanks for this; and we would like to show + you that by some office of love. Is there nothing that would give you + special delight, Kate?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” said she, with fervor. “Two great desires burn in my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Then name them, Kate; and, by the mother of God, if it is in the power of + a king to fulfil them, I will do it.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine seized his hand and pressed it to her heart. + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said she, “they wanted to have you sign eight death-warrants + to-day. Oh, my husband, make of these eight criminals eight happy, + thankful subjects; teach them to love that king whom they have reviled—teach + their children, their wives and mothers to pray for you, whilst you + restore life and freedom to these fathers, these sons and husbands, and + while you, great and merciful, like Deity, pardon them.” + </p> + <p> + “So shall it be!” cried the king, cheerfully. “Our hand shall have to-day + no other work than to rest in yours; and we will spare it from making + these eight strokes of the pen. The eight evil-doers are pardoned; and + they shall be free this very day.” + </p> + <p> + With an exclamation of rapturous delight Catharine pressed Henry’s hand to + her lips, and her face shone with pure happiness. + </p> + <p> + “And your second wish?” asked the king. + </p> + <p> + “My second wish,” said she, with a smile, “pleads for the freedom of a + poor prisoner—for the freedom of a human heart, sire.” + </p> + <p> + The king laughed. “A human heart? Does that then run about on the street, + so that it can be caught and made a prisoner of?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire, you have found it, and incarcerated it in your daughter’s bosom. + You want to put Elizabeth’s heart in fetters, and by an unnatural law + compel her to renounce her freedom of choice. Only think—to want to + bid a woman’s heart, before she can love, to inquire first about the + genealogical tree, and to look at the coat-of-arms before she notices the + man!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, women, women, what foolish children you are, though!” cried the king, + laughingly. “The question is about thrones, and you think about your + hearts! But come, Kate, you shall still further explain that to me; and we + will not take back our word, for we have given it you from a free and glad + heart.” + </p> + <p> + He took the queen’s arm, and, supported on it, walked slowly up the alley + with her. The lords and ladies of the court followed them in silence and + at a respectful distance; and no one suspected that this woman, who was + stepping along so proud and magnificent, had but just now escaped an + imminent peril of her life; that this man, who was leaning on her arm with + such devoted tenderness, had but a few hours before resolved on her + destruction. [Footnote: All this plot instigated by Gardiner against the + queen is, in minutest details, historically true, and is found + substantially the same in all historical works.] And whilst chatting + confidentially together they both wandered through the avenues, two others + with drooping head and pale face left the royal castle, which was to be to + them henceforth a lost paradise. Sullen spite and raging hate were in + their hearts, but yet they were obliged to endure in silence; they were + obliged to smile and to seem harmless, in order not to prepare a welcome + feast for the malice of the court. They felt the spiteful looks of all + these courtiers, although they passed by them with down-cast eyes. They + imagined they heard their malicious whispers, their derisive laughter; and + it pierced their hearts like the stab of a dagger. + </p> + <p> + At length they had surmounted it—at length the palace lay behind + them, and they were at least free to pour out in words the agony that + consumed them—free to be able to break out into bitter execrations, + into curses and lamentations. + </p> + <p> + “Lost! all is lost!” said Earl Douglas to himself in a hollow voice. “I am + thwarted in all my plans. I have sacrificed to the Church my life, my + means, ay, even my daughter, and it has all been in vain. And, like a + beggar, I now stand on the street forsaken and without comfort; and our + holy mother the Church will no longer heed the son who loved her and + sacrificed himself for her, since he was so unfortunate, and his sacrifice + unavailing.” + </p> + <p> + “Despair not!” said Gardiner, solemnly. “Clouds gather above us; but they + are dispersed again. And after the day of storm, comes again the day of + light. Our day also will come, my friend. Now, we go hence, our heads + strewn with ashes, and bowed at heart; but, believe me, we shall one day + come again with shining face and exultant heart; and the flaming sword of + godly wrath will glitter in our hands, and a purple robe will enfold us, + dyed in the blood of heretics whom we offer up to the Lord our God as a + well-pleasing sacrifice. God spares us for a better time; and our + banishment, believe me, friend, is but a refuge that God has prepared for + us this evil time which we are approaching.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak of an evil time, and nevertheless you hope, your highness?” + asked Douglas, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “And nevertheless I hope!” said Gardiner, with a strange and horrible + smile, and, bending down closer to Douglas, he whispered: “the king has + only a few days more to live. He does not suspect how near he is to his + death, and nobody has the courage to tell him. But his physician has + confided it to me. His vital forces are consumed, and death stands already + before his door to throttle him.” + </p> + <p> + “And when he is dead,” said Earl Douglas, shrugging his shoulders, “his + son Edward will be king, and those heretical Seymours will control the + helm of state! Call you that hope, your highness?” + </p> + <p> + “I call it so.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not know that Edward, young as he is, is nevertheless a fanatical + adherent of the heretical doctrine, and at the same time a furious + opponent of the Church in which alone is salvation?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, but I know also that Edward is a feeble boy; and there is + current in our Church a holy prophecy which predicts that his reign is + only of short duration. God only knows what his death will be, but the + Church has often before seen her enemies die a sudden death. Death has + been often before this the most effective ally of our holy mother the + Church. Believe me, then, my son and hope, for I tell you Edward’s rule + will be of short duration. And after him she will ascend the throne, the + noble and devout Mary, the rigid Catholic, who hates heretics as much as + Edward loves them. Oh, friend, when Mary ascends the throne, we shall rise + from our humiliation, and the dominion will be ours. Then will all England + become, as it were, a single great temple, and the fagot-piles about the + stake are the altars on which we will consume the heretics, and their + shrieks of agony are the holy psalms which we will make them strike up to + the honor of God and His holy Church. Hope for this time, for I tell you + it will soon come.” + </p> + <p> + “If you say so, your highness, then it will come to pass,” said Douglas, + significantly. “I will then hope and wait. I will save myself from evil + days in Scotland, and wait for the good.” + </p> + <p> + “And I go, as this king by the wrath of God has commanded, to my episcopal + seat. The wrath of God will soon call Henry hence. May his dying hour be + full of torment, and may the Holy Father’s curse be realized and fulfilled + in him! Farewell! We go with palms of peace forced on us; but we will + return with the naming sword, and our hands will be dripping with heretic + blood.” + </p> + <p> + They once more shook hands and silently departed, and before evening came + on they had both left London. [Footnote: Gardiner’s prophecy was soon + fulfilled. A few days after Gardiner had fallen into disgrace Henry, the + Eighth died, and his son Edward, yet a minor, ascended the throne. But his + rule was of brief duration. After a reign of scarcely six years, he died a + youth of the age of sixteen years, and his sister Mary, called the + Catholic, ascended the throne. Her first act was to release Gardiner, who + under Edward’s reign had been confined as a prisoner in the Tower, and to + appoint him her minister, and later, to the place of lord chancellor. He + was one of the most furious persecutors of the Reformers. Once he said at + a council in the presence of the bigoted queen; “These heretics have a + soul so black that it can be washed clean only in their own blood.” He it + was, too, who urged the queen to such severe and odious measures against + the Princess Elizabeth, and caused her to be a second time declared a + bastard and unworthy of succeeding to the throne. When Mary died, Gardiner + performed, in Westminster Abbey, where she was entombed, the service for + the dead in the presence of her successor, Queen Elizabeth. Gardiner’s + discourse was an enthusiastic eulogium of the deceased queen, and he set + forth, as her special merit, that she hated the heretics so ardently and + had so many of them executed. He closed with an invective against the + Protestants, in which he so little spared the young queen, and spoke of + her in such injurious terms, that he was that very day committed to + prison.—Leti. vol. I, p. 314.] A short time after this eventful walk + in the garden of Whitehall, the queen entered the apartments of the + Princess Elizabeth, who hastened to meet her with a burst of joy, and + clasped her wildly in her arms. + </p> + <p> + “Saved!” whispered she. “The danger is overcome, and again you are the + mighty queen, the adored wife!” + </p> + <p> + “And I have you to thank that I am so, princess! Without that warrant of + arrest which you brought me, I was lost. Oh, Elizabeth, but what a + martyrdom it was! To smile and jest, whilst my heart trembled with dread + and horror; to appear innocent and unembarrassed, whilst it seemed to me + as if I heard already the whiz of the axe that was about to strike my + neck! Oh, my God, I passed through the agonies and the dread of a whole + lifetime in that one hour! My soul has been harassed till it is wearied to + death, and my strength is exhausted. I could weep, weep continually over + this wretched, deceitful world, in which to wish right and to do good + avail nothing; but in which you must dissemble and lie, deceive and + disguise yourself, if you do not want to fall a victim to wickedness and + mischief. But ah, Elizabeth, even my tears I dare shed only in secret, for + a queen has no right to be melancholy. She must seem ever cheerful, ever + happy and contented; and only God and the still, silent night know her + sighs and her tears.” + </p> + <p> + “And you may let me also see them, queen,” said Elizabeth, heartily; “for + you well know you may trust and rely on me.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine kissed her fervently. “You have done me a great service to-day, + and I have come,” said she, “to thank you, not with sounding words only, + but by deeds. Elizabeth, your wish will be fulfilled. The king will repeal + the law which was to compel you to give your hand only to a husband of + equal birth.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” cried Elizabeth, with flashing eyes, “then I shall, perhaps, some + day be able to make him whom I love a king.” Catharine smiled. “You have a + proud and ambitious heart,” said she. “God has endowed you with + extraordinary ability. Cultivate it and seek to increase it; for my + prophetic heart tells me that you are destined to become, one day, Queen + of England. [Footnote: Catharine’s own words.—See Leti, vol. I, p. + 172.] But who knows whether then you will still wish to elevate him whom + you now love, to be your husband? A queen, as you will be, sees with other + eyes than those of a young, inexperienced maiden. Perchance I may not have + done right in moving the king to alter this law; for I am not acquainted + with the man that you love; and who knows whether he is worthy that you + should bestow on him your heart, so innocent and pure?” + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth threw both her arms about Catharine’s neck, and clung tenderly + to her. “Oh,” said she, “he would be worthy to be loved even by you, + Catharine; for he is the noblest and handsomest cavalier in the whole + world; and though he is no king, yet he is a king’s brother-in-law, and + will some day be a king’s uncle.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine felt her heart, as it were, convulsed, and a slight tremor ran + through her frame. “And am I not to learn his name?” asked she. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will tell you it now; for now there is no longer danger in knowing + it. The name of him whom I love, queen, is Thomas Seymour.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine uttered a scream, and pushed Elizabeth passionately away from + her heart. “Thomas Seymour?” cried she, in a menacing tone. “What! do you + dare love Thomas Seymour?” + </p> + <p> + “And why should I not dare?” asked the young girl in astonishment. “Why + should I not give him my heart, since, thanks to your intercession, I am + no longer bound to choose a husband of equal birth? Is not Thomas Seymour + one of the first of this land? Does not all England look on him with pride + and tenderness? Does not every woman to whom he deigns a look, feel + herself honored? Does not the king himself smile and feel more pleased at + heart, when Thomas Seymour, that young, bold, and spirited hero, stands by + his side?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right!” said Catharine, whose heart every one of these + enthusiastic words, lacerated like the stab of a dagger—“yes, you + are right. He is worthy of being loved by you—and you could hit upon + no better choice. It was only the first surprise that made me see things + otherwise than they are. Thomas Seymour is the brother of a queen: why + then should he not also be the husband of a royal princess?” + </p> + <p> + With a bashful blush, Elizabeth hid her smiling face in Catharine’s bosom. + She did not see with what an expression of alarm and agony the queen + observed her; how her lips were convulsively compressed, and her cheeks + covered with a death-like pallor. + </p> + <p> + “And he?” asked she, in a low tone. “Does Thomas Seymour love you?” + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth raised her head and looked at the questioner in amazement “How!” + said she. “Is it possible, then, to love, if you are not loved?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” sighed Catharine. “One must be very humble and silly to + be able to do that.” + </p> + <p> + “My God! how pale you are, queen!” cried Elizabeth, who just now noticed + Catharine’s pale face. “Your features are distorted; your lips tremble. My + God! what does this mean?” + </p> + <p> + “It is nothing!” said Catharine, with a smile full of agony. “The + excitement and alarm of to-day have exhausted my strength. That is all. + Besides, a new grief threatens us, of which you as yet know nothing. The + king is ill. A sudden dizziness seized him, and made him fall almost + lifeless at my side. I came to bring you the king’s message; now duty + calls me to my husband’s sickbed. Farewell, Elizabeth.” + </p> + <p> + She waved a good-by to her with her hand, and with hurried step left the + room. She summoned up courage to conceal the agonies of her soul, and to + pass proud and stately through the halls. To the courtiers bowing before + her, she would still be the queen, and no one should suspect what agony + was torturing her within like flames of fire. But at last arrived at her + boudoir—at last sure of being overheard and observed by no one—she + was no longer the queen, but only the agonized, passionate woman. + </p> + <p> + She sank on her knees, and cried, with a heart-rending wail of anguish: + “My God, my God, grant that I may become mad, so that I may no longer know + that he has forsaken me!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI. THE CATASTROPHE. + </h2> + <p> + After days of secret torture and hidden tears, after nights of sobbing + anguish and wailing sorrow, Catharine had at last attained to inward + peace; she had at last taken a firm and decisive resolution. + </p> + <p> + The king was sick unto death; and however much she had suffered and + endured from him, still he was her husband; and she would not stand by his + deathbed as a perjured and deceitful woman; she would not be constrained + to cast down her eyes before the failing gaze of the dying king. She would + renounce her love—that love, which, however, had been as pure and + chaste as a maiden’s prayer—that love, which was as unapproachably + distant as the blush of morn, and yet had stood above her so vast and + brilliant, and had irradiated the gloomy pathway of her life with + celestial light. + </p> + <p> + She would make the greatest of sacrifices; she would give her lover to + another. Elizabeth loved him. Catharine would not investigate and + thoroughly examine the point, whether Thomas Seymour returned her love, + and whether the oath he had taken to her, the queen, was really nothing + more than a fancy of the brain, or a falsehood. No, she did not believe + it; she did not believe that Thomas Seymour was capable of treachery, of + double-dealing. But Elizabeth loved him; and she was young and beautiful, + and a great future lay before her. Catharine loved Thomas Seymour strongly + enough not to want to deprive him of this future, but gladly to present + herself a sacrifice to the happiness of her lover. What was she—the + woman matured in grief and suffering—in comparison with this + youthful and fresh blossom, Elizabeth? What had she to offer her beloved + further than a life of retirement, of love, and of quiet happiness? When + once the king is dead and sets her free, Edward the Sixth ascends the + throne; and Catharine then is nothing more than the forgotten and + disregarded widow of a king; while Elizabeth, the king’s sister, may + perhaps bring a crown as her dower to him whom she loves. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour was ambitious. Catharine knew that. A day might come when + he would repent of having chosen the widow of a king instead of the + heiress to a throne. + </p> + <p> + Catharine would anticipate that day. She would of her own free-will resign + her lover to Princess Elizabeth. She had by a struggle brought her mind to + this sacrifice; she had pressed her hands firmly on her heart, so as not + to hear how it wailed and wept. + </p> + <p> + She went to Elizabeth, and said to her with a sweet smile: “To-day I will + bring your lover to you, princess. The king has fulfilled his promise. He + has to-day with his last dying strength signed this act, which gives you + liberty to choose your husband, not from the ranks of princes alone, but + to follow your own heart in your choice. I will give this act to your + lover, and assure him of my assistance and aid. The king is suffering very + much to-day, and his consciousness fails more and more. But be certain, if + he is in a condition to hear me, I will spend all my powers of persuasion + in inclining him to your wish, and in moving him to give his consent to + your marriage with Earl Sudley. I now go to receive the earl. So tarry in + your room, princess, for Seymour will soon come to bring you the act.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst she thus spoke, it seemed to her as though her heart were pierced + by red-hot daggers; as though a two-edged sword were cleaving her breast. + But Catharine had a strong and courageous soul. She had sworn to herself + to endure this torture to the end; and she endured it. No writhing of her + lips, no sigh, no outcry, betrayed the pain that she was suffering. And + if, indeed, her cheeks were pale, and her eye dim, they were so because + she had spent nights watching by her husband’s sick-bed, and because she + was mourning for the dying king. + </p> + <p> + She had the heroism to embrace tenderly this young maiden to whom she was + just going to present her love as a sacrifice, and to listen with a smile + to the enthusiastic words of gratitude, of rapture and expectant happiness + which Elizabeth addressed to her. + </p> + <p> + With tearless eyes and firm step she returned to her own apartments; and + her voice did not at all tremble, as she bade the chamberlain in + attendance to summon to her the master of horse, Earl Sudley. Only she had + a feeling as though her heart was broken and crushed; and quite softly, + quite humbly, she whispered: “I shall die when he is gone. But so long as + he is here, I will live; and he shall not have a suspicion of what I + suffer!” + </p> + <p> + And while Catharine suffered so dreadfully, Elizabeth was jubilant with + delight and rapture; for at last she stood at the goal of her wishes, and + this very day she was to become the betrothed of her lover. Oh, how slow + and sluggish crept those minutes along! How many eternities had she still + to wait before he would come—he, her lover, and soon her husband! + Was he already with the queen? Could she expect him already? She stood as + if spellbound at the window, and looked down into the courtyard. Through + that great gateway over there he must come; through that door yonder he + must go, in order to reach the queen’s apartments. + </p> + <p> + She uttered an exclamation, and a glowing blush flitted across her face. + There, there, he was. Yonder drew up his equipage; his gold-laced lackeys + opened the door and he alighted. How handsome he was, and how magnificent + to look upon! How noble and proud his tall figure! How regularly beautiful + his fresh, youthful face! How saucy the haughty smile about his mouth; and + how his eyes flamed and flashed and shone in wantonness and youthful + happiness. His look glanced for a moment at Elizabeth’s window. He saluted + her, and then entered the door leading to the wing of the palace of + Whitehall occupied by the queen. Elizabeth’s heart beat so violently that + she felt almost suffocated. Now he must have reached the great staircase—now + he was above it—now he was entering the queen’s apartments—he + traverses the first, the second, the third chamber. In the fourth + Catharine was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth would have given a year of her life to hear what Catharine would + say to him, and what reply he would make to the surprising intelligence—a + year of her life to be able to see his rapture, his astonishment, and his + delight. He was so handsome when he smiled, so bewitching when his eyes + blazed with love and pleasure. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth was a young, impulsive child. She had a feeling as if she must + suffocate in the agony of expectation; her heart leaped into her mouth; + her breath was stifled in her breast, she was so impatient for happiness. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if he does not come soon I shall die!” murmured she. “Oh, if I could + only at least see him, or only hear him!” All at once she stopped; her + eyes flashed up, and a bewitching smile flitted across her features. + “Yes,” said she, “I will see him, and I will hear him. I can do it, and I + will do it. I have the key which the queen gave me, and which opens the + door that separates my rooms from hers. With that key I may reach her + bed-chamber, and next to the bed-chamber is her boudoir, in which, without + doubt, she will receive the earl. I will enter quite softly, and, hiding + myself behind the hanging which separates the bed-chamber from the + boudoir, I shall be able to see him, and hear everything that he says!” + </p> + <p> + She laughed out loud and merrily, like a child, and sprang for the key, + which lay on her writing-table. Like a trophy of victory she swung it high + above her on her hand and cried, “I will see him!” Then light, joyful, and + with beaming eye, she left the room. + </p> + <p> + She had conjectured rightly. Catharine received the earl in her boudoir. + She sat on the divan standing opposite the door which led into the + reception-room. That door was open, and so Catharine had a perfect view of + the whole of that large space. She could see the earl as he traversed it. + She could once more enjoy, with a rapture painfully sweet, his proud + beauty, and let her looks rest on him with love and adoration. But at + length he crossed the threshold of the boudoir; and now there was an end + of her happiness, of her sweet dream, and of her hopes and her rapture. + She was nothing more than the queen, the wife of a dying king; no longer + Earl Seymour’s beloved, no longer his future and his happiness. + </p> + <p> + She had courage to greet him with a smile; and her voice did not tremble + when she bade him shut the door leading into the hall, and drop the + hanging. He did so, gazing at her with looks of surprise. He did not + comprehend that she dared give him an interview; for the king was still + alive, and even with his tongue faltering in death he might destroy them + both. + </p> + <p> + Why did she not wait till the morrow? On the morrow the king might be + already dead; and then they could see each other without constraint and + without danger. Then was she his, and naught could longer stand in the way + between them and happiness. Now, when the king was near his death—now + he loved her only—he loved but Catharine. His ambition had decided + his heart. Death had become the judge over Seymour’s double affection and + divided heart, and with King Henry’s death Elizabeth’s star had also + paled. + </p> + <p> + Catharine was the widow of a king; and without doubt this tender husband + had appointed his young and adored wife Regent during the minority of the + Prince of Wales. Catharine then would have still five years of unlimited + sway, of royal authority and sovereign power. If Catharine were his wife, + then would he, Thomas Seymour, share this power; and the purple robes of + royalty, which rested on her shoulders, would cover him also; and he would + help her bear that crown which doubtless might sometimes press heavily on + her tender brow. He would, in reality, be the regent, and Catharine would + be so only in name. She, the Queen of England, and he, king of this queen. + What a proud, intoxicating thought was that! And what plans, what hopes + might not be twined with it! Five years of sway—was not that a time + long enough to undermine the throne of the royal boy and to sap his + authority? Who could conjecture whether the people, once accustomed to the + regency of the queen, might not prefer to remain under her sceptre, + instead of committing themselves to this feeble youth? The people must be + constrained so to think, and to make Catharine, Thomas Seymour’s wife, + their reigning queen. + </p> + <p> + The king was sick unto death, and Catharine was, without doubt, the regent—perchance + some day the sovereign queen. + </p> + <p> + Princess Elizabeth was only a poor princess, entirely without a prospect + of the throne; for before her came Catharine, came Edward, and finally + Mary, Elizabeth’s eldest sister. Elizabeth had not the least prospect of + the throne, and Catharine the nearest and best founded. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour pondered this as he traversed the apartments of the queen; + and when he entered her presence, he had convinced himself that he loved + the queen only, and that it was she alone whom he had always loved. + Elizabeth was forgotten and despised. She had no prospect of the throne—why, + then, should he love her? + </p> + <p> + The queen, as we have said, ordered him to shut the door of the boudoir + and to drop the hanging. At the same moment that he did this, the hanging + of the opposite door, leading into the sleeping apartment, moved—perhaps + only the draught of the closing door had done it. Neither the queen nor + Seymour noticed it. They were both too much occupied with themselves. They + saw not how the hanging again and again gently shook and trembled. They + saw not how it was gently opened a little in the middle; nor did they see + the sparkling eyes which suddenly peeped through the opening in the + hanging; nor suspected they that it was the Princess Elizabeth who had + stepped behind the curtain, the better to see and hear what was taking + place in the boudoir. + </p> + <p> + The queen had arisen and advanced a few steps to meet the earl. As she now + stood before him—as their eyes met, she felt her courage sink and + her heart fail. + </p> + <p> + She was compelled to look down at the floor to prevent him from seeing the + tears which involuntarily came into her eyes. With a silent salutation she + offered him her hand. Thomas Seymour pressed it impulsively to his lips, + and looked with passionate tenderness into her face. She struggled to + collect all her strength, that her heart might not betray itself. With a + hurried movement she withdrew her hand from him, and took from the table a + roll of paper containing the new act of succession signed by the king. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said she, “I have called you hither, because I would like to + intrust a commission to you. I beg you to carry this parchment to the + Princess Elizabeth, and be pleased to deliver it to her. But before you do + that, I will make you acquainted with its contents. This parchment + contains a new law relative to the succession, which has already received + the sanction of the king. By virtue of this, the royal princesses are no + longer under the necessity of uniting themselves with a husband who is a + sovereign prince, if they wish to preserve their hereditary claim on the + throne unimpaired. The king gives the princesses the right to follow their + own hearts; and their claim to the succession is not to suffer thereby, if + the husband chosen is neither a king nor a prince. That, my lord, is the + contents of this parchment which you are to carry to the princess, and + without doubt you will thank me for making you the messenger of these glad + tidings.” + </p> + <p> + “And why,” asked he, in astonishment—“why does your majesty believe + that this intelligence should fill me with special thankfulness?” + </p> + <p> + She collected all her powers; she prayed to her own heart for strength and + self-control. + </p> + <p> + “Because the princess has made me the confidante of her love, and because + I am consequently aware of the tender tie which binds you to her,” said + she, gently; and she felt that all the blood had fled from her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + The earl looked into her face in mute astonishment. Then his inquiring and + searching glance swept all around the room. + </p> + <p> + “We are overheard, then?” asked he, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “We are not alone?” + </p> + <p> + “We are alone,” said Catharine, aloud. “Nobody can hear us, and God alone + is witness of our conversation.” + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth, who stood behind the hanging, felt her cheeks glow with shame, + and she began to repent what she had done. But she was nevertheless, as it + were, spellbound to that spot. It was certainly mean and unworthy of a + princess to eavesdrop, but she was at that time but a young girl who + loved, and who wanted to observe her lover. So she stayed; she laid her + hand on her anxiously-throbbing heart, and murmured to herself: “What will + he say? What means this anxious dread that comes over me?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Thomas Seymour, in an entirely altered tone, “if we are + alone, then this mask which hides my face may fall; then the cuirass which + binds my heart may be loosened. Hail, Catharine, my star and my hope! No + one, you say, hears us, save God alone; and God knows our love, and He + knows with what longing, and what ecstasy, I have sighed for this hour—for + this hour, which at length again unites me to you. My God, it is an + eternity since I have seen you, Catharine; and my heart thirsted for you + as a famishing man for a refreshing draught. Catharine, my beloved, + blessed be you, that you have at last called me to you!” + </p> + <p> + He opened his arms for her, but she repulsed him sharply. “You are + mistaken in the name, earl,” said she, bitterly. “You say Catharine, and + mean Elizabeth! It is the princess that you love: to Elizabeth belongs + your heart, and she has devoted her heart to you. Oh, earl, I will favor + this love, and be certain I will not cease from prayer and supplication + till I have inclined the king to your wishes, till he has given his + consent to your marriage with the Princess Elizabeth.” + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour laughed. “This is a masquerade, Catharine; and you still + wear a mask over your beautiful and charming face. Oh, away with that + mask, queen! I want to behold you as you are. I want to see again your own + beautiful self; I want to see the woman who belongs to me, and who has + sworn to be mine, and who has, with a thousand sacred oaths, vowed to love + me, to be true to me, and to follow me as her husband and her lord. Or + how, Catharine! Can you have forgotten your oath? Can you have become + untrue to your own heart? Do you want to cast me away, and throw me, like + a ball of which you are tired, to another?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said she, quite unconsciously, “I—I can never forget and never + be untrue.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, my Catharine, the bride and wife of my future, what then are + you speaking to me of Elizabeth?—of this little princess, who sighs + for love as the flower-bud for the sun, and takes the first man whom she + finds in her way for the sun after which she pines? What care we for + Elizabeth, my Catharine? And what have we to do with that child in this + hour of long-wished-for reunion?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he calls me a child!” murmured Elizabeth. “I am nothing but a child + to him!” And she pressed her hands on her mouth in order to repress her + cry of anger and anguish, and to prevent them from hearing her teeth, + which were chattering as though she were in a chill. + </p> + <p> + With irresistible force Thomas Seymour drew Catharine into his arms. + “Avoid me no longer,” said he, in tender entreaty. “The hour has come + which is finally to determine our destiny! The king is at the point of + death, and my Catharine will at length be free—free to follow her + own heart. At this hour I remind you of your oath! Do you remember still + that day when you referred me to this hour? Do you still know, Catharine, + how you vowed to be my wife and to receive me as the lord of your future? + Oh, my beloved, that crown which weighed down your head will soon be taken + away. Now I yet stand before you as your subject, but in a few hours it + will be your lord and your husband that stands before you; and he will + ask: ‘Catharine, my wife, have you kept with me the faith you swore to me? + Have you been guiltless of perjury in respect of your vows and your love? + Have you preserved my honor, which is your honor also, clear from every + spot; and can you, free from guilt, look me in the eye?” + </p> + <p> + He gazed at her with proud, flashing eyes, and before his commanding look + her firmness and her pride melted away like ice before the sunshine. Again + he was the master, whose right it was to rule her heart; and she again the + lowly handmaid, whose sweetest happiness it was to submit and bow to the + will of her lover. + </p> + <p> + “I can look you frankly in the eye,” murmured she, “and no guilt burdens + my conscience. I have loved naught but you, and my God only dwells near + you in my heart.” Wholly overcome, wholly intoxicated with happiness, she + leaned her head upon his shoulder, and as he clasped her in his arms, as + he covered with kisses her now unresisting lips, she felt only that she + loved him unutterably, and that there was no happiness for her except with + him. + </p> + <p> + It was a sweet dream, a moment of most exquisite ecstasy. But it was only + a moment. A hand was laid violently on her shoulder, a hoarse angry voice + called her name; and as she looked up, she encountered the wild glance of + Elizabeth, who stood before her with deathly pale cheeks, with trembling + lips, with expanded nostrils, and eyes darting flashes of wrath and + hatred. + </p> + <p> + “This, then, is the friendly service which you swore to me?” said she, + gnashing her teeth. “Did you steal into my confidence, and with scoffing + mouth spy out the secrets of my heart, in order to go away and betray them + to your paramour? That you might in his arms ridicule this pitiable + maiden, who allowed herself for the moment to be betrayed by her heart, + and took a felon for an honorable man! Woe, woe to you, Catharine, for I + tell you I will have no compassion on the adulteress, who mocks at me, and + betrays my father!” + </p> + <p> + She was raving; completely beside herself with anger, she dashed away the + hand which Catharine laid on her shoulder, and sprang back from the touch + of her enemy like an irritated lioness. + </p> + <p> + Her father’s blood fumed and raged within her, and, a true daughter of + Henry the Eighth, she concealed in her heart only bloodthirsty and + revengeful thoughts. + </p> + <p> + She cast on Thomas Seymour a look of dark wrath, and a contemptuous smile + played about her lips. “My lord,” said she, “you have called me a child + who allows herself to be easily deceived, because she longs so much for + the sun and for happiness. You are right: I was a child; and I was foolish + enough to take a miserable liar for a noble-man, who was worthy of the + proud fortune of being loved by a king’s daughter. Yes, you are right; + that was a childish dream. Thanks to you, I have now awoke from it; and + you have matured the child into a woman, who laughs at the folly of her + youth, and despises to-day what she adored yesterday. I have nothing to do + with you; and you are even too insignificant and too contemptible for my + anger. But I tell you, you have played a hazardous game, and you will + lose. You courted a queen and a princess, and you will gain neither of + them: not the one, for she despises you; not the other, for she ascends + the scaffold!” + </p> + <p> + With a wild laugh she was hurrying to the door, but Catharine with a + strong hand held her back and compelled her to remain. “What are you going + to do?” asked she, with perfect calmness and composure. + </p> + <p> + “What am I going to do?” asked Elizabeth, her eyes flashing like those of + a lioness. “You ask me what I will do? I will go to my father, and tell + him what I have here witnessed! He will listen to me; and his tongue will + still have strength enough to pronounce your sentence of death! Oh, my + mother died on the scaffold, and yet she was innocent. We will see, + forsooth, whether you will escape the scaffold—you, who are guilty!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, go to your father,” said Catharine; “go and accuse me. But + first you shall hear me. This man whom I loved, I wanted to renounce, in + order to give him to you. By the confession of your love, you had crushed + my happiness and my future. But I was not angry with you. I understood you + heart, for Thomas Seymour is worthy of being loved. But you are right; for + the king’s wife it was a sinful love, however innocent and pure I may have + been. On that account I wanted to renounce it; on that account I wanted, + on the first confession from you, to silently sacrifice myself. You + yourself have now made it an impossibility. Go, then, and accuse us to + your father, and fear not that I will belie my heart. Now, that the crisis + has come, it shall find me prepared; and on the scaffold I will still + account myself blest, for Thomas Seymour loves me!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, he loves you, Catharine!” cried he, completely overcome and enchanted + by her noble, majestic bearing. + </p> + <p> + “He loves you so warmly and ardently, that death with you seems to him an + enviable lot; and he would not exchange it for any throne nor for any + crown.” + </p> + <p> + And as he thus spoke, he put his arms around Catharine’s neck, and + impetuously drew her to his heart. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth uttered a fierce scream, and sprang to the door. But what noise + was that which all at once drew nigh; which suddenly, like a wild billow, + came roaring on, and filled the anterooms and the halls? What were these + affrighted, shrieking voices calling? What were they screaming to the + queen, and the physicians, and the priest? + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth stopped amazed, and listened. Thomas Seymour and Catharine, arm + linked in arm, stood near her. They scarcely heard what was taking place; + they looked at each other and smiled, and dreamed of love and death and an + eternity of happiness. + </p> + <p> + Now the door flew open; there was seen John Heywood’s pale face: there + were the maids of honor and the court officials. And all shrieked and all + wailed: “The king is dying! He is struck with apoplexy! The king is at the + point of death!” + </p> + <p> + “The king calls you! The king desires to die in the arms of his wife!” + said John Heywood, and, as he quietly pushed Elizabeth aside and away from + the door as she was pressing violently forward, he added: “The king will + see nobody but his wife and the priest; and he has authorized me to call + the queen!” + </p> + <p> + He opened the door; and through the lines of weeping and wailing court + officials and servants, Catharine moved on, to go to the death-bed of her + royal husband. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVII. “LE ROI EST MORT—VIVE LA REINE!” + </h2> + <p> + King Henry lay a-dying. That life full of sin, full of blood and crime, + full of treachery and cunning, full of hypocrisy and sanctimonious cruelty—that + life was at last lived out. That hand, which had signed so many + death-warrants, was now clutched in the throes of death. It had stiffened + at the very moment when the king was going to sign the Duke of Norfolk’s + death-warrant. [Footnote: historical. The king’s own words.—Leti, + vol. I, p. 16.] And the king was dying with the gnawing consciousness that + he had no longer the power to throttle that enemy whom he hated. The + mighty king was now nothing more than a feeble, dying old man, who was no + longer able to hold the pen and sign this death-warrant for which he had + so long hankered and hoped. Now it lay before him, and he no longer had + the power to use it. God, in His wisdom and His justice, had decreed + against him the most grievous and horrible of punishments; He had left him + his consciousness; He had not crippled him in mind, but in body only. And + that motionless and rigid mass which, growing chill in death, lay there on + the couch of purple trimmed with gold—that was the king—a king + whom agony of conscience did not permit to die, and who now shuddered and + was horrified in view of death, to which he had, with relentless cruelty, + hunted so many of his subjects. + </p> + <p> + Catharine and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the noble Cranmer, stood at + his bedside: and whilst in convulsive agony he grasped Catharine’s hands, + he listened to the devout prayers which Cranmer was saying over him. + </p> + <p> + Once he asked with mumbling tongue: “My lord, what kind of a world then is + that where those who condemn others to die, are condemned to die + themselves?” + </p> + <p> + And as the pious Cranmer, touched by the agonies and tortures of + conscience which he read in the king’s looks, and full of pity for the + dying tyrant, sought to comfort him, and spoke to him of the mercy of God + which has compassion on every sinner, the king groaned out: “No, no! No + mercy for him who knew no mercy!” + </p> + <p> + At length this awful struggle of death with life was ended; and death had + vanquished life. The king had closed his eyes to earth, to open them again + there above, as a guilt-laden sinner in the presence of God. + </p> + <p> + For three days his death was kept a secret. They wanted first to have + everything arranged, and to fill up the void which his death must make. + They wanted, when they spoke to the people of the dead king, to show them + also at the same time the living king. And since they knew that the people + would not weep for the dead, they were to rejoice for the living; since + they would sing no funeral psalms, they were to let their hymns of joy + resound. + </p> + <p> + On the third day the gates of Whitehall were thrown open, and a gloomy + funeral train moved through the streets of London. In dead silence the + populace saw borne past them the coffin of the king, before whom they had + trembled so much, and for whom they now had not a word of mourning or of + pity—no tears for the dead who for seven-and-thirty years had been + their king. + </p> + <p> + They were bearing the coffin to Westminster Abbey to the splendid monument + which Wolsey had built there for his royal master. But the way was long, + and the panting horses with black housings, which drew the hearse, had + often to stop and rest. And all of a sudden, as the carriage stood still + on one of the large open squares, blood was seen to issue from the king’s + coffin. It streamed down in crimson currents and flowed over the stones of + the streets. The people with a shudder stood around and saw the king’s + blood flowing, and thought how much blood he had spilt on that same spot, + for the coffin was standing on the square where the executions were wont + to take place, and where the scaffolds were erected and the stakes set. As + the people stood gazing at the blood which flowed from the king’s coffin, + two dogs sprang forth from the crowd and, with greedy tongue, licked the + blood of King Henry the Eighth. But the people, shuddering and + horror-stricken, fled in all directions, and talked among themselves of + the poor priest who a few weeks before was executed here on this very + spot, because he would not recognize the king as the supreme lord of the + Church and God’s vicegerent; of that unfortunate man who cursed the king, + and on the scaffold said: “May the dogs one day drink the blood of this + king who has shed so much innocent blood!” And now the curse of the dying + man had found its fulfilment, and the dogs had drunk the king’s blood. + [Footnote: Historical.—See Tytler, p. 481.] + </p> + <p> + When the gloomy funeral train had left the palace of Whitehall, when the + king’s corpse no longer infected the halls with its awful stench of + corruption, and the court was preparing to do homage to the boy Edward as + the new king, Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley, entered the room of the + young royal widow. He came in a magnificent mourning suit, and his elder + brother, Edward Seymour, and Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, walked by + his side. + </p> + <p> + With a blush and a sweet smile, Catharine bade them welcome. + </p> + <p> + “Queen,” said Thomas Seymour with solemn air, “I come to-day to claim of + you the fulfilment of your vow! Oh, do not cast down your eyes, nor blush + for shame. The noble archbishop knows your heart, and he knows that it is + as pure as the heart of a maiden, and that an unchaste thought has never + sullied your pure soul. And my brother would not be here, had he not faith + in and respect for a love which has preserved itself so faithful and + constant amidst storms and dangers. I have selected these two noble + friends as my suitors, and in their presence I will ask you: ‘Queen + Catharine, the king is dead, and no fetters longer bind your heart; will + you not give it me as my own? Will you accept me as your husband, and + sacrifice for me your royal title and your exalted position?’” + </p> + <p> + With a bewitching smile she gave him her hand. “You well know,” whispered + she, “that I sacrifice nothing for you, but receive from you all of + happiness and love that I hope for.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you then, in the presence of these two friends, accept me as your + future husband, and plight me your vow of truth and love?” + </p> + <p> + Catharine trembled and cast down her eyes with the bashfulness of a young + girl. “Alas!” whispered she, “do you not then see my mourning dress? Is it + becoming to think of happiness, while the funeral lamentations have + scarcely died away?” + </p> + <p> + “Queen Catharine,” said Archbishop Cranmer, “let the dead bury their dead! + Life also has its rights; and man should not give up his claim on + happiness, for it is a most holy possession. You have endured much and + suffered much, queen, but your heart is pure and without guilt; therefore + you may now, with a clear conscience, bid welcome to happiness also. Do + not delay about it. In God’s name I have come to bless your love, and give + to your happiness a holy consecration.” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” said Edward Seymour, “I have begged of my brother the honor of + being allowed to accompany him in order to say to your majesty that I know + how to duly appreciate the high honor which you show our family, and that, + as your brother-in-law, I shall ever be mindful that you were once my + queen and I your subject.” + </p> + <p> + “But I,” cried Thomas Seymour, “I would not delay coming to you, in order + that I might show you that love only brings me to you, and that no other + consideration could induce me. The king’s will is not yet opened, and I + know not its contents. But however it may determine with respect to all of + us, it cannot diminish or increase my happiness in possessing you. + Whatever you may be, you will ever be to me only the adored woman, the + ardently loved wife; and only to assure you of this, I have come this very + day.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine extended her hand to him with a bewitching smile. “I have never + doubted of you, Seymour,” whispered she, “and never did I love you more + ardently than when I wanted to renounce you.” + </p> + <p> + She bowed her head on her lover’s shoulder, and tears of purest joy + bedewed her cheeks. The Archbishop of Canterbury joined their hands, and + blessed them as betrothed lovers; and the elder Seymour, Earl Hertford, + bowed and greeted them as a betrothed couple. + </p> + <p> + On that very same day the king’s will was opened. In the large gilded + hall, in which King Henry’s merry laughter and thundering voice of wrath + had so often resounded, were now read his last commands. The whole court + was assembled, as it was wont to be for a joyous festival; and Catharine + once more sat on the royal throne. But the dreaded tyrant, the + bloodthirsty King Henry the Eighth, was no longer at her side; but the + poor pale boy, Edward, who had inherited from his father neither energy + nor genius, but only his thirst for blood and his canting hypocrisy. At + his side stood his sisters, the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. Both were + pale and of a sad countenance; but with both, it was not for their father + that they were grieving. + </p> + <p> + Mary, the bigoted Roman Catholic, saw with horror and bitter anguish the + days of adversity which were about to befall her church; for Edward was a + fanatical opponent of the Roman Catholic religion, and she knew that he + would shed the blood of the papists with relentless cruelty. On this + account it was that she mourned. + </p> + <p> + But Elizabeth, that young girl of ardent heart—she thought neither + of her father nor of the dangers threatening the Church; she thought only + of her love, she felt only that she had been deprived of a hope, of an + illusion—that she had awoke from a sweet and enchanting dream to the + rude and barren reality. She had given up her first love, but her heart + bled and the wound still smarted. + </p> + <p> + The will was read. Elizabeth looked toward Thomas Seymour during this + solemn and portentous reading. She wanted to read in his countenance the + impression made on him by these grave words, so pregnant with the future; + she wanted to search the depths of his soul, and to penetrate the secret + thoughts of his heart. She saw how he turned pale when, not Queen + Catharine, but his brother, Earl Hertford, was appointed regent during + Edward’s minority; she saw the sinister, almost angry look which he threw + at the queen; and with a cruel smile she murmured: + </p> + <p> + “I am revenged! He loves her no longer!” + </p> + <p> + John Heywood, who was standing behind the queen’s throne, had also + observed the look of Thomas Seymour, yet not like Elizabeth, with a + rejoicing, but with a sorrowful heart, and he dropped his head upon his + breast and murmured: “Poor Catharine! He will hate her, and she will be + very unhappy.” + </p> + <p> + But she was still happy. Her eye beamed with pure delight when she + perceived that her lover was, by the king’s will, appointed High Admiral + of England and guardian of the young king. She thought not of herself, but + only of him, of her lover; and it filled her with the proudest + satisfaction to see him invested with places of such high honor and + dignity. + </p> + <p> + Poor Catharine! Her eye did not see the sullen cloud which still rested on + the brow of her beloved. She was so happy and so innocent, and so little + ambitious! For her this only was happiness, to be her lover’s, to be the + wife of Thomas Seymour. + </p> + <p> + And this happiness was to be hers. Thirty days after the death of King + Henry the Eighth she became the wife of the high admiral, Thomas Seymour, + Earl of Sudley. Archbishop Cranmer solemnized their union in the chapel at + Whitehall, and the lord protector, now Duke of Somerset, formerly Earl of + Hertford, the brother of Thomas Seymour, was the witness of this marriage, + which was, however, still kept a secret, and of which there were to be no + other witnesses. When, however, they resorted to the chapel for the + marriage, Princess Elizabeth came forward to meet the queen, and offered + her hand. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time they had met since the dreadful day on which they + confronted each other as enemies—the first time that they had again + seen each other eye to eye. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth had wrung this sacrifice from her heart. Her proud soul revolted + at the thought that Thomas Seymour might imagine that she was still + grieving for him, that she still loved him. She would show him that her + heart was entirely recovered from that first dream of her youth—that + she had not the least regret or pain. + </p> + <p> + She accosted him with a haughty, cold smile, and presented Catharine her + hand. “Queen,” said she, “you have so long been a kind and faithful mother + to me, that I may well once more claim the right of being your daughter. + Let me, therefore, as your daughter, be present at the solemn transaction + in which you are about to engage; and allow me to stand at your side and + pray for you, whilst the archbishop performs the sacred service, and + transforms the queen into the Countess of Sudley. May God bless you, + Catharine, and give you all the happiness that you deserve!” + </p> + <p> + And Princess Elizabeth knelt at Catharine’s side, as the archbishop blest + this new marriage tie. And while she prayed her eye again glided over + toward Thomas Seymour, who was standing there by his young wife. + Catharine’s countenance beamed with beauty and happiness, but upon Thomas + Seymour’s brow still lay the cloud that had settled there on that day when + the king’s will was opened—that will which did not make Queen + Catharine regent, and which thereby destroyed Thomas Seymour’s proud and + ambitious schemes. + </p> + <p> + And that cloud remained on Thomas Seymour’s brow. It sank down lower and + still lower. It soon overshadowed the happiness of Catharine’s love, and + awakened her from her short dream of bliss. + </p> + <p> + What she suffered, how much of secret agony and silent woe she endured, + who can wish to know or conjecture? Catharine had a proud and a chaste + soul. She concealed from the world her pain and her grief, as bashfully as + she had once done her love. Nobody suspected what she suffered and how she + struggled with her crushed heart. + </p> + <p> + She never complained; she saw bloom after bloom fall from her life; she + saw the smile disappear from her husband’s countenance; she heard his + voice, at first so tender, gradually harden to harsher tones; she felt his + heart growing colder and colder, and his love changing into indifference, + perhaps even into hate. + </p> + <p> + She had devoted her whole heart to love, but she felt day by day, and hour + by hour, that her husband’s heart was cooling more and more. She felt, + with dreadful heartrending certainty, she was his with all her love. + </p> + <p> + But he was no longer hers. + </p> + <p> + And she tormented her heart to find out why he no longer loved her—what + she had been guilty of, that he turned away from her. Seymour had not the + delicacy and magnanimity to conceal from her his inward thoughts; and at + last she comprehended why he neglected her. + </p> + <p> + He had hoped that Catharine would be Regent of England, that he then would + be consort of the regent. Because it had not happened so his love had + died. + </p> + <p> + Catharine felt this, and she died of it. But not suddenly, not at once, + did death release her from her sorrows and racking tortures. Six months + she had to suffer and struggle with them. After six months she died. + </p> + <p> + Strange rumors were spread at her death; and John Heywood never passed by + Earl Seymour without gazing at him with an angry look, and saying: “You + have murdered the beautiful queen! Deny it, if you can!” + </p> + <p> + Thomas Seymour laughed, and did not consider it worth his while to defend + himself against the accusations of the fool. He laughed, notwithstanding + he had not yet put off the mourning he wore for Catharine. + </p> + <p> + In these mourning garments he ventured to approach the Princess Elizabeth, + to swear to her his ardent love, and sue for her hand. But Elizabeth + repelled him with coldness and haughty contempt; and, like the fool, the + princess also said: “You have murdered Catharine! I cannot be the wife of + a murderer!” + </p> + <p> + And God’s justice punished the murderer of the innocent and noble + Catharine; and scarcely three months after the death of his wife, the high + admiral had to ascend the scaffold, and was executed as a traitor. + </p> + <p> + By Catharine’s wish, her books and papers were given to her true friend + John Heywood, and he undertook with the greatest care an examination of + the same. He found among her papers many leaves written by herself, many + verses and poems, which breathed forth the sorrowfulness of her spirit. + Catharine herself had collected them into a book, and with her own hand + she had given to the book this title: “Lamentations of a Sinner.” + </p> + <p> + Catharine had wept much as she penned these “Lamentations”; for in many + places the manuscript was illegible, and her tears had obliterated the + characters. + </p> + <p> + John Heywood kissed the spots where the traces of her tears remained, and + whispered: “The sinner has by her suffering been glorified into a saint; + and these poems are the cross and the monument which she has prepared for + her own grave. I will set up this cross, that the good may take comfort, + and the wicked flee from it.” And he did so. He had the “Lamentations of a + Sinner” printed; and this book was the fairest monument of Catharine. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s Henry VIII And His Court, by Louise Muhlbach + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY VIII AND HIS COURT *** + +***** This file should be named 3476-h.htm or 3476-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/7/3476/ + +Produced by Charles Franks, Ralph Zimmermann, The Online +Distributed Proofreading Team, and David Widger + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.08.01*END** +[Portions of this header are copyright (C) 2001 by Michael S. Hart +and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.] +[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales +of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or +software or any other related product without express permission.] + + + + + +This etext was produced by Charles Franks, Ralph Zimmermann and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + +Henry VIII And His Court +A Historical Novel + +by Louise Muhlbach + + + + +TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN, BY +Rev. H. N. PIERCE, D. D. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + I. Choosing a Confessor + II. The Queen and her Friend + III. King Henry the Eighth + IV. King by the Wrath of God + V. The Rivals + VI. The Intercession + VII. Henry the Eighth and his Wives + VIII. Father and Daughter + IX. Lendemain + X. The King's Fool + XI. The Ride + XII. The Declaration + XIII. "Le Roi s'ennuit" + XIV. The Queen's Friend + XV. John Heywood + XVI. The Confidant + XVII. Gammer Gurton's Needle +XVIII. Lady Jane + XIX. Loyola's General + XX. The Prisoner + XXI. Princess Elizabeth + XXII. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey +XXIII. Brother and Sister + XIV. The Queen's Toilet + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +CHOOSING A CONFESSOR. + + +It was in the year 1543. King Henry the Eighth of England that day +once more pronounced himself the happiest and most enviable man in +his kingdom, for to-day he was once more a bridegroom, and Catharine +Parr, the youthful widow of Baron Latimer, had the perilous +happiness of being selected as the king's sixth consort. + +Merrily chimed the bells of all the steeples of London, announcing +to the people the commencement of that holy ceremony which sacredly +bound Catharine Parr to the king as his sixth wife. The people, ever +fond of novelty and show, crowded through the streets toward the +royal palace to catch a sight of Catharine, when she appeared at her +husband's side upon the balcony, to show herself to the English +people as their queen, and to receive their homage in return. + +Surely it was a proud and lofty success for the widow of a petty +baron to become the lawful wife of the King of England, and to wear +upon her brow a royal crown! But yet Catharine Parr's heart was +moved with a strange fear, her cheeks were pale and cold, and before +the altar her closely compressed lips scarcely had the power to +part, and pronounce the binding "I will." + +At last the sacred ceremony was completed. The two spiritual +dignitaries, Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and Cranmer, archbishop +of Canterbury, then, in accordance with court etiquette, led the +young bride into her apartments, in order to bless them, and once +more to pray with her, before the worldly festivities should begin. + +Catharine, however, pale and agitated, had yet sustained her part in +the various ceremonies of the day with a true queenly bearing and +dignity; and, as now with head proudly erect and firm step, she +walked with a bishop at either side through the splendid apartments, +no one suspected how heavy a burden weighed upon her heart, and what +baleful voices were whispering in her breast. + +Followed by her new court, she had traversed with her companions the +state apartments, and now reached the inner rooms. Here, according +to the etiquette of the time, she must dismiss her court, and only +the two bishops and her ladies of honor were permitted to accompany +the queen into the drawing-room. But farther than this chamber even +the bishops themselves might not follow her. The king himself had +written down the order for the day, and he who swerved from this +order in the most insignificant point would have been proclaimed +guilty of high treason, and perhaps have been led out to death. + +Catharine, therefore, turned with a languid smile to the two high +ecclesiastics, and requested them to await here her summons. Then +beckoning to her ladies of honor, she withdrew into her boudoir. + +The two bishops remained by themselves in the drawing-room. The +circumstance of their being alone seemed to impress them both alike +and unpleasantly; for a dark scowl gathered on the brows of both, +and they withdrew, as if at a concerted signal, to the opposite +sides of the spacious apartment. + +A long pause ensued. Nothing was heard save the regular ticking of a +large clock of rare workmanship which stood over the fireplace, and +from the street afar off, the rejoicing of the people, who surged +toward the palace like a roaring sea. + +Gardiner had stepped to the window, and was looking up with his +peculiar dark smile at the clouds which, driven by the tempest, were +sweeping across the heavens. + +Cranmer stood by the wall on the opposite side, and sunk in sad +thoughts, was contemplating a large portrait of Henry the Eighth, +the masterly production of Holbein. As he gazed on that countenance, +indicative at once of so much dignity and so much ferocity; as he +contemplated those eyes which shone with such gloomy severity, those +lips on which was a smile at once voluptuous and fierce, there came +over him a feeling of deep sympathy with the young woman whom he had +that day devoted to such splendid misery. He reflected that he had, +in like manner, already conducted two wives of the king to the +marriage altar, and had blessed their union. But he reflected, too, +that he had also, afterward, attended both these queens when they +ascended the scaffold. + +How easily might this pitiable young wife of the king fall a victim +to the same dark fate! How easily might Catharine Parr, like Anne +Boleyn and Catharine Howard, purchase her short-lived glory with an +ignominious death! At any time an inconsiderate word, a look, a +smile, might be her ruin. For the king's choler and jealousy were +incalculable, and, to his cruelty, no punishment seemed too severe +for those by whom he fancied himself injured. + +Such were the thoughts which occupied Bishop Cranmer. They softened +him, and caused the dark wrinkles to disappear from his brow. + +He now smiled to himself at the ill-humor which he had felt shortly +before, and upbraided himself for having been so little mindful of +his holy calling, and for having exhibited so little readiness to +meet his enemy in a conciliating spirit. + +For Gardiner was his enemy; that Cranmer very well knew. Gardiner +had often enough showed him this by his deeds, as he had also taken +pains by his words to assure him of his friendship. + +But even if Gardiner hated him, it did not therefore follow that +Cranmer was obliged to return that hatred; that he should denominate +him his enemy, whom he, in virtue of their mutual high calling, was +bound to honor and love as his brother. + +The noble Cranmer was, therefore, ashamed of his momentary ill- +humor. A gentle smile lighted up his peaceful countenance. With an +air at once dignified and friendly, he crossed the room and +approached the Bishop of Winchester. + +Lord Gardiner turned toward him with morose looks, and, without +advancing from the embrasure of the window in which he was standing, +waited for Cranmer to advance to him. As he looked into that noble, +smiling countenance, he had a feeling as if he must raise his fist +and dash it into the face of this man, who had the boldness to wish +to be his equal, and to contend with him for fame and honor. + +But he reflected in good time that Cranmer was still the king's +favorite, and therefore he must proceed to work against him with +great caution. + +So he forced these fierce thoughts back into his heart, and let his +face again assume its wonted grave and impenetrable expression. + +Cranmer now stood close before him, and his bright, beaming eye was +fixed upon Gardiner's sullen countenance. + +"I come to your highness," said Cranmer, in his gentle, pleasant +voice, "to say to you that I wish with my whole heart the queen may +choose you for her confessor and spiritual director, and to assure +you that, should this be the case, there will not be in my soul, on +that account, the least rancor, or the slightest dissatisfaction. I +shall fully comprehend it, if her majesty chooses the distinguished +and eminent Bishop of Winchester as her confessor, and the esteem +and admiration which I entertain for you can only be enhanced +thereby. In confirmation of this, permit me to offer you my hand." +He presented his hand to Gardiner, who, however, took it reluctantly +and but for a moment. + +"Your highness is very noble, and at the same time a very subtle +diplomatist, for you only wish in an adroit and ingenious way to +give me to understand how I am to act should the queen choose you +for her spiritual director. But that she will do so, you know as +well as I. It is, therefore, for me only a humiliation which +etiquette imposes when she compels me to stand here and wait to see +whether I shall be chosen, or contemptuously thrust aside." + +"Why will you look at matters in so unfriendly a light?" said +Cranmer, gently. "Wherefore will you consider it a mark of contempt, +if you are not chosen to an office to which, indeed, neither merit +nor worthiness can call us, but only the personal confidence of a +young woman?" + +"Oh! you admit that I shall not be chosen?" cried Gardiner, with a +malicious smile. + +"I have already told you that I am wholly uninformed as to the +queen's wish, and I think it is known that the Bishop of Canterbury +is wont to speak the truth." + +"Certainly that is known, but it is known also that Catharine Parr +was a warm admirer of the Bishop of Canterbury; and now that she has +gained her end and become queen, she will make it her duty to show +her gratitude to him." + +"You would by that insinuate that I have made her queen. But I +assure your highness, that here also, as in so many other matters +which relate to myself, you are falsely informed." + +"Possibly!" said Gardiner, coldly. "At any rate, it is certain that +the young queen is an ardent advocate of the abominable new doctrine +which, like the plague, has spread itself from Germany over all +Europe and scattered mischief and ruin through all Christendom. Yes, +Catharine Parr, the present queen, leans to that heretic against +whom the Holy Father at Rome has hurled his crushing anathema. She +is an adherent of the Reformation." + +"You forget," said Cranmer, with an arch smile, "that this anathema +was hurled against the head of our king also, and that it has shown +itself equally ineffectual against Henry the Eighth as against +Luther. Besides, I might remind you that we no longer call the Pope +of Rome, 'Holy Father,' and that you yourself have recognized the +king as the head of our church." + +Gardiner turned away his face in order to conceal the vexation and +rage which distorted his features. He felt that he had gone too far, +that he had betrayed too much of the secret thoughts of his soul. +But he could not always control his violent and passionate nature; +and however much a man of the world and diplomatist he might be, +still there were moments when the fanatical priest got the better of +the man of the world, and the diplomat was forced to give way to the +minister of the church. + +Cranmer pitied Gardiner's confusion, and, following the native +goodness of his heart, he said pleasantly: "Let us not strive here +about dogmas, nor attempt to determine whether Luther or the pope is +most in the wrong. We stand here in the chamber of the young queen. +Let us, therefore, occupy ourselves a little with the destiny of +this young woman whom God has chosen for so brilliant a lot." + +"Brilliant?" said Gardiner, shrugging his shoulders. "Let us first +wait for the termination of her career, and then decide whether it +has been brilliant. Many a queen before this has fancied that she +was resting on a couch of myrtles and roses, and has suddenly become +conscious that she was lying on a red-hot gridiron, which consumed +her." + +"It is true," murmured Cranmer, with a slight shudder, "it is a +dangerous lot to be the king's consort. But just on that account let +us not make the perils of her position still greater, by adding to +them our own enmity and hate. Just on that account I beg you (and on +my part I pledge you my word for it) that, let the choice of the +queen be as it may, there may be no feeling of anger, and no desire +for revenge in consequence. My God, the poor women are such odd +beings, so unaccountable in their wishes and in their inclinations!" + +"Ah! it seems you know the women very intimately," cried Gardiner, +with a malicious laugh. "Verily, were you not Archbishop of +Canterbury, and had not the king prohibited the marriage of +ecclesiastics as a very grave crime, one might suppose that you had +a wife yourself, and had gained from her a thorough knowledge of +female character." + +Cranmer, somewhat embarrassed, turned away, and seemed to evade +Gardiner's piercing look. "We are not speaking of myself," said he +at length, "but of the young queen, and I entreat for her your good +wishes. I have seen her to-day almost for the first time, and have +never spoken with her, but her countenance has touchingly impressed +me, and it appeared to me, her looks besought us to remain at her +side, ready to help her on this difficult pathway, which five wives +have already trod before her, and in which they found only misery +and tears, disgrace, and blood." + +"Let Catharine beware then that she does not forsake the right way, +as her five predecessors have done!" exclaimed Gardiner. "May she be +prudent and cautious, and may she be enlightened by God, that she +may hold the true faith, and have true wisdom, and not allow herself +to be seduced into the crooked path of the godless and heretical, +but remain faithful and steadfast with those of the true faith!" + +"Who can say who are of the true faith?" murmured Cranmer, sadly. +"There are so many paths leading to heaven, who knows which is the +right one?" + +"That which we tread!" cried Gardiner, with all the overweening +pride of a minister of the church. "Woe to the queen should she take +any other road! Woe to her if she lends her ear to the false +doctrines which come ringing over here from Germany and Switzerland, +and in the worldly prudence of her heart imagines that she can rest +secure! I will he her most faithful and zealous servant, if she is +with me; I will be her most implacable enemy if she is against me." + +"And will you call it being against you, if the queen does not +choose you for her confessor?" + +"Will you ask me to call it, being for me?" + +"Now God grant that she may choose you!" exclaimed Cranmer, +fervently, as he clasped his hands and raised his eyes to heaven. +"Poor, unfortunate queen! The first proof of thy husband's love may +be thy first misfortune! Why gave he thee the liberty of choosing +thine own spiritual director? Why did he not choose for thee?" + +And Cranmer dropped his head upon his breast, and sighed deeply. + +At this instant the door of the royal chamber opened, and Lady Jane, +daughter of Earl Douglas, and first maid of honor to the queen, made +her appearance on the threshold. Both bishops regarded her in +breathless silence. It was a serious, a solemn moment, the deep +importance of which was very well comprehended by all three. + +"Her majesty the queen," said Lady Jane, in an agitated voice, "her +majesty requests the presence of Lord Cranmer, archbishop of +Canterbury, in her cabinet, in order that she may perform her +devotions with him." + +"Poor queen!" murmured Cranmer, as he crossed the room to go to +Catharine--"poor queen! she has just made an implacable enemy." + +Lady Jane waited till Cranmer had disappeared through the door, then +hastened with eager steps to the bishop of Winchester, and dropping +on her knee, humbly said, "Grace, your highness, grace! My words +were in vain, and were not able to shake her resolution." + +Gardiner raised up the kneeling maiden, and forced a smile. "It is +well," said he, "I doubt not of your zeal. You are a true handmaid +of the church, and she will love and reward you for it as a mother! +It is then decided. The queen is--" + +"Is a heretic," whispered Lady Jane. "Woe to her!" + +"And will you be true, and will you faithfully adhere to us?" + +"True, in every thought of my being, and every drop of my heart's +blood." + +"So shall we overcome Catharine Parr, as we overcame Catharine +Howard. To the block with the heretic! We found means of bringing +Catharine Howard to the scaffold; you, Lady Jane, must find the +means of leading Catharine Parr the same way." + +"I will find them," said Lady Jane, quietly. "She loves and trusts +me. I will betray her friendship in order to remain true to my +religion." + +"Catharine Parr then is lost," said Gardiner, aloud. + +"Yes, she is lost," responded Earl Douglas, who had just entered, +and caught the last words of the bishop. "Yes, she is lost, for we +are her inexorable and ever-vigilant enemies. But I deem it not +altogether prudent to utter words like these in the queen's drawing- +room. Let us therefore choose a more favorable hour. Besides, your +highness, you must betake yourself to the grand reception-hall, +where the whole court is already assembled, and now only awaits the +king to go in formal procession for the young queen, and conduct her +to the balcony. Let us go, then." + +Gardiner nodded in silence, and betook himself to the reception- +hall. + +Earl Douglas with his daughter followed him. "Catharine Parr is +lost," whispered he in Lady Jane's ear. "Catharine Parr is lost, and +you shall be the king's seventh wife." + +Whilst this was passing in the drawing-room, the young queen was on +her knees before Cranmer, and with him sending up to God fervent +prayers for prosperity and peace. Tears filled her eyes, and her +heart trembled as if before some approaching calamity. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE QUEEN AND HER FRIEND + + +At last this long day of ceremonies and festivities drew near its +close, and Catharine might soon hope to be, for the time, relieved +from this endless presenting and smiling, from this ever-renewed +homage. + +At her husband's side she had shown herself on the balcony to +receive the greetings of the people, and to bow her thanks. Then in +the spacious audience-chamber her newly appointed court had passed +before her in formal procession, and she had exchanged a few +meaningless, friendly words with each of these lords and ladies. +Afterward she had, at her husband's side, given audience to the +deputations from the city and from Parliament. But it was only with +a secret shudder that she had received from their lips the same +congratulations and praises with which the authorities had already +greeted five other wives of the king. + +Still she had been able to smile and seem happy, for she well knew +that the king's eye was never off of her, and that all these lords +and ladies who now met her with such deference, and with homage +apparently so sincere, were yet, in truth, all her bitter enemies. +For by her marriage she had destroyed so many hopes, she had pushed +aside so many who believed themselves better fitted to assume the +lofty position of queen! She knew that these victims of +disappointment would never forgive her this; that she, who was but +yesterday their equal, had to-day soared above them as queen and +mistress; she knew that all these were watching with spying eyes her +every word and action, in order, it might be, to forge therefrom an +accusation or a death-warrant. + +But nevertheless she smiled! She smiled, though she felt that the +choler of the king, so easily kindled and so cruelly vindictive, +ever swung over her head like the sword of Damocles. + +She smiled, so that this sword might not fall upon her. + +At length all these presentations, this homage and rejoicing were +well over, and they came to the more agreeable and satisfactory part +of the feast. + +They went to dinner. That was Catharine's first moment of respite, +of rest. For when Henry the Eighth seated himself at table, he was +no longer the haughty monarch and the jealous husband, but merely +the proficient artiste and the impassioned gourmand; and whether the +pastry was well seasoned, and the pheasant of good flavor, was for +him then a far more important question than any concerning the weal +of his people, and the prosperity of his kingdom. + +But after dinner came another respite, a new enjoyment, and this +time a more real one, which indeed for a while banished all gloomy +forebodings and melancholy fears from Catharine's heart, and +suffused her countenance with the rosy radiance of cheerfulness and +happy smiles. For King Henry had prepared for his young wife a +peculiar and altogether novel surprise. He had caused to be erected +in the palace of Whitehall a stage, whereon was represented, by the +nobles of the court, a comedy from Plautus. Heretofore there had +been no other theatrical exhibitions than those which the people +performed on the high festivals of the church, the morality and the +mystery plays. King Henry the Eighth was the first who had a stage +erected for worldly amusement likewise, and caused to be represented +on it subjects other than mere dramatized church history. As he +freed the church from its spiritual head, the pope, so he wished to +free the stage from the church, and to behold upon it other more +lively spectacles than the roasting of saints and the massacre of +inspired nuns. + +And why, too, represent such mock tragedies on the stage, when the +king was daily performing them in reality? The burning of Christian +martyrs and inspired virgins was, under the reign of the Christian +king Henry, such a usual and every-day occurrence, that it could +afford a piquant entertainment neither to the court nor to himself. + +But the representation of a Roman comedy, that, however, was a new +and piquant pleasure, a surprise for the young queen. He had the +"Curculio" played before his wife, and if Catharine indeed could +listen to the licentious and shameless jests of the popular Roman +poet only with bashful blushes, Henry was so much the more delighted +by it, and accompanied the obscenest allusions and the most indecent +jests with his uproarious laughter and loud shouts of applause. + +At length this festivity was also over with, and Catharine was now +permitted to retire with her attendants to her private apartments. + +With a pleasant smile, she dismissed her cavaliers, and bade her +women and her second maid of honor, Anna Askew, go into her boudoir +and await her call. Then she gave her arm to her friend Lady Jane +Douglas, and with her entered her cabinet. + +At last she was alone, at last unwatched. The smile disappeared from +her face, and an expression of deep sadness was stamped upon her +features. + +"Jane," said she, "pray thee shut the doors and draw the window +curtains, so that nobody can see me, nobody hear me, no one except +yourself, my friend, the companion of my happy childhood. Oh, my +God, my God, why was I so foolish as to leave my father's quiet, +lonely castle and go out into the world, which is so full of terror +and horror?" + +She sighed and groaned deeply; and burying her face in her hands, +she sank upon the ottoman, weeping and trembling. + +Lady Jane observed her with a peculiar smile of malicious +satisfaction. + +"She is queen and she weeps," said she to herself. "My God, how can +a woman possibly feel unhappy, and she a queen?" + +She approached Catharine, and, seating herself on the tabouret at +her feet, she impressed a fervent kiss on the queen's drooping hand. + +"Your majesty weeping!" said she, in her most insinuating tone. "My +God, you are then unhappy; and I received with a loud cry of joy the +news of my friend's unexpected good fortune. I thought to meet a +queen, proud, happy, and radiant with joy; and I was anxious and +fearful lest the queen might have ceased to be my friend. Wherefore +I urged my father, as soon as your command reached us, to leave +Dublin and hasten with me hither. Oh, my God! I wished to see you in +your happiness and in your greatness." + +Catharine removed her hands from her face, and looked down at her +friend with a sorrowful smile. "Well," said she, "are you not +satisfied with what you have seen? Have I not the whole day +displayed to you the smiling queen, worn a dress embroidered with +gold? did not my neck glitter with diamonds? did not the royal +diadem shine in my hair? and sat not the king by my side? Let that, +then, be sufficient for the present. You have seen the queen all day +long. Allow me now for one brief, happy moment to be again the +feeling, sensitive woman, who can pour into the bosom of her friend +all her complaint and her wretchedness. Ah, Jane, if you knew how I +have longed for this hour, how I have sighed after you as the only +balm for my poor smitten heart, smitten even to death, how I have +implored Heaven for this day, for this one thing--'Give me back my +Jane, so that she can weep with me, so that I may have one being at +my side who understands me, and does not allow herself to be imposed +upon by the wretched splendor of this outward display!'" + +"Poor Catharine!" whispered Lady Jane, "poor queen!" + +Catharine started and laid her hand, sparkling with brilliants, on +Jane's lips. "Call me not thus!" said she. "Queen! My God, is not +all the fearful past heard again in that word? Queen! Is it not as +much as to say, condemned to the scaffold and a public criminal +trial? Ah, Jane! a deadly tremor runs through my members. I am Henry +the Eighth's sixth queen; I shall also be executed, or, loaded with +disgrace, be repudiated." + +Again she hid her face in her hands, and her whole frame shook; so +she saw not the smile of malicious satisfaction with which Lady Jane +again observed her. She suspected not with what secret delight her +friend heard her lamentations and sighs. + +"Oh! I am at least revenged!" thought Jane, while she lovingly +stroked the queen's hair. "Yes, I am revenged! She has robbed me of +a crown, but she is wretched; and in the golden goblet which she +presses to her lips she will find nothing but wormwood! Now, if this +sixth queen dies not on the scaffold, still we may perhaps so work +it that she dies of anxiety, or deems it a pleasure to be able to +lay down again her royal crown at Henry's feet." + +Then said she aloud: "But why these fears, Catharine? The king loves +you; the whole court has seen with what tender and ardent looks he +has regarded you to-day, and with what delight he has listened to +your every word. Certainly the king loves you." + +Catharine seized her hand impulsively. "The king loves me," +whispered she, "and I, I tremble before him. Yes, more than that, +his love fills me with horror! His hands are dipped in blood, and as +I saw him to-day in his crimson robes I shuddered, and I thought, +How soon, and my blood, too, will dye this crimson!" + +Jane smiled. "You are sick, Catharine," said she. "This good fortune +has taken you by surprise, and your overstrained nerves now depict +before you all sorts of frightful forms. That is all." + +"No, no, Jane; these thoughts have ever been with me. They have +attended me ever since the king selected me for his wife." + +"And why, then, did you not refuse him?" asked Lady Jane. "Why did +you not say 'no' to the king's suit?" + +"Why did I not do it, ask you? Ah, Jane, are you such a stranger at +this court as not to know, then, that one must either fulfil the +king's behests or die? My God, they envy me! They call me the +greatest and most potent woman of England. They know not that I am +poorer and more powerless than the beggar of the street, who at +least has the power to refuse whom she will. I could not refuse. I +must either die or accept the royal hand which was extended to me; +and I would not die yet, I have still so many claims on life, and it +has hitherto made good so few of them! Ah, my poor, hapless +existence! what has it been, but an endless chain of renunciations +and deprivations, of leafless flowers and dissolving views? It is +true, I have never learned to know what is usually called +misfortune. But is there a greater misfortune than not to be happy; +than to sigh through a life without wish or hope; to wear away the +endless, weary days of an existence without delight, yet surrounded +with luxury and splendor?" + +"You were not unfortunate, and yet you are an orphan, fatherless and +motherless?" + +"I lost my mother so early that I scarcely knew her. And when my +father died I could hardly consider it other than a blessing, for he +had never shown himself a father, but always only as a harsh, +tyrannical master to me." + +"But you were married?" + +"Married!" said Catharine, with a melancholy smile. "That is to say, +my father sold me to a gouty old man, on whose couch I spent a few +comfortless, awfully wearisome years, till Lord Neville made me a +rich widow. But what did my independence avail me, when I had bound +myself in new fetters? Hitherto I had been the slave of my father, +of my husband; now I was the slave of my wealth. I ceased to be a +sick-nurse to become steward of my estate. Ah! this was the most +tedious period of my life. And yet I owe to it my only real +happiness, for at that period I became acquainted with you, my Jane, +and my heart, which had never yet learned to know a tenderer +feeling, flew to you with all the impetuosity of a first passion. +Believe me, my Jane, when this long-missing nephew of my husband +came and snatched away from me his hereditary estate, and, as the +lord, took possession of it, then the thought that I must leave you +and your father, the neighboring proprietor, was my only grief. Men +commiserated me on account of my lost property. I thanked God that +He had relieved me of this load, and I started for London, that I +might at last live and feel, that I might learn to know real +happiness or real misery." + +"And what did you find?" + +"Misery, Jane, for I am queen." + +"Is that your sole unhappiness?" + +"My only one, but it is great enough, for it condemns me to eternal +anxiety, to eternal dissimulation. It condemns me to feign a love +which I do not feel, to endure caresses which make me shudder, +because they are an inheritance from five unfortunate women. Jane, +Jane, do you comprehend what it is to be obliged to embrace a man +who has murdered three wives and put away two? to be obliged to kiss +this king whose lips open just as readily to utter vows of love as +sentences of death? Ah, Jane, I speak, I live, and still I suffer +all the agonies of death! They call me a queen, and yet I tremble +for my life every hour, and conceal my anxiety and fear beneath the +appearance of happiness! My God, I am five-and-twenty, and my heart +is still the heart of a child; it does not yet know itself, and now +it is doomed never to learn to know itself; for I am Henry's wife, +and to love another is, in other words, to wish to mount the +scaffold. The scaffold! Look, Jane. When the king approached me and +confessed his love and offered me his hand, suddenly there rose +before me a fearful picture. It was no more the king whom I saw +before me, but the hangman; and it seemed to me that I saw three +corpses lying at his feet, and with a loud scream I sank senseless +before him. When I revived, the king was holding me in his arms. The +shock of this unexpected good fortune, he thought, had made me +faint. He kissed me and called me his bride; he thought not for a +moment that I could refuse him. And I--despise me, Jane--I was such +a dastard, that I could not summon up courage for a downright +refusal. Yes, I was so craven also, as to be unwilling to die. Ah, +my God, it appeared to me that life at that moment beckoned to me +with thousands of joys, thousands of charms, which I had never +known, and for which my soul thirsted as for the manna in the +wilderness. I would live, live at any cost. I would gain myself a +respite, so that I might once more share happiness, love, and +enjoyment. Look, Jane, men call me ambitious. They say I have given +my hand to Henry because he is king. Ah, they know not how I +shuddered at this royal crown. They know not that in anguish of +heart I besought the king not to bestow his hand upon me, and +thereby rouse all the ladies of his kingdom as foes against me. They +know not that I confessed that I loved him, merely that I might be +able to add that I was ready, out of love to him, to sacrifice my +own happiness to his, and so conjured him to choose a consort worthy +of himself, from the hereditary princesses of Europe. [Footnote: "La +vie d'Elizabeth, Reine d'Angleterre, traduite de l'Italien de +Monsieur Gregoire Leti," vol. ii. Amsterdam, 1694] But Henry +rejected my sacrifice. He wished to make a queen, in order to +possess a wife, who may be his own property--whose blood, as her +lord and master, he can shed. So I am queen. I have accepted my lot, +and henceforth my existence will be a ceaseless struggle and +wrestling with death. I will at least sell my life as dearly as +possible; and the maxim which Cranmer has given me shall hereafter +be my guide on the thorny path of life." + +"And how runs this maxim?" asked Jane. + +"Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves," replied Catharine, with +a languid smile, as she dropped her head upon her breast and +surrendered herself to her painful and foreboding reflections. + +Lady Jane stood opposite to her, and gazed with cruel composure upon +the painfully convulsed countenance and at times violently trembling +form of the young queen for whom all England that day kept festival, +and who yet was sitting before her so wretched and full of sorrow. + +Suddenly Catharine raised her head. Her countenance had now assumed +an entirely different expression. It was now firm, resolute, and +dauntless. With a slight inclination of the head she extended her +hand to Lady Jane, and drew her friend more closely to her. + +"I thank you, Jane," said she, as she imprinted a kiss upon her +forehead--"I thank you! You have done my heart good and relieved it +of its oppressive load of secret anguish. He who can give his grief +utterance, is already half cured of it. I thank you, then, Jane! +Henceforth, you will find me calm and cheerful. The woman has wept +before you, but the queen is aware that she has a task to accomplish +as difficult as it is noble, and I give you my word for it, she will +accomplish it. The new light which has risen on the world shall no +more be dimmed by blood and tears, and no more in this unhappy land +shall men of sense and piety be condemned as insurgents and +traitors! This is the task which God has set me, and I swear that I +will accomplish it! Will you help me in this, too, Jane?" + +Lady Jane responded faintly in a few words, which Catharine did not +understand, and as she looked up to her, she noticed, with +astonishment, the corpse-like pallor which had suddenly overspread +the countenance of her maid of honor. + +Catharine gave a start, and fixed on her face a surprised and +searching look. + +Lady Jane cast down her eyes before that searching and flashing +glance. Her fanaticism had for the moment got the better of her, and +much as she was wont at other times to hide her thoughts and +feelings, it had, at that moment, carried her away and betrayed her +to the keen eye of her friend. + +"It is now a long while since we saw each other," said Catharine, +sadly. "Three years! It is a long time for a young girl's heart! And +you were those three years with your father in Dublin, at that +rigidly popish court. I did not consider that! But however much your +opinions may have changed, your heart, I know, still remains the +same, and you will ever be the proud, high-minded Jane of former +days, who could never stoop to tell a lie--no, not even if this lie +would procure her profit and glory. I ask you then, Jane, what is +your religion? Do you believe in the Pope of Rome, and the Church of +Rome as the only channel of salvation? or do you follow the new +teaching which Luther and Calvin have promulgated?" + +Lady Jane smiled. "Would I have risked appearing before you, if I +still reckoned myself of the Roman Catholic Church? Catharine Parr +is hailed by the Protestants of England as the new patroness of the +persecuted doctrine, and already the Romish priests hurl their +anathemas against you, and execrate you and your dangerous presence +here. And you ask me, whether I am an adherent of that church which +maligns and damns you? You ask me whether I believe in the pope, who +has laid the king under an interdict--the king, who is not only my +lord and master, but also the husband of my precious and noble +Catharine? Oh, queen, you love me not when you can address such a +question to me." + +And as if overcome by painful emotion, Lady Jane sank down at +Catharine's feet, and hid her head in the folds of the queen's robe. + +Catharine bent down to raise her and take her to her heart. Suddenly +she started, and a deathly paleness overspread her face. "The king," +whispered she, "the king is coming!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. + + +Catharine was not deceived. The doors were opened, and on the +threshold appeared the lord marshal, with his golden mace. + +"His majesty the king!" whispered he, in his grave, solemn manner, +which filled Catharine with secret dread, as though he were +pronouncing the sentence of death over her. + +But she forced a smile and advanced to the door to receive the king. +Now was heard a thunder-like rumble, and over the smoothly carpeted +floor of the anteroom came rolling on the king's house equipage. +This house equipage consisted of a large chair, resting on castors, +which was moved by men in the place of horses, and to which they +had, with artful flattery, given the form of a triumphal car of the +old victorious Roman Caesars, in order to afford the king, as he +rolled through the halls, the pleasant illusion that he was holding +a triumphal procession, and that it was not the burden of his heavy +limbs which fastened him to his imperial car. King Henry gave ready +credence to the flattery of his truckle-chair and his courtiers, and +as he rolled along in it through the saloons glittering with gold, +and through halls adorned with Venetian mirrors, which reflected his +form a thousandfold, he liked to lull himself into the dream of +being a triumphing hero, and wholly forgot that it was not his +deeds, but his fat, that had helped him to his triumphal car. + +For that monstrous mass which filled up the colossal chair, that +mountain of purple-clad flesh, that clumsy, almost shapeless mass, +that was Henry the Eighth, king of merry England. But thae mass had +a head--a head full of dark and wrathful thoughts, a heart full of +bloodthirsty and cruel lusts. The colossal body was indeed, by its +physical weight, fastened to the chair. Yet his mind never rested, +but he hovered, with the talons and flashing eye of the bird of +prey, over his people, ever ready to pounce upon some innocent dove, +to drink her blood, and tear out her heart, that he might lay it, +all palpitating, as an offering on the altar of his sanguinary god. + +The king's sedan now stopped, and Catharine hastened forward with +smiling face, to assist her royal husband in alighting. + +Henry greeted her with a gracious nod, and rejected the proffered +aid of the attendant pages. + +"Away," said he, "away! My Catharine alone shall extend me her hand, +and give me a welcome to the bridal chamber. Go, we feel to-day as +young and strong as in our best and happiest days, and the young +queen shall see that it is no decrepit graybeard, tottering with +age, who woos her, but a strong man rejuvenated by love. Think not, +Kate, that I use my car because of weakness. No, it was only my +longing for you which made me wish to be with you the sooner." + +He kissed her with a smile, and, lightly leaning on her arm, +alighted from his car. + +"Away with the equipage, and with all of you!" said he. "We wish to +be alone with this beautiful young wife, whom the lord bishops have +to-day made our own." + +At a signal from his hand, the brilliant cortege withdrew, and +Catharine was alone with the king. + +Her heart beat so wildly that it made her lips tremble, and her +bosom swell high. + +Henry saw it, and smiled; but it was a cold, cruel smile, and +Catharine grew pale before it. + +"He has only the smile of a tyrant," said she to herself. "With this +same smile, by which he would now give expression to his love, he +yesterday, perhaps, signed a death-warrant, or will, to-morrow, +witness an execution." + +"Do you love me, Kate?" suddenly said the king, who had till now +observed her in silence and thoughtfulness. "Say, Kate, do you love +me?" + +He looked steadily into her eyes, as though he would read her soul +to the very bottom. + +Catharine sustained his look, and did not drop her eyes. She felt +that this was the decisive moment which determined her whole future; +and this conviction restored to her all her self-possession and +energy. + +She was now no longer the shy, timid girl, but the resolute, proud +woman, who was ready to wrestle with fate for greatness and glory. + +"Do you love me, Kate?" repeated the king; and his brow already +began to darken. + +"I know not," said Catharine, with a smile, which enchanted the +king, for there was quite as much graceful coquetry as bashfulness +on her charming face. + +"You know not?" replied Henry, astonished. "Now, by the Mother of +God, it is the first time in my life that a woman has ever been bold +enough to return me such an answer! You are a bold woman, Kate, to +hazard it, and I praise you for it. I love bravery, because it is +something I so rarely see. They all tremble before me, Kate--all! +They know that I am not intimidated by blood, and in the might of my +royalty I subscribe a death-warrant with the same calmness of soul +as a love-letter." + +"Oh, you are a great king," murmured Catharine. Henry did not notice +her. He was wholly buried in one of those self-contemplations to +which he so willingly surrendered himself, and which generally had +for their subject his own greatness and superbility. + +"Yes," continued he, and his eyes, which, in spite of his corpulency +and his extremely fleshy face, were yet large and wide open, shone +more brightly. "Yes, they all tremble before me, for they know that +I am a righteous and powerful king, who spares not his own blood, if +it is necessary to punish and expiate crime, and with inexorable +hand punishes the sinner, though he were the nearest to the throne. +Take heed to yourself, therefore, Kate, take heed to yourself. You +behold in me the avenger of God, and the judge of men. The king +wears the crimson, not because it is beautiful and glossy, but +because it is red like blood, and because it is the king's highest +prerogative to shed the blood of his delinquent subjects, and +thereby expiate human crime. Thus only do I conceive of royalty, and +thus only will I carry it out till the end of my days. Not the right +to pardon, but the right to punish, is that whereby the ruler +manifests himself before the lower classes of mankind. God's thunder +should be on his lips, and the king's wrath should descend like +lightning on the head of the guilty." + +"But God is not only wrathful, but also merciful and forgiving," +said Catharine, as she lightly and shyly leaned her head on the +king's shoulder. + +"Just that is the prerogative of God above kings; that He can, as it +pleases Him, show mercy and grace, where we can only condemn and +punish. There must be something in which God is superior to kings, +and greater than they. But how, Kate, you tremble, and the lovely +smile has vanished from your countenance! Be not afraid of me, Kate! +Be always frank with me, and without deceit; then I shall always +love you, and iniquity will then have no power over you. And now, +Kate, tell me, and explain to me. You do not know that you love me?" + +"No, I do not know, your majesty. And how should I be able to +recognize, and know, and designate by name what is strange to me, +and what I have never before felt?" + +"How, you have never loved, Kate?" asked the king with a joyful +expression. + +"Never. My father maltreated me, so that I could feel for him +nothing but dread and terror." + +"And your husband, child? That man who was my predecessor in the +possession of you. Did you not love your husband either?" + +"My husband?" asked she abstractedly. "It is true, my father sold me +to Lord Neville, and as the priest had joined our hands, men called +him my husband. But he very well knew that I did not love him, nor +did he require my love. He needed a nurse, not a wife. He had given +me his name as a father gives his to a daughter; and I was his +daughter, a true, faithful, and obedient daughter, who joyfully +fulfilled her duty and tended him till his death." + +"And after his death, child? Years have elapsed since then, Kate. +Tell me, and I conjure you, tell me the truth, the simple, plain +truth! After the death of your husband, then even, did you never +love?" + +He gazed with visible anxiety, with breathless expectation, deep +into her eyes; but she did not drop them. + +"Sire," said she, with a charming smile, "till a few weeks past, I +have often mourned over myself; and it seemed to me that I must, in +the desperation of my singular and cold nature, lay open my breast, +in order to search there for the heart, which, senseless and cold, +had never betrayed its existence by its stronger beating. Oh, sire, +I was full of trouble about myself; and in my foolish rashness, I +accused Heaven of having robbed me of the noblest feeling and the +fairest privilege of any woman--the capacity of loving." + +"Till the past few weeks, did you say, Kate?" asked the king, +breathless with emotion. + +"Yes, sire, until the day on which you, for the first time, +graciously afforded me the happiness of speaking with me." + +The king uttered a low cry, and drew Catharine, with impetuous +vehemence, into his arms. + +"And since, tell me now, you dear little dove, since then, does your +heart throb?" + +"Yes, sire, it throbs, oh, it often throbs to bursting! When I hear +your voice, when I behold your countenance, it is as if a cold +tremor rilled through my whole being, and drove all my blood to the +heart. It is as though my heart anticipated your approach before my +eyes discern you. For even before you draw near me, I feel a +peculiar trembling of the heart, and the breath is stifled in my +bosom; then I always know that you are coming, and that your +presence will relieve this peculiar tension of my being. When you +are not by me I think of you, and when I sleep I dream of you. Tell +me, sire, you who know every thing, tell me, know you now whether I +love you?" + +"Yes, yes, you love me," cried Henry, to whom this strange and +joyous surprise had imparted youthful vivacity and warmth. "Yes, +Kate, you love me; and if I may trust your dear confession, I am +your first love. Repeat it yet again; you were nothing but a +daughter to Lord Neville?" + +"Nothing more, sire!" + +"And after him have you had no love?" + +"None, sire!" + +"And can it be that so happy a marvel has come to pass? and that I +have made, not a widow, but a young maiden, my queen?" + +As he now gazed at her with warm, passionate, tender looks, +Catharine cast down her eyes, and a deep blush covered her sweet +face. + +"Ah, a woman's bashful blushes, what an exquisite sight!" cried the +king, and while he wildly pressed Catharine to his bosom, he +continued: "Oh, are we not foolish and short-sighted men, all of us, +yes, even we kings? In order that I might not be, perhaps, forced to +send my sixth wife also to the scaffold, I chose, in trembling dread +of the deceitfulness of your sex, a widow for my queen, and this +widow with a blessed confession, mocks at the new law of the wise +Parliament, and makes good to me what she never promised." +[Footnote: After Catharine Howard's infidelity and incontinency had +been proved, and she had atoned for them by her death, Parliament +enacted a law "that if the king or his successors should intend to +marry any woman whom they took to be a clean and pure maid--if she, +not being so, did not declare the same to the king, it should be +high treason: and all who knew it; and did not reveal it, were +guilty of misprision of treason."--"Burnet's History of the +Reformation of the Church of England." London, 1681 (vol. i, p. +313)] + +"Come, Kate, give me a kiss. You have opened before me to-day a +happy, blissful future, and prepared for me a great and unexpected +pleasure. I thank you for it, Kate, and the Mother of God be my +witness, I will never forget it." + +And drawing a rich diamond ring from his own finger, and putting it +upon Catharine's, he continued: "Be this ring a remembrancer of this +hour, and when you hereafter present it to me, with a request, I +will grant that request, Kate!" + +He kissed her forehead, and was about to press her more closely in +his arms, when suddenly from without was heard the dull roll of +drums, and the ringing of bells. + +The king started a moment and released Catharine from his arms. He +listened; the roll of drums continued, and now and then was heard in +the distance, that peculiar thundering and yet sullen sound, which +so much resembles the roar and rush of the sea, and which can be +produced only by a large and excited mob. + +The king, with a fierce curse, pushed open the glass door leading to +the balcony, and walked out. + +Catharine gazed after him with a strange, half-timid, half-scornful +look. "I have not at least told him that I love him," muttered she. +"He has construed my words as it suited his vanity. No matter. I +will not die on the scaffold!" + +With a resolute step, and firm, energetic air, she followed the king +to the balcony. The roll of drums was kept up, and from all the +steeples the bells were pealing. The night was dark and calm. All +London seemed to slumber, and the dark houses around about stood up +out of the universal darkness like huge coffins. + +Suddenly the horizon began to grow bright, and on the sky appeared a +streak of fiery red, which, blazing up higher and higher, soon +illuminated the entire horizon with a crimson glow, and even shed +its glaring fiery beams over the balcony on which stood the royal +pair. Still the bells clanged and clamored; and blended with their +peals was heard now and then, in the distance, a piercing shriek and +a clamor as of thousands and thousands of confusedly mingled voices. + +Suddenly the king turned to Catharine, and his countenance, which +was just then overspread by the fire-light as with a blood-red veil, +had now assumed an expression of savage, demoniacal delight. + +"Ah," said he, "I know what it is. You had wholly bewildered me, and +stolen away my attention, you little enchantress. I had for a moment +ceased to be a king, because I wished to be entirely your lover. But +now I bethink me again of my avenging sovereignty! It is the fagot- +piles about the stake which flame so merrily yonder. And that +yelling and clamor indicate that my merry people are enjoying with +all their soul the comedy which I have had played before them to- +day, for the honor of God, and my unimpeachable royal dignity." + +"The stake!" cried Catharine, trembling. "Your majesty does not mean +thereby to say that right yonder, men are to die a cruel, painful +death--that the same hour in which their king pronounces himself +happy and content, some of his subjects are to be condemned to +dreadful torture, to a horrible destruction! Oh, no! my king will +not overcloud his queen's wedding-day with so dark a veil of death. +He will not wish to dim my happiness so cruelly." + +The king laughed. "No, I will not darken it, but light it up with +bright names," said he; and as, with outstretched arm, he pointed +over to the glaring heavens, he continued: "There are our wedding- +torches, my Kate, and the most sacred and beautiful which I could +find, for they burn to the honor of God and of the king. [Footnote: +"Life of King Henry the Eighth, founded on Authentic and Original +Documents." By Patrick Fraser Tytler. (Edinburgh, 1887, p. 440.)] +And the heavenward flaring flames which carries up the souls of the +heretics will give to my God joyous intelligence of His most +faithful and obedient son, who, even on the day of his happiness, +forgets not his kingly duty, but ever remains the avenging and +destroying minister of his God." + +He looked frightful as he thus spoke. His countenance, lit up by the +fire, had a fierce, threatening expression; his eyes blazed; and a +cold, cruel smile played about his thin, firmly-pressed lips. + +"Oh, he knows no pity!" murmured Catharine to herself, as in a +paroxysm of anguish she stared at the king, who, in fanatical +enthusiasm, was looking over toward the fire, into which, at his +command, they were perhaps hurling to a cruel, torturing death, some +poor wretch, to the honor of God and the king. "No, he knows no pity +and no mercy." + +Now Henry turned to her, and laying his extended hand softly on the +back of her slender neck, he spanned it with his fingers, and +whispered in her ear tender words and vows of love. + +Catharine trembled. This caress of the king, however harmless in +itself, had in it for her something dismal and dreadful. It was the +involuntary, instinctive touch of the headsman, who examines the +neck of his victim, and searches on it for the place where he will +make the stroke. Thus had Anne Boleyn once put her tender white +hands about her slender neck, and said to the headsman, brought over +from Calais specially for her execution: "I pray you strike me well +and surely! I have, indeed, but a slim little neck." [Footnote: +Tytler, p. 382] Thus had the king clutched his hand about the neck +of Catharine Howard, his fifth wife when certain of her infidelity, +he had thrust her from himself with fierce execrations, when she +would have clung to him. The dark marks of that grip were still +visible upon her neck when she laid it on the block. [Footnote: +Leti, vol. i, p. 193] + +And this dreadful twining of his fingers Catharine must now endure +as a caress; at which she must smile, which she must receive with +all the appearance of delight. + +While he spanned her neck, he whispered in her ear words of +tenderness, and bent his face close to her cheeks. + +But Catharine heeded not his passionate whispers. She saw nothing +save the blood-red handwriting of fire upon the sky. She heard +nothing save the shrieks of the wretched victims. + +"Mercy, mercy!" faltered she. "Oh, let this day be a day of +festivity for all your subjects! Be merciful, and if you would have +me really believe that you love me, grant this first request which I +make of you. Grant me the lives of these wretched ones. Mercy, sire, +mercy!" + +And as if the queen's supplication had found an echo, suddenly was +heard from the chamber a wailing, despairing voice, repeating loudly +and in tones of anguish: "Mercy, your majesty, mercy!" The king +turned round impetuously, and his face assumed a dark, wrathful +expression. He fastened his searching eyes on Catharine, as though +he would read in her looks whether she knew who had dared to +interrupt their conversation. + +But Catharine's countenance expressed unconcealed astonishment. +"Mercy, mercy!" repeated the voice from the interior of the chamber. + +The king uttered an angry exclamation, and hastily withdrew from the +balcony. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +KING BY THE WRATH OF GOD. + + +"Who dares interrupt us?" cried the king, as with headlong step he +returned to the chamber--"who dares speak of mercy?" + +"I dare!" said a young lady, who, pale, with distorted features, in +frightful agitation, now hastened to the king and prostrated herself +before him. "Anne Askew!" cried Catharine, amazed. "Anne, what want +you here?" + +"I want mercy, mercy for those wretched ones, who are suffering +yonder," cried the young maiden, pointing with an expression of +horror to the reddened sky. "I want mercy for the king himself, who +is so cruel as to send the noblest and the best of his subjects to +the slaughter like miserable brutes!" + +"Oh, sire, have compassion on this poor child!" besought Catharine, +turning to Henry, "compassion on her impassioned excitement and her +youthful ardor! She is as yet unaccustomed to these frightful +scenes--she knows not yet that it is the sad duty of kings to be +constrained to punish, where they might prefer to pardon!" + +Henry smiled; but the look which he cast on the kneeling girl made +Catharine tremble. There was a death-warrant in that look! + +"Anne Askew, if I mistake not, is your second maid of honor?" asked +the king; "and it was at your express wish that she received that +place?" + +"Yes sire." + +"You knew her, then?" + +"No, sire! I saw her a few days ago for the first time. But she had +already won my heart at our first meeting, and I feel that I shall +love her. Exercise forbearance, then, your majesty!" + +But the king was still thoughtful, and Catharine's answers did not +yet satisfy him. + +"Why, then, do you interest yourself for this young lady, if you did +not know her?" + +"She has been so warmly recommended to me." + +"By whom?" + +Catharine hesitated a moment; she felt that she had, perhaps, in her +zeal, gone too far, and that it was imprudent to tell the king the +truth. But the king's keen, penetrating look was resting on her, and +she recollected that he had, the first thing that evening, so +urgently and solemnly conjured her to always tell him the truth. +Besides, it was no secret at court who the protector of this young +maiden was, and who had been the means of her obtaining the place of +maid of honor to the queen, a place which so many wealthy and +distinguished families had solicited for their daughters. + +"Who recommended this lady to you?" repeated the king, and already +his ill-humor began to redden his face, and make his voice tremble. + +"Archbishop Cranmer did so, sire," said Catharine as she raised her +eyes to the king, and looked at him with a smile surpassingly +charming. + +At that moment was heard without, more loudly, the roll of drums, +which nevertheless was partially drowned by piercing shrieks and +horrible cries of distress. The blaze of the fire shot up higher, +and now was seen the bright flame, which with murderous rage licked +the sky above. + +Anne Askew, who had kept respectful silence during the conversation +of the royal pair, now felt herself completely overcome by this +horrible sight, and bereft of the last remnant of self-possession. + +"My God, my God!" said she, quivering from the internal tremor, and +stretching her hands beseechingly toward the king, "do you not hear +that frightful wail of the wretched? Sire, by the thought of your +own dying hour, I conjure you have compassion on these miserable +beings! Let them not, at least, be thrown alive into the flames. +Spare them this last frightful torture." + +King Henry cast a wrathful look on the kneeling girl; then strode +past her to the door, which led into the adjoining hall, in which +the courtiers were waiting for their king. + +He beckoned to the two bishops, Cranmer and Gardiner, to come +nearer, and ordered the servants to throw the hall doors wide open. + +The scene now afforded an animated and singular spectacle, and this +chamber, just before so quiet, was suddenly changed to the theatre +of a great drama, which was perhaps to end tragically. In the +queen's bedchamber, a small room, but furnished with the utmost +luxury and splendor, the principal characters of this scene were +congregated. In the middle of the space stood the king in his robes, +embroidered with gold and sparkling with jewels, which were +irradiated by the bright light of the chandelier. Near him was seen +the young queen, whose beautiful and lovely face was turned in +anxious expectation toward the king, in whose stern and rigid +features she sought to read the development of this scene. + +Not far from her still knelt the young maiden, hiding in her hands +her face drenched in tears; while farther away, in the background, +were the two bishops observing with grave, cool tranquillity the +group before them. Through the open hall doors were descried the +expectant and curious countenances of the courtiers standing with +their heads crowded close together in the space before the doors; +and opposite to them, through the open door leading to the balcony, +was seen the fiery, blazing sky, and heard the clanging of the bells +and the rolling of the drama, the piercing shrieks and the yells of +the people. + +A deep silence ensued, and when the king spoke, the tone of his +voice was so hard and cold, that an involuntary shudder ran through +all present. + +"My Lord Bishops of Winchester and Canterbury," said the king. "we +have called you that you may, by the might of your prayers and the +wisdom of your words, rid this young girl here from the devil, who, +without doubt, has the mastery over her, since she dares charge her +king and master with cruelty and injustice." + +The two bishops drew nearer to the kneeling girl; each laid a hand +upon her shoulder, and bent over her, but the one with an expression +of countenance wholly different from that of the other. + +Cranmer's look was gentle and serious, and at the same time a +compassionate and encouraging smile played about his thin lips. + +Gardiner's features on the contrary bore the expression of cruel, +cold-hearted irony; and the smile which rested on his thick, +protruding lips was the joyful and merciless smile of a priest ready +to sacrifice a victim to his idol. + +"Courage, my daughter, courage and prudence!" whispered Cranmer. + +"God, who blesses the righteous and punishes and destroys sinners, +be with thee and with us all!" said Gardiner. + +But Anne Askew recoiled with a shudder from the touch of his hand, +and with an impetuous movement pushed it away from her shoulder. + +"Touch me not; you are the hangman of those poor people whom they +are putting to death down yonder," said she impetuously; and as she +turned to the king and extended her hands imploringly toward him, +she cried: + +"Mercy, King Henry, mercy!" + +"Mercy!" repeated the king, "mercy, and for whom? Who are they that +they are putting to death down there? Tell me, forsooth, my lord +bishops, who are they that are led to the stake to-day? Who are the +condemned?" + +"They are heretics, who devote themselves to this new false doctrine +which has come over to us from Germany, and who dare refuse to +recognize the spiritual supremacy of our lord and king," said Bishop +Gardiner. + +"They are Roman Catholics, who regard the Pope of Rome as the chief +shepherd of the Church of Christ, and will regard nobody but him as +their lord," said Bishop Cranmer. + +"Ah, behold this young maiden accuses us of injustice," cried the +king; "and yet, you say that not heretics alone are executed down +there, but also Romanists. It appears to me then that we have justly +and impartially, as always, punished only criminals and given over +the guilty to justice." + +"Oh, had you seen what I have seen," said Anne Askew, shuddering," +then would you collect all your vital energies for a single cry, for +a single word--mercy! and that word would you shout out loud enough +to reach yon frightful place of torture and horror." + +"What saw you, then?" asked the king, smiling. Anne Askew had stood +up, and her tall, slender form now lifted itself, like a lily, +between the sombre forms of the bishops. Her eye was fixed and +glaring; her noble and delicate features bore the expression of +horror and dread. + +"I saw," said she, "a woman whom they were leading to execution. Not +a criminal, but a noble lady, whose proud and lofty heart never +harbored a thought of treason or disloyalty, but who, true to her +faith and her convictions, would not forswear the God whom she +served. As she passed through the crowd, it seemed as if a halo +encompassed her head, and covered her white hair with silvery rays; +all bowed before her, and the hardest natures wept over the +unfortunate woman who had lived more than seventy years, and yet was +not allowed to die in her bed, but was to be slaughtered to the +glory of God and of the king. But she smiled, and graciously +saluting the weeping and sobbing multitude, she advanced to the +scaffold as if she were ascending a throne to receive the homage of +her people. Two years of imprisonment had blanched her cheek, but +had not been able to destroy the fire of her eye, or the strength of +her mind, and seventy years had not bowed her neck or broken her +spirit. Proud and firm, she mounted the steps of the scaffold, and +once more saluted the people and cried aloud, 'I will pray to God +for you.' But as the headsman approached and demanded that she +should allow her hands to be bound, and that she should kneel in +order to lay her head upon the block, she refused, and angrily +pushed him away. 'Only traitors and criminals lay their head on the +block!' exclaimed she, with a loud, thundering voice. 'There is no +occasion for me to do so, and I will not submit to your bloody laws +as long as there is a breath in me. Take, then, my life, if you +can.' + +"And now began a scene which filled the hearts of the lookers-on +with fear and horror. The countess flew like a hunted beast round +and round the scaffold. Her white hair streamed in the wind; her +black grave-clothes rustled around her like a dark cloud, and behind +her, with uplifted axe, came the headsman, in his fiery red dress; +he, ever endeavoring to strike her with the falling axe, but she, +ever trying, by moving her head to and fro, to evade the descending +stroke. But at length her resistance became weaker; the blows of the +axe reached her, and stained her white hair, hanging loose about her +shoulders, with crimson streaks. With a heart-rending cry, she fell +fainting. Near her, exhausted also, sank down the headsman, bathed +in sweat. This horrible wild chase had lamed his arm and broken his +strength. Panting and breathless, he was not able to drag this +fainting, bleeding woman to the block, or to lift up the axe to +separate her noble head from the body. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 430] +The crowd shrieked with distress and horror, imploring and begging +for mercy, and even the lord chief justice could not refrain from +tears, and he ordered the cruel work to be suspended until the +countess and the headsman should have regained strength; for a +living, not a dying person was to be executed: thus said the law. +They made a pallet for the countess on the scaffold and endeavored +to restore her; invigorating wine was supplied to the headsman, to +renew his strength for the work of death; and the crowd turned to +the stakes which were prepared on both sides of the scaffold, and at +which four other martyrs were to be burnt. But I flew here like a +hunted doe, and now, king, I lie at your feet. There is still time. +Pardon, king, pardon for the Countess of Somerset, the last of the +Plantagenets." + +"Pardon, sire, pardon!" repeated Catharine Parr, weeping and +trembling, as she clung to her husband's side. "Pardon!" repeated +Archbishop Cranmer; and a few of the courtiers re-echoed it in a +timid and anxious whisper. + +The king's large, brilliant eyes glanced around the whole assembly, +with a quick, penetrating look. "And you, my Lord Bishop Gardiner," +asked he, in a cold, sarcastic tone, "will you also ask for mercy, +like all these weak-hearted souls here?" + +"The Lord our God is a jealous God," said Gardiner, solemnly, "and +it is written that God will punish the sinner unto the third and +fourth generation." + +"And what is written shall stand true!" exclaimed the king, in a +voice of thunder. "No mercy for evil-doers, no pity for criminals. +The axe must fall upon the head of the guilty, the flames shall +consume the bodies of criminals." + +"Sire, think of your high vocation!" exclaimed Anne Askew, in a tone +of enthusiasm. "Reflect what a glorious name you have assumed to +yourself in this land. You call yourself the head of the Church, and +you want to rule and govern upon earth in God's stead. Exercise +mercy, then, for you entitle yourself king by the grace of God." + +"No, I do not call myself king by God's grace; I call myself king by +God's wrath!" exclaimed Henry, as he raised his arm menacingly. "It +is my duty to send sinners to God; may He have mercy on them there +above, if He will! I am the punishing judge, and I judge +mercilessly, according to the law, without compassion. Let those +whom I have condemned appeal to God, and may He have mercy upon +them. I cannot do it, nor will I. Kings are here to punish, and they +are like to God, not in His love, but in His avenging wrath." + +"Woe, then, woe to you and to all of us!" exclaimed Anne Askew. "Woe +to you, King Henry, if what you now say is the truth! Then are they +right, those men who are bound to yonder stakes, when they brand you +with the name of tyrant; then is the Bishop of Rome right when he +upbraids you as an apostate and degenerate son, and hurls his +anathemas against you! Then you know not God, who is love and mercy; +then you are no disciple of the Saviour, who has said, 'Love your +enemies, bless them that curse you.' Woe to you, King Henry, if +matters are really so bad with you; if--" + +"Silence, unhappy woman, silence!" exclaimed Catharine; and as she +vehemently pushed away the furious girl she grasped the king's hand, +and pressed it to her lips. "Sire," whispered she, with intense +earnestness, "Sire, you told me just now that you loved me. Prove it +by pardoning this maiden, and having consideration for her +impassioned excitement. Prove it by allowing me to lead Anne Askew +to her room and enjoin silence upon her." + +But at this moment the king was wholly inaccessible to any other +feelings than those of anger and delight in blood. + +He indignantly repelled Catharine, and without moving his sharp, +penetrating look from the young maiden, he said in a quick, hollow +tone: "Let her alone; let her speak; let no one dare to interrupt +her!" + +Catharine, trembling with anxiety and inwardly hurt at the harsh +manner of the king, retired with a sigh to the embrasure of one of +the windows. + +Anne Askew had not noticed what was going on about her. She remained +in that state of exaltation which cares for no consequences and +which trembles before no danger. She would at this moment have gone +to the stake with cheerful alacrity, and she almost longed for this +blessed martyrdom. + +"Speak, Anne Askew, speak!" commanded the king. "Tell me, do you +know what the countess, for whose pardon you are beseeching me, has +done? Know you why those four men were sent to the stake?" + +"I do know, King Henry, by the wrath of God," said the maiden, with +burning passionateness. "I know why you have sent the noble countess +to the slaughter-house, and why you will exercise no mercy toward +her. She is of noble, of royal blood, and Cardinal Pole is her son. +You would punish the son through the mother, and because you cannot +throttle the cardinal, you murder his mother." + +"Oh, you are a very knowing child!" cried the king, with an inhuman, +ironical laugh. "You know my most secret thoughts and my most hidden +feelings. Without doubt you are a good papist, since the death of +the popish countess fills you with such heart-rending grief. Then +you must confess, at the least, that it is right to burn the four +heretics!" + +"Heretics!" exclaimed Anne, enthusiastically, "call you heretics +those noble men who go gladly and boldly to death for their +convictions and their faith? King Henry! King Henry! Woe to you if +these men are condemned as heretics! They alone are the faithful, +they are the true servants of God. They have freed themselves from +human supremacy, and as you would not recognize the pope, so they +will not recognize you as head of the Church! God alone, they say, +is Lord of the Church and Master of their consciences, and who can +be presumptuous enough to call them criminals?" + +"I!" exclaimed Henry the Eighth, in a powerful tone. "I dare do it. +I say that they are heretics, and that I will destroy them, will +tread them all beneath my feet, all of them, all who think as they +do! I say that I will shed the blood of these criminals, and prepare +for them torments at which human nature will shudder and quake. God +will manifest Himself by me in fire and blood! He has put the sword +into my hand, and I will wield it for His glory. Like St. George, I +will tread the dragon of heresy beneath my feet!" + +And haughtily raising his crimsoned face and rolling his great +bloodshot eyes wildly around the circle, he continued: "Hear this +all of you who are here assembled; no mercy for heretics, no pardon +for papists. It is I, I alone, whom the Lord our God has chosen and +blessed as His hangman and executioner! I am the high-priest of His +Church, and he who dares deny me, denies God; and he who is so +presumptuous as to do reverence to any other head of the Church, is +a priest of Baal and kneels to an idolatrous image. Kneel down all +of you before me, and reverence in me God, whose earthly +representative I am, and who reveals Himself through me in His +fearful and exalted majesty. Kneel down, for I am sole head of the +Church and high-priest of our God!" + +And as if at one blow all knees bent; all those haughty cavaliers, +those ladies sparkling with jewels and gold, even the two bishops +and the queen fell upon the ground. + +The king gazed for a moment on this sight, and, with radiant looks +and a smile of triumph, his eyes ran over this assembly, consisting +of the noblest of his kingdom, humbled before him. + +Suddenly they were fastened on Anne Askew. + +She alone had not bent her knee, but stood in the midst of the +kneelers, proud and upright as the king himself. A dark cloud passed +over the king's countenance. + +"You obey not my command?" asked he. + +She shook her curly head and fixed on him a steady, piercing look. +"No," said she, "like those over yonder whose last death-groan we +even now hear, like them, I say: To God alone is honor due, and He +alone is Lord of His Church! If you wish me to bend my knee before +you as my king, I will do it, but I bow not to you as the head of +the holy Church! + +A murmur of surprise flew through the assembly, and every eye was +turned with fear and amazement on this bold young girl, who +confronted the king with a countenance smiling and glowing with +enthusiasm. + +At a sign from Henry the kneelers arose and awaited in breathless +silence the terrible scene that was coming. + +A pause ensued. King Henry himself was struggling for breath, and +needed a moment to collect himself. + +Not as though wrath and passion had deprived him of speech. He was +neither wrathful nor passionate, and it was only joy that obstructed +his breathing--the joy of having again found a victim with which he +might satisfy his desire for blood, on whose agony he might feast +his eyes, whose dying sigh he might greedily inhale. + +The king was never more cheerful than when he had signed a death- +warrant. For then he was in full enjoyment of his greatness as lord +over the lives and deaths of millions of other men, and this feeling +made him proud and happy, and fully conscious of his exalted +position. + +Hence, as he now turned to Anne Askew, his countenance was calm and +serene, and his voice friendly, almost tender. + +"Anne Askew," said he, "do you know that the words vou have now +spoken make you guilty of high treason?" + +"I know it, sire." + +"And you know what punishment awaits traitors?" + +"Death, I know it." + +"Death by fire!" said the king with perfect calmness and composure. +A hollow murmur ran through the assembly. Only one voice dared give +utterance to the word mercy. + +It was Catharine, the king's consort, who spoke this one word. She +stepped forward, and was about to rush to the king and once more +implore his mercy and pity. But she felt herself gently held back. +Archbishop Cranmer stood near her, regarding her with a serious and +beseeching look. + +"Compose yourself, compose yourself," murmured he. "You cannot save +her; she is lost. Think of yourself, and of the pure and holy +religion whose protectress you are. Preserve yourself for your +Church and your companions in the faith!" + +"And must she die?" asked Catharine, whose eyes filled with tears as +she looked toward the poor young child, who was confronting the king +with such a beautiful and innocent smile. + +"Perhaps we may still save her, but this is not the moment for it. +Any opposition now would only irritate the king the more, and he +might cause the girl to be instantly thrown into the flames of the +fires still burning yonder! So let us be silent." + +"Yes, silence," murmured Catharine, with a shudder, as she withdrew +again to the embrasure of the window. + +"Death by fire awaits you, Anne Askew!" repeated the king. "No mercy +for the traitress who vilifies and scoffs at her king!" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE RIVALS. + + +At the very moment when the king was pronouncing, in a voice almost +exultant, Anne Askew's sentence of death, one of the king's +cavaliers appeared on the threshold of the royal chamber and +advanced toward the king. + +He was a young man of noble and imposing appearance, whose lofty +bearing contrasted strangely with the humble and submissive attitude +of the rest of the courtiers. His tall, slim form was clad in a coat +of mail glittering with gold; over his shoulders hung a velvet +mantle decorated with a princely crown; and his head, covered with +dark ringlets, was adorned with a cap embroidered with gold, from +which a long white ostrich-feather drooped to his shoulder. His oval +face presented the full type of aristocratic beauty; his cheeks were +of a clear, transparent paleness; about his slightly pouting mouth +played a smile, half contemptuous and half languid; the high, arched +brow and delicately chiselled aquiline nose gave to his face an +expression at once bold and thoughtful. The eyes alone were not in +harmony with his face; they were neither languid like the mouth, nor +pensive like the brow. All the fire and all the bold and wanton +passion of youth shot from those dark, flashing eyes. When he looked +down, he might have been taken for a completely worn-out, +misanthropic aristocrat; but when he raised those ever-flashing and +sparkling eyes, then was seen the young man full of dashing courage +and ambitious desires, of passionate warmth and measureless pride. + +He approached the king, as already stated, and as he bent his knee +before him, he said in a full, pleasant voice: + +"Mercy, sire, mercy!" + +The king stepped back in astonishment, and turned upon the bold +speaker a look almost of amazement. + +"Thomas Seymour!" said he. "Thomas, you have returned, then, and +your first act is again an indiscretion and a piece of foolhardy +rashness?" + +The young man smiled. "I have returned," said he, "that is to say, I +have had a sea-fight with the Scots and taken from them four men-of- +war. With these I hastened hither to present them to you, my king +and lord, as a wedding-gift, and just as I entered the anteroom I +heard your voice pronouncing a sentence of death. Was it not +natural, then, that I, who bring you tidings of a victory, should +have the heart to utter a prayer for mercy, for which, as it seems, +none of these noble and proud cavaliers could summon up courage?" + +"Ah!" said the king, evidently relieved and fetching a deep breath, +"then you knew not at all for whom and for what you were imploring +pardon?" + +"Yet!" said the young man, and his bold glance ran with an +expression of contempt over the whole assembly--"yet, I saw at once +who the condemned must be, for I saw this young maiden forsaken by +all as if stricken by the plague, standing alone in the midst of +this exalted and brave company. And you well know, my noble king, +that at court one recognizes the condemned and those fallen into +disgrace by this, that every one flies from them, and nobody has the +courage to touch such a leper even with the tip of his finger!" + +King Henry smiled. "Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley, you are now, as +ever, imprudent and hasty," said he. "You beg for mercy without once +knowing whether she for whom you beg it is worthy of mercy." + +"But I see that she is a woman," said the intrepid young earl. "And +a woman is always worthy of mercy, and it becomes every knight to +come forward as her defender, were it but to pay homage to her sex, +so fair and so frail, and yet so noble and mighty. Therefore I beg +mercy for this young maiden!" + +Catharine had listened to the young earl with throbbing heart and +flushed cheeks. It was the first time that she had seen him, and yet +she felt for him a warm sympathy, an almost tender anxiety. + +"He will plunge himself into ruin," murmured she; "he will not save +Anne, but will make himself unhappy. My God, my God, have a little +compassion and pity on my anguish!" + +She now fixed her anxious gaze on the king, firmly resolved to rush +to the help of the earl, who had so nobly and magnanimously +interested himself in an innocent woman, should the wrath of her +husband threaten him also. But, to her surprise, Henry's face was +perfectly serene and contented. + +Like the wild beast, that, following its instinct, seeks its bloody +prey only so long as it is hungry, so King Henry felt satiated for +the day. Yonder glared the fires about the stake, at which four +heretics were burned; there stood the scaffold on which the Countess +of Somerset had just been executed; and now, within this hour, he +had already found another new victim for death. Moreover, Thomas +Seymour had always been his favorite. His audacity, his liveliness, +his energy, had always inspired the king with respect; and then, +again, he so much resembled his sister, the beautiful Jane Seymour, +Henry's third wife. + +"I cannot grant you this favor, Thomas," said the king. "Justice +must not be hindered in her course, and where she has passed +sentence, mercy must not give her the lie; and it was the justice of +your king which pronounced sentence at that moment. You were guilty, +therefore, of a double wrong, for you not only besought mercy, but +you also brought an accusation against my cavaliers. Do you really +believe that, were this maiden's cause a just one, no knight would +have been found for her?" + +"Yes, I really believe it," cried the earl, with a laugh. "The sun +of your favor had turned away from this poor girl, and in such a +case your courtiers no longer see the figure wrapped in darkness." + +"You are mistaken, my lord; I have seen it," suddenly said another +voice, and a second cavalier advanced from the anteroom into the +chamber. He approached the king, and, as he bent his knee before +him, he said, in a loud, steady voice: "Sire, I also beg mercy for +Anne Askew!" + +At this moment was heard from that side of the room where the ladies +stood, a low cry, and the pale, affrighted face of Lady Jane Douglas +was for a moment raised above the heads of the other ladies. No one +noticed it. All eyes were directed toward the group in the middle of +the room: all looked with eager attention upon the king and these +two young men, who dared protect one whom he had sentenced. + +"Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey!" exclaimed the king; and now an +expression of wrath passed over his countenance. "How! you, too, +dare intercede for this girl? You, then, grudge Thomas Seymour the +pre-eminence of being the most discreet man at my court?" + +"I will not allow him, sire, to think that he is the bravest," +replied the young man, as he fixed on Thomas Seymour a look of +haughty defiance, which the other answered by a cold, disdainful +smile. + +"Oh," said he, with a shrug of his shoulders, "I willingly allow +you, my dear Earl of Surrey, to tread behind me, at your +convenience, the path, the safety of which I first tested at the +peril of my life. You saw that I had not, as yet, lost either my +head or my life in this reckless under taking, and that has given +you courage to follow my example. That is a new proof of your +prudent valor, my Honorable Earl of Surrey, and I must praise you +for it." + +A hot flush suffused the noble face of the earl, his eyes shot +lightning, and, trembling with rage, he laid his hand on his sword. +"Praise from Thomas Seymour is--" + +"Silence!" interposed the king, imperatively. "It must not be said +that two of the noblest cavaliers of my court have turned the day, +which should be one of festivity to all of you, into a day of +contention. I command you, therefore, to be reconciled. Shake hands, +my lords, and let your reconciliation be sincere. I, the king +command it!" + +The young men gazed at each other with looks of hatred and smothered +rage, and their eyes spoke the insulting and defiant words which +their lips durst no longer utter. The king had ordered, and, however +great and powerful they might be, the king was to be obeyed. They, +therefore, extended their hands to each other, and muttered a few +low, unintelligible words, which might be, perhaps, a mutual +apology, but which neither of them understood. + +"And now, sire," said the Earl of Surrey, "now I venture to +reiterate my prayer. Mercy, your majesty, mercy for Anne Askew!" + +"And you, Thomas Seymour, do you also renew your petition?" + +"No, I withdraw it. Earl Surrey protects her; I, therefore, retire, +for without doubt she is a criminal; your majesty says so, and, +therefore, it is so. It would ill become a Seymour to protect a +person who sinned against the king." + +This new indirect attack on Earl Surrey seemed to make on all +present a deep but very varied impression. Here, faces were seen to +turn pale, and there, to light up with a malicious smile; here, +compressed lips muttered words of threatening, there, a mouth opened +to express approbation and agreement. + +The king's brow was clouded and troubled; the arrow which Earl +Sudley had shot with so skilful a hand had hit. The king, ever +suspicious and distrustful, felt so much the more disquieted as he +saw that the greater part of his cavaliers evidently reckoned +themselves friends of Henry Howard, and that the number of Seymour's +adherents was but trifling. + +"These Howards are dangerous, and I will watch them carefully," said +the king to himself; and for the first time his eye rested with a +dark and hostile look on Henry Howard's noble countenance. + +But Thomas Seymour, who wished only to make a thrust at his old +enemy, had at the same time decided the fate of poor Anne Askew. It +was now almost an impossibility to speak in her behalf, and to +implore pardon for her was to become a partaker of her crime. Thomas +Seymour had abandoned her, because, as traitress to her king, she +had rendered herself unworthy of his protection. Who now would be so +presumptuous as to still protect the traitress? + +Henry Howard did it; he reiterated his supplication for Anne Askew's +pardon. But the king's countenance grew darker and darker, and the +courtiers watched with dread the coming of the moment when his wrath +would dash in pieces the poor Earl of Surrey. + +In the row of ladies also, here and there, a pale face was visible, +and many a beautiful and beaming eye was dimmed with tears at the +sight of this gallant and handsome cavalier, who was hazarding even +his life for a woman. + +"He is lost!" murmured Lady Jane Douglas; and, completely crushed +and lifeless, she leaned for a moment against the wall. But she soon +recovered herself, and her eye beamed with bold resolution. "I will +try and save him!" she said to herself; and, with firm step, she +advanced from the ladies' ranks, and approached the king. + +A murmur of applause ran through the company, and all fares +brightened and all eyes were bent approvingly on Lady Jane. They +knew that she was the queen's friend, and an adherent of the new +doctrine; it was, therefore, very marked and significant when she +supported the Earl of Surrey in his magnanimous effort. + +Lady Jane bowed her beautiful and haughty head before the king, and +said, in her clear, silvery voice: "Sire, in the name of all the +women, I also beseech you to pardon Anne Askew, because she is a +woman. Lord Surrey has done so because a true knight can never be +false to himself and his ever high and sacred obligation: to be the +protector of those who are helpless and in peril is enough for him. +A real gentleman asks not whether a woman is worthy of his +protection; he grants it to her, simply because she is a woman, and +needs his help. And while I, therefore, in the name of all the +women, thank the Earl of Surrey for the assistance that he has been +desirous to render to a woman, I unite my prayer with his, because +it shall not be said that we women are always cowardly and timid, +and never venture to hasten to the help of the distressed. I, +therefore, ask mercy, sire, mercy for Anne Askew!" + +"And I," said the queen, as she again approached the king, "I add my +prayers to hers, sire. To-day is the feast of love, my festival, +sire! To-day, then, let love and mercy prevail." + +She looked at the king with so charming a smile, her eyes had an +expression so radiant and happy, that the king could not withstand +her. + +He was, therefore, in the depths of his heart, ready to let the +royal clemency prevail for this time; but he wanted a pretext for +this, some way of bringing it about. He had solemnly vowed to pardon +no heretic, and he might not break his word merely because the queen +prayed for mercy. + +"Well, then," said he, after a pause, "I will comply with your +request. I will pardon Anne Askew, provided she will retract, and +solemnly abjure all that she has said. Are you satisfied with that, +Catharine?" + +"I am satisfied," said she, sadly. + +"And you, Lady Jane Douglas, and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey?" + +"We are satisfied." + +All eyes were now turned again upon Anne Askew, who, although every +one was occupied by her concerns, had been entirely overlooked and +left unnoticed. + +Nor had she taken any more notice of the company than they of her. +She had scarcely observed what was going on about her. She stood +leaning against the open door leading to the balcony, and gazed at +the flaming horizon. Her soul was with those pious martyrs, for whom +she was sending up her heart-felt prayers to God, and whom she, in +her feverish exaltation, envied their death of torture. Entirely +borne away from the present, she had heard neither the petitions of +those who protected her, nor the king's reply. + +A hand laid upon her shoulder roused her from her reverie. + +It was Catharine, the young queen, who stood near her. + +"Anne Askew," said she, in a hurried whisper, "if your life is dear +to you, comply with the king's demand." + +She seized the young girl's hand, and led her to the king. + +"Sire," said she, in a full voice, "forgive the exalted and +impassioned agony of a poor girl, who has now, for the first time, +been witness of an execution, and whose mind has been so much +impressed by it that she is scarcely conscious of the mad and +criminal words that she has uttered before you! Pardon her, then, +your majesty, for she is prepared cheerfully to retract." + +A cry of amazement burst from Anne's lips, and her eyes flashed with +anger, as she dashed the queen's hand away from her. + +"I retract!" exclaimed she, with a contemptuous smile. "Never, my +lady, never! No! as sure as I hope for God to be gracious to me in +my last hour, I retract not! It is true, it was agony and horror +that made me speak; but what I have spoken is yet, nevertheless, the +truth. Horror caused me to speak, and forced me to show my soul +undisguised. No, I retract not! I tell you, they who have been +executed over yonder are holy martyrs, who have ascended to God, +there to enter an accusation against their royal hangman. Ay, they +are holy, for eternal truth had illumined their souls, and it beamed +about their faces bright as the flames of the fagots into which the +murderous hand of an unrighteous judge had cast them. Ah, I must +retract! I, forsooth, am to do as did Shaxton, the miserable and +unfaithful servant of his God, who, from fear of earthly death, +denied the eternal truth, and in blaspheming pusillanimity perjured +himself concerning the holy doctrine. [Footnote: Burnet, vol. i, p. +341] King Henry, I say unto you, beware of dissemblers and +perjurers; beware of your own haughty and arrogant thoughts. The +blood of martyrs cries to Heaven against you, and the time will come +when God will be as merciless to you as you have been to the noblest +of your subjects! You deliver them over to the murderous flames, +because they will not believe what the priests of Baal preach; +because they will not believe in the real transubstantiation of the +chalice; because they deny that the natural body of Christ is, after +the sacrament, contained in the sacrament, no matter whether the +priest be a good or a bad man. [Footnote: Ibid.] You give them over +to the executioner, because they serve the truth, and are faithful +followers of the Lord their God!" + +"And you share the views of these people whom you call martyrs?" +asked the king, as Anne Askew now paused for a moment and struggled +for breath. + +"Yes, I share them!" + +"You deny, then, the truth of the six articles?" + +"I deny them!" + +"You do not see in me the head of the Church?" + +"God only is Head and Lord of the Church!" + +A pause followed--a fearful, awful pause. + +Every one felt that for this poor young girl there was no hope, no +possible escape; that her doom was irrevocably sealed. + +There was a smile on the king's countenance. + +The courtiers knew that smile, and feared it yet more than the +king's raging wrath. + +When the king thus smiled, he had taken his resolve. Then there was +with him no possible vacillation or hesitation, but the sentence of +death was resolved on, and his bloodthirsty soul rejoiced over a new +victim. + +"My Lord Bishop of Winchester," said the king, at length, "come +hither." + +Gardiner drew near and placed himself by Anne Askew, who gazed at +him with angry, contemptuous looks. + +"In the name of the law I command you to arrest this heretic, and +hand her over to the spiritual court," continued the king. "She is +damned and lost. She shall be punished as she deserves!" + +Gardiner laid his hand on Anne Askew's shoulder. "In the name of the +law of God, I arrest you!" said he, solemnly. + +Not a word more was spoken. The lord chief justice had silently +followed a sign from Gardiner, and touching Anne Askew with his +staff, ordered the soldiers to conduct her thence. + +With a smile, Anne Askew offered them her hand, and surrounded by +the soldiers and followed by the Bishop of Winchester and the lord +chief justice, walked erect and proudly out of the room. + +The courtiers had divided and opened a passage for Anne and her +attendants. Now their ranks closed again, as the sea closes and +flows calmly on when it has just received a corpse. To them all Anne +Askew was already a corpse, as one buried. The waves had swept over +her and all was again serene and bright. + +The king extended his hand to his young wife, and, bending down, +whispered in her ear a few words, which nobody understood, but which +made the young queen tremble and blush. + +The king, who observed this, laughed and impressed a kiss on her +forehead. Then he turned to his court; "Now, good-night, my lords +and gentlemen," said he, with a gracious inclination of the head. +"The feast is at an end, and we need rest." + +"Forget not the Princess Elizabeth," whispered Archbishop Cranmer, +as he took leave of Catharine, and pressed to his lips her proffered +hand. + +I will not forget her," murmured Catharine, and, with throbbing +heart and trembling with inward dread, she saw them all retire, and +leave her alone with the king. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE INTERCESSION. + + +"And now, Kate," said the king, when all had withdrawn, and he was +again alone with her, "now let us forget everything, save that we +love each other." + +He embraced her and with ardor pressed her to his breast. Wearied to +death, she bowed her head on his shoulder and lay there like a +shattered rose, completely broken, completely passive. + +"You give me no kiss, Kate?" said Henry, with a smile. "Are you then +yet angry with me that I did not comply with your first request? But +what would you have me do, child? How, indeed, shall I keep the +crimson of my royal mantle always fresh and bright, unless I +continually dye it anew in the blood of criminals? Only he who +punishes and destroys is truly a king, and trembling mankind will +acknowledge him as such. The tender-hearted and gracious king it +despises, and his pitiful weakness it laughs to scorn. Bah! Humanity +is such a wretched, miserable thing, that it only respects and +acknowledges him who makes it tremble. And people are such +contemptible, foolish children, that they have respect only for him +who makes them feel the lash daily, and every now and then whips a +few of them to death. Look at me, Kate: where is there a king who +has reigned longer and more happily than I? whom the people love +more and obey better than me? This arises from the fact that I have +already signed more than two hundred death-warrants, [Footnote: +Tytler, p. 428. Leti, vol. i, p. 187.] and because every one +believes that, if he does not obey me, I will without delay send his +head after the others!" + +"Oh, you say you love me," murmured Catharine, "and you speak only +of blood and death while you are with me." + +The king laughed. "You are right, Kate," said he, "and yet, believe +me, there are other thoughts slumbering in the depths of my heart, +and could you look down into it, you would not accuse me of coldness +and unkindness. I love you truly, my dear, virgin bride, and, to +prove it, you shall now ask a favor of me. Yes, Kate, make me a +request, and, whatever it may be, I pledge you my royal word, it +shall be granted you. Now, Kate, think, what will please you? Will +you have brilliants, or a castle by the sea, or, perhaps, a yacht? +Would you like fine horses, or it may be some one has offended you, +and you would like his head? If so, tell me, Kate, and you shall +have his head; a wink from me, and it drops at your feet. For I am +almighty and all-powerful, and no one is so innocent and pure, that +my will cannot find in him a crime which will cost him his life. +Speak, then, Kate; what would you have? What will gladden your +heart?" + +Catharine smiled in spite of her secret fear and horror. "Sire," +said she, "you have given me so many brilliants, that I can shine +and glitter with them, as night does with her stars. If you give me +a castle by the sea, that is, at the same time, banishing me from +Whitehall and your presence; I wish, therefore, for no castle of my +own. I wish only to dwell with you in your castles, and my king's +abode shall be my only residence." + +"Beautifully and wisely spoken," said the king; "I will remember +these words if ever your enemies endeavor to send you to a dwelling +and a castle other than that which your king occupies. The Tower is +also a castle, Kate, but I give you my royal word you shall never +occupy that castle. You want no treasures and no castles? It is, +then, somebody's head that you demand of me?" + +"Yes, sire, it is the head of some one!" + +"Ah, I guessed it, then," said the king with a laugh. "Now speak, my +little bloodthirsty queen, whose head will you have? Who shall be +brought to the block?" + +"Sire, it is true I ask you for the head of a person," said +Catharine, in a tender, earnest tone, "but I wish not that head to +fall, but to be lifted up. I beg you for a human life--not to +destroy it, but, on the contrary, to adorn it with happiness and +joy. I wish to drag no one to prison, but to restore to one, dearly +beloved, the freedom, happiness, and splendid position which belong +to her. Sire, you have permitted me to ask a favor. Now, then, I beg +you to call the Princess Elizabeth to court. Let her reside with us +at Whitehall. Allow her to be ever near me, and share my happiness +and glory. Sire, only yesterday the Princess Elizabeth was far above +me in rank and position, but since your all-powerful might and grace +have to-day elevated me above all other women, I may now love the +Princess Elizabeth as my sister and dearest friend. Grant me this, +my king! Let Elizabeth come to us at Whitehall, and enjoy at our +court the honor which is her due." [Footnote: Leti, vol. i. p. 147. +Tytler. p. 410.] + +The king did not reply immediately; but in his quiet and smiling air +one could read that his young consort's request had not angered him. +Something like an emotion flitted across his face, and his eyes were +for a moment dimmed with tears. Perhaps just then a pale, soul- +harrowing phantom passed before his mind, and a glance at the past +showed him the beautiful and unfortunate mother [Footnote: Ann +Boleyn] of Elizabeth, whom he had sentenced to a cruel death at the +hands of the public executioner, and whose last word nevertheless +was a blessing and a message of love for him. + +He passionately seized Catharine's hand and pressed it to his lips. +"I thank you! You are unselfish and generous. That is a very rare +quality, and I shall always highly esteem you for it. But you are +also brave and courageous, for you have dared what nobody before you +has dared; you have twice on the same evening interceded for one +condemned and one fallen into disgrace. The fortunate, and those +favored by me, have always had many friends, but I have never yet +seen that the unfortunate and the exiled have also found friends. +You are different from these miserable, cringing courtiers; +different from this deceitful and trembling crowd, that with +chattering teeth fall down and worship me as their god and lord; +different from these pitiful, good-for-nothing mortals, who call +themselves my people, and who allow me to yoke them up, because they +are like the ox, which is obedient and serviceable, only because he +is so stupid as not to know his own might and strength. Ah, believe +me, Kate, I would be a milder and more merciful king, if the people +were not such an utterly stupid and contemptible thing; a dog, which +is so much the more submissive and gentle the more vou maltreat him. +You, Kate, you are different, and I am glad of it. You know, I have +forever banished Elizabeth from my court and from my heart, and +still you intercede for her. That is noble of you, and I love you +for it, and grant you your request. And that you may see how I love +and trust you, I will now reveal to you a secret: I have long since +wished to have Elizabeth with me, but I was ashamed, even to myself, +of this weakness. I have long yearned once again to look into my +daughter's large deep eyes, to be a kind and tender father to her, +and make some amends to her for the wrong I perhaps may have done to +her mother. For sometimes, in sleepless nights, Anne's beautiful +face comes up before me and gazes at me with mournful, mild look, +and my whole heart shudders before it. But I could not confess this +to anybody, for then they might say that I repented what I had done. +A king must be infallible, like God himself, and never, through +regret or desire to compensate, confess that he is a weak, erring +mortal, like others. You see why I repressed my longing and parental +tenderness, which was suspected by no one, and appeared to be a +heartless father, because nobody would help me and make it easy for +me to be a tender father. Ah, these courtiers! They are so stupid, +that they can understand only just what is echoed in our words; but +what our heart says, and longs for, of that they know nothing. But +you know, Kate; you are an acute woman, and a high-minded one +besides. Come, Kate, a thankful father gives you this kiss, and +this, ay, this, your husband gives you, my beautiful, charming +queen." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +HENRY THE EIGHTH AND HIS WIVES. + + +The calm of night had now succeeded to the tempest of the day, and +after so much bustle, festivity, and rejoicing, deep quiet now +reigned in the palace of Whitehall, and throughout London. The happy +subjects of King Henry might, without danger, remain for a few hours +at least in their houses, and behind closed shutters and bolted +doors, either slumber and dream, or give themselves to their +devotional exercises, on account of which they had that day, +perhaps, been denounced as malefactors. They might, for a few hours, +resign themselves to the sweet, blissful dream of being freemen +untrammelled in belief and thought. For King Henry slept, and +likewise Gardiner and the lord chancellor had closed their watchful, +prying, devout, murderous eyes, and reposed awhile from the +Christian employment of ferreting out heretics. + +And like the king, the entire households of both their majesties +were also asleep and resting from the festivities of the royal +wedding-day, which, in pomp and splendor, by far surpassed the five +preceding marriages. + +It appeared, however, as though not all the court officials were +taking rest, and following the example of the king. For in a +chamber, not far from that of the royal pair, one could perceive, +from the bright beams streaming from the windows, in spite of the +heavy damask curtains which veiled them, that the lights were not +yet extinguished; and he who looked more closely would have observed +that now and then a human shadow was portrayed upon the curtain. + +So the occupant of this chamber had not yet gone to rest, and +harassing must have been the thoughts which cause him to move so +restlessly to and fro. + +This chamber was occupied by Lady Jane Douglas, first maid of honor +to the queen. The powerful influence of Gardiner, Bishop of +Winchester, had seconded Catharine's wish to have near her the dear +friend of her youth, and, without suspecting it, the queen had given +a helping hand to bring nearer to their accomplishment the schemes +which the hypocritical Gardiner was directing against her. + +For Catharine knew not what changes had taken place in the character +of her friend in the four years in which she had not seen her. She +did not suspect how fatal her sojourn in the strongly Romish city of +Dublin had been to the easily impressible mind of her early +playmate, and how much it had transformed her whole being. Lady +Jane, once so sprightly and gay, had become a bigoted Romanist, who, +with fanatical zeal, believed that she was serving God when she +served the Church, and paid unreserved obedience to her priests. + +Lady Jane Douglas had therefore--thanks to her fanaticism and the +teachings of the priests--become a complete dissembler. She could +smile, while in her heart she secretly brooded over hatred and +revenge. She could kiss the lips of those whose destruction she had +perhaps just sworn. She could preserve a harmless, innocent air, +while she observed everything, and took notice of every breath, +every smile, every movement of the eyelashes. + +Hence it was very important for Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, to +bring his "friend" of the queen to court, and make of this disciple +of Loyola an ally and friend. + +Lady Jane Douglas was alone; and, pacing up and down her room, she +thought over the events of the day. + +Now, that no one was observing her, she had laid aside that gentle, +serious mien, which one was wont to see about her at other times; +her countenance betrayed in rapid changes all the various sad and +cheerful, tempestuous and tender feelings which agitated her. + +She who had hitherto had only one aim before her eyes, to serve the +Church, and to consecrate her whole life to this service; she whose +heart had been hitherto open only to ambition and devotion, she felt +to-day wholly new and never-suspected feelings springing up within +her. A new thought had entered into her life, the woman was awakened +in her, and beat violently at that heart which devotion had overlaid +with a hard coating. + +She had tried to collect herself in prayer, and to fill her soul so +entirely with the idea of God and her Church, that no earthly +thought or desire could find place therein. But ever and again arose +before her mind's eye the noble countenance of Henry Howard, ever +and again she fancied that she heard his earnest, melodious voice, +which made her heart shake and tremble like a magical incantation. +She had at first struggled against these sweet fancies, which forced +upon her such strange and undreamed-of thoughts; but at length the +woman in her got the better of the fanatical Romanist, and, dropping +into a seat, she surrendered herself to her dreams and fancies. + +"Has he recognized me?" asked she of herself. "Does he still +remember that a year ago we saw each other daily at the king's court +in Dublin?" + +"But no," added she mournfully," he knows nothing of it. He had then +eyes and sense only for his young wife. Ah, and she was beautiful +and lovely as one of the Graces. But I, am not I also beautiful? and +have not the noblest cavaliers paid me homage, and sighed for me in +unavailing love? How comes it, then, that where I would please, +there I am always overlooked? How comes it, that the only two men, +for whose notice I ever cared, have never shown any preference for +me? I felt that I loved Henry Howard, but this love was a sin, for +the Earl of Surrey was married. I therefore tore my heart from him +by violence, and gave it to God, because the only man whom I could +love did not return my affection. But even God and devotion are not +able to entirely fill a woman's heart. In my breast there was still +room for ambition; and since I could not be a happy wife, I would at +least be a powerful queen. Oh, everything was so well devised, so +nicely arranged! Gardiner had already spoken of me to the king, and +inclined him to his plan; and while I was hastening at his call from +Duma, hither, this little Catharine Parr comes between and snatches +him from me, and overturns all our schemes. I will never forgive +her. I will find a way to revenge myself. I will force her to leave +this place, which belongs to me, and if there is no other way for +it, she must go the way of the scaffold, as did Catharine Howard. I +will be Queen of England, I will--" + +She suddenly interrupted her soliloquy, and listened. She thought +she heard a slight knock at the door. She was not mistaken; this +knock was now repeated, and indeed with a peculiar, significant +stroke. + +"It is my father!" said Lady Jane, and, as she resumed again her +grave and quiet air, she proceeded to open the door. + +"Ah, you expected me, then?" said Lord Archibald Douglas, kissing +his daughter's forehead. + +"Yes, I expected you, my father," replied Lady Jane with a smile. "I +knew that you would come to communicate to me your experiences and +observations during the day, and to give me directions for the +future." + +The earl seated himself on the ottoman, and drew his daughter down +by him. + +"No one can overhear us, can they?" + +"Nobody, my father! My women are sleeping in the fourth chamber from +here, and I have myself fastened the intervening doors. The anteroom +through which you came is, as you know, entirely empty, and nobody +can conceal himself there. It remains, then, only to fasten the door +leading thence into the corridor, in order to be secure from +interruption." + +She hastened into the anteroom to fasten the door. + +"Now, my father, we are secure from listeners," said she, as she +returned and resumed her place on the ottoman. + +"And the walls, my child? know you whether or no the walls are safe? +You look at me with an expression of doubt and surprise! My God, +what a harmless and innocent little maiden you still are! Have I not +constantly reiterated the great and wise lesson, 'Doubt everything +and mistrust everything, even what you see.' He who will make his +fortune at court, must first of all mistrust everybody, and consider +everybody his enemy, whom he is to flatter, because he can do him +harm, and whom he is to hug and kiss, until in some happy embrace he +can either plunge a dagger into his breast wholly unobserved, or +pour poison into his mouth. Trust neither men nor walls, Jane, for I +tell you, however smooth and innocent both may appear, still there +may he found an ambuscade behind the smooth exterior. But I will for +the present believe that these walls are innocent, and conceal no +listeners. I will believe it, because I know this room. Those were +fine and charming days in which I became acquainted with it. Then I +was yet young and handsome, and King Henry's sister was not yet +married to the King of Scotland, and we loved each other so dearly. +Ah, I could relate to you wonderful stories of those happy days. I +could--" + +"But, my dear father," interrupted Lady Jane, secretly trembling at +the terrible prospect of being forced to listen yet again to the +story of his youthful love, which she had already heard times +without number, "but, my dear father, doubtless you have not come +hither so late at night in order to relate to me what I--forgive me, +my lord--what I long since knew. You will rather communicate to me +what your keen and unerring glance has discovered here." + +"It is true," said Lord Douglas, sadly. "I now sometimes become +loquacious--a sure sign that I am growing old. I have, by no means, +come here to speak of the past, but of the present. Let us, then, +speak of it. Ah, I have to-day perceived much, seen much, observed +much, and the result of my observations is, you will be King Henry's +seventh wife." + +"Impossible, my lord!" exclaimed Lady Jane, whose countenance, in +spite of her will, assumed an expression of delight. + +Her father remarked it. "My child," said he, "I observe that you +have not yet your features entirely under your control. You aimed +just now, for example, to play the coy and humble, and yet your face +had the expression of proud satisfaction. But this by the way! The +principal thing is, you will be King Henry's seventh wife! But in +order to become so, there is need for great heedfulness, a complete +knowledge of present relations, constant observation of all persons, +impenetrable dissimulation, and lastly, above all things, a very +intimate and profound knowledge of the king, of the history of his +reign, and of his character. Do you possess this knowledge? Know you +what it is to wish to become King Henry's seventh wife, and how you +must begin in order to attain this? Have you studied Henry's +character?" + +"A little, perhaps, but certainly not sufficiently. For, as you +know, my lord, worldly matters have lain upon my heart less than the +holy Church, to whose service I have consecrated myself, and to +which I would have presented my whole being, my whole soul, my whole +heart, as a sacrifice, had not you yourself determined otherwise +concerning me. Ah, my father, had I been allowed to follow my +inclination, I would have retired into a convent in Scotland in +order to spend my life in quiet contemplation and pious penances, +and close my soul and ear to every profane sound. But my wishes have +not been regarded; and, by the mouth of His venerable and holy +priests, God has commanded me to remain in the world, and take upon +myself the yoke of greatness and regal splendor. If I then struggle +and strive to become queen, this is done, not because the vain pomp +and glory allure me, but solely because through me the Church, out +of which is no salvation, may find a fulcrum to operate on this weak +and fickle king, and because I am to bring him back again to the +only true faith." + +"Very well played!" cried her father, who had stared her steadily in +the face while she was speaking. "On my word, very well played. +Everything was in perfect harmony, the gesticulation, the play of +the eyes, and the voice. My daughter, I withdraw my censure. You +have perfect control over yourself. But let us speak of King Henry. +We will now subject him to a thorough analysis, and no fibre of his +heart, no atom of his brain shall remain unnoticed by us. We will +observe him in his domestic, his political, and his religious life, +and get a perfectly clear view of every peculiarity of his +character, in order that we may deal with him accordingly. Let us, +then, speak first of his wives. Their lives and deaths afford you +excellent finger-posts; for I do not deny that it is an extremely +difficult and dangerous undertaking to be Henry's consort. There is +needed for it much personal courage and very great self-control. +Know you which, of all his wives, possessed these in the highest +degree? It was his first consort, Catharine of Aragon! By Heaven, +she was a sensible woman, and born a queen! Henry, avaricious as he +was, would gladly have given the best jewel in his crown, if he +could have detected but a shadow, the slightest trace of +unfaithfulness in her. But there was absolutely no means of sending +this woman to the scaffold, and at that time he was as yet too +cowardly and too virtuous to put her out of the way by poison. He, +therefore, endured her long, until she was an old woman with gray +hairs, and disagreeable for his eyes to look upon. So after he had +been married to her seventeen years, the good, pious king was all at +once seized with a conscientious scruple, and because he had read in +the Bible, 'Thou shalt not marry thy sister,' dreadful pangs of +conscience came upon the noble and crafty monarch. He fell upon his +knees and beat his breast, and cried: 'I have committed a great sin; +for I have married my brother's wife, and consequently my sister. +But I will make amends for it. I will dissolve this adulterous +marriage!'--Do you know, child, why he would dissolve it?" + +"Because he loved Anne Boleyn!" said Jane, with a smile. + +"Perfectly correct! Catharine had grown old, and Henry was still a +young man, and his blood shot through his veins like streams of +fire. Hut he was yet somewhat virtuous and timid, and the main +peculiarity of his character was as yet undeveloped. He was not yet +bloodthirsty, that is to say, he had not yet licked blood. But you +will see how with each new queen his desire for blood increased, +till at length it has now become a wasting disease. Had he then had +the system of lies that he now has, he would somehow have bribed a +slanderer, who would have declared that he was Catharine's lover. +But he was yet so innocent; he wanted yet to gratify his darling +lusts in a perfectly legal way. So Anne Boleyn must become his +queen, that he might love her. And in order to attain this, he threw +down the glove to the whole world, became an enemy to the pope, and +set himself in open opposition to the holy head of the Church. +Because the Holy Father would not dissolve his marriage, King Henry +became an apostate and atheist. He constituted himself head of his +Church, and, by virtue of his authority as such, he declared his +marriage with Catharine of Aragon null and void. He said that he had +not in his heart given his consent to this marriage, and that it had +not consequently been properly consummated.[Footnote: Burnet, vol. +i, p. 37.] It is true, Catharine had in the Princess Mary a living +witness of the consummation of her marriage, but what did the +enamored and selfish king care about that? Princess Mary was +declared a bastard, and the queen was now to be nothing more than +the widow of the Prince of Wales. It was strictly forbidden to +longer give the title and to show the honor due to a queen, to the +woman who for seventeen years had been Queen of England, and had +been treated and honored as such. No one was permitted to call her +anything but the Princess of Wales; and that nothing might disturb +the good people or the noble queen herself in this illusion, +Catharine was banished from the court and exiled to a castle, which +she had once occupied as consort of Arthur, Prince of Wales. And +Henry likewise allowed her only the attendance and pension which the +law appoints to the widow of the Prince of Wales.[Footnote: Burnet, +vol. i, p. 120.] + +"I have ever held this to be one of the most prudent and subtle acts +of our exalted king, and in the whole history of this divorce the +king conducted himself with admirable consistency and resolution. +But this is to say, he was excited by opposition. Mark this, then, +my child, for this is the reason why I have spoken to you of these +things so much at length. Mark this, then: King Henry is every way +entirely unable to bear contradiction, or to be subjected to +restraint. If you wish to win him to any purpose, you must try to +draw him from it; you must surround it with difficulties and +hinderances. Therefore show yourself coy and indifferent; that will +excite him. Do not court his looks; then will he seek to encounter +yours. And when finally he loves you, dwell so long on your virtue +and your conscience, that at length Henry, in order to quiet your +conscience, will send this troublesome Catharine Parr to the block, +or do as he did with Catharine of Aragon, and declare that he did +not mentally give his consent to this marriage, and therefore +Catharine is no queen, but only Lord Neville's widow. Ah, since he +made himself high-priest of his Church, there is no impediment for +him in matters of this kind, for only God is mightier than he. + +"The beautiful Anne Boleyn, Henry's second wife, proved this. I have +seen her often, and I tell you, Jane, she was of wondrous beauty. +Whoever looked upon her, could not but love her, and he whom she +smiled upon felt himself fascinated and glorified. When she had +borne to the king the Princess Elizabeth, I heard him say, that he +had attained the summit of his happiness, the goal of his wishes, +for the queen had borne him a daughter, and so there was a regular +and legitimate successor to his throne. But this happiness lasted +only a brief time. + +"The king conceived one day that Anne Boleyn was not, as he had +hitherto believed, the most beautiful woman in the world; but that +there were women still more beautiful at his court, who therefore +had a stronger vocation to become Queen of England. He had seen Jane +Seymour, and she without doubt was handsomer than Anne Boleyn, for +she was not as yet the king's consort, and there was an obstacle to +his possession of her--the Queen Anne Boleyn. This obstacle must be +go out of the way. + +"Henry, by virtue of his plentitude of power, might again have been +divorced from his wife, but he did not like to repeat himself, he +wished to be always original; and no one was to be allowed to say +that his divorces were only the cloak of his capricious lewdness. + +"He had divorced Catharine of Aragon on account of conscientious +scruples; therefore, some other means must be devised for Anne +Boleyn. + +"The shortest way to be rid of her was the scaffold. Why should not +Anne travel that road, since so many had gone it before her? for a +new force had entered into the king's life: the tiger had licked +blood! His instinct was aroused, and he recoiled no more from those +crimson rills which flowed in the veins of his subjects. + +"He had given Lady Anne Boleyn the crimson mantle of royalty, why +then should she not give him her crimson blood? For this there was +wanted only a pretext, and this was soon found. Lady Rochfort was +Jane Seymour's aunt, and she found some men, of whom she asserted +that they had been lovers of the fair Anne Boleyn. She, as the +queen's first lady of the bed-chamber, could of course give the most +minute particulars concerning the matter, and the king believed her. +He believed her, though these four pretended lovers of the queen, +who were executed for their crime, all, with the exception of a +single one, asseverated that Anne Boleyn was innocent, and that they +had never been in her presence. The only one who accused the queen +of illicit intercourse with him was James Smeaton, a musician. +[Footnote: Tytler.] But he had been promised his life for this +confession. However, it was not thought advisable to keep this +promise, for fear that, when confronted with the queen, he might not +have the strength to sustain his assertion. But not to be altogether +unthankful to him for so useful a confession, they showed him the +favor of not executing him with the axe, but the more agreeable and +easier death of hanging was vouchsafed to him.[Footnote: Burnet, +vol. i, p. 205.] + +"So the fair and lovely Anne Boleyn must lay her head upon the +block. The day on which this took place, the king had ordered a +great hunt, and early that morning we rode out to Epping Forest. The +king was at first unusually cheerful and humorous, and he commanded +me to ride near him, and tell him something from the chronique +scandaleuse of our court. He laughed at my spiteful remarks, and the +worse I calumniated, the merrier was the king. Finally, we halted; +the king had talked and laughed so much that he had at last become +hungry. So he encamped under an oak, and, in the midst of his suite +and his dogs, he took a breakfast, which pleased him very much, +although he had now become a little quieter and more silent, and +sometimes turned his face toward the direction of London with +visible restlessness and anxiety. But suddenly was heard from that +direction the dull sound of a cannon. We all knew that this was the +signal which was to make known to the king that Anne Boleyn's head +had fallen. We knew it, and a shudder ran through our whole frames. +The king alone smiled, and as he arose and took his weapon from my +hand, he said, with cheerful face, 'It is done, the business is +finished. Unleash the dogs, and let us follow the boar.' [Footnote: +The king's very words. Tytler, p. 383. The oak. under which this +took place is still pointed out in Epping Forest, and in fact is not +less remarkable as the oak of Charles II.] + +"That," said Lord Douglas, sadly, "that was King Henry's funeral +discourse over his charming and innocent wife." + +"Do you regret her, my father?" asked Lady Jane, with surprise. "But +Anne Boleyn was, it seems to me, an enemy of our Church, and an +adherent of the accursed new doctrine." + +Her father shrugged his shoulders almost contemptuously. That did +not prevent Lady Anne from being one of the fairest and loveliest +women of Old England. And, besides, much as she inclined to the new +doctrine, she did us essential good service, for she it was who bore +the blame of Thomas More's death. Since he had not approved her +marriage with the king, she hated him, as the king hated him because +he would not take the oath of supremacy. Henry, however, would have +spared him, for, at that time, he still possessed some respect for +learning and virtue, and Thomas More was so renowned a scholar that +the king held him in reverence. But Anne Boleyn demanded his death, +and so Thomas More must be executed. Oh, believe me, Jane, that was +an important and sad hour for all England, the hour when Thomas More +laid his head upon the block. We only, we gay people in the palace +of Whitehall, we were cheerful and merry. We were dancing a new kind +of dance, the music of which was written by the king himself, for +you know the king is not merely an author, but also a composer, and +as he now writes pious books, so he then composed dances. [Footnote: +Granger's "Biographical History of England," vol. I, p. 137. of +Tytler, p. 354.] That evening, after we had danced till we were +tired, we played cards. Just as I had won a few guineas from the +king, the lieutenant of the Tower came with the tidings that the +execution was over, and gave us a description of the last moments of +the great scholar. The king threw down his cards, and, turning an +angry look on Anne Boleyn, said, in an agitated voice, 'You are to +blame for the death of this man!' Then he arose and withdrew to his +apartments, while no one was permitted to follow him, not even the +queen. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 354] You see, then, that Anne Boleyn +had a claim on our gratitude, for the death of Thomas More delivered +Old England from another great peril. Melanchthon and Bucer, and +with them several of the greatest pulpit orators of Germany, had set +out to come to London, and, as delegates of the Germanic Protestant +princes, to nominate the king as head of their alliance. But the +terrible news of the execution of their friend frightened them back, +and caused them to return when half-way here. [Footnote: Tytler, p. +357. Leti, vol. I, p. 180. Granger, vol. I, p. 119.] + +"Peace, then, to the ashes of unhappy Anne Boleyn! However, she was +avenged too, avenged on her successor and rival, for whose sake she +was made to mount the scaffold--avenged on Jane Seymour." + +"But she was the king's beloved wife," said Jane, "and when she died +the king mourned for her two years." + +"He mourned!" exclaimed Lord Douglas, contemptuously. "He has +mourned for all his wives. Even for Anne Boleyn he put on mourning, +and in his white mourning apparel, the day after Anne's execution, +he led Jane Seymour to the marriage altar! This outward mourning, +what does it signify? Anne Boleyn also mourned for Catharine of +Aragon, whom she had pushed from the throne. For eight weeks she was +seen in yellow mourning on account of Henry's first wife; but Anne +Boleyn was a shrewd woman, and she knew very well that the yellow +mourning dress was exceedingly becoming to her." + +"But the king's mourning was not merely external," said Lady Jane. +"He mourned really, for it was two years before he resolved on a new +marriage." + +Earl Douglas laughed. "But he cheered himself during these two years +of widowhood with a very beautiful mistress, the French Marchioness +de Montreuil, and he would have married her had not the prudent +beauty preferred returning to France, because she found it +altogether too dangerous to become Henry's consort. For it is not to +be denied, a baleful star hovers over Henry's queens, and none of +them has descended from the throne in a natural way." + +"Yet, father, Jane Seymour did so in a very natural way; she died in +childbed." + +"Well, yes, in childbed. And yet by no natural death, for she could +have been saved. But Henry did not wish to save her. His love had +already grown cool, and when the physicians asked him whether they +should save the mother or the child, he replied, 'Save the child, +and let the mother die. I can get wives enough.' [Footnote: Burnet.] +Ah, my daughter, I hope you may not die such a natural death as Jane +Seymour did, for whom, as you say, the king mourned two years. But +after that period, something new, something altogether extraordinary +happened to the king. He fell in love with a picture, and because, +in his proud self-conceit, he was convinced that the fine picture +which Holbein had made of him, was not at all flattered, but +entirely true to nature, it did not occur to him that Holbein's +likeness of the Princess Anne of Cleves might be somewhat flattered, +and not altogether faithful. So the king fell in love with a +picture, and sent ambassadors to Germany to bring the original of +the portrait to England as his bride. He himself went to meet her at +Rochester, where she was to land. Ah, my child, I have witnessed +many queer and droll things in my eventful life, but the scene at +Rochester, however, is among my most spicy recollections. The king +was as enthusiastic as a poet, and deep in love as a youth of +twenty, and so began our romantic wedding-trip, on which Henry +disguised himself and took part in it, assuming the name of my +cousin. As the king's master of horse, I was honored with the +commission of carrying to the young queen the greeting of her ardent +husband, and begging her to receive the knight, who would deliver to +her a present from the king. She granted my request with a grin +which made visible a frightful row of yellow teeth. I opened the +door, and invited the king to enter. Ah, you ought to have witnessed +that scene! It is the only farcial passage in the bloody tragedy of +Henry's married life. You should have seen with what hasty +impatience the king rushed in, then suddenly, at the sight of her, +staggered back and stared at the princess. Slowly retiring, he +silently thrust into my hand the rich present that he had brought, +while at the same time he threw a look of flaming wrath on Lord +Cromwell, who had brought him the portrait of the princess and won +him to this marriage. The romantic, ardent lover vanished with this +look at his beloved. He approached the princess again--this time not +as a cavalier, but, with harsh and hasty words, he told her he was +the king himself. He bade her welcome in a few words, and gave her a +cold, formal embrace. He then hastily took my hand and drew me out +of the room, beckoning the rest to follow him. And when at length we +were out of the atmosphere of this poor ugly princess, and far +enough away from her, the king, with angry countenance, said to +Cromwell: 'Call you that a beauty? She is a Flanders mare, but no +princess.' [Footnote: Burnet, p. 174. Tytler, p. 417.] Anne's +ugliness was surely given her of God, that by it, the Church, in +which alone is salvation, might be delivered from the great danger +which threatened it. For had Anne of Cleves, the sister, niece, +granddaughter and aunt of all the Protestant princes of Germany, +been beautiful, incalculable danger would have threatened our +church. The king could not overcome his repugnance, and again his +conscience, which always appeared to be most tender and scrupulous, +when it was farthest from it and most regardless, must come to his +aid. + +"The king declared that he had been only in appearance, not in his +innermost conscience, disposed to this marriage, from which he now +shrank back, because it would be, properly speaking, nothing more +than perfidy, perjury, and bigamy. For Anne's father had once +betrothed her to the son of the Duke of Lorraine, and had solemnly +pledged him his word to give her as a wife to the young duke as soon +as she was of age; rings had been exchanged and the marriage +contract already drawn up. Anne of Cleves, therefore, was virtually +already married, and Henry, with his tender conscience, could not +make one already married his wife. [Footnote: Burnet.] He made her, +therefore, his sister, and gave her the palace at Richmond for a +residence, in case she wished to remain in England. She accepted it; +her blood, which crept coldly and quietly through her veins, did not +rise at the thought of being despised and repudiated. She accepted +it, and remained in England. + +"She was rejected because she was ugly; and now the king selected +Catharine Howard for his fifth consort, because she was pretty. Of +this marriage I know but little to tell you, for, at that time, I +had already gone to Dublin as minister, whither you soon followed +me. Catharine was very beautiful, and the king's heart, now growing +old, once more flamed high with youthful love. He loved her more +warmly than any other of his wives. He was so happy in her that, +kneeling down publicly in the church, with a loud voice he thanked +God for the happiness which his beautiful young queen afforded him. +But this did not last long. Even while the king was extolling it, +his happiness had reached its highest point, and the next day he was +dashed down into the abyss. I speak without poetical exaggeration, +my child. The day before, he thanked God for his happiness, and the +next morning Catharine Howard was already imprisoned and accused, as +an unfaithful wife, a shameless strumpet.[Footnote: Tytler, p. 432.] +More than seven lovers had preceded her royal spouse, and some of +them had accompanied her even on the progress through Yorkshire, +which she made with the king her husband. This time it was no +pretence, for he had not yet had time to fall in love with another +woman, and Catharine well knew how to enchain him and ever to kindle +new flames within him. But just because he loved her, he could not +forgive her for having deceived him. In love there is so much +cruelty and hatred; and Henry, who but yesterday lay at her feet, +burned to-day with rage and jealousy, as yesterday with love and +rapture. In his rage, however, he still loved her, and when he held +in his hand indubitable proof of her guilt, he wept like a child. +But since he could no longer be her lover, he would be her hangman; +since she had spotted the crimson of his royal mantle, he would dye +it afresh with her own crimson blood. And he did so. Catharine +Howard was forced to lay her beautiful head upon the block, as Anne +Boleyn had done before her; and Anne's death was now once more +avenged. Lady Rochfort had been Anne Boleyn's accuser, and her +testimony had brought that queen to the scaffold; but now she was +convicted of being Catharine Howard's assistant and confidante in +her love adventures, and with Catharine, Lady Rochfort also ascended +the scaffold. + +"Ah, the king needed a long time to recover from this blow. He +searched two years for a pure, uncontaminated virgin, who might +become his queen without danger of the scaffold. But he found none; +so he took then Lord Neville's widow, Catharine Parr. But you know, +my child, that Catharine is an unlucky name for Henry's queens. The +first Catharine he repudiated, the second he beheaded. What will he +do with the third?" + +Lady Jane smiled. "Catharine does not love him," said she, "and I +believe she would willingly consent, like Anne of Cleves, to become +his sister, instead of his wife." + +"Catharine does not love the king?" inquired Lord Douglas, in +breathless suspense. "She loves another, then!" + +"No, my father! Her heart is yet like a sheet of white paper: no +single name is yet inscribed there." + +"Then we must write a name there, and this name must drive her to +the scaffold, or into banishment," said her father impetuously. "It +is your business, my child, to take a steel graver, and in some way +write a name in Catharine's heart so deep and indelibly, that the +king may some day read it there." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +FATHER AND DAUGHTER. + + +Both now kept silent for a long time. Lord Douglas had leaned back +on the ottoman, and, respiring heavily, seemed to breathe a little +from the exertion of his long discourse. But while he rested, his +large, piercing eyes were constantly turned to Jane, who, leaning +back on the cushion, was staring thoughtfully into the empty air, +and seemed to be entirely forgetful of her father's presence. + +A cunning smile played for a moment over the countenance of the earl +as he observed her, but it quickly disappeared, and now deep folds +of care gathered on his brow. As he saw that Lady Jane was plunging +deeper and deeper into reverie, he at length laid his hand on her +shoulder and hastily asked, "What are you thinking of, Jane?" + +She gave a sudden start, and looked at the earl with an embarrassed +air. + +"I am thinking of all that you have been saying to me, my father," +replied she, calmly. "I am considering what benefit to our object I +can draw from it." + +Lord Douglas shook his head, and smiled incredulously. At length he +said solemnly: "Take care, Jane, take care that your heart does not +deceive your head. If we would reach our aim here, you must, above +all things, maintain a cool heart and a cool head. Do you still +possess both, Jane?" + +In confusion she cast down her eyes before his penetrating look. +Lord Douglas noticed it, and a passionate word was already on his +lips. But he kept it back. As a prudent diplomat, he knew that it is +often more politic to destroy a thing by ignoring it, than to enter +into an open contest with it. The feelings are like the dragons' +teeth of Theseus. If you contend with them, they always grow again +anew, and with renewed energy, out of the soil. Lord Douglas, +therefore, was very careful not to notice his daughter's confusion. +"Pardon me, my daughter, if, in my zeal and my tender care for you, +I go too far. I know that your dear and beautiful head is cool +enough to wear a crown. I know that in your heart dwell only +ambition and religion. Let us, then, further consider what we have +to do in order to attain our end. + +"We have spoken of Henry as a husband, of Henry as a man; and I hope +you have drawn some useful lessons from the fate of his wives. You +have learned that it is necessary to possess all the good and all +the bad qualities of woman in order to control this stiff-necked and +tyrannical, this lustful and bigoted, this vain and sensual man, +whom the wrath of God has made King of England. You must, before all +things, be perfect master of the difficult art of coquetry. You must +become a female Proteus--today a Messalina, to-morrow a nun; to-day +one of the _literati_, to-morrow a playful child; you must ever seek +to surprise the king, to keep him on the stretch, to enliven him. +You must never give way to the dangerous feeling of security, for in +fact King Henry's wife is never safe. The axe always hangs over her +head, and you must ever consider your husband as only a fickle +lover, whom you must every day captivate anew." + +"You speak as though I were already queen," said Lady Jane, smiling; +"and yet I cannot but think that, in order to come to that, many +difficulties are to be overcome, which may indeed perhaps be +insuperable." + +"Insuperable!" exclaimed her father with a shrug of the shoulders. +"With the aid of the holy Church, no hinderance is insuperable. +Only, we must be perfectly acquainted with our end and our means. Do +not despise, then, to sound the character of this king ever and +again, and be certain you will always find in him some new hidden +recess, some surprising peculiarity. We have spoken of him as a +husband and the father of a family, but of his religious and +political standing I have as yet told you nothing. And yet that, my +child, is the principal point in his whole character. + +"In the first place, then, Jane, I will tell you a secret. The king, +who has constituted himself high-priest of his Church--whom the pope +once called 'the Knight of the Truth and the Faith'--the king has at +the bottom of his heart no religion. He is a wavering reed, which +the wind turns this way to-day, and that way to-morrow. He knows not +his own will, and, coquetting with both parties, to-day he is a +heretic, in order to exhibit himself as a strong, unprejudiced, +enlightened man; to-morrow a Catholic, in order to show himself an +obedient and humble servant of God, who seeks and finds his +happiness only in love and piety. But for both confessions of faith +he possesses at heart a profound indifference; and had the pope at +that time placed no difficulties in his way, had he consented to his +divorce from Catharine, Henry would have always remained a very good +and active servant of the Catholic Church. But they were imprudent +enough to irritate him by contradiction; they stimulated his vanity +and pride to resistance; and so Henry became a church reformer, not +from conviction, but out of pure love of opposition. And that, my +child, you must never forget, for, by means of this lever, you may +very well convert him again to a devout, dutiful, and obedient +servant of our holy Church. He has renounced the pope, and usurped +the supremacy of the Church, but he cannot summon up courage to +carry out his work and throw himself wholly into the arms of the +Reformation. However much he has opposed the person of the pope, +still he has always remained devoted to the Church, although perhaps +he does not know it himself. He is no Catholic, and he hears mass; +he has broken up the monasteries, and yet forbids priests to marry; +he has the Lord's supper administered under both kinds, and believes +in the real transubstantiation of the wine into the Redeemer's holy +blood. He destroys the convents, and yet commands that vows of +chastity, spoken by man or woman, must be faithfully kept; and +lastly, auricular confession is still a necessary constituent of his +Church. And these he calls his six articles, [Footnote: Burnet, vol. +I, p. 259. Tytler, p. 402. Mioti, vol. I, p. 134.] and the +foundation of his English Church. Poor, short-sighted and vain man! +He knows not that he has done all this, only because he wanted to be +the pope himself, and he is nothing more than an anti-pope of the +Holy Father at Rome, whom he, in his blasphemous pride, dares call +'the Bishop of Rome.'" + +"But, for this audacity," said Jane, with looks of burning rage, +"the anathema has struck him and laid a curse upon his head, and +given him up to the hatred, contempt, and scorn of his own subjects. +Therefore, the Holy Father has justly named him 'the apostate and +lost son, the blaspheming usurper of the holy Church.' Therefore, +the pope has declared his crown forfeited, and promised it to him +who will vanquish him by force of arms. Therefore, the pope has +forbidden any of his subjects to obey him, and respect and recognize +him as king." + +"And yet he remains King of England, and his subjects still obey him +in slavish submission," exclaimed Earl Douglas, shrugging his +shoulders. "It is very unwise to go so far in threats, for one +should never threaten with punishment which he is not likewise able +to really execute. This Romish interdict has rather been an +advantage to the king, than done him harm, for it has forced the +king into haughtier opposition, and proved to his subjects that a +man irny roally be under an interdict, and yet in prosperity and the +full enjoyment of life." + +"The pope's excommunication has not hurt the king at all; his throne +has not felt the slightest jar from it, but the apostasy of the king +has deprived the Holy See at Rome of a very perceptible support; +therefore we must bring the faithless king back to the holy Church, +for she needs him. And this, my daughter, is the work that God and +the will of His holy representative have placed in your hands. A +noble, glorious, and at the same time profitable work, for it makes +you a queen! But I repeat, be cautious, never irritate the king by +contradiction. Without their knowing it, we must lead the wavering +where salvation awaits them. For, as we have said, he is a waverer; +and in the haughty pride of his royalty, he has the presumption to +wish to stand above all parties, and to be himself able to found a +new Church, a Church which is neither Catholic nor Protestant, but +Ms Church; to which, in the six articles, the so-called 'Bloody +Statute' he has given its laws. + +"He will not be Protestant nor Catholic, and, in order to show his +impartiality, he is an equally terrible persecutor of both parties. +So that it has come to pass that we must say, 'In England, Catholics +are hanged, and those not stich are burned.' [Footnote: Leti, vol. +I, p. 144. f Tytler, p. 38.] It gives the king pleasure to hold with +steady and cruel hand the balance between the two parties, and on +the same day that he has a papist incarcerated, because he has +disputed the king's supremacy, he has one of the reformed put upon +the rack, because he has denied the real transubstantiation of the +wine, or perhaps has dispiited concerning the necessity of auricular +confession. Indeed, during the last session of Parliament, five men +were hanged because they disputed the supremacy, and five others +burned because they professed the reformed views! And this evening, +Jane--this, the king's wedding-night--by the special order of the +king, who wanted to show his impartiality as head of the church, +Catholics and Protestants have been coupled together like dogs, and +hurried to the stake, the Catholics being condemned (is traitors, +and the others as heretics!) + +"Oh," said Jane, shuddering and turning pale, "I will not be Queen +of England. I have a horror of this cruel, savage king, whose heart +is wholly without compassion or love. + +Her father laughed. "Do you not then know, child, how you can make +the hyena gentle, and the tiger tame? You throw them again and again +a fresh prey, which they may devour, and since they love blood so +dearly, you constantly give them blood to drink, so that they may +never thirst for it. The king's only steady and unchanging +peculiarity is his cruelty and delight in blood; one then must +always have some food ready for these, then he will ever be a very +affectionate and gracious king and husband. + +"And there is no lack of objects for this bloodthirstiness. There +are so many men and women at his court, and when he is precisely in +a bloodthirsty humor, it is all the same to Henry whose blood he +drinks. He has shed the blood of his wives and relatives; he has +executed those whom he called his most confidential friends; he has +sent the noblest men of his kingdom to the scaffold. + +"Thomas More knew him very well, and in a few striking words he +summed up the whole of the king's character. Ah, it seems to me that +I see now the quiet and gentle face of this wise man, as I saw him +standing in yonder bay-window, and near him the king, his arms +around the neck of High-Chancellor More, and listening to his +discourse with a kind of reverential devotion. And when the king had +gone, I walked up to Thomas More and congratulated him on the high +and world-renowned favor in which he stood with the king. 'The king +really loves you,' said I. 'Yes,' replied he, with his quiet, sad +smile, 'yes, the king truly loves me. But that would not for one +moment hinder him from giving my head for a valuable diamond, a +beautiful woman, or a hand's breadth of land in France.' [Footnote: +Leti, vol. i, p 194.] He was right, and for a beautiful woman, the +head of this sage had to fall, of whom the most Christian emperor +and king, Charles V., said: ' Had I been the master of such a +servant, of whose ability and greatness we have had so much +experience for many years; had I possessed an adviser so wise and +earnest as Thomas More was, I would rather have lost the best city +of my realm, than so worthy a servant and counsellor.' [Footnote: +Tytler, p. 354.] + +"No, Jane, be that your first and most sacred rule, never to trust +the king, and never reckon on the duration of his affection and the +manifestations of his favor. For, in the perfidy of his heart, it +often pleases him to load with tokens of his favor those whose +destruction he has already resolved upon, to adorn and decorate with +orders and jewels to-day those whom to-morrow he is going to put to +death. It flatters his self-complacency, like the lion, to play a +little with the puppy he is about to devour. Thus did he with +Cromwell, for many years his counsellor and friend, who had +committed no other crime than that of having first exhibited to the +king the portrait of the ugly Anne of Cleves, whom Holbein had +turned into a beauty. But the king took good care not to be angry +with Cromwell, or to reproach him for it. Much more--in recognition +of his great services, he raised him to the earldom of Essex, +decorated him with the Order of the Garter and appointed him lord +chamberlain; and then, when Cromwell felt perfectly secure and +proudly basked in the sunshine of royal favor, then all at once the +king had him arrested and dragged to the tower, in order to accuse +him of high treason. [Footnote: Ibid, p. 423.] And so Cromwellwas +executed, because Anne of Cleves did not please the king, and +because Hans Holbein had flattered her picture. + +"But now we have had enough of the past, Jane. Now let us speak of +the present and of the future, my daughter. Let us now first of all +devise the means to overthrow this woman who stands in our way. When +she is once overthrown, it will not be very difficult for us to put +you in her place. For you are now here, near the king. The great +mistake in onr earlier efforts was, that we were not present and +could work only through go-betweens and confidants. The king did not +see you, and since the unlucky affair with Anne of Cleves he +mistrusts likenesses; I very well knew that, for I, my child, +confide in no one, not even in the most faithful and noblest +friends. I rely upon nobody but ourselves. Had we been here, you +would now be Queen of England instead of Catharine Parr. But, to our +misfortune, I was still the favorite of the Regent of Scotland, and +as such, I could not venture to approach Henry. It was necessary +that I should fall into disgrace there, in order to be again sure of +the king's favor here. + +"So I fell into disgrace and fled with you hither. Now, then, here +we are, and let the fight begin. And you have to-day already taken +an important step toward our end. You have attracted the notice of +the king, and established yourself still more securely in the favor +of Catharine. I confess, Jane, I am charmed with your prudent +conduct. You have this day won the hearts of all parties, and it was +wonderfully shrewd in you to come to the aid of the Earl of Surrey, +as you at the same time won to you the heretical party, to which +Anne Askew belongs. Oh, it was indeed, Jane, a stroke of policy that +you made. For the Howard family is the most powerful and greatest at +court, and Henry, Earl of Surrey, is one of its noblest +representatives. Therefore we have now already a powerful party at +court, which has in view only the high and holy aim of securing a +victory for the holy Church, and which quietly and silently works +only for this--to again reconcile the king to the pope. Henry +Howard,Earl of Surrey, like bis father, the Duke of Norfolk, is a +good Catholic, as his niece Catharine Howard was; only she, besides +God and the Church, was a little too fond of the images of God-- +fine-looking men. It was this that gave the victory to the other +party, and forced the Catholic to succumb to the heretical party at +court. Yes, for the moment, Cranmer with Catharine has got the +better of us, but soon Gardiner with Jane Douglas will overcome the +heretics, and send them to the scaffold. That is our plan, and, God +permitting, we will carry it out." + +"But it will be a difficult undertaking," said Lady Jane, with a +sigh. "The queen is a pure, transparent soul; she has a shrewd head +and a clear glance. She is, moreover, guileless in her thoughts, and +recoils with true maidenly timidity from every sin." + +"We must cure her of this timidity, and that is your task, Jane. You +must despoil her of these strict notions about virtue. With +flattering voice you must ensnare her heart, and entice it to sin." + +"Oh, that is an infernal plot!" said Lady Jane, turning pale. "That, +my father, would be a crime, for that would be not only destroying +her earthly happiness, but also imperilling her soul. I must entice +her to a crime; that is your dishonorable demand! But I will not +obey you! It is true, I hate her, for she stands in the way of my +ambition. It is true I will destroy her, for she wears the crown +which I wish to possess; but never will I be so base as to pour into +her very heart the poison by which she shall fall. Let her seek the +poison for herself; I will not hold back her hand; I will not warn +her. Let her seek the ways of sin herself: I will not tell her that +she has erred; hut I will, from afar, dog her, and watch each step, +and listen for every word and sigh, and when she has committed a +crime, then I will betray her, and deliver her up to her judges. +That is what I can and will do. I will be the demon to drive her +from paradise in God's name, but not the serpent to entice her in +the devil's name to sin." + +She paused, and, panting for breath, sunk back upon the cushion; but +her father's hand was laid upon her shoulder with a convulsive grip, +and pale with rage and with eyes flashing with anger, he stared at +her. + +A cry of terror burst from Lady Jane. She, who never had seen her +father but smiling and full of kindness, scarcely recognized that +countenance, distorted with rage. She could scarcely convince +herself that this man, with eyes darting fire, scowling eyebrows and +lips quivering with rage, was really her father. + +"You will not?" exclaimed he, with a hollow, threatening voice. "You +dare rebel against the holy commands of the Church? Have you, then, +forgotten what you promised to the Holy Fathers, whose pupil you +are? Have you forgotten that the brothers and sisters of the Holy +League are permitted to have no other will than that of their +masters! Have you forgotten the sublime vow which you made to our +master, Ignatius Loyola? Answer me, unfaithful and disobedient +daughter of the Church! Repeat to me the oath which you took when he +received you into the holy Society of the Disciples of Jesus! Repeat +your oath, I say!" + +As if constrained by an invisible power, Jane had arisen, and now +stood, her hands folded across her breast, submissive and trembling +before her father, whose erect, proud, and wrathful form towered +above her. + +"I have sworn," said she, "to subject my own thought, and will, my +life, and endeavors, obediently to the will of the Holy Father. I +have sworn to be a blind tool in the hands of my masters, and to do +only what they command and enjoin. I have vowed to serve the holy +Church, in which alone is salvation, in every way and with all the +means at my command; and I will despise none of these means, +consider none trifling, disdain none, provided it leads to the end. +For the end sanctifies the means, and nothing is a sin which is done +for the honor of God and the Church!" + +"Ad majorem Dei gloriam!" said her father, devoutly folding his +hands. "And you know what awaits you, if you violate your oath?" + +"Earthly disgrace and eternal destruction await me. The curse of all +my brethren and sisters awaits me--eternal damnation and punishment. +With thousands of torments and tortures of the rack, will the Holy +Fathers put me to death; and as they kill my body and throw it as +food to the beasts of prey, they will curse my soul and deliver it +over to purgatory." + +"And what awaits you if you remain faithful to your oath, and obey +the commands given you?" + +"Honor and glory on earth, besides eternal blessedness in heaven." + +"Then you will be a queen on earth and a queen in heaven. You know, +then, the sacred laws of the society, and you remember your oath?" + +"I remember it." + +"And you know that the holy Loyola, before he left us, gave the +Society of Jesus, in England, a master and general, whom all the +brethren and sisters must serve and submit to, to whom they owe +blind obedience and service without questioning?" + +"I know it." + +"And you know, likewise, by what sign the associates may recognize +the general?" + +"By Loyola's ring, which he wears on the forefinger of his right +hand." + +"Behold here this ring!" said the earl, drawing his hand out of his +doublet. + +Lady Jane uttered a cry, and sank almost senseless at his feet. + +Lord Douglas, smiling graciously, raised her in his arms. "You see, +Jane, I am not merely your father, but your master also. And you +will obey me, will you not?" + +"I will obey!" said she, almost inaudibly, as she kissed the hand +with the fatal ring. + +"You will be to Catharine Parr, as you have expressed it, the +serpent, that seduces her to sin?" + +"I will." + +"You will beguile her into sin, and entice her to indulge a love +which must lead her to destruction?" + +"I will do it, my father." + +"I will now tell you whom she is to love, and who is to be the +instrument of destruction. You will so manage the queen that she +will love Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey." + +Jane uttered a scream, and clung to the back of a chair to keep from +falling. + +Her father observed her with penetrating, angry looks. "What means +this outcry? Why does this choice surprise you?" asked he. + +Lady Jane had already gained her self-possession. "It surprised me," +said she, "because the earl is betrothed." + +A singular smile played about the earl's lips. "It is not the first +time," said he, "that even a man already married has become +dangerous to a woman's heart, and often the very impossibility of +possession adds fuel to the flames of love. Woman's heart is ever so +full of selfishness and contradiction." + +Lady Jane cast down her eyes, and made no reply. She felt that the +piercing and penetrating look of her father was resting on her face. +She knew that, just then, he was reading her soul, although she did +not look at him. + +"Then you no longer refuse?" asked he, at length. "You will inspire +the young queen with love for the Earl of Surrey?" + +"I will endeavor to do it, my father." + +"If you try, with a real and energetic determination to succeed, you +will prevail. For, as you said, the queen's heart is still free; it +is, then, like a fruitful soil, which is only waiting for some one +to sow the seed in it, to bring forth flowers and fruit. Catharine +Parr does not love the king; you will, then, teach her to love Henry +Howard." + +"Yet, my father," said Lady Jane, with a sarcastic smile, "to bring +about this result, one must, before all things, be acquainted with a +magic spell, through the might of which the earl will first glow +with love for Catharine. For the queen has a proud soul, and she +will never so forget her dignity as to love a man who is not +inflamed with an ardent passion for her. But the earl has not only a +bride, but, as it is said, a mistress also." + +"Ah! you consider it, then, perfectly unworthy of a woman to love a +man who does not adore her?" asked the earl, in a significant tone. +"I am rejoiced to hear this from my daughter, and thus to he certain +that she will not fall in love with the Earl of Surrey, who is +everywhere else called 'the lady-killer.' And if you have informed +yourself in so surprising a manner as to the earl's private +relations, you have done so, without doubt, only because your +sagacious and subtle head has already guessed what commission I +would give you with respect to the earl. Besides, my daughter, you +are in error: and if a certain high, but not on that account the +less very unfortunate lady, should happen to really love the Earl of +Surrey, her lot will, perhaps, be the common one--to practise +resignation." + +An expression of joyful surprise passed over the countenance of Lady +Jane, while her father thus spoke; but it was forced to instantly +give way to a deathly paleness, as the earl added: "Henry Howard is +destined for Catharine Parr, and you are to help her to love so +hotly this proud, handsome earl, who is a faithful servant of the +Church, wherein alone is salvation, that she will forget all +considerations and all dangers." + +Lady Jane ventured one more objection. She caught eagerly at her +father's words, to seek still for some way of escape. + +"You call the earl a faithful servant of our Church," said she, "and +yet you would implicate him also in your dangerous plot? You have +not, then, my father, considered that it is just as pernicious to +love the queen as to be loved by her? And, without doubt, if love +for the Earl of Surrey bring the queen to the scaffold, the head of +the earl will fall at the same time, no matter whether he return her +love or not." + +The earl shrugged his shoulders. + +"When the question is about the weal of the Church and our holy +religion, the danger which, thereby, it may be, threatens one of our +number, must not frighten us back. Holy sacrifices must be always +offered to a holy cause. Well and good, then, let the earl's head +fall, provided the only saving Church gains new vigor from this +blood of martyrs. But see, Jane, the morning already begins to dawn, +and I must hasten to leave you, lest these courtiers, ever given to +slandering, may in some way or other take the father for a lover, +and cast suspicion on the immaculate virtue of my Jane. Farewell, +then, my daughter! We both, now, know our rôles, and will take care +to play them with success. You are the friend and confidante of the +queen, and I the harmless courtier, who tries, now and then, to gain +a smile from the king by some kind and merry jest. That is all. +Good-morning, then, Jane, and good-night. For you must sleep, my +child, so that your cheeks may remain fresh and your eyes bright. +The king hates pining pale-faces. Sleep, then, future Queen of +England!" + +He gently kissed her forehead, and left the room with lingering +step. + +Lady Jane stood and listened to the sound of his footsteps gradually +dying away, when she sank on her knees, wholly crushed, utterly +stunned. + +"My God, my God!" murmured she, while streams of tears flooded her +face, "and I am to inspire the queen with love for the Earl of +Surrey, and I--I love him!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +LENDEMAIN. + + +The great levée was over. Sitting beside the king on the throne, +Catharine had received the congratulations of her court; and the +king's smiling look, and the tender words which, in undertone, he +now and then addressed to the queen, had manifested to the prudent +and expert courtiers that the king was to-day just as much enamored +of his young consort as he had been yesterday of his bride. +Therefore, every one exerted himself to please the queen, and to +catch every look, every smile, which she let fall, like sunbeams, +here and there, in order to see for whom they were intended, so that +they might, perchance, by this means, divine who were to be the +future favorites of the queen, and be the first to become intimate +with them. + +But the young queen directed her looks to no one in particular. She +was friendly and smiling, yet one felt that this friendliness was +constrained, this smile full of sadness. The king alone did not +notice it. He was cheerful and happy, and it seemed to him, +therefore, that nobody at his court could dare sigh when he, the +king, was satisfied. + +After the grand presentation, at which all the great and noble of +the realm had passed in formal procession before the royal pair, the +king had, according to the court etiquette of the time, given his +hand to his consort, led her down from the throne and conducted her +to the middle of the hall, in order to present to her the personages +in waiting at her court. + +But this walk from the throne to the centre of the hall had greatly +fatigued the king; this promenade of thirty steps was for him a very +unusual and troublesome performance, and the king longed to change +to something else more agreeable. So he beckoned to the chief master +of ceremonies, and bade him open the door leading into the dining- +room. Then he ordered his "house equipage" to be brought up, and, +seating himself in it with the utmost stateliness, he had the sedan +kept at the queen's side, waiting impatiently till the presentation +should at last conclude, and Catharine accompany him to lunch. + +The announcements of the maids of honor and female attendants had +been already made, and now came the gentlemen's turn. + +The chief master of ceremonies read from his list the names of those +cavaliers who were, henceforth, to he in waiting near the queen, and +which names the king had written down with his own hand. And at each +new appointment a slight expression of pleased astonishment flitted +across the faces of the assembled courtiers, for it was always one +of the youngest, handsomest, and most amiable lords whom the master +of ceremonies had to name. + +Perhaps the king proposed to play a cruel game at hazard, in +surrounding his consort with the young men of his court; he wished +to plunge her into the midst of danger, either to let her perish +there, or, by her avoiding danger, to be able to place the +unimpeachable virtue of his young wife in the clearest light. + +The list had begun with the less important offices, and, ever +ascending higher, they now came to positions the highest and of +greatest consequence. + +Still the queen's master of horse and the chamberlain had not been +named, and these were without doubt the most important charges at +the queen's court. For one or the other of these officers was always +very near the queen. When she was in the palace, the lord of the +chamber had to remain in the anteroom, and no one could approach the +queen but through his mediation. To him the queen had to give her +orders with regard to the schemes and pleasures of the day. He was +to contrive new diversions and amusements. He had the right of +joining the queen's narrow evening circle, and to stand behind the +queen's chair when the royal pair, at times, desired to sup without +ceremony. + +This place of chief chamberlain was, therefore, a very important +one; for since it confined him a large part of the day in the +queen's presence, it was scarcely avoidable that the lord +chamberlain should become either the confidential and attentive +friend, or the malevolent and lurking enemy of the queen! + +But the place of master of horse was of no less consequence. For as +soon as the queen left the palace, whether on foot or in a carriage, +whether to ride in the forest or to glide down the Thames in her +gilded yacht, the master of horse must be ever at her side, must +ever attend her. Indeed, this service was still more exclusive, +still more important. For, though the queen's apartments were open +to the lord chamberlain, yet, however, he was never alone with her. +The attending maids of honor were always present and prevented there +being any têtes-à-têtes or intimacy between the queen and her +chamberlain. + +But with the master of horse it was different--since many +opportunities presented themselves, when he could approach the queen +unnoticed, or at least speak to her without being overheard. He had +to offer her his hand to assist her in entering her carriage; he +could ride near the door of her coach; he accompanied her on water +excursions and pleasure rides, and these last were so much the more +important because they afforded him, to a certain extent, +opportunity for a tête-à-tête with the queen. For only the master of +horse was permitted to ride at her side; he even had precedence of +the ladies of the suite, so as to be able to give the queen +immediate assistance in case of any accident, or the stumbling of +her horse. Therefore, no one of the suite could perceive what the +queen said to the master of horse when he rode at her side. + +It was understood, therefore, how influential this place might be. +Besides, when the queen was at Whitehall, the king was almost always +near her; while, thanks to his daily increasing corpulency, he was +not exactly in a condition to leave the palace otherwise than in a +carriage. + +It was therefore very natural that the whole company at court +awaited with eager attention and bated breath the moment when the +master of ceremonies would name these two important personages, +whose names had been kept so secret that nobody had yet learned +them. That morning, just before he handed the list to the master of +ceremonies, the king had written down these two names with his own +hand. + +Not the court only, but also the king himself, was watching for +these two names. For he wished to see the effect of them, and, by +the different expression of faces, estimate the number of the +friends of these two nominees. The young queen alone exhibited the +same unconcerned affability; her heart only beat with uniform +calmness, for she did not once suspect the importance of the moment. + +Even the voice of the master of ceremonies trembled slightly, as he +now read, "To the place of high chamberlain to the queen, his +majesty appoints my Lord Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey." + +An approving murmur was heard, and almost all faces manifested glad +surprise. + +"He has a great many friends," muttered the king. "He is dangerous, +then!" An angry look darted from his eyes upon the young earl, who +was now approaching the queen, to bend his knee before her and to +press to his lips the proffered hand. + +Behind the queen stood Lady Jane, and as she beheld thus close +before her the young man, so handsome, so long yearned for, and so +secretly adored; and as she thought of her oath, she felt a violent +pang, raging jealousy, killing hatred toward the young queen, who +had, it is true, without suspecting it, robbed her of the loved one, +and condemned her to the terrible torture of pandering to her. + +The chief master of ceremonies now read in a loud solemn voice, "To +the place of master of horse, his majesty appoints my Lord Thomas +Seymour, Earl of Sudley." + +It was very well that the king had at that moment directed his whole +attention to his courtiers, and sought to read in their appearance +the impression made by this nomination. + +Had he observed his consort, he would have seen that an expression +of delighted surprise flitted across Catharine's countenance, and a +charming smile played round her lips. + +But the king, as we have said, thought only of his court; he saw +only that the number of those who rejoiced at Seymour's appointment +did not come up to that of those who received Surrey's nomination +with so much applause. + +Henry frowned and muttered to himself, "These Howards are too +powerful. I will keep a watchful eye upon them." + +Thomas Seymour approached the queen, and, bending his knee before +her, kissed her hand. Catharine received him with a gracious smile. +"My lord," said she, "you will at once enter on service with me, and +indeed, as I hope, in such manner as will be acceptable to the whole +court. My lord, take the fleetest of your coursers, and hasten to +Castle Holt, where the Princess Elizabeth is staying. Carry her this +letter from her royal father, and she will follow you hither. Tell +her that I long to embrace in her a friend and sister, and that I +pray her to pardon me if I cannot give up to her exclusively the +heart of her king and father, but that I also must still keep a +place in the same for myself. Hasten to Castle Holt, my lord, and +bring us Princess Elizabeth." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE KING'S FOOL. + + +Two years had passed away since the king's marriage, and still +Catharine Parr had always kept in favor with her husband; still her +enemies were foiled in their attempts to ruin her, and raise the +seventh queen to the throne. + +Catharine had ever been cautious, ever discreet. She had always +preserved a cold heart and a cool head. Each morning she had said to +herself that this day might be her last; that some incautious word, +some inconsiderate act, might deprive her of her crown and her life. +For Henry's savage and cruel disposition seemed, like his +corpulency, to increase daily, and it needed only a trifle to +inflame him to the highest pitch of rage, rage which, each time, +fell with fatal stroke on him who aroused it. + +A knowledge and consciousness of this had made the queen cautious. +She did not wish to die yet. She still loved life so much. She loved +it because it had as yet afforded her so little delight. She loved +it because she had so much happiness, so much rapture and enjoyment +yet to hope from it. She did not wish to die yet, for she was ever +waiting for that life of which she had a foretaste only in her +dreams, and which her palpitating and swelling heart told her was +ready to awake in her, and, with its sunny, brilliant eyes, arouse +her from the winter sleep of her existence. + +It was a bright and beautiful spring day. Catharine wanted to avail +herself of it, to take a ride and forget for one brief hour that she +was a queen. She wanted to enjoy the woods, the sweet May breeze, +the song of birds, the green meadows, and to inhale in full draughts +the pure air. + +She wanted to ride. Nobody suspected how much secret delight and +hidden rapture lay in these words. No one suspected that for months +she had been looking forward with pleasure to this ride, and +scarcely dared to wish for it, just because it would be the +fulfilment of her ardent wishes. + +She was already dressed in her riding-habit, and the little red +velvet hat, with its long, drooping white feather, adorned her +beautiful head. Walking up and down the room, she was waiting only +for the return of the lord chamberlain, whom she had sent to the +king to inquire whether he wished to speak with her before her ride. + +Suddenly the door opened, and a strange apparition showed itself on +the threshold. It was a small, compact masculine figure, clad in +vesture of crimson silk, which was trimmed in a style showy and +motley enough, with puffs and bows of all colors, and which, just on +account of its motley appearance, contrasted strangely enough with +the man's white hair, and earnest and sombre face. + +"Ah, the king's fool," said Catharine, with a merry laugh. "Well, +John, what is it that brings you here? Do you bring me a message +from the king, or have you made a bold hit, and wish me to take you +again under my protection?" + +"No, queen," said John Heywood, seriously, "I have made no bold hit, +nor do I bring a message from the king. I bring nothing but myself. +Ah, queen, I see you want to laugh, but I pray you forget for a +moment that John Heywood is the king's fool, and that it does not +become him to wear a serious face and indulge sad thoughts like +other men." + +"Oh, I know that you are not merely the king's fool, but a poet +also," said Catharine, with a gracious smile. + +"Yes," said he, "I am a poet, and therefore it is altogether proper +for me to wear this fool's cap, for poets are all fools, and it were +better for them to be hung on the nearest tree instead of being +permitted to run about in their crazy enthusiasm, and babble things +on account of which people of sense despise and ridicule them. I am +a poet, and therefore, queen, I have put on this fool's dress, which +places me under the king's protection, and allows me to say to him +all sorts of things which nobody else has the courage to speak out. +But to-day, queen, I come to you neither as a fool nor as a poet, +but I come to you because I wish to cling to your knees and kiss +your feet. I come because I wish to tell you that you have made John +Heywood forever your slave. He will from this time forth lie like a +dog before your threshold and guard you from every enemy and every +evil which may press upon you. Night and day he will be ready for +your service, and know neither repose nor rest, if it is necessary +to fulfil your command or your wish." + +As he thus spoke, with trembling voice and eyes dimmed with tears, +he knelt down and bowed his head at Catharine's feet. + +"But what have I done to inspire you with such a feeling of +thankfulness?" asked Catharine with astonishment. "How have I +deserved that you, the powerful and universally dreaded favorite of +the king, should dedicate yourself to my service?" + +"What have you done?" said he. "My lady, you have saved my son from +the stake! They had condemned him--that handsome noble youth-- +condemned him, because he had spoken respectfully of Thomas More; +because he said this great and noble man did right to die, rather +than be false to his convictions. Ah, nowadays, it requires such a +trifle to condemn a man to death! a couple of thoughtless words are +sufficient! And this miserable, lick-spittle Parliament, in its +dastardliness and worthlessness, always condemns and sentences, +because it knows that the king is always thirsty for blood, and +always wants the fires of the stake to keep him warm. So they had +condemned my son likewise, and they would have executed him, but for +you. But you, whom God has sent as an angel of reconciliation on +this regal throne reeking with blood; you who daily risk your life +and your crown to save the life of some one of those unfortunates +whom fanaticism and thirst for blood have sentenced, and to procure +their pardon, you have save my son also." + +"How! that young man who was to be burned yesterday, was your son?" + +"Yes, he was my son." + +"And you did not tell the king so? and you did not intercede for +him?" + +"Had I done so, he would have been irretrievably lost! For you well +know the king is so proud of his impartiality and his virtue! Oh, +had he known that Thomas is my son he would have condemned him to +death, to show the people that Henry the Eighth everywhere strikes +the guilty and punishes the sinner, whatever name he may bear, and +whoever may intercede for him. Ah, even your supplication would not +have softened him, for the high-priest of the English Church could +never have pardoned this young man for not being the legitimate son +of his father, for not having the right to bear his name, because +his mother was the spouse of another man whom Thomas must call +father." + +"Poor Heywood! Yes, now I understand. The king would, indeed, never +have forgiven this; and had he known it, your son would have +inevitably been condemned to the stake." + +"You saved him, queen! Do you not believe now that I shall be +forever thankful to you?" + +"I do believe it," said the queen, with a pleasant smile, as she +extended her hand for him to kiss. "I believe you, and I accept your +service." + +"And you will need it, queen, for a tempest is gathering over your +head, and soon the lightning will flash and the thunders roll." + +"Oh, I fear not! I have strong nerves!" said Catharine, smiling. +"When a storm comes, it is but a refreshing of nature, and I have +always seen that after a storm the sun shines again." + +"You are a brave soul!" swirl John Heywood, sadly. + +"That is, I am conscious of no guilt!" + +"But your enemies will invent a crime to charge you with. Ah, as +soon as it is the aim to calumniate a neighbor and plunge him in +misery, men are all poets!" + +"But you just now said that poets are crack-brained, and should be +hung to the first tree. We will, therefore, treat these slanderers +as poets, that is all." + +"No, that is not all!" said John Heywood, energetically. "For +slanderers are like earth-worms. You cut them in pieces, but instead +of thereby killing them, you multiply each one and give it several +heads." + +"But what is it, then, that I am accused of?" exclaimed Catharine, +impatiently. "Does not my life lie open and clear before you all? Do +I ever take pains to have any secrets? Is not my heart like a glass +house, into which you can all look, to convince yourselves that it +is a soil wholly unfruitful, and that not a single poor little +flower grows there?" + +"Though this be so, your enemies will sow weeds and make the king +believe that it is burning love which has grown up in your heart." + +"How! They will accuse me of having a love-affair?" asked Catharine, +and her lips slightly trembled. + +"I do not know their plans yet; but I will find them out. There is a +conspiracy at work. Therefore, queen, be on your guard! Trust +nobody, for foes are ever wont to conceal themselves under +hypocritical faces and deceiving words." + +"If you know my enemies, name them to me!" said Catharine, +impatiently. "Name them to me, that I may beware of them." + +"I have not come to accuse anybody, but to warn you. I shall, +therefore, take good care not to point out your enemies to you; but +I will name your friends to you." + +"Ah, then, I have friends, too!" whispered Catharine, with a happy +smile. + +"Yes, you have friends; and, indeed, such as are ready to give their +blood and life for you." + +"Oh, name them, name them to me!" exclaimed Catharine, all of a +tremble with joyful expectation. + +"I name first, Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury. He is your true +and staunch friend, on whom you can build. He loves you as queen, +and he prizes you as the associate whom God has sent him to bring to +completion, here at the court of this most Christian and bloody +king, the holy work of the Reformation, and to cause the light of +knowledge to illuminate this night of superstition and priestly +domination. Build strongly on Cranmer, for he is your surest and +most invariable supporter, and should he sink, your fall would +inevitably follow. Therefore, not only rely on him, but also protect +him, and look upon him as your brother; for what you do for him, you +do for yourself." + +"Yes, you are right," said Catharine, thoughtfully. "Cranmer is a +noble and staunch friend; and often enough already he has protected +me, in the king's presence, against those little pin-prickings of my +enemies, which do not indeed kill, but which make the whole body +sore and faint." + +"Protect him, and thus protect yourself." + +"Well, and the other friends?" + +"I have given Cranmer the precedence; but now, queen, I name myself +as the second of your friends. If Cranmer is your staff, I will be +your dog; and, believe me, so long as you have such a staff and so +faithful a dog, you are safe. Cranmer will warn you of every stone +that lies in your way, and I will bite and drive off the enemies, +who, hidden behind the thicket, lurk in the way to fall upon you +from behind." + +"I thank you! Really, I thank you!" said Catharine, heartily. "Well, +and what more?" + +"More?" inquired Heywood with a sad smile. + +"Mention a few more of my friends." + +"Queen, it is a great deal, if one in a lifetime has found two +friends upon whom he can rely, and whose fidelity is not guided by +selfishness. You are perhaps the only crowned head that can boast of +such friends." + +"I am a woman," said Catharine, thoughtfully, "and many women +surround me and daily swear to me unchanging faithfulness and +attachment. How! are all these unworthy the title of friends? Is +even Lady Jane Douglas unworthy; she, whom I have called my friend +these many long years, and whom I trust as a sister? Tell me, John +Heywood, you who, as it is said, know everything, and search out +everything that takes place at court, tell me, is not Lady Jane +Douglas my friend?" + +John Heywood suddenly became serious and gloomy, and looked on the +ground, absorbed in reflection. Then he swept his large, bright eyes +all around the room, in a scrutinizing manner, as if he wished to +convince himself that no listener was really concealed there, and +stepping close up to the queen, he whispered: "Trust her not; she is +a papist, and Gardiner is her friend." + +"Ah, I suspected it," whispered Catharine, sadly. + +"But listen, queen; give no expression to this suspicion by look, or +words, or by the slightest indication. Lull this viper into the +belief that you are harmless; lull her to sleep, queen. She is a +venomous and dangerous serpent, which must not be roused, lest, +before you suspect it, it bite you on the heel. Be always gracious, +always confidential, always friendly toward her. Only, queen, do not +tell her what you would not confide to Gardiner and Earl Douglas +likewise. Oh, believe me, she is like the lion in the doge's palace +at Venice. The secrets that you confide to her will become +accusations against you before the tribunal of blood." + +Catharine shook her head with a smile. "You are too severe, John +Heywood. It is possible that the religion which she secretly +professes has estranged her heart from me, but she would never be +capable of betraying me, or of leaguing herself with my foes. No, +John, you are mistaken. It would be a crime to believe thus. My God, +what a wicked and wretched world it must be in which we could not +trust even our most faithful and dearest friends!" + +"The world is indeed wicked and wretched, and one must despair of +it, or consider it a merry jest, with which the devil tickles our +noses. For me, it is such a jest, and therefore, queen, I have +become the king's fool, which at least gives me the right of +spurting out upon the crawling brood all the venom of the contempt I +feel for mankind, and of speaking the truth to those who have only +lies, by dripping honey, ever on their lips. The sages and poets are +the real fools of our day, and since I did not feel a vocation to be +a king, or a priest, a hangman, or a lamb for sacrifice, I became a +fool." + +"Yes, a fool, that is to say, an epigrammatist, whose biting tongue +makes the whole court tremble." + +"Since I cannot, like my royal master, have these criminals +executed, I give them a few sword-cuts with my tongue. Ah, I tell +you, you will much need this ally. Be on your guard, queen: I heard +this morning the first growl of the thunder, and in Lady Jane's eyes +I observed the stealthy lightning. Trust her not. Trust no one here +but your friends Cranmer and John Heywood." + +"And you say, that in all this court, among all these brilliant +women, these brave cavaliers, the poor queen has not a single +friend, not a soul, whom she may trust, on whom she may lean? Oh, +John Heywood, think again, have pity on the poverty of a queen. +Think again. Say, only you two? No friend but you?" + +And the queen's eyes filled with tears, which she tried in vain to +repress. + +John Heywood saw it and sighed deeply. Better than the queen herself +perhaps, he had read the depths of her heart, and knew its deep +wound. But he also had sympathy with her pain, and wished to +mitigate it a little. + +"I recollect," said he, gently and mournfully--"yes, I recollect, +you have yet a third friend at this court." + +"Ah, a third friend!" exclaimed Catharine, and again her voice +sounded cheery and joyous. "Name him to me, name him! For you see +clearly I am burning with impatience to hear his name." + +John Heywood looked into Catharine's glowing countenance with a +strange expression, at once searching and mournful, and for a moment +dropped his head upon his breast and sighed. + +"Now, John, give me the name of this third friend." + +"Do you not know him, queen?" asked Heywood, as he again stared +steadily in her face. Do you not know him? It is Thomas Seymour, +Earl of Sudley." + +There passed as it were a sunbeam over Catharine's face, and she +uttered a low cry. + +John Heywood said, sadly: "Queen, the sun strikes directly in your +face. Take care that it does not blind your bright eyes. Stand in +the shade, your majesty, for, hark! there comes one who might report +the sunshine in your face for a conflagration." + +Just then the door opened, and Lady Jane appeared on the threshold. +She threw a quick, searching glance around the room, and an +imperceptible smile passed over her beautiful pale face. + +"Your majesty," said she solemnly, "everything is ready. You can +begin your ride when it pleases you. The Princess Elizabeth awaits +you in the anteroom, and your master of horse already holds the +stirrup of your steed." + +"And the lord chamberlain?" asked Catharine, blushing, "has he no +message from the king to bring me?" + +"Ay!" said the Earl of Surrey as he entered. "His majesty bids me +tell the queen that she may extend her ride as far as she wishes. +The glorious weather is well worth that the Queen of England should +enjoy it, and enter into a contest with the sun." + +"Oh, the king is the most gallant of cavaliers," said Catharine, +with a happy smile. "Now come, Jane, let us ride." + +"Pardon me, your majesty," said Lady Jane, stepping back. "I cannot +to-day enjoy the privilege of accompanying your majesty. Lady Anne +Ettersville is to-day in attendance." + +"Another time, then, Jane! And you, Earl Douglas, you ride with us?" + +"The king, your majesty, has ordered me to his cabinet." + +"Behold now a queen abandoned by all her friends!" said Catharine +cheerily, as with light, elastic step she passed through the hall to +the courtyard. + +"Here is something going on which I must fathom!" muttered John +Heywood, who had left the hall with the rest. "A mousetrap is set, +for the cats remain at home, and are hungry for their prey." + +Lady Jane had remained behind in the hall with her father. Both had +stepped to the window, and were silently looking down into the yard, +where the brilliant cavalcade of the queen and her suite was moving +about in motley confusion. + +Catharine had just mounted her palfrey; the noble animal, +recognizing his mistress, neighed loudly, and, giving a snort, +reared up with his noble burden. + +Princess Elizabeth, who was close to the queen, uttered a cry of +alarm. "You will fall, queen," said she, "you ride such a wild +animal." + +"Oh, no, indeed," said Catharine, smiling; "Hector is not wild. It +is with him as with me. This charming May air has made us both +mettlesome and happy. Away, then, my ladies and lords! our horses +must be to-day swift as birds. We ride to Epping Forest." + +And through the open gateway dashed the cavalcade. The queen in +front; at her right, the Princess Elizabeth; at her left, the master +of horse, Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley. + +When the train had disappeared, father and daughter stepped back +from the window, and looked at each other with strange, dark, and +disdainful looks. + +"Well, Jane?" said Earl Douglas, at length. "She is still queen, and +the king becomes daily more unwieldy and ailing. It is time to give +him a seventh queen." + +"Soon, my father, soon." + +"Loves the queen Henry Howard at last?" + +"Yes, he loves her!" said Jane, and her pale face was now colorless +as a winding-sheet. + +"I ask, whether she loves him?" + +"She will love him!" murmured Jane, and then suddenly mastering +herself, she continued: "but it is not enough to make the queen in +love; doubtless it would be still more efficient if some one could +instill a new love into the king. Did you see, father, with what +ardent looks his majesty yesterday watched me and the Duchess of +Richmond?" + +"Did I see it? The whole court talked about it." + +"Well, now, my father, manage it so that the king may be heartily +bored to-day, and then bring him to me. He will find the Duchess of +Richmond with me." + +"Ah, a glorious thought! You will surely be Henry's seventh queen." + +"I will ruin Catharine Parr, for she is my rival, and I hate her!" +said Jane, with glowing cheeks and flashing eyes. "She has been +queen long enough, and I have bowed myself before her. Now she shall +fall in the dust before me, and I will set my foot upon her head." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +THE RIDE. + + +It was a wondrous morning. The dew still lay on the grass of the +meadows, over which they had just ridden to reach the thicket of the +forest, in whose trees resounded the melodious voices of blithe +birds. Then they rode along the banks of a babbling forest stream, +and spied the deer that came forth into the glade on the other side, +as if they wanted, like the queen and her train, to listen to the +song of the birds and the murmuring of the fountains. Catharine felt +a nameless, blissful pleasure swell her bosom. She was to-day no +more the queen, surrounded by perils and foes; no more the wife of +an unloved, tyrannical husband; not the queen trammelled with the +shackles of etiquette. She was a free, happy woman, who, in +presageful, blissful trepidation, smiled at the future, and said to +each minute, "Stay, stay, for thou art so beautiful!" + +It was a sweet, dreamy happiness, the happiness of that hour. With +glad heart, Catharine would have given her crown for it, could she +have prolonged this hour to an eternity. + +He was at her side--he of whom John Heywood had said, that he was +among her most trustful and trusty friends. He was there; and even +if she did not dare to look at him often, often to speak to him, yet +she felt his presence, she perceived the glowing beams of his eyes, +which rested on her with consuming fire. Nobody could observe them. +For the court rode behind them, and before them and around them was +naught but Nature breathing and smiling with joy, naught but heaven +and God. + +She had forgotten however that she was not quite alone, and that +while Thomas Seymour rode on her left, on her right was Princess +Elizabeth--that young girl of fourteen years--that child, who, +however, under the fire of suffering and the storms of adversity, +was early forced to precocious bloom, and whose heart, by the tears +and experience of her unhappy childhood, had acquired an early +ripeness. Elizabeth, a child in years, had already all the strength +and warmth of a woman's feelings. Elizabeth, the disowned and +disinherited princess, had inherited her father's pride and +ambition; and when she looked on the queen, and perceived that +little crown wrought on her velvet cap in diamond embroidery, she +felt in her bosom a sharp pang, and remembered, with feelings of +bitter grief, that this crown was destined never to adorn her head, +since the king, by solemn act of Parliament, had excluded her from +the succession to the throne. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 340] But for a +few weeks this pain had been more gentle, and less burning. Another +feeling had silenced it. Elizabeth who was never to be queen or +sovereign--Elizabeth might be a wife at least. Since she was denied +a crown, they should at least allow her instead a wife's happiness; +they should not grudge her the privilege of twining in her hair a +crown of myrtle. + +She had been early taught to ever have a clear consciousness of all +her feelings; nor had she now shrunk from reading the depths of her +heart with steady and sure eye. + +She knew that she loved, and that Thomas Seymour was the man whom +she loved. + +But the earl? Did he love her in return? Did he understand the +child's heart? Had he, beneath the childish face, already recognized +the passionate, proud woman? Had he guessed the secrets of this +soul, at once so maidenly and chaste, and yet so passionate and +energetic? + +Thomas Seymour never betrayed a secret, and what he had, it may be, +read in the eyes of the princess, and what he had, perhaps, spoken +to her in the quiet shady walks of Hampton Court, or in the long, +dark corridors of Whitehall, was known to no one save those two. For +Elizabeth had a strong, masculine soul; she needed no confidant to +share her secrets; and Thomas Seymour had feared even, like the +immortal hair-dresser of King Midas, to dig a hole and utter his +secret therein; for he knew very well that, if the reed grew up and +repeated his words, he might, for these words, lay his head on the +block. + +Poor Elizabeth! She did not even suspect the earl's secret and her +own were not, however, the same; she did not suspect that Thomas +Seymour, if he guessed her secret, might, perhaps, avail himself of +it to make thereof a brilliant foil for his own secret. + +He had, like her, ever before his eyes the diamond crown on the head +of the young queen, and he had noticed well how old and feeble the +king had become of late. + +As he now rode by the side of the two princesses, he felt his heart +swell with a proud joy, and bold and ambitious schemes alone +occupied his soul. + +The two women understood nothing of this. They were both too much +occupied with their own thoughts; and while Catharine's eyes swept +with beaming look the landscape far and wide, the brow of the +princess was slightly clouded, and her sharp eye rested with a fixed +and watchful gaze on Thomas Seymour. + +She had noticed the impassioned look which he had now and then +fastened on the queen. The slight, scarcely perceptible tremor of +his voice, when he spoke, had not escaped her. + +Princess Elizabeth was jealous; she felt the first torturing motions +of that horrible disease which she had inherited from her father, +and in the feverish paroxysms of which the king had sent two of his +wives to the scaffold. + +She was jealous, but not of the queen; much more, she dreamed not +that the queen might share and return Seymour's love. It never came +into her mind to accuse the queen of an understanding with the earl. +She was jealous only of the looks which he directed toward the +queen; and because she was watching those looks, she could not at +the same time read the eyes of her young stepmother also; she could +not see the gentle flames which, kindled by the fire of his looks, +glowed in hers. + +Thomas Seymour had seen them, and had he now been alone with +Catharine, he would have thrown himself at her feet and confided to +her all the deep and dangerous secrets that he had so long harbored +in his breast; he would have left to her the choice of bringing him +to the block, or of accepting the love which he consecrated to her. + +But there, behind them, were the spying, all-observing, all- +surmising courtiers; there was the Princess Elizabeth, who, had he +ventured to speak to the queen, would have conjectured from his +manner the words which she could not understand; for love sees so +clearly, and jealousy has such keen ears! + +Catharine suspected nothing of the thoughts of her companions. She +alone was happy; she alone gave herself up with full soul to the +enjoyment of the moment. She drew in with intense delight the pure +air; she drank in the odor of the meadow blossoms; she listened with +thirsty ear to the murmuring song which the wind wafted to her from +the boughs of the trees. Her wishes extended not beyond the hour; +she rested in the full enjoyment of the presence of her beloved. He +was there--what needed she more to make her happy? + +Her wishes extended not beyond this hour. She was only conscious how +delightful it was thus to be at her beloved's side, to breathe the +same air, to see the same sun, the same flowers on which his eyes +rested, and on which their glances at least might meet in kisses +which were denied to their lips. + +But as they thus rode along, silent and meditative, each occupied +with his own thoughts, there came the assistance for which Thomas +Seymour had prayed, fluttering along in the shape of a fly. + +At first this fly sported and buzzed about the nose of the fiery, +proud beast which the queen rode; and as no one noticed it, it was +not disturbed by Hector's tossing of his mane, but crept securely +and quietly to the top of the noble courser's head, pausing a little +here and there, and sinking his sting into the horse's flesh, so +that he reared and began loudly to neigh. + +But Catharine was a bold and dexterous rider, and the proud spirit +of her horse only afforded her delight, and gave the master of horse +an opportunity to praise her skill and coolness. + +Catharine received with a sweet smile the encomiums of her beloved. +But the fly kept creeping on, and, impelled by a diabolic delight, +now penetrated the horse's ear. The poor, tormented animal made a +spring forward. This spring, instead of freeing him from his enemy, +made him penetrate the ear still farther, and sink his sting still +deeper into the soft fleshy part of the same. + +Stung by the maddening pain, the horse cast off all control, and, +heedless of bridle and scorning the bit, dashed forward in a furious +run--forward over the meadow swift as an arrow, resistless as the +lightning. + +"On, on, to the queen's rescue!" thundered the master of horse, and +with mad haste, away flew he also over the meadow. + +"To the help of the queen!" repeated Princess Elizabeth, and she +likewise spurred her horse and hurried forward, accompanied by the +whole suite. + +But what is the speed of a horse ever so swift, but yet in his +senses, compared with the raving madness of a crazy courser, that, +despising all subjection, and mocking at the bridle, dashes ahead, +foaming with the sense of freedom and unrestraint, uncontrollable as +the surge lashed by the storm! + +Already far behind them lay the meadows, far behind them the avenues +leading through the woods, and over brooks and ditches, over meadows +and wastes, Hector was dashing on. + +The queen still sat firmly in the saddle; her cheeks were colorless; +her lips trembled; but her eye was still bright and clear. She had +not yet lost her presence of mind; she was perfectly conscious of +her danger. The din of screaming, screeching voices, which she heard +at first, had long since died away in silence behind her. An immense +solitude, the deep silence of the grave, was around her. + +Naught was heard save the panting and snorting of the horse; naught +but the crash and clatter of his hoofs. Suddenly, however, this +sound seemed to find an echo. It was repeated over yonder. There was +the same snorting and panting; there was the same resounding +trampling of hoofs. And now, oh, now, struck on Catharine's car the +sound of a voice only too well loved, and made her scream aloud with +delight and desire. + +But this cry frightened anew the enraged animal. For a moment, +exhausted and panting, he had slackened in his mad race; now he +sprang forward with renewed energy; now he flew on as if impelled by +the wings of the wind. But ever nearer and nearer sounded the loved +voice ever nearer the tramp of his horse. + +They were now upon a large plain, shut in on all sides by woods. +While the queen's horse circled the plain in a wide circuit, +Seymour's, obedient to the rein, sped directly across it, and was +close behind the queen. + +"Only a moment more! Only hold your arms firmly around the animal's +neck, that the shock may not hurl you off, when I lay hold of the +rein!" shouted Seymour, and he set his spurs into his horse's +flanks, so that he sprang forward with a wild cry. + +This cry roused Hector to new fury. Panting for breath, he shot +forward with fearful leaps, now straight into the thicket of the +woods. + +"I hear his voice no more," murmured Catharine. And at length +overcome with anxiety and the dizzy race, and worn out with her +exertions, she closed her eyes; her senses appeared to be about +leaving her. + +But at this moment, a firm hand seized with iron grasp the rein of +her horse, so that he bowed his head, shaking, trembling, and almost +ashame, as the horse had found his lord and master. + +"Saved! I am saved!" faltered Catharine, and breathless, scarcely in +her senses, she leaned her head on Seymour's shoulder. + +He lifted her gently from the saddle, and placed her on the soft +moss beneath an ancient oak. Then he tied the horses to a bough, and +Catharine, trembling and faint, sank on her knees to rest after such +violent exertion. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE DECLARATION. + + +Thomas Seymour returned to Catharine. She still lay there with +closed eyes, pale and motionless. + +He gazed on her long and steadily; his eyes drank in, in long +draughts, the sight of this beautiful and noble woman, and he forgot +at that moment that she was a queen. + +He was at length alone with her. At last, after two years of +torture, of resignation, of dissimulation, God had granted him this +hour, for which he had so long yearned, which he had so long +considered unattainable. Now it was there, now it was his. + +And had the whole court, had King Henry himself, come right then, +Thomas Seymour would not have heeded it; it would not have +affrighted him. The blood had mounted to his head and overcome his +reason. His heart, still agitated and beating violently from his +furious ride and his anxiety for Catharine, allowed him to hear no +other voice than that of passion. + +He knelt by the queen and seized her hand. + +Perhaps it was this touch which roused her from her unconsciousness. +She raised her eyes and gazed around with a perplexed look. + +"Where am I?" breathed she in a low tone. + +Thomas Seymour pressed her hand to his lips. "You are with the most +faithful and devoted of your servants, queen!" + +"Queen!" This word roused her from her stupor, and caused her to +raise herself half up. + +"But where is my court? Where is the Princess Elizabeth? Where are +all the eyes that heretofore watched me? Where are all the listeners +and spies who accompany the queen?" + +"They are far away from here," said Seymour in a tone which betrayed +his secret delight. "They are far away from here, and need at least +an hour's time to come up with us. An hour, queen! are you aware +what that is to me? An hour of freedom, after two years of +imprisonment! An hour of happiness, after two years of daily +torture, daily endurance of the torments of hell!" + +Catharine, who had at first smiled, had now become grave and sad. + +Her eye rested on the cap which had fallen from her head and lay +near her on the grass. + +She pointed with trembling finger to the crown, and said softly, +"Recognize you that sign, my lord?" + +"I recognize it, my lady; but in this hour, I no longer shrink back +at it. There are moments in which life is at its crowning point, and +when one heeds not the abyss that threatens close beneath. Such an +hour is the present. I am aware that this hour makes me guilty of +high treason and may send me to the block; but nevertheless I will +not be silent. The fire which burns in my breast consumes me. I must +at length give it vent. My heart, that for years has burned upon a +funeral pyre, and which is so strong that in the midst of its +agonies it has still ever felt a sensation of its blessedness--my +heart must at length find death or favor. You shall hear me, queen!" + +"No, no," said she, almost in anguish, "I will not, I cannot hear +you! Remember that I am Henry the Eighth's wife, and that it is +dangerous to speak to her. Silence, then, earl, silence, and let us +ride on." + +She would have arisen, but her own exhaustion and Lord Seymour's +hand caused her to sink back again. + +"No, I will not be silent," said he. "I will not be silent until I +have told you all that rages and glows within me. The Queen of +England may either condemn me or pardon me, but she shall know that +to me she is not Henry the Eighth's wife, but only the most charming +and graceful, the noblest and loveliest woman in England. I will +tell her that I never recollect she is my queen, or, if I do so, it +is only to curse the king, who was presumptuous enough to set this +brightly sparkling jewel in his bloody crown." + +Catharine, almost horrified, laid her hand on Seymour's lips. +"Silence, unhappy man, silence! Know you that it is your sentence of +death which you are now uttering? Your sentence of death, if any +soul hears you?" + +"But no one hears me. No one save the queen, and God, who, however, +is perhaps more compassionate and merciful than the queen. Accuse me +then, queen; go and tell your king that Thomas Seymour is a traitor; +that he dares love the queen. The king will send me to the scaffold, +but I shall nevertheless deem myself happy, for I shall at least die +by your instrumentality. Queen, if I cannot live for you, then +beautiful it is to die for you!" + +Catharine listened to him wholly stupefied, wholly intoxicated. This +was, for her, language wholly new and never heard before, at which +her heart trembled in blissful awe, which rushed around her in +enchanting melodies and lulled her into a sweet stupefaction. Now +she herself even forgot that she was queen, that she was the wife of +Henry, the bloodthirsty and the jealous. She was conscious only of +this, that the man whom she had so long loved, was now kneeling at +her side. With rapture she drank in his words, which struck upon her +ear like exquisite music. + +Thomas Seymour continued. He told her all he had suffered. He told +her he had often resolved to die, in order to put an end to these +tortures, but that then a glance of her eye, a word from her lips, +had given him strength to live, and still longer endure these +tortures, which were at the same time so full of rapture. + +"But now, queen, now my strength is exhausted, and it is for you to +give me life or death. To-morrow I will ascend the scaffold, or you +shall permit me to live, to live for you." + +Catharine trembled and looked at him wellnigh astounded. He seemed +so proud and imperative, she almost felt a fear for him, but it was +the happy fear of a loving, meek woman before a strong, commanding +man. + +"Know you," said she, with a charming smile, "that you almost have +the appearance of wishing to command me to love you?" + +"No, queen," said he, proudly, "I cannot command you to love me, but +I bid you tell me the truth. I bid you do this, for I am a man who +has the right to demand the truth of a woman face to face. And I +have told you, you are not the queen to me. You are but a beloved, +an adored woman. This love has nothing to do with your royalty, and +while I confess it to you, I do not think that you abase yourself +when you receive it. For the true love of a man is ever the holiest +gift that he can present to a woman, and if a beggar dedicates it to +a queen, she must feel herself honored by it. Oh, queen, I am a +beggar. I lie at your feet and raise my hands beseechingly to you; +but I want not charity, I want not your compassion and pity, which +may, perhaps, grant me an alms to lessen my misery. No, I want you +yourself. I require all or nothing. It will not satisfy me that you +forgive my boldness, and draw the veil of silence over my mad +attempt. No, I wish you to speak, to pronounce my condemnation or a +benediction on me. Oh, I know you are generous and compassionate, +and even if you despise my love and will not return it, yet, it may +be, you will not betray me. You will spare me, and be silent. But I +repeat it, queen, I do not accept this offer of your magnanimity. +You are to make me either a criminal or a god; for I am a criminal +if you condemn my love, a god if you return it." + +"And do you know, earl," whispered Catharine, "that you are very +cruel? You want me to be either an accuser or an accomplice. You +leave me no choice but that of being either your murderess or a +perjured and adulterous woman--a wife who forgets her plighted faith +and her sacred duty, and defiles the crown which my husband has +placed upon my head with stains, which Henry will wash out with my +own blood and with yours also." + +"Let it be so, then," cried the earl, almost joyfully. "Let my head +fall, no matter how or when, if you but love me; for then I shall +still be immortal; for a moment in your arms is an eternity of +bliss." + +"But I have already told you that not only your head, but mine also, +is concerned in this matter. You know the king's harsh and cruel +disposition. The mere suspicion is enough to condemn me. Ah, if he +knew what we have just now spoken here, he would condemn me, as he +condemned Catharine Howard, though I am not guilty as she was. Ah, I +shudder at the thought of the block; and you, Earl Seymour, you +would bring me to the scaffold, and yet you say you love me!" + +Seymour sunk his head mournfully upon his breast and sighed deeply. +"You have pronounced my sentence, queen, and though you are too +noble to tell me the truth, yet I have guessed it. No, you do not +love me, for you see with keen eyes the danger that threatens you, +and you fear for yourself. No, you love me not, else you would think +of nothing save love alone. The dangers would animate you, and the +sword which hangs over your head you would not see, or you would +with rapture grasp its edge and say, 'What is death to me, since I +am happy! What care I for dying, since I have felt immortal +happiness!' Ah, Catharine, you have a cold heart and a cool head. +May God preserve them both to you; then will you pass through life +quietly and safely; but you will yet be a poor, wretched woman, and +when you come to die, they will place a royal crown upon your +coffin, but love will not weep for you. Farewell, Catharine, Queen +of England, and since you cannot love him, give Thomas Seymour, the +traitor, your sympathy at least." + +He bowed low and kissed her feet, then he arose and walked with firm +step to the tree where he had tied the horses. But now Catharine +arose, now she flew to him, and grasping his hand, asked, trembling +and breathless, "What are you about to do? whither are you going?" + +"To the king, my lady." + +"And what will you do there?" + +"I will show him a traitor who has dared love the queen. You have +just killed my heart; he will kill only my body. That is less +painful, and I will thank him for it." + +Catharine uttered a cry, and with passionate vehemence drew him back +to the place where she had been resting. + +"If you do what you say, you will kill me," said she, with trembling +lips. "Hear me, hear! The moment you mount your horse to go to the +king, I mount mine too; but not to follow you, not to return to +London, but to plunge with my horse down yonder precipice. Oh, fear +nothing; they will not accuse you of my murder. They will say that I +plunged down there with my horse, and that the raging animal caused +my death." + +"Queen, take good heed, consider well what you say!" exclaimed +Thomas Seymour, his countenance clearing up and his face flaming +with delight. "Bear in mind that your words must be either a +condemnation or an avowal. I wish death, or your love! Not the love +of a queen, who thinks to be gracious to her subject, when for the +moment she elevates him to herself; but the love of a woman who bows +her head in meekness and receives her lover as at the same time her +lord. Oh, Catharine, be well on your guard! If you come to me with +the pride of a queen, if there be even one thought in you which +tells you that you are bestowing a favor on a subject as you take +him to your heart, then be silent and let me go hence. I am proud, +and as nobly born as yourself, and however love throws me conquered +at your feet, yet it shall not bow my head in the dust! But if you +say that you love me, Catharine, for that I will consecrate my whole +life to you. I will be your lord, but your slave also. There shall +be in me no thought, no feeling, no wish that is not devoted and +subservient to you. And when I say that I will he your lord, I mean +not thereby that I will not lie forever at your feet and bow my head +in the dust, and say to you: Tread on it, if it seem good to you, +for I am your slave!" + +And speaking thus, he dropped on his knees and pressed to her feet +his face, whose glowing and noble expression ravished Catharine's +heart. + +She hent down to him, and gently lifting his head, looked with an +indescribable expression of happiness and love deep into his beaming +eyes. + +"Do you love me?" asked Seymour, as he put his arm softly around her +slender waist, and arose from his kneeling attitude. + +"I love you!" said she, with a firm voice and a happy smile. "I love +you, not as a queen, but as a woman; and if perchance this love +hring us both to the scaffold, well then we shall at least die +together, to meet again there above!" + +"No, think not now of dying, Catharine, think of living--of the +beautiful, enchanting future which is beckoning to us. Think of the +days which will soon come, and in which our love will no longer +require secresy or a veil, but when we will manifest it to the whole +world, and can proclaim our happiness from a full glad breast! Oh, +Catharine, let us hope that compassionate and merciful death will +loose at last the unnatural bonds that bind you to that old man. +Then, when Henry is no more, then will you be mine, mine with yonr +entire being, with your whole life; and instead of a proud regal +crown, a crown of myrtle shall adorn your head! Swear that to me, +Catharine; swear that you will become my wife, as soon as death has +set you free." + +The queen shuddered and her cheeks. grew pale. "Oh," said she with a +sigh, "death then is our hope and perhaps the scaffold our end!" + +"No, Catharine, love is our hope, and happiness our end. Think of +life, of our future! God grant my request. Swear to me here in the +face of God, and of sacred and calm nature around us, swear to me, +that from the day when death frees you from your husband you will be +mine, my wife, my consort! Swear to me, that you, regardless of +etiquette and unmindful of tyrannical custom, will be Lord Seymour's +wife, before the knell for Henry's death has died away. We will find +a priest, who may bless our love and sanctify the covenant that we +have this day concluded for eternity! Swear to me, that, till that +wished--for day, you will keep for me your truth and love, and never +forget that my honor is yours also, that your happiness is also +mine!" + +"I swear it!" said Catharine, solemnly. "You may depend upon me at +all times and at all hours. Never will I be untrue to you; never +will I have a thought that is not yours. I will love you as Thomas +Seymour deserves to be loved, that is with a devoted and faithful +heart. It will be my pride to subject myself to you, and with glad +soul will I serve and follow you, as your true and obedient wife." + +"I accept your oath!" said Seymour, solemnly. "But in return I swear +that I will honor and esteem you as my queen and mistress. I swear +to you that you shall never find a more obedient subject, a more +unselfish counsellor, a more faithful husband, a braver champion, +than I will be. 'My life for my queen, my entire heart for my +beloved'; this henceforth shall be my motto, and may I be disowned +and despised by God and by you, if ever I violate this oath." + +"Amen!" said Catharine, with a bewitching smile. + +Then both were silent. It was that silence which only love and +happiness knows--that silence which is so rich in thoughts and +feelings, and therefore so poor in words! + +The wind rustled whisperingly in the trees, among whose dark +branches here and there a bird's warbling or flute-like notes +resounded. The sun threw his emerald light over the soft velvety +carpet of the ground, which, rising and falling in gentle, +undulating lines, formed lovely little hollows and hillocks, on +which now and then was seen here and there the slender and stately +figure of a hart, or a roe, that, looking around searchingly with +his bright eyes, started back frightened into the thicket on +observing these two human figures and the group of horses encamped +there. + +Suddenly this quiet was interrupted by the loud sound of the +hunter's horn, and in the distance were heard confused cries and +shouts, which were echoed by the dense forest and repeated in a +thousand tones. + +With a sigh the queen raised her head from the earl's shoulder. + +The dream was at an end; the angel came with flaming sword to drive +her from paradise. + +For she was no longer worthy of paradise. The fatal word had been +spoken, and while it brought her love, it had perjured her. + +Henry's wife, his by her vow taken before the altar, had betrothed +herself to another, and given him the love that she owed her +husband. + +"It is passed," said he, mournfully. "These sounds call me back to +my slavery. We must both resume our roles. I must become queen +again." + +"But first swear to me that you will never forget this hour; that +you will ever think upon the oaths which we have mutually sworn." + +She looked at him almost astounded. "My God! can truth and love be +forgotten?" + +"You will remain ever true, Catharine?" + +She smiled. "See, now, my jealous lord, do I address such questions +to you?" + +"Oh, queen, you well know that you possess the charm that binds +forever." + +"Who knows?" said she dreamily, as she raised her enthusiastic look +to heaven, and seemed to follow the bright silvery clouds which were +sailing slowly across the blue ether. + +Then her eyes fell on her beloved, and laying her hand softly upon +his shoulder, she said: "Love is like God--eternal, primeval, and +ever present! But you must believe in it to feel its presence; you +must trust it to be worthy of its blessing!" + +But the hallooing and the clangor of the horns came nearer and +nearer. Even now was heard the barking of the dogs and the tramp of +horses. + +The earl had untied the horses, and led Hector, who was now quiet +and gentle as a lamb, to his mistress. + +"Queen," said Thomas Seymour, "two delinquents now approach you! +Hector is my accomplice, and had it not been that the fly I now see +on his swollen ear had made him raving, I should be the most +pitiable and unhappy man in your kingdom, while now I am the +happiest and most enviable." + +The queen made no answer, but she put both her arms around the +animal's neck and kissed him. + +"Henceforth," said she, "then I will ride only Hector, and when he +is old and unfit for service--" + +"He shall be tended and cared for in the stud of Countess Catharine +Seymour!" interrupted Thomas Seymour, as he held the queen's stirrup +and assisted her into the saddle. + +The two rode in silence toward the sound of the voices and horns, +both too much occupied by their own thoughts to interrupt them by +trifling words. + +"He loves me!" thought Catharine. "I am a happy, enviable woman, for +Thomas Seymour loves me." + +"She loves me!" thought he, with a proud, triumphant smile. "I +shall, therefore, one day become Regent of England." + +Just then they came out on the large level meadow, through which +they had previously ridden, and over which now came, scattered here +and there in motley confusion, the entire royal suite, Princess +Elizabeth at the head. + +"One thing more!" whispered Catharine. "If you ever need a messenger +to me, apply to John Heywood. He is a friend whom we can trust." + +And she sprang forward to meet the princess, to recount to her all +the particulars of her adventure, and her happy rescue by the master +of horse. + +Elizabeth, however, listened to her with glowing looks and thoughts +distracted, and as the queen then turned to the rest of her suite, +and, surrounded by her ladies and lords, received their +congratulations, a slight sign from the princess called Thomas +Seymour to her side. + +She allowed her horse to curvet some paces forward, by which she and +the earl found themselves separated a little from the rest, and were +sure of being overheard by no one. + +"My lord," said she, in a vehement, almost threatening voice, "you +have often and in vain besought me to grant you an interview. I have +denied you. You intimated that you had many things to say to me, for +which we must be alone, and which must reach no listener's ear. +Well, now, to-day I grant you an interview, and I am at last +inclined to listen to you." + +She paused and waited for a reply. But the earl remained silent. He +only made a deep and respectful bow, bending to the very neck of his +horse. "Well and good; I will go to this rendezvous were it but to +blind Elizabeth's eyes, that she may not see what she never ought to +see. That was all." + +The young princess cast on him an angry look, and a dark scowl +gathered on her brow. "You understand well how to control your joy," +said she; "and any one to see you just now would think--" + +"That Thomas Seymour is discreet enough not to let even his rapture +be read in his countenance at this dangerous court," interrupted the +earl in a low murmur. "When, princess, may I see you and where?" + +"Wait for the message that John Heywood will bring you to-day," +whispered Elizabeth, as she sprang forward and again drew near the +queen. + +"John Heywood, again!" muttered the earl. "The confidant of both, +and so my hangman, if he wishes to be!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +"LE ROI S'ENNUIT." + + +King Henry was alone in his study. He had spent a few hours in +writing on a devout and edifying book, which he was preparing for +his subjects, and which, in virtue of his dignity as supreme lord of +the Church, he designed to commend to their reading instead of the +Bible. + +He now laid down his pen, and, with infinite complacency, looked +over the written sheets, which were to be to his people a new proof +of his paternal love and care, and so convince them that Henry the +Eighth was not only the noblest and most virtuous of kings, but also +the wisest. + +But this reflection failed to make the king more cheerful to-day; +perhaps because he had already indulged in it too frequently. To be +alone, annoyed and disturbed him--there were in his breast so many +secret and hidden voices, whose whispers he dreaded, and which, +therefore, he sought to drown--there were so many recollections of +blood, which ever and again rose before him, however often he tried +to wash them out in fresh blood, and which the king was afraid of, +though he assumed the appearance of never repenting, never feeling +disquietude. + +With hasty hand he touched the gold bell standing by him, and his +face brightened as he saw the door open immediately, and Earl +Douglas make his appearance on the threshold. + +"Oh, at length!" said the lord, who had very well understood the +expression of Henry's features; "at length, the king condescends to +be gracious to his people." + +"I gracious?" asked the king, utterly astonished. "Well, how am I +so?" + +"By your majesty's resting at length from his exertions, and giving +a little thought to his valuable and needful health. When you +remember, sire, that England's weal depends solely and alone on the +weal of her king, and that you must be and remain healthy, that your +people, likewise may be healthy." + +The king smiled with satisfaction. It never came into his head to +doubt the earl's words. It seemed to him perfectly natural that the +weal of his people depended on his person; but yet it was always a +lofty and beautiful song, and he loved to have his courtiers repeat +it. + +The king, as we have said, smiled, but there was something unusual +in that smile, which did not escape the earl. + +"He is in the condition of a hungry anaconda," said Earl Douglas to +himself. "He is on the watch for prey, and he will be bright and +lively again just as soon as he has tasted a little human flesh and +blood. Ah, luckily we are well supplied in that way. Therefore, we +will render unto the king what is the king's. But we must be +cautious and go to work warily." + +He approached the king and imprinted a kiss on his hand. + +"I kiss this hand," said he, "which has been to-day the fountain +through which the wisdom of the head has been poured forth on this +blessed paper. I kiss this paper, which will announce and explain to +happy England God's pure and unadulterated word; but yet I say let +this suffice for the present, my king; take rest; remember awhile +that you are not only a sage, but also a man." + +"Yes and truly a weak and decrepit one!" sighed the king, as with +difficulty he essayed to rise, and in so doing leaned so heavily and +the earl's arm that he almost broke down under the monstrous load. + +"Decrepit!" said Earl Douglas, reproachfully. "Your majesty moves +to-day with as much ease and freedom as a youth, and my arm was by +no means needed to help you up." + +"Nevertheless, we are growing old!" said the king, who, from his +weariness, was unusually sentimental and low-spirited to-day. + +"Old!" repeated Earl Douglas. "Old, with those eyes darting fire, +and that lofty brow, and that face, in every feature so noble! No, +your majesty, kings have this in common with the gods--they never +grow old." + +"And therein they resemble parrots to a hair!" said John Heywood, +who just then entered the room. "I own a parrot which my great- +grandfather inherited from his great-grandfather, who was hair- +dresser to Henry the Fourth, and which to-day still sings with the +same volubility as he did a hundred years ago: 'Long live the king! +long live this paragon of virtue, sweetness, beauty, and mercy! Long +live the king!' He has cried this for hundreds of years, and he has +repeated it for Henry the Fifth and Henry the Sixth, for Henry the +Seventh and Henry the Eighth! And wonderful, the kings have changed, +but the song of praise has always been appropriate, and has ever +been only the simple truth! Just like yours, my Lord Douglas! Your +majesty may depend upon it, he speaks the truth, for he is near akin +to my parrot, which always calls him 'My cousin,' and has taught him +his immortal song of praise to kings." + +The king laughed, while Earl Douglas cast at John Heywood a sharp, +spiteful look. + +"He is an impudent imp, is he not, Douglas?" said the king. + +"He is a fool!" replied he, with a shrug. + +"Exactly, and therefore I just now told you the truth. For you know +children and fools speak the truth. And I became a fool just on this +account, that the king, whom you all deceive by your lies, may have +about him some creature, besides his looking-glass, to tell him the +truth." + +"Well, and what truth will you serve up for me today?" + +"It is already served, your majesty. So lay aside for a little your +regal crown and your high priesthood, and conclude to be for awhile +a carnivorous beast. It is very easy to become a king. For that, +nothing more is necessary than to be born of a queen under a canopy. +But it is very difficult to be a man who has a good digestion. It +requires a healthy stomach and a light conscience. Come, King Henry, +and let us see whether you are not merely a king, but also a man +that has a good stomach." And with a merry laugh he took the king's +other arm and led him with the earl into the dining-room. + +The king, who was an extraordinary eater, silently beckoned his +suite to take their places at the table, after he had seated himself +in his gilded chair. With grave and solemn air he then received from +the hands of the master of ceremonies the ivory tablet on which was +the bill of fare for the day. The king's dinner was a solemn and +important affair. A multitude of post-wagons and couriers were ever +on the way to bring from the remotest ends of the earth dainties for +the royal table. The bill of fare, therefore, to-day, as ever, +exhibited the choicest and rarest dishes; and always when the king +found one of his favorite ones written down he made an assenting and +approving motion of the head, which always lighted up the face of +the master of ceremonies like a sunbeam. There were birds' nests +brought from the East Indies by a fast-sailing vessel, built +specially for the purpose. There were hens from Calcutta and +truffles from Languedoc, which the poet-king, Francis the First of +France, had the day before sent to his royal brother as a special +token of affection. There was the sparkling wine of Champagne, and +the fiery wine of the Island of Cyprus, which the Republic of Venice +had sent to the king as a mark of respect. There were the heavy +wines of the Rhine, which looked like liquid gold, and diffused the +fragrance of a whole bouquet of flowers, and with which the +Protestant princes of Northern Germany hoped to fuddle the king, +whom they would have gladly placed at the head of their league. +There, too, were the monstrous, gigantic partridge pastries, which +the Duke of Burgundy had sent, and the glorious fruits of the south, +from the Spanish coast, with which the Emperor Charles the Fifth +supplied the King of England's table. For it was well known that, in +order to make the King of England propitious, it was necessary first +to satiate him; that his palate must first be tickled, in order to +gain his head or his heart. + +But to-day all these things seemed insufficient to give the king the +blissful pleasure which, at other times, was wont to be with him +when he sat at table. He heard John Heywood's jests and biting +epigrams with a melancholy smile, and a cloud was on his brow. + +To be in cheerful humor, the king absolutely needed the presence of +ladies. He needed them as the hunter needs the roe to enjoy the +pleasure of the chase--that pleasure which consists in killing the +defenceless and in declaring war against the innocent and peaceful. + +The crafty courtier, Earl Douglas, readily divined Henry's +dissatisfaction, and understood the secret meaning of his frowns and +sighs. He hoped much from them, and was firmly resolved to draw some +advantage therefrom, to the benefit of his daughter, and the harm of +the queen. + +"Your majesty," said he, "I am just on the point of turning traitor, +and accusing my king of an injustice." + +The king turned his flashing eyes upon him, and put his hand, +sparkling with jewelled rings, to the golden goblet filled with +Rhenish wine. + +"Of an injustice--me--your king?" asked he, with stammering tongue. + +"Yes, of an injustice, inasmuch as you are for me God's visible +representative on earth. I would blame God if He withdrew from us +for a day the brightness of the sun, the gorgeousness and perfume of +His flowers, for since we children of men are accustomed to enjoy +these glories, we have in a certain measure gained a right to them. +So I accuse you because you have withdrawn from us the embodied +flowers and the incarnate suns; because you have been so cruel, +sire, as to send the queen to Epping Forest." + +"Not so; the queen wanted to ride," said Henry, peevishly. "The +spring weather attracted her, and since I, alas! do not possess +God's exalted attribute of ubiquity, I was, no doubt, obliged to +come to the resolution of being deprived of her presence. There is +no horse capable of carrying the King of England." + +"There is Pegasus, however, and in masterly manner you know how to +manage him. But how, your majesty! the queen wanted to ride, though +she was deprived of your presence thereby? She wanted to ride, +though this pleasure-ride was at the same time a separation from +you? Oh how cold and selfish are women's hearts! Were I a woman, I +would never depart from your side, I would covert no greater +happiness than to be near you, and to listen to that high and +exalted wisdom which pours from your inspired lips. Were I a woman-- +" + +"Earl, I opine that your wish is perfectly fulfilled," said John +Heywood seriously. "You make in all respects the impression of an +old woman!" + +All laughed. But the king did not laugh; he remained serious and +looked gloomily before him. + +"It is true," muttered he, "she seemed excited with joy about this +excursion, and in her eyes shone a fire I have seldom seen there. +There must be some peculiar circumstance connected with this ride. +Who accompanied the queen?" + +"Princess Elizabeth," said John Heywood, who had heard everything, +and saw clearly the arrow that the earl had shot at the queen. +"Princess Elizabeth, her true and dear friend, who never leaves her +side. Besides, her maids of honor, who, like the dragon in the +fable, keep watch over the beautiful princess." + +"Who else is in the queen's company?" inquired Henry, sullenly. + +"The master of horse, Earl of Sudley," said Douglas, "and--" + +"That is an observation in the highest degree superfluous," +interrupted John Heywood; "it is perfectly well understood by itself +that the master of horse accompanies the queen. That is just as much +his office as it is yours to sing the song of your cousin, my +parrot." + +"He is right," said the king quickly. "Thomas Seymour must accompany +her, and it is my will also. Thomas Seymour is a faithful servant, +and this he has inherited from his sister Jane, my much loved queen, +now at rest with God, that he is devoted to his king in steadfast +affection." + +"The time has not yet come when one may assail the Seymours," +thought the earl. "The king is yet attached to them; so he will feel +hostile toward the foes of the Seymours. Let us then begin our +attack on Henry Howard--that is to say, on the queen." + +"Who accompanied the queen besides?" inquired Henry the Eighth, +emptying the golden beaker at a draught, as though he would thereby +cool the fire which already began to blaze within him. But the fiery +Rhenish wine instead of cooling only heated him yet more; it drove, +like a tempest, the fire kindled in his jealous heart in bright +flames to his head, and made his brain glow like his heart. + +"Who else accompanied her beside these?" asked Earl Douglas +carelessly. "Well, I think, the lord chamberlain, Earl of Surrey." + +A dark scown gathered on the king's brow. The lion had scented his +prey. + +"The lord chamberlain is not in the queen's train!" said John +Heywood earnestly. + +"No," exclaimed Earl Douglas. "The poor earl. That will make him +very sad." + +"And why think you that will make him sad?" asked the king in a +voice very like the roll of distant thunder. + +"Because the Earl of Surrey is accustomed to live in the sunshine of +royal favor, sire; because he resembles that flower which always +turns its head to the sun, and receives from it vigor, color, and +brilliancy." + +"Let him take care that the sun does not scorch him," muttered the +king. + +"Earl," said John Heywood, "you must put on your spectacles so that +you can see better. This time you have confounded the sun with one +of its satellites. Earl Surrey is far too prudent a man to be so +foolish as to gaze at the sun, and thereby blind his eyes and parch +his brain. And so he is satisfied to worship one of the planets that +circle round the sun." + +"What does the fool intend to say by that?" asked the earl +contemptuously. + +"The wise will thereby give you to understand that you have this +time mistaken your daughter for the queen," said John Heywood, +emphasizing sharply every word, "and that it has happened to you, as +to many a great astrologer, you have taken a planet for a sun." + +Earl Douglas cast a dark, spiteful look at John Heywood, who +answered it with one equally piercing and furious. + +Their eyes were firmly fixed on each other's, and in those eyes they +both read all the hatred and all the bitterness which were working +in the depths of their souls. Both knew that they had from that hour +sworn to each other an enmity burning and full of danger. + +The king had noticed nothing of this dumb but significant scene. He +was looking down, brooding over his gloomy thoughts, and the storm- +clouds rolling around his brow gathered darker and darker. + +With an impetuous movement he arose from his seat, and this time he +needed no helping hand to stand up. Wrath was the mighty lever that +threw him up. + +The courtiers arose from their seats in silence, and nobody besides +John Heywood observed the look of understanding which Earl Douglas +exchanged with Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and Wriothesley, the +lord chancellor. + +"Ah, why is not Cranmer here?" said John Heywood to himself. "I see +the three tiger-cats prowling, so there must be prey to devour +somewhere. Well, I will at any rate keep my ears open wide enough to +hear their roaring." + +"The dinner is over, gentlemen!" said the king hastily; and the +courtiers and gentlemen in waiting silently withdrew to the +anteroom. + +Only Earl Douglas, Gardiner, and Wriothesley, remained in the hall, +while John Heywood crept softly into the king's cabinet and +concealed himself behind the hanging of gold brocade which covered +the door leading from the king's study to the outer anteroom. + +"My lords," said the king, "follow me into my cabinet. As we are +dull, the most advisable thing for us to do is to divert ourselves +while we occupy ourselves with the weal of our beloved subjects, and +consult concerning their happiness and what is conducive to their +welfare. Follow me then, and we will hold a general consultation." + +"Earl Douglas, your arm!" and as the king leaned on it and walked +slowly toward the cabinet, at the entrance of which the lord +chancellor and the Bishop of Winchester were waiting for him, he +asked in a low voice: "You say that Henry Howard dares ever intrude +himself into the queen's presence?" + +"Sire, I did not say that; I meant only that he is constantly to be +seen in the queen's presence." + +"Oh, you mean that she perhaps authorizes him to do so," said the +king, grinding his teeth. + +"Sire, I hold the queen to be a noble and dutiful wife." + +"I should be quite inclined to lay your head at your feet if you did +not!" said the king, in whose face the first lightning of the +bursting cloud of wrath began to flash. + +"My head belongs to the king!" said Earl Douglas respectfully. "Let +him do with it as he pleases." + +"But Howard--you mean, then, that Howard loves the queen?" + +"Yes, sire, I dare affirm that." + +"Now, by the Mother of God, I will tread the serpent under my feet, +as I did his sister!" exclaimed Henry, fiercely. "The Howards are an +ambitious, dangerous, and hypocritical race." + +"A race that never forgets that a daughter of their house has sat on +your throne." + +"But they shall forget it," cried the king, "and I must wash these +proud and haughty thoughts out of their brain with their own blood. +They have not then learned, from the example of their sister, how I +punish disloyalty. This insolent race needs another fresh example. +Well, they shall have it. Only put the means in my hand, Douglas, +only a little hook that I can strike into the flesh of these +Howards, and I tell you, with that little hook I will drag them to +the scaffold. Give me proof of the earl's criminal love, and I +promise you that for this I will grant you what you ask." + +"Sire, I will give you this proof." + +"When?" + +"In four days, sire! At the great contest of the poets, which you +have ordered to take place on the queen's birthday." + +"I thank you, Douglas, I thank you," said the king with an +expression almost of joy. In four days you will have rid me of the +troublesome race of Howards." + +"But, sire, if I cannot give the proof you demand without accusing +one other person?" + +The king, who was just about to pass the door of his cabinet, stood +still, and looked steadily into the earl's eyes. "Then," said he, in +a tone peculiarly awful, "you mean the queen? Well, if she is +guilty, I will punish her. God has placed the sword in my hand that +I may bear it to His honor and to the terror of mankind. If the +queen has sinned, she will be punished. Furnish me the proof of +Howard's guilt, and do not trouble yourself if we thereby discover +the guilt of others. We shall not timidly shrink back, but let +justice take its course." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE QUEEN'S FRIEND. + + +Earl Douglas, Gardiner, and Wriothesley, had accompanied the king +into his cabinet. + +At last the great blow was to be struck, and the plan of the three +enemies of the queen, so long matured and well-considered, was to be +at length put in execution. Therefore, as they followed the king, +who with unwonted activity preceded them, they exchanged with each +other one more look of mutual understanding. + +By that look Earl Douglas said, "The hour has come. Be ready!" + +And the looks of his friends responded, "We are ready!" + +John Heywood, who, hidden behind the hangings, saw and observed +everything, could not forbear a slight shudder at the sight of these +four men, whose dark and hard features seemed incapable of being +touched by any ray of pity or mercy. + +There was first the king, that man with the Protean countenance, +across which storm and sunshine, God and the devil traced each +minute new lines; who could be now an inspired enthusiast, and now a +bloodthirsty tyrant; now a sentimental wit, and anon a wanton +reveler; the king, on whose constancy nobody, not even himself, +could rely; ever ready, as it suited his caprice or his interest, to +betray his most faithful friend, and to send to the scaffold to-day +those whom but yesterday he had caressed and assured of his +unchanging affection; the king, who considered himself privileged to +indulge with impunity his low appetites, his revengeful impulses, +his bloodthirsty inclinations; who was devout from vanity, because +devotion afforded him an opportunity of identifying himself with +God, and of regarding himself in some sort the patron of Deity. + +There was Earl Douglas, the crafty courtier with ever-smiling face, +who seemed to love everybody, while in fact he hated all; who +assumed the appearance of perfect harmlessness, and seemed to be +indifferent to everything but pleasure, while nevertheless secretly +he held in his hand all the strings of that great net which +encompassed alike court and king--Earl Douglas, whom the king loved +for this alone, because he generally gave him the title of grand and +wise high-priest of the Church, and who was, notwithstanding this, +Loyola's vicegerent, and a true and faithful adherent of that pope +who had damned the king as a degenerate son and given him over to +the wrath of God. + +Lastly, there were the two men with dark, malignant looks, with +inflexible, stony faces, which u ere never lighted up by a smile, or +a gleam of joy; who always condemned, always punished, and whose +countenances never brightened save when the dying shriek of the +condemned, or the groans of some poor wretch upon the rack, fell +upon their ears; who were the tormentors of humanity, while they +called themselves the ministers and servants of God. + +"Sire," said Gardiner, when the king had slowly taken his seat upon +the ottoman--"sire, let us first ask the blessing of the Lord our +God on this hour of conference. May God, who is love, but who is +wrath also, may He enlighten and bless us!" + +The king devoutly folded his hands, but it was only a prayer of +wrath that animated his soul. + +"Grant, O God, that I may punish Thine enemies, and everywhere dash +in pieces the guilty!" + +"Amen!" said Gardiner, as he repeated with solemn earnestness the +king's words. + +"Send us the thunderbolt of Thy wrath," prayed Wriothesley, "that we +may teach the world to recognize Thy power and glory!" + +Earl Douglas took care not to pray aloud. What he had to request of +God was not allowed to reach the ear of the king. + +"Grant, O God," prayed he in his heart, "grant that my work may +prosper, and that this dangerous queen may ascend the scaffold, to +make room for my daughter, who is destined to bring back into the +arms of our holy mother, the Church--guilty and faithless king." + +"Now my lords," said the king, fetching a long breath, "now tell me +how stand matters in my kingdom, and at my court?" + +"Badly," said Gardiner. "Unbelief again lifts up its head. It is a +hydra. If you strike off one of its heads, two others immediately +spring up in its place. This cursed sect of reformists and atheists +multiplies day by day, and our prisons are no longer sufficient to +contain them; and when we drag them to the stake, their joyful and +courageous death always makes fresh proselytes and fresh apostates." + +"Yes, matters are bad," said the Lord Chancellor Wriothesley; "in +vain have we promised pardon and forgiveness to all those who would +return penitent and contrite; they laugh to scorn our offers of +pardon, and prefer a death of torture to the royal clemency. What +avails it that we have burnt to death Miles Coverdale, who had the +hardihood to translate the Bible? His death appears to have been +only the tocsin that aroused other fanatics, and, without our being +able to divine or suspect where all these books come from, they have +overflowed and deluged the whole land; and we now already have more +than four translations of the Bible. The people read them with +eagerness; and the corrupt seek of mental illumination and free- +thinking waxes daily more powerful and more pernicious." + +"And now you, Earl Douglas?" asked the king, when the lord +chancellor ceased. "These noble lords have told me how matters stand +in my kingdom. You will advise me what is the aspect of things at my +court." + +"Sire," said Earl Douglas, slowly and solemnly--for he wished each +word to sink into the king's breast like a poisoned arrow--"sire, +the people but follow the example which the court sets them. How can +you require faith of the people, when under their own eyes the court +turns faith to ridicule, and when infidels find at court aid and +protection?" + +"You accuse, but give no names," said the king, impatiently. "Who +dares at my court be a protector of heretics?" + +"Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury!" said the three men, as with one +mouth. The signal-word was spoken, the standard of a bloody struggle +set up. + +"Cranmer?" repeated the king thoughtfully. "He has, however, always +been a faithful servant and an attentive friend to me. It was he who +delivered me from the unholy bond with Catharine of Aragon: it was +he too who warned me of Catharine Howard, and furnished me with +proofs of her guilt. Of what misdemeanor do you accuse him?" + +"He denies the six articles," said Gardiner, whose malicious face +now glowed with bitter hatred. "He reprobates auricular confession, +and believes not that the voluntarily taken vows of celibacy are +binding." + +"If he does that, then he is a traitor!" cried the king, who was +fond of always throwing a reverence for chastity and modesty, as a +kind of holy mantle, over his own profligate and lewd life; and whom +nothing more embittered than to encounter another on that path of +vice which he himself, by virtue of his royal prerogative, and his +crown by the grace of God, could travel in perfect safety. + +"If he does that, then he is a traitor! My arm of vengeance will +smite him!" repeated the king again. "It was I who gave my people +the six articles, as a sacred and authoritative declaration of +faith; and I will not suffer this only true and right doctrine to be +assailed and obscured. But you are mistaken, my lords. I am +acquainted with Cranmer, and I know that he is loyal and faithful." + +"And yet it is he," said Gardiner, "who confirms these heretics in +their obduracy and stiff-neckedness. He is the cause why these lost +wretches do not, from the fear of divine wrath at least, return to +you, their sovereign and high-priest. For he preaches to them that +God is love and mercy; he teaches them that Christ came into the +world in order to bring to the world love and the forgiveness of +sins, and that they alone are Christ's true disciples and servants +who emulate His love. Do you not see then, sire, that this is a +covert and indirect accusation against yourself, and that while he +praises pardoning love, he at the same time condemns and accuses +your righteous and punitory wrath?" + +The king did not answer immediately, but sat with his eyes fixed, +grave and pondering. The fanatical priest had gone too far; and, +without being aware of it, it was he himself who was that very +instant accusing the king. + +Earl Douglas felt this. He read in the king's face that he was just +then in one of those moments of contrition which sometimes came over +him when his soul held involuntary intercourse with itself. It was +necessary to arouse the sleeping tiger and point out to him some +prey, so as to make him again bloodthirsty. + +"It would be proper if Cranmer preached only Christian love," said +he. "Then would he be only a faithful servant of his Lord, and a +follower of his king. But he gives to the world an abominable +example of a disobedient and perfidious servant; he denies the truth +of the six articles, not in words, but in deeds. You have ordered +that the priests of the Church remain single. Now, then, the +Archbishop of Canterbury is married!" + +"Married!" cried the king, his visage glowing with rage. "Ah, I will +chastise him, this transgressor of my holy laws! A minister of the +Church, a priest, whose whole life should be naught but an +exhibition of holiness, an endless communion with God, and whose +high calling it is to renounce fleshly lusts and earthly desires! +And he is married! I will make him feel the whole weight of my royal +anger! He shall learn from his own experience that the king's +justice is inexorable, and that in every case he smites the head of +the sinner, be he who he may!" + +"Your majesty is the embodiment of wisdom and justice," said +Douglas, "and your faithful servants well know, if the royal justice +is sometimes tardy in smiting guilty offenders, this happens not +through your will, but through your servants who venture to stay the +arm of justice." + +"When and where has this happened?" asked Henry; and his face +flushed with rage and excitement. "Where is the offender whom I have +not punished? Where in my realm lives a being who has sinned against +God or his king, and whom I have not dashed to atoms?" + +"Sire," said Gardiner solemnly, "Anne Askew is yet alive." + +"She lives to mock at your wisdom and to scoff at your holy creed!" +cried Wriothesley. + +"She lives, because Bishop Cranmer wills that she should not die," +said Douglas, shrugging his shoulders. The king broke out into a +short, dry laugh. "Ah, Cranmer wills not that Anne Askew die!" said +he, sneering. "He wills not that this girl, who has so fearfully +offended against her king, and against God, should he punished!" + +"Yes, she has offended fearfully, and yet two years have passed away +since her offence," cried Gardiner--"two years which she has spent +in deriding God and mocking the king!" + +"Ah," said the king, "we have still hoped to turn this young, +misguided creature from the ways of sin and error to the path of +wisdom and repentance. We wished for once to give our people a +shining example of our willingness to forgive those who repent and +renounce their heresy, and to restore them to a participation of our +royal favor. Therefore it was that we commissioned you, my lord +hishop, by virtue of your prayers and your forcible and convincing +words, to pluck this poor child from the claws of the devil, who has +charmed her ear." + +"But she is unbending," said Gardiner, grinding his teeth. "In vain +have I depicted to her the pains of hell, which await her if she +return not to the faith; in vain have I subjected her to every +variety of torture and penance; in vain have I sent to her in prison +other converts, and had them pray with her night and day +incessantly; she remains unyielding, hard as stone, and neither the +fear of punishment nor the prospect of freedom and happiness has the +power to soften that marble heart." + +"There is one means yet untried," said Wriothesley--"a means, +moreover, which is a more effective preacher of repentance than the +most enthusiastic orators and the most fervent prayers, and which I +have to thank for bringing back to God and the faith many of the +most hardened heretics." + +"And this means is--" + +"The rack, your majesty." + +"Ah, the rack!" replied the king, with an involuntary shudder. + +"All means are good that lead to the holy end!" said Gardiner, +devoutly folding his hands. + +"The soul must be saved, though the body be pierced with wounds!" +cried Wriothesley. + +"The people must be convinced," said Douglas, "that the lofty spirit +of the king spares not even those who are under the protection of +influential and might personages. The people murmur that this time +justice is not permitted to prevail, because Archbishop Cranmer +protects Anne Askew, and the queen is her friend." + +"The queen is never the friend of a criminal!" said Henry, +vehemently. + +"Perchance she does not consider Anne Askew a criminal," responded +Karl Douglas, with a slight smile. "It is known, indeed, that the +queen is a great friend of the Reformation; and the people, who dare +not call her a heretic--the people call her 'the Protestant.'" + +"Is it, then, really believed that it is Catharine who protects Anne +Askew, and keeps her from the stake?" inquired the king, +thoughtfully. + +"It is so thought, your majesty." + +"They shall soon see that they are mistaken, and that Henry the +Eighth well deserves to be called the Defender of the Faith and the +Head of his Church!" cried the king, with burning rage. "For when +have I shown myself so long-suffering and weak in punishing, that +people believe me inclined to pardon and deal gently? Have I not +sent to the scaffold even Thomas More and Cromwell, two renowned and +in a certain respect noble and high-minded men, because they dared +defy my supremacy and oppose the doctrine and ordinance which I +commanded them to believe? Have I not sent to the block two of my +queens--two beautiful young women, in whom my heart was well +pleased, even when I punished them--because they had provoked my +wrath? Who, after such brilliant examples of our annihilating +justice, who dare accuse us of forbearance?" + +"But at that time, sire," said Douglas, in his soft, insinuating +voice, "but at that time no queen as yet stood at your side who +called heretics true believers, and favored traitors with her +friendship." + +The king frowned, and his wrathful look encountered the friendly and +submissive countenance of the earl. "You know I hate these covert +attacks," said he. "If you can tax the queen with any crime, well +now, do so. If you cannot, hold your peace!" + +"The queen is a noble and virtuous lady," said the earl, "only she +sometimes permits herself to be led away by her magnanimous spirit. +Or how, your majesty, can it possibly be with your permission that +my lady the queen maintains a correspondence with Anne Askew?" + +"What say you? The queen in correspondence with Anne Askew?" cried +the king in a voice of thunder. "That is a lie, a shameless lie, +hatched up to ruin the queen; for it is very well known that the +poor king, who has been so often deceived, so often imposed upon, +believes himself to have at last found in this woman a being whom he +can trust, and in whom he can put faith. And they grudge him that. +They wish to strip him of this last hope also, that his heart may +harden entirely to stone, and no emotion of pity evermore find +access to him. Ah, Douglas, Douglas, beware of my wrath, if you +cannot prove what you say!" + +"Sire, I can prove it! For Lady Jane herself, no longer ago than +yesterday, was made to give up a note from Anne Askew to the queen." + +The king remained silent for a while, and gazed fixedly on the +ground. His three confidants observed him with breathless, trembling +expectation. + +At length the king raised his head again, and turned his gaze, which +was now grave and steady, upon the lord chancellor. "My Lord +Chancellor Wriothesley," said he, "I empower you to conduct Anne +Askew to the torture-room, and try whether the torments which are +prepared for the body are perchance able to bring this erring soul +to an acknowledgment of her faults. My Lord Bishop Gardiner, I +promise my word that I will give attention to your accusation +against the Archbishop of Canterbury, and that, if it be well +founded, he shall not escape punishment. My Lord Douglas, I will +give my people and all the world proof that I am still God's +righteous and avenging vice-gerent on earth, and that no +consideration can restrain my wrath, no after-thought stay my arm, +whenever it is ready to fall and smite the head of the guilty. And +now, my lords, let us declare this session at an end. Let us breathe +a little from these exertions, and seek some recreation for one +brief hour. + +"My Lords Gardiner and Wriothesley, you are now at liberty. You, +Douglas, will accompany me into the small reception-room. I want to +see bright and laughing faces around me. Call John Heywood, and if +you meet any ladies in the palace, of course I beg them to shed on +us a little of that sunshine which you say is peculiarly woman's." + +He laughed, and, leaning on the earl's arm, left the cabinet. + +Gardiner and Wriothesley stood there in silence, watching the king, +who slowly and heavily traversed the adjacent hall, and whose cheery +and laughing voice came ringing back to them. + +"He is a weathercock, turning every moment from side to side," said +Gardiner, with a contemptuous shrug of the shoulders. + +"He calls himself God's sword of vengeance, but he is nothing more +than a weak tool, which we bend and use at our will," muttered +Wriothesley, with a hoarse laugh. "Poor, pitiful fool, deeming +himself so mighty and sturdy; imagining himself a free king, ruling +by his sovereign will alone, and yet he is but our servant and +drudge! Our great work is approaching its end, and we shall one day +triumph. Anne Askew's death is the sign of a new covenant, which +will deliver England and trample the heretics like dust beneath our +feet. And when at length we shall have put down Cranmer, and brought +Catharine Parr to the scaffold, then will we give King Henry a queen +who will reconcile him with God and the Church, out of which is no +salvation." + +"Amen, so be it!" said Gardiner; and arm in arm they both left the +cabinet. + +Deep stillness now reigned in that little spot, and nobody saw John +Heywood as he now came from behind the hanging, and, completely worn +out and faint, slipped for a moment into a chair. + +"Now I know, so far at least, the plan of these blood-thirsty tiger- +cats," muttered he. "They wish to give Henry a popish queen; and so +Cranmer must be overthrown, that, when they have deprived the queen +of this powerful prop, they may destroy her also and tread her in +the dust. But as God liveth, they shall not succeed in this! God is +just, and He will at last punish these evil-doers. And supposing +there is no God, then will we try a little with the devil himself. +No, they shall not destroy the noble Cranmer and this beautiful, +high-minded queen. I forbid it--I, John Heywood, the king's fool. I +will see everything, observe everything, hear everything. They shall +find me everywhere on their path; and when they poison the king's +ear with their diabolical whisperings, I will heal it again with my +merry deviltries. The king's fool will be the guardian angel of the +queen." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +JOHN HEYWOOD. + + +After so much care and excitement, the king needed an hour of +recreation and amusement. Since the fair young queen was seeking +these far away in the chase, and amid the beauties of Nature, Henry +must, no doubt, be content to seek them for himself, and in a way +different from the queen's. His unwieldiness and his load of flesh +prevented him from pursuing the joys of life beyond his own halls; +so the lords and ladies of his court had to bring them hither to +him, and station the flitting goddess of Joy, with her wings +fettered, in front of the king's trundle-chair. + +The gout had that day again overcome that mighty king of earth; and +a heavy, grotesque mass it was which sat there in the elbow-chair. + +But the courtiers still called him a fine-looking and fascinating +man; and the ladies still smiled on him and said, by their sighs and +by their looks, that they loved him; that he was ever to them the +same handsome and captivating man that he was twenty years before, +when yet young, fine-looking, and slim. How they smile upon him, and +ogle him! How Lady Jane, the maiden otherwise so haughty and so +chaste, does wish to ensnare him with her bright eyes as with a net! +How bewitchingly does the Duchess of Richmond, that fair and +voluptuous woman, laugh at the king's merry jests and double +entendres! + +Poor king! whose corpulency forbids him to dance as he once had done +with so much pleasure and so much dexterity! Poor king! whose age +forbids him to sing as once he had done to the delight both of the +court and himself! + +But there are yet, however, pleasant, precious, joyous hours, when +the man revives some little in the king; when even youth once more +again awakes within him, and smiles in a few dear, blessed +pleasures. The king still has at least eyes to perceive beauty, and +a heart to feel it. + +How beautiful Lady Jane is, this white lily with the dark, star-like +eyes! How beautiful Lady Richmond, this full-blown red rose with the +pearl-white teeth! + +And they both smile at him; and when the king swears he loves them, +they bashfully cast down their eyes and sigh. + +"Do you sigh, Jane, because you love me?" + +"Oh, sire, you mock me. It would be a sin for me to love you, for +Queen Catharine is living." + +"Yes, she is living!" muttered the king; and his brow darkened; and +for a moment the smile disappeared from his lips. + +Lady Jane had committed a mistake. She had reminded the king of his +wife when it was yet too soon to ask for her death. + +John Heywood read this in the countenance of his royal master, and +resolved to take advantage of it. He wished to divert the attention +of the king, and to draw it away from the beautiful, captivating +women who were juggling him with their bewitching charms. + +"Yes, the queen lives!" said he, joyfully, "and God be praised for +it! For how tedious and dull it would be at this court had we not +our fair queen, who is as wise as Methuselah, and innocent and good +as a new-born babe! Do you not, Lady Jane, say with me, God be +praised that Queen Catharine is living?" + +"I say so with you!" said Jane, with ill-concealed vexation. + +"And you, King Henry, do you not say it too?" + +"Of course, fool!" + +"Ah, why am I not King Henry?" sighed John Heywood. "King, I envy +you, not your crown, or your royal mantle; not your attendants or +your money. I envy you only this, that you can say, 'God be praised +that my wife is still alive!' while I never know but one phrase,'God +have pity, my wife is still alive!' Ah, it is very seldom, king, +that I have heard a married man speak otherwise! You are in that +too, as in all things else, an exception, King Henry; and your +people have never loved you more warmly and purely than when you +say, 'I thank God that my consort is alive!' Believe me, you are +perhaps the only man at your court who speaks after this manner, +however ready they may be to be your parrots, and re-echo what the +lord high-priest says." + +"The only man that loves his wife?" said Lady Richmond. "Behold now +the rude babbler! Do you not believe, then, that we women deserve to +be loved?" + +"I am convinced that you do not." + +"And for what do you take us, then?" + +"For cats, which God, since He had no more cat-skin, stuck into a +smooth hide!" + +"Take care, John, that we do not show you our claws!" cried the +duchess, laughing. + +"Do it anyhow, my lady! I will then make a cross, and ye will +disappear. For devils, you well know, cannot endure the sight of the +holy cross, and ye are devils." + +John Heywood, who was a remarkably fine singer, seized the mandolin, +which lay near him, and began to sing. + +It was a song, possible only in those days, and at Henry's +voluptuous and at the same time canting court--a song full of the +most wanton allusions, of the most cutting jests against both monks +and women; a song which made Henry laugh, and the ladies blush; and +in which John Heywood had poured forth in glowing dithyrambics all +his secret indignation against Gardiner, the sneaking hypocrite of a +priest, and against Lady Jane, the queen's false and treacherous +friend. + +But the ladies laughed not. They darted flashing glances at John +Heywood; and Lady Richmond earnestly and resolutely demanded the +punishment of the perfidious wretch who dared to defame women. The +king laughed still harder. The rage of the ladies was so exceedingly +amusing. + +"Sire," said the beautiful Richmond, "he has insulted not us, but +the whole sex; and in the name of our sex, I demand revenge for the +affront." + +"Yes, revenge!" cried Lady Jane, hotly. + +"Revenge!" repeated the rest of the ladies. + +"See, now, what pious and gentle-hearted doves ye are!" cried John +Heywood. + +The king said, laughingly: "Well, now, you shall have your will--you +shall chastise him." + +"Yes, yes, scourge me with rods, as they once scourged the Messiah, +because He told the Pharisees the truth. See here! I am already +putting on the crown of thorns." + +He took the king's velvet cap with solemn air, and put it on. + +"Yes, whip him, whip him!" cried the king, laughing, as he pointed +to the gigantic vases of Chinese porcelain, containing enormous +bunches of roses, on whose long stems arose a real forest of +formidable-looking thorns. + +"Pull the large bouquets to pieces; take the roses in your hand, and +whip him with the stems!" said the king, and his eyes glistened with +inhuman delight, for the scene promised to be quite interesting. The +rose-stems were long and hard, and the thorns on them pointed and +sharp as daggers. How nicely they would pierce the flesh, and how he +would yell and screw his face, the good-natured fool! + +"Yes, yes, let him take off his coat, and we will whip him!" cried +the Duchess of Richmond; and the women, all joining in the cry, +rushed like furies upon John Heywood, and forced him to lay aside +his silk upper garment. Then they hurried to the vases, snatched out +the bouquets, and with busy hands picked out the longest and +stoutest stems. And loud were their exclamations of satisfaction, if +the thorns were right and sharp, such as would penetrate the flesh +of the offender right deeply. The king's laughter and shouts of +approval animated them more and more, and made them more excited and +furious. Their cheeks glowed, their eyes glared; they resembled +Bacchantes circling the god of riotous joviality with their shouts +of "Evoe! evoe!" + +"Not yet! do not strike yet!" cried the king. "You must first +strengthen yourselves for the exertion, and fire your arms for a +powerful blow!" + +He took the large golden beaker which stood before him and, tasting +it, presented it to Lady Jane. + +"Drink, my lady, drink, that your arm may be strong!" + +And they all drank, and with animated smiles pressed their lips on +the spot which the king's mouth had touched. And now their eyes had +a brighter flame, and their cheeks a more fiery glow. + +A strange and exciting sight it was, to see those beautiful women +burning with malicious joy and thirst for vengeance, who for the +moment had laid aside all their elegant attitudes, their lofty and +haughty airs, to transform themselves into wanton Bacchantes, bent +on chastising the offender, who had so often and so bitterly lashed +them all with his tongue. + +"Ah, I would a painter were here!" said the king. "He should paint +us a picture of the chaste nymphs of Diana pursuing Actaeon. You are +Actaeon, John!" + +"But they are not the chaste nymphs, king; no, far from it," cried +Heywood; laughing, "and between these fair women and Diana I find no +resemblance, but only a difference." + +"And in what consists the difference, John?" + +"Herein, sire, that Diana carried her horn at her side; but these +fair ladies make their husbands wear their horns on the forehead!" + +A loud peal of laughter from the gentlemen, a yell of rage from the +ladies, was the reply of this new epigram of John Heywood. They +arranged themselves in two rows, and thus formed a lane through +which John Heywood had to pass. + +"Come, John Heywood, come and receive your punishment"; and they +raised their thorny rods threateningly, and flourished them with +angry gestures high above their heads. + +The scene was becoming to John in all respects very piquant, for +these rods had very sharp thorns, and only a thin linen shirt +covered his back. + +With bold step, however, he approached the fatal passage through +which he was to pass. + +Already he beheld the rods drawn back; and it seemed to him as if +the thorns were even now piercing his back. + +He halted, and turned with a laugh to the king. "Sire, since you +have condemned me to die by the hands of these nymphs, I claim the +right of every condemned criminal--a last favor." + +"The which we grant you, John." + +"I demand that I may put on these fair women one condition--one +condition on which they may whip me. Does your majesty grant me +this?" + +"I grant it!" + +"And you solemnly pledge me the word of a king that this condition +shall be faithfully kept and fulfilled?" + +"My solemn, kingly word for it!" + +"Now, then," said John Heywood, as he entered the passage, "now, +then, my ladies, my condition is this: that one of you who has had +the most lovers, and has oftenest decked her husband's head with +horns, let her lay the first stroke on my back." [Footnote: Flogel's +"Geschichte der Hofnarren," p.899] + +A deep silence followed. The raised arms of the fair women sank. The +roses fell from their hands and dropped to the ground. Just before +so bloodthirsty and revengeful, they seemed now to have become the +softest and gentlest of beings. + +But could their looks have killed, their fire certainly would have +consumed poor John Heywood, who now gazed at them with an insolent +sneer, and advanced into the very midst of their lines. + +"Now, my ladies, you strike him not?" asked the king. + +"No, your majesty, we despise him too much even to wish to chastise +him," said the Duchess of Richmond. + +"Shall your enemy who has injured you go thus unpunished?" asked the +king. "No, no, my ladies; it shall not be said that there is a man +in my kingdom whom I have let escape when so richly deserving +punishment. We will, therefore, impose some other punishment on him. +He calls himself a poet, and has often boasted that he could make +his pen fly as fast as his tongue! Now, then, John, show us in this +manner that you are no liar! I command you to write, for the great +court festival which takes place in a few days, a new interlude; and +one indeed, hear you, John, which is calculated to make the greatest +growler merry, and over which these ladies will be forced to laugh +so heartily, that they will forget all their ire!" + +"Oh," said John dolefully, "what an equivocal and lewd poem it must +be to please these ladies and make them laugh! My king, we must, +then, to please these dear ladies, forget a little our chastity, +modesty, and maiden bashfulness, and speak in the spirit of the +ladies--that is to say, as lasciviously as possible." + +"You are a wretch!" said Lady Jane; "a vulgar hypocritical fool." + +"Earl Douglas, your daughter is speaking to you," said John Heywood, +calmly. "She flatters you much, your tender daughter." + +"Now then, John, you have heard my orders, and will you obey them? +In four days will this festival begin; I give you two days more. In +six days, then, you have to write a new interlude. And if he fails +to do it, my ladies, you shall whip him until you bring the blood; +and that without any condition." Just then was heard without a +flourish of trumpets and the clatter of horse-hoofs. + +"The queen has returned," said John Heywood, with a countenance +beaming with joy, as he fixed his smiling gaze full of mischievous +satisfaction on Lady Jane. + +"Nothing further now remains for you to do, but dutifully to meet +your mistress upon the great staircase, for, as you so wisely said +before, the queen still lives." + +Without waiting for an answer, John Heywood ran out and rushed +through the anteroom and down the steps to meet the queen. Lady Jane +watched him with a dark, angry look; and as she turned slowly to the +door to go and meet the queen, she muttered low between her +closely-pressed lips: "The fool must die, for he is the queen's +friend!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE CONFIDANT. + + +The queen was just ascending the steps of the great public +staircase, and she greeted John Heywood with a friendly smile. + +"My lady," said he aloud, "I have a few words in private to say to +you, in the name of his majesty." + +"Words in private!" repeated Catharine, as she stopped upon the +terrace of the palace. "Well, then, fall back, my lords and ladies; +we wish to receive his majesty's mysterious message." + +The royal train silently and respectfully withdrew into the large +anteroom of the palace, while the queen remained alone with John +Heywood on the terrace. + +"Now, speak, John." + +"Queen, heed well my words, and grave them deep on your memory! A +conspiracy is forged against you, and in a few days, at the great +festival, it will be ripe for execution. Guard well, therefore, +every word you utter, ay, even your very thoughts. Beware of every +dangerous step, for you may be certain that a listener stands behind +you! And if you need a confidant, confide in no one but me! I tell +you, a great danger lies before you, and only by prudence and +presence of mind will you be able to avoid it." + +This time the queen did not laugh at her friend's warning voice. She +was serious; she even trembled. + +She had lost her proud sense of security and her serene confidence-- +she was no longer guiltless--she had a dangerous secret to keep, +consequently she felt a dread of discovery; and she trembled not +merely for herself, but also for him whom she loved. + +"And in what consists this plot?" asked she, with agitation. + +"I do not yet understand it; I only know that it exists. But I will +search it out, and if your enemies lurk about you with watchful +eyes, well, then, I will have spying eyes to observe them." + +"And is it I alone that they threaten?" + +"No, queen, your friend also." + +Catharine trembled. "What friend, John?" + +"Archbishop Cranmer." + +"Ah, the archbishop!" replied she, drawing a deep breath. + +"And is he all, John? Does their enmity pursue only me and him?" + +"Only you two!" said John Heywood, sadly, for he had fully +understood the queen's sigh of relief, and he knew that she had +trembled for another. "But remember, queen, that Cranmer's +destruction would be likewise your own; and that as you protect the +archbishop, he also will protect you with the king--you, queen, and +your FRIENDS." + +Catharine gave a slight start, and the crimson on her cheek grew +deeper. "I shall always be mindful of that, and ever be a true and +real friend to him and to you; for you two are my only friends: is +it not so?" + +"No, your majesty, I spoke to you of yet a third, of Thomas +Seymour." + +"Oh, he!" cried she with a sweet smile. Then she said suddenly, and +in a low quick voice: "You say I must trust no one here but you. +Now, then, I will give you a proof of my confidence. Await me in the +green summer-house at twelve o'clock to-night. You must be my +attendant on a dangerous excursion. Have you courage, John?" + +"Courage to lay down my life for you, queen!" + +"Come, then, but bring your weapon with you." + +"At your command! and is that your only order for to-day?" + +"That is all, John! only," added she, with hesitation and a slight +blush, "only, if you perchance meet Earl Sudley, you may say to him +that I charged you to greet him in my name." + +"Oh!" sighed John Hey wood, sadly. + +"He has to-day saved my life, John," said she, as if excusing +herself. "It becomes me well, then, to be grateful to him." + +And giving him a friendly nod, she stepped into the porch of the +castle. + +"Now let anybody say again, that chance is not the most mischievous +and spiteful of all devils!" muttered John Heywood. "This devil, +chance, throws in the queen's way the very person she ought most to +avoid; and she must be, as in duty bound, very grateful to a lover. +Oh, oh, so he has saved her life? But who knows whether he may not +be one day the cause of her losing it!" + +He dropped his head gloomily upon his breast, when suddenly he heard +behind him a low voice calling his name; and as he turned, he saw +the young Princess Elizabeth hastening toward him with a hurried +step. She was at that moment very beautiful. Her eyes gleamed with +the fire of passion; her cheeks glowed; and about her crimson lips +there played a gentle, happy smile. She wore, according to the +fashion of the time, a close-fitting high-necked dress, which showed +off to perfection the delicate lines of her slender and youthful +form, while the wide standing collar concealed the somewhat too +great length of her neck, and made her ruddy, as yet almost childish +face stand out as it were from a pedestal. On either side of her +high, thoughtful brow, fell, in luxurious profusion, light flaxen +curls; her head was covered with a black velvet cap, from which a +white feather drooped to her shoulders. + +She was altogether a charming and lovely apparition, full of +nobleness and grace, full of fire and energy; and yet, in spite of +her youthfulness, not wanting in a certain grandeur and dignity. +Elizabeth, though still almost a child, and frequently bowed and +humbled by misfortune, yet ever remained her father's own daughter. +And though Henry had declared her a bastard and excluded her from +the succession to the throne, yet she bore the stamp of her royal +blood in her high, haughty brow; in her keen, flashing eye. + +As she now stood before John Heywood, she was not, however, the +haughty, imperious princess, but merely the shy, blushing maiden, +who feared to trust her first girlish secret to another's ear, and +ventured only with trembling hand to draw aside the veil which +concealed her heart. + +"John Heywood," said she, "you have often told me that you loved me; +and I know that my poor unfortunate mother trusted you, and summoned +you as a witness of her innocence. You could not at that time save +the mother, but will you now serve Anne Boleyn's daughter, and be +her faithful friend?" + +"I will," said Heywood, solemnly, "and as true as there is a God +above us, you shall never find me a traitor." + +"I believe you, John; I know that I may trust you. Listen then, I +will now tell you my secret--a secret which no one but God knows, +and the betrayal of which might bring me to the scaffold. Will you +then swear to me, that you will never, under any pretext, and from +any motive whatsoever, betray to anybody, so much as a single word +of what I am now about to tell you? Will you swear to me, never to +intrust this secret to any one, even on your death-bed, and not to +betray it even in the confessional?" + +"Now as regards that, princess," said John, with a laugh, "you are +perfectly safe. I never go to confession, for confession is a +highly-spiced dish of popery on which I long since spoilt my +stomach; and as concerns my deathbed, one cannot, under the blessed +and pious reign of Henry the Eighth, altogether know whether he will +be really a participant of any kind, or whether he may not make a +far more speedy and convenient trip into eternity by the aid of the +hangman." + +"Oh, be serious, John--do, I pray you! Let the fool's mask, under +which you hide your sober and honest face, not hide it from me also. +Be serious, John, and swear to me that you will keep my secret." + +"Well, then, I swear, princess; I swear by your mother's spirit to +betray not a word of what you are going to tell me." + +"I thank you, John. Now lean this way nearer to me, lest the breeze +may catch a single word of mine and bear it farther. John, I love!" + +She saw the half-surprised, half-incredulous smile which played +around John Heywood's lips. "Oh," continued she, passionately, "you +believe me not. You consider my fourteen years, and you think the +child knows nothing yet of a maiden's feelings. But remember, John, +that those girls who live under a warm sun are early ripened by his +glowing rays, and are already wives and mothers when they should +still be dreaming children. Well, now, I too am the daughter of a +torrid zone, only mine has not been the sun of prosperity, and it +has been sorrow and misfortune which have matured my heart. Believe +me, John, I love! A glowing, consuming fire rages within me; it is +at once my delight and my misery, my happiness and my future. + +"The king has robbed me of a brilliant and glorious future; let them +not, then, grudge me a happy one, at least. Since I am never to be a +queen, I will at least be a happy and beloved wife. If I am +condemned to live in obscurity and lowliness, at the very least, I +must not be prohibited from adorning this obscure and inglorious +existence with flowers, which thrive not at the foot of the throne, +and to illuminate it with stars more sparkling than the refulgence +of the most radiant kingly crown." + +"Oh, you are mistaken about your own self!" said John Heywood, +sorrowfully. "You choose the one only because the other is denied. +You would love only because you cannot rule; and since your heart, +which thirsts for fame and honor, can find no other satisfaction, +you would quench its thirst with some other draught, and would +administer love as an opiate to lull to rest its burning pains. +Believe me, princess, you do not yet know yourself! You were not +born to be merely a loving wife, and your brow is much too high and +haughty to wear only a crown of myrtle. Therefore, consider well +what you do, princess! Be not carried away by your father's +passionate blood, which boils in your veins also. Think well before +you act. Your foot is yet on one of the steps to the throne. Draw it +not back voluntarily. Maintain your position; then, the next step +brings you again one stair higher up. Do not voluntarily renounce +your just claim, but abide in patience the coming of the day of +retribution and justice. Only do not yourself make it impossible, +that there may then be a full and glorious reparation. PRINCESS +Elizabeth may yet one day be queen, provided she has not exchanged +her name for one less glorious and noble." + +"John Heywood," said she, with a bewitching smile, "I have told you +I love him." + +"Well, love him as much as you please, but do it in silence, and +tell him not of it; but teach your love resignation." + +"John, he knows it already." + +"Ah, poor princess! you are still but a child, that sticks its hands +in the fire with smiling bravery and scorches them, because it knows +not that fire burns." + +"Let it burn, John, burn! and let the flames curl over my head! +Better be consumed in fire than perish slowly and horribly with a +deadly chill! I love him, I tell you, and he already knows it!" + +"Well, then, love him, but, at least, do not marry him!" cried John +Heywood, surlily. + +"Marry!" cried she, with astonishment. "Marry! I had never thought +of it." + +She dropped her head upon her breast, and stood there, silent and +thoughtful. + +"I am much afraid I made a blunder, then!" muttered John Heywood. "I +have suggested a new thought to her. Ah, ah, King Henry has done +well in appointing me his fool! Just when we deem ourselves the +wisest, we are the greatest fools!" + +"John," said Elizabeth, as she raised her head again and smiled to +him in a glow of excitement, "John, you are entirely right; if we +love, we must marry." + +"But I said just the contrary, princess!" + +"All right!" said she, resolutely. "All this belongs to the future; +we will busy ourselves with the present. I have promised my lover an +interview." + +"An interview!" cried John Heywood, in amazement. "You will not be +so foolhardy as to keep your promise?" + +"John Heywood," said she, with an air of approaching solemnity, +"King Henry's daughter will never make a promise without fulfilling +it. For better or for worse, I will always keep my plighted word, +even if the greatest misery and ruin were the result!" + +John Heywood ventured to offer no further opposition. There was at +this moment something peculiarly lofty, proud, and truly royal in +her air, which impressed him with awe, and before which he bowed. + +"I have granted him an interview because he wished it," said +Elizabeth; "and, John, I will confess it to you, my own heart longed +for it. Seek not, then, to shake my resolution; it is as firm as a +rock. But if you are not willing to stand by me, say so, and I will +then look about me for another friend, who loves me enough to impose +silence on his thoughts." + +"But who, perhaps, will go and betray you. No, no, it has been once +resolved upon, and unalterably; so no one but I must be your +confidant. Tell me, then, what I am to do, and I will obey you." + +"You know, John, that my apartments are situated in yonder wing, +overlooking the garden. Well, in my dressing-room, behind one of the +large wall pictures, I have discovered a door leading into a lonely, +dark corridor. From this corridor there is a passage up into yonder +tower. It is unoccupied and deserted. Nobody ever thinks of entering +that part of the castle, and the quiet of the grave reigns +throughout those apartments, which nevertheless are furnished with a +magnificence truly regal. There will I receive him." + +"But how shall he make his way thither?" + +"Oh, do not be concerned; I have thought over that many days since; +and while I was refusing my lover the interview for which he again +and again implored me, I was quietly preparing everything so as to +be able one day to grant it to him. Today this object is attained, +and today have I fulfilled his wish, voluntarily and unasked; for I +saw he had no more courage to ask again. Listen, then. From the +tower, a spiral staircase leads down to a small door, through which +you gain entrance into the garden. I have a key to this door. Here +it is. Once in possession of this key, he has nothing further to do +but remain behind in the park this evening, instead of leaving the +castle; and by means of this he will come to me, for I will wait for +him in the tower, in the large room directly opposite the staircase +landing. Here, take the key; give it to him, and repeat to him all +that I have said." + +"Well, princess, there remains for you now only to appoint the hour +at which you will receive him there." + +"The hour," said she, as she turned away her blushing face. "You +understand, John, that it is not feasible to receive him there by +day, because there is by day not a single moment in which I am not +watched." + +"You will then receive him by night!" said John Heywood, sadly. "At +what hour?" + +"At midnight! And now you know all; and I beg you, John, hasten and +carry him my message; for, look, the sun is setting, and it will +soon be night." + +She nodded to him with a smile, and turned to go. + +"Princess, you have forgotten the most important point. You have not +yet told me his name." + +"My God! and you do not guess it? John Heywood, who has such sharp +eyes, sees not that there is at this court but a single one that +deserves to be loved by a daughter of the king!" + +"And the name of this single one is--" + +"Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley!" whispered Elizabeth, as she turned +away quickly and entered the castle. + +"Oh, Thomas Seymour!" said John Heywood, utterly astounded. As if +paralyzed with horror, he stood there motionless, staring up at the +sky and repealing over and over, "Thomas Seymour! Thomas Seymour! So +he is a sorcerer who administers a love-potion to all the women, and +befools them with his handsome, saucy face. Thomas Seymour! The +queen loves him; the princess loves him; and then there is this +Duchess of Richmond, who will by all means be his wife! This much, +however, is certain, he is a traitor who deceives both, because to +both he has made the same confession of love. And there again is +that imp, chance, which compels me to be the confidant of both these +women. But I will be well on my guard against executing both my +commissions to this sorcerer. Let him at any rate become the husband +of the princess; perhaps this would be the surest means of freeing +the queen from her unfortunate love." + +He was silent, and still gazed up thoughtfully at the sky. "Yes," +said he then, quite cheerfully, "thus shall it be. I will combat the +one love with the other. For the queen to love him, is dangerous. I +will therefore so conduct matters that she must hate him. I will +remain her confidant. I will receive her letters and her +commissions, but I will burn her letters and not execute her +commissions. I am not at liberty to tell her that the faithless +Thomas Seymour is false to her, for I have solemnly pledged my word +to the princess never to breathe her secret to any one; and I will +and must keep my word. Smile and love, then; dream on thy sweet +dream of love, queen; I wake for thee; I will cause the dark cloud +resting on thee to pass by. It may, perhaps, touch thine heart; but +thy noble and beautiful head--that at least it shall not be allowed +to crush; that--" + +"Now, then, what are you staring up at the sky for, as if you read +there a new epigram with which to make the king laugh, and the +parsons rave?" asked a voice near him; and a hand was laid heavily +on his shoulder. + +John Heywood did not look round at all; he remained in the same +attitude, gazing up steadily at the sky. He had very readily +recognized the voice of him who had addressed him; he knew very well +that he who stood near him was no other than the bold sorcerer whom +he was just then cursing at the bottom of his heart; no other than +Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley. + +"Say, John, is it really an epigram?" asked Thomas Seymour again. +"An epigram on the hypocritical, lustful, and sanctimonious priestly +rabble, that with blasphemous hypocrisy fawn about the king, and are +ever watchful how they can set a trap for one of us honorable and +brave men? Is that what Heaven is now revealing to you?" + +"No, my lord, I am only looking at a hawk which hovers about there +in the clouds. I saw him mount, earl, and only think of the wonder-- +he had in each talon a dove! Two doves for one hawk. Is not that too +much--wholly contrary to law and nature?" + +The earl cast on him a penetrating and distrustful look. But John +Heywood, remaining perfectly calm and unembarrassed, continued +looking at the clouds. + +"How stupid such a brute is, and how much to his disadvantage will +his very greediness be! For since he holds a dove in each claw, he +will not be able to enjoy either of them; because he has no claw at +liberty with which to tear them. Soon as he wishes to enjoy the one, +the other will escape; when he grabs after that, the other flies +away; and so at last he will have nothing at all, because he was too +rapacious and wanted more than he could use." + +"And you are looking after this hawk in the skies? But you are +perhaps mistaken, and he whom you seek is not above there at all, +but here below, and perchance quite close to you?" asked Thomas +Seymour significantly. + +But John Heywood would not understand him. + +"Nay," said he," he still flies, but it will not last long. For +verily I saw the owner of the dovecot from which the hawk has stolen +the two doves. He had a weapon; and he, be ye sure of it--he will +kill this hawk, because he has robbed him of his pet doves." + +"Enough, enough!" cried the earl, impatiently. "You would give me a +lesson, but you must know I take no counsel from a fool, even were +he the wisest." + +"In that you are right, my lord, for only fools are so foolish as to +hearken to the voice of wisdom. Besides, each man forges his own +fortune. And now, wise sir, I will give you a key, which you +yourself have forged, and behind which lies your fortune. There, +take this key; and if you at midnight slip through the garden to the +tower over yonder, this key will open to you the door of the same, +and you can then without hesitation mount the spiral staircase and +open the door which is opposite the staircase. Behind that you will +find the fortune which you have forged for yourself, sir blacksmith, +and which will bid you welcome with warm lips and soft arms. And so +commending you to God, I must hasten home to think over the comedy +which the king has commanded me to write." + +"But you do not so much as tell me from whom this message comes?" +said Earl Sudley, retaining him. "You invite me to a meeting and +give me a key, and I know not who will await me there in that +tower." + +"Oh, you do not know? There is then more than one who might await +you there? Well, then, it is the youngest and smallest of the two +doves who sends you the key." + +"Princess Elizabeth?" + +"You have named her, not I!" said John Heywood, as he disengaged +himself from the earl's grasp and hurried across the courtyard to +betake himself to his lodgings. + +Thomas Seymour watched him with a scowl, and then slowly directed +his eyes to the key that Heywood had given him. + +"The princess then awaits me," whispered he, softly. "Ah, who can +read it in the stars? who can know whither the crown will roll when +it tumbles from King Henry's head? I love Catharine, but I love +ambition still more; and if it is demanded, to ambition must I +sacrifice my heart." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +GAMMER GUETON'S NEEDLE. + + +Slowly and lost in gloomy thought, John Heywood walked toward his +lodgings. These lodgings were situated in the second or inner court +of the vast palace of Whitehall, in that wing of the castle which +contained the apartments of all the higher officers of the royal +household, and so those of the court-jesters also; for the king's +fool was at that period a very important and respectable personage, +who occupied a rank equal to that of a gentleman of the royal bed- +chamber. + +John Heywood had just crossed this second courtyard, when all at +once loud, wrangling voices, and the clear, peculiar ring of a box +on the ear, startled him out of his meditations. He stopped and +listened. His face, before so serious, had now reassumed its usual +merry and shrewd expression; his large eyes again glittered with +humor and mischief. "There again verily is my sweet, charming +housekeeper, Gammer Gurton," said John Heywood, laughing; "and she +no doubt is quarrelling again with my excellent servant, that poor, +long-legged, blear-eyed Hodge. Ah! ha! Yesterday I surprised her as +she applied a kiss to him, at which he made as doleful a face as if +a bee had stung him. To-day I hear how she is boxing his ears. He is +perhaps now laughing at it, and thinks it is a rose-leaf which cools +his cheek. That Hodge is such a queer bird! But we will at once see +what there is to-day, and what farce is being performed now." + +He crept softly up-stairs, and, opening the door of his room, closed +it again behind him quickly and gently. Gammer Gurton, who was in +the room adjoining, had heard nothing, seen nothing; and had the +heavens come tumbling down at that moment, she would have scarcely +noticed it; for she had eyes and sense only for this long, lank +lackey who stood before her shaking with fear, and staring at her +out of his great bluish-white eyes. Her whole soul lay in her +tongue; and her tongue ran as fast as a will-wheel, and with the +force of thunder. How, then, could Gammer Gurton well have time and +ears to hear her master, who had softly entered his chamber and +slyly crept to the door, only half closed, which separated his room +from that of the housekeeper?" How!" screamed Gammer Gurtoh, "you +silly raga muffin, you wish to make me believe that it was the cat +that ran away with my sewing-needle, as if my sewing-needle were a +mouse and smelt of bacon, you stupid, blear-eyed fool!" + +"Ah, you call me a fool," cried Hodge, with a laugh, which caused +his mouth to describe a graceful line across his face from ear to +ear; "you call me a fool, and that is a great honor for me, for then +I am a servant worthy of my master. And as to being blear-eyed, that +must be caused by the simple fact that I have nothing all day long +before my eyes but you, Gammer Gurton--you, with your face like a +full moon--you, sailing through the room like a frigate, and with +your grappling-irons, your hands, smashing to pieces everything +except your own looking-glass." + +"You shall pay me for that, you double-faced, thread-bare lout!" +screamed Gammer Gurton, as she rushed on Hodge with clenched fist. + +But John Heywood's cunning servant had anticipated this; he had +already slipped under the large table which stood in the middle of +the room. As the housekeeper now made a plunge to drag him out of +his extemporary fortress, he gave her such a hearty pinch on the +leg, that she sprang back with a scream, and sank, wholly overcome +by the pain, into the huge, leather-covered elbow-chair which was +near her workstand at the window. + +"You are a monster, Hodge," groaned she, exhausted--" a heartless, +horrible monster. You have stolen my sewing-needle--you only. For +you knew very well that it was my last one, and that, if I have not +that, I must go at once to the shopkeeper to buy some needles. And +that is just what you want, you weathercock, you. You only want me +to go out, that you may have an opportunity to play with Tib." + +"Tib? Who is Tib?" asked Hodge as he stretched out his long neck +from under the table, and stared at Gammer Gurton with well-assumed +astonishment. + +"Now this otter wants me yet to tell him who Tib is!" screamed the +exasperated dame. "Well, then, I will tell you. Tib is the cook for +the major-domo over there--a black-eyed, false, coquettish little +devil, who is bad and mean enough to troll away the lover of an +honest and virtuous woman, as I am; a lover who is such a pitiful +little thing that one would think no one but myself could find him +out and see him; nor could I have done it had I not for forty years +trained my eyes to the search, and for forty years looked around for +the man who was at length to marry me, and make me a respectable +mistress. Since my eyes then were at last steadily fixed on this +phantom of man, and I found nothing there, I finally discovered you, +you cobweb of a man!" + +"What! you call me a cobweb?" screamed Hodge, as he crept from under +the table, and, drawing himself up to his full height, placed +himself threateningly in front of Gammer Gurton's elbow-chair. "You +call me a cobweb? Now, I swear to you that you shall henceforth +never more be the spider that dwells in that web! For you are a +garden-spider, an abominable, dumpy, old garden-spider, for whom a +web, such as Hodge is, is much too fine and much too elegant. Be +quiet, therefore, old spider, and spin your net elsewhere! You shall +not live in my net, but Tib--for, yes, I do know Tib. She is a +lovely, charming child of fourteen, as quick and nimble as a kid, +with lips red as the coral which you wear on your fat pudding of a +neck, with eyes which shine yet brighter than your nose, and with a +figure so slender and graceful that she might have been carved out +of one of your fingers. Yes, yes, I know Tib. She is an +affectionate, good child, who would never be so hard-hearted as to +abuse the man she loves, and could not be so mean and pitiful, even +in thought, as to wish to marry the man she did not love. Just +because he is a man. Yes, I know Tib, and now I will go straight to +her and ask her if she will marry a good, honest lad, who, to be +sure, is somewhat lean, but who doubtless will become fatter if he +has any other fare than the meagre, abominable stuff on which Gammer +Gurton feeds him; a lad who, to be sure, is blear-eyed, but will +soon get over that disease when he no more sees Gammer Gurton, who +acts on his eyes like a stinking onion, and makes them always red +and running water. Good-by, old onion! I am going to Tib." + +But Gammer Gurton whirled up out of her elbow-chair like a top, and +was upon Hodge, whom she held by the coat-tail, and brought him to a +stand. + +"You dare go to Tib again! You dare pass that door and you shall see +that the gentle, peaceable, and patient Gammer Gurton is changed +into a lioness, when any one tries to tear from her that most sacred +and dearest of treasures, her husband. For you are my husband, +inasmuch as I have your word that you will marry me." + +"But I have not told you when and where I will do it, Gammer Gurton; +and so you can wait to all eternity, for only in heaven will I be +your husband." + +"That is an abominable, malicious lie!" screamed Gammer Gurton. "A +good-for-nothing lie, say I! For did you not long ago snivel and beg +till I was forced to promise you to make a will, and in it declare +Hodge, my beloved husband, sole heir of all my goods and chattels, +and bequeath to him everything I have scraped together in my +virtuous and industrious life?" + +"But you did not make it--the will. You broke your word; and, +therefore, I will do the same." + +"Yes, I have made it, you greyhound. I have made it; and this very +day I was going with you to a justice of the peace and have it +signed, and then to-morrow we would have got married." + +"You have made the will, you round world of love?" said Hodge +tenderly, as with his long, withered, spindling arms he tried to +clasp the gigantic waist of his beloved. "You have made the will and +declared me your heir? Come, then, Gammer Gurton, come, let us go to +the justice of the peace!" + +"But do you not see, then," said Gammer Gurton, with a tender, cat- +like purr, "do you not see, then, that you rumple my frill when you +hug me so? Let me go, then, and help me find my needle quickly, for +without the needle we cannot go to the justice of the peace." + +"What, without the needle not go to the justice of the peace?" + +"No; for only see this hole which Gib, the cat, tore in my prettiest +cap awhile ago, as I took the cap out of the box and laid it on the +table. Indeed I cannot go to the justice of the peace with such a +hole in my cap! Search then, Hodge, search, so that I can mend my +cap, and go with you to the justice of the peace!" + +"Lord God, where in the world can it be, the unlucky needle? I must +have it, I must find it, so that Gammer Gurton may take her will to +the justice of the peace!" + +And in frantic desperation, Hodge searched all about on the floor +for the lost needle, and Gammer Gurton stuck her large spectacles on +her flaming red nose and peered about on the table. So eager was she +in the search, that she even let her tongue rest a little, and deep +silence reigned in the room. + +Suddenly this silence was broken by a voice; which seemed to come +from the courtyard. It was a soft, sweet voice that cried: "Hodge, +dear Hodge, are you there? Come to me in the court, only for a few +minutes! I want to have a bit of a laugh with you!" + +It was as though an electric shock had passed through the room with +that voice, and struck at the same time both Gammer Gurton and +Hodge. + +Both startled, and discontinuing the search, stood there wholly +immovable, as if petrified. Hodge especially, poor Hodge, was as if +struck by lightning. His great bluish-white eyes appeared to be +coming out of their sockets; his long arms hung down, flapping and +dangling about like a flail; his knees, half bent, seemed already to +be giving way in expectation of the approaching storm. + +This storm did not in fact make him wait long. "That is Tib!" +screamed Gammer Gurton, springing like a lioness upon Hodge and +seizing him by the shoulders with both her hands. "That is Tib, you +thread-like, pitiful greyhound! Well, was I not right, now, when I +called you a faithless, good-for-nothing scamp, that spares not +innocence, and breaks the hearts of the women as he would a cracker, +which he swallows at his pleasure? Was I not right, in saying that +you were only watching for me to go out in order to go and sport +with Tib?" + +"Hodge, my dear, darling Hodge," cried the voice beneath there, and +this time louder and more tender than before, "Hodge, oh come, do +now, come with me in the court, as you promised me; come and get the +kiss for which you begged me this morning!" + +"I will be a damned otter, if I begged her for it, and if I +understand a single word of what she says!" said Hodge, wholly +dumfounded and quaking all over. + +"Ah, you understand not a word of what she says?" screamed Gammer +Gurton. "Well, but I understand it. I understand that everything +between us is past and done with, and that I have nothing more to do +with you, you Moloch, you! I understand that I shall not go and make +my will, to become your wife and fret myself to death over this +skeleton of a husband, that I may leave you to chuckle as my heir. +No, no, it is past. I am not going to the justice of the peace, and +I will tear up my will!" + +"Oh, she is going to tear up her will!" howled Hodge; "and then I +have tormented myself in vain; in vain have endured the horrible +luck of being loved by this old owl! Oh, oh, she will not make her +will, and Hodge will remain the same miserable dog he always was!" + +Gammer Gurton laughed scornfully. "Ah, you are aware at last what a +pitiable wretch you are, and how much a noble and handsome person, +as I am, lowered herself when she made up her mind to pick up such a +weed and make him her husband." + +"Yes, yes, I know it!" whined Hodge; "and I pray you pick me up and +take me, and above all things make your will!" + +"No, I will not take you, and I shall not make my will! It is all +over with, I tell you; and now you can go as soon as vou please to +Tib, who has called you so lovingly. But first give me back my +sewing-needle, you magpie, you! Give me here my sewing-needle, which +you have stolen. It is of no use to you now, for it is not necessary +for me to go out in order that you may go and see Tib. We have +nothing more to do with each other, and you can go where you wish. +My sewing-needle, say I--my needle, or I will hang you as a +scarecrow in my pea-patch, to frighten the sparrows out of it. My +sewing-needle, or--" + +She shook her clenched fist threateningly at Hodge, fully convinced +that now, as always before, Hodge would retreat before this menacing +weapon of his jealous and irritable lady-love, and seek safety under +the bed or the table. + +This time, however, she was mistaken. Hodge, who saw that all was +lost, felt that his patience was at length exhausted; and his +timidity was now changed to the madness of despair. The lamb was +transformed into a tiger, and with a tiger's rage he pounced upon +Gammer Gurton, and, throwing aside her fist, he dealt her a good +sound blow on the cheek. + +The signal was given, and the battle began. It was waged by both +sides with equal animosity and equal vigor; only Hodge's bony hand +made by far the most telling blows on Gammer Gurton's mass of flesh, +and was always certain, wherever he struck, to hit some spot of this +huge mass; while Gammer Gurton's soft hand seldom touched that thin, +threadlike figure, which dexterously parried every blow. + +"Stop, you fools!" suddenly shouted a stentorian voice. "See you +not, you goblins, that your lord and master is here? Peace, peace +then, you devils, and do not be hammering away at one another, but +love each other. + +It is the master!" exclaimed Gammer Gurton, lowering her fist in the +utmost contrition. + +"Do not turn me away, sir!" moaned Hodge; "do not dismiss me from +your service because at last I have for once given the old hag a +good bruising. She has deserved it a long time, and an angel himself +must at last lose patience with her." + +"I turn you out of my service!" exclaimed John Heywood, as he wiped +his eyes, wet with laughing. "No, Hodge, you are a real jewel, a +mine of fun and merriment; and you two have, without knowing it, +furnished me with the choicest materials for a piece which, by the +king's order, I have to write within six days. I owe you, then, many +thanks, and will show my gratitude forthwith. Listen well to me, my +amorous and tender pair of turtle-doves, and mark what I have to say +to you. One cannot always tell the wolf by his hide, for he +sometimes put on a sheep's skin; and so, too, a man cannot always be +recognized by his voice, for he sometimes borrows that of his +neighbor. Thus, for example, I know a certain John Heywood, who can +mimic exactly the voice of a certain little miss named Tib, and who +knows how to warble as she herself: 'Hodge, my dear Hodge!'" And he +repeated to them exactly, and with the same tone and expression, the +words that the voice had previously cried. + +"Ah, it was you, sir?" cried Hodge, with a broad grin--"that Tib in +the court there, that Tib about whom we have been pummelling each +other?" + +"I was Tib, Hodge--I who was present during the whole of your +quarrel, and found it hugely comical to send Tib's voice thundering +into the midst of our lovers' quarrel, like a cannon-stroke! Ah, ha! +Hodge, that was a fine bomb-shell, was it not? And as I said 'Hodge, +my dear Hodge,' you tumbled about like a kernel of corn which a +dung-beetle blows with his breath. No, no, my worthy and virtuous +Gammer Gurton, it was not Tib who called the handsome Hodge, and +more than that, I saw Tib, as your contest began, go out at the +courtyard gate." + +"It was not Tib!" exclaimed Gammer Gurton, much moved, and happy as +love could make her. "It was not Tib, and she was not in the court +at all, and Hodge could not then go down to her, while I went to the +shopkeeper's to buy needles. Oh, Hodge, Hodge, will you forgive me +for this; will you forget the hard words which I spoke in the fury +of my anguish, and can you love me again?" + +"I will try," said Hodge, gravely; "and without doubt I shall +succeed, provided you go to-day forthwith to the justice, and make +your will." + +"I will make my will, and to-morrow we will go to the priest; shall +it not be so, my angel?" + +"Yes, we go to the priest to-morrow!" growled Hodge, as with a +frightful grimace he scratched himself behind the ears. + +"And now come, my angel, and give me a kiss of reconciliation!" She +spread her arms out, and when Houge did not come to her, but +remained immovable, and steadfast in his position, she went to Hodge +and pressed him tenderly to her heart. + +Suddenly she uttered a shriek, and let go of Hodge, She had felt a +terrible pain in her breast. It seemed as though a small dagger had +pierced her bosom. + +And there it was, the lost needle, and Hodge then was innocent and +pure as the early dawn. + +He had not mischievously purloined the needle, so that Gammer Gurton +would be compelled to leave her house in order to fetch some new +needles from the shopkeeper's; he had not intended to go to Tib, for +Tib was not in the court, but had gone out. + +"Oh Hodge, Hodge, good Hodge, you innocent dove, will you forgive +me?" + +"Come to the justice of the peace, Gammer Gurton, and I forgive +you!" + +They sank tenderly into each other's arms, wholly forgetful of their +master, who still stood near them, and looked on, laughing and +nodding his head. + +"Now, then, I have found the finest and most splendid materials for +my piece," said John Heywood, as he left the loving pair and betook +himself to his own room. "Gammer Gurton has saved me, and King Henry +will not have the satisfaction of seeing me whipped by those most +virtuous and most lovely ladies of his court. To work, then, +straightway to work!" + +He seated himself at his writing-desk, and seized pen and paper. + +"But how!" asked he, suddenly pausing. "That is certainly a rich +subject for a composition; but I can never in the world get an +interlude out of it! What shall I do with it? Abandon this subject +altogether, and again jeer at the monks and ridicule the nuns? That +is antiquated and worn out! I will write something new, something +wholly new, and something which will make the king so merry, that he +will not sign a death-warrant for a whole day. Yes, yes, a merry +play shall it be, and then I will call it boldly and fearlessly a +comedy!" + +He seized his pen and wrote: "Gammer Gurton's Needle, a right pithy, +pleasant, and merry comedy." + +And thus originated the first English comedy, by John Heywood, fool +to King Henry the Eighth. [Footnote: This comedy was first printed +in the year 1661, but it was represented at Christ College fully a +hundred years previously. Who was the author of it is not known with +certainty; but it is possible that the writer of it was John +Heywood, the epigrammatist and court-jester.--See Dramaturgic oder +Theorie und Geschichte der dramatischen Kunst, von Theodore Mundt, +vol i, p. 809. Flogel's Geschicbte der Hofnarren, p. 399.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +LADY JANE. + + +All was quiet in the palace of Whitehall. Even the servants on guard +in the vestibule of the king's bedchamber had been a long time +slumbering, for the king had been snoring for several hours; and +this majestical sound was, to the dwellers in the palace, the joyful +announcement that for one fine night they were exempt from service, +and might be free men. + +The queen also had long since retired to her apartments, and +dismissed her ladies at an unusually early hour. She felt, she said, +wearied by the chase, and much needed rest. No one, therefore, was +to disturb her, unless the king should order it. + +But the king, as we have said, slept, and the queen had no reason to +fear that her night's rest would be disturbed. + +Deep silence reigned in the palace. The corridors were empty and +deserted, the apartments all silent. + +Suddenly a figure tripped along softly and cautiously through the +long feebly lighted corridor. She was wrapped in a black mantle; a +veil concealed her face. + +Scarcely touching the floor with her feet, she floated away, and +glided down a little staircase. Now she stops and listens. There is +nothing to hear; all is noiseless and still. + +Then, on again. Now she wings her steps. For here she is sure of not +being heard. It is the unoccupied wing of the castle of Whitehall. +Nobody watches her here. + +On, then, on, adown that corridor, descending those stairs. There +she stops before a door leading into the summer-house. She puts her +ear to the door, and listens. Then she claps her hands three times. + +The sound is reechoed from the other side. + +"Oh, he is there, he is there!" Forgotten now are her cares, +forgotten her pains and tears. He is there. She has him again. + +She throws open the door. It is dark indeed in the chamber, but she +sees him. for the eye of love pierces the night; and if the sees him +not, yet she feels his presence. + +She rests on his heart; he presses her closely to his breast. +Leaning on each other, they grope cautiously along through the dark, +desolate chamber to the divan at the upper end, and there, both +locked in a happy embrace, they sink upon the cushion. + +"At last I have you again! and my arms again clasp this divine form, +and again my lips press this crimson mouth! Oh, my beloved, what an +eternity has this separation been! Six days! Six long nights of +agony! Have you not felt how my soul cried out for you, and was +filled with trepidation; how I stretched my arms out into the night, +and let them fall again disconsolate and trembling with anguish, +because they clasped nothing--naught but the cold, vacant night +breeze! Did you not hear, my beloved, how I cried to you with sighs +and tears, how in glowing dithyrambics I poured forth to you my +longing, my love, my rapture? But you, cruel you, remained ever +cold, ever smiling. Your eyes were ever flashing in all the pride +and grandeur of a Juno. The roses on your cheeks were not one whit +the paler. No, no, you have not longed for me; your heart has not +felt this painful, blissful anguish. You are first and above all +things the proud, cold queen, and next, next the loving woman." + +"How unjust and hard you are, my Henry!" whispered she softly. "I +have indeed suffered; and perhaps my pains have been more cruel and +bitter than yours, for I--I had to let them consume me within. You +could pour them forth, you could stretch out your arms after me, you +could utter lamentations and sighs. You were not, like me, condemned +to laugh, and to jest, and to listen with apparently attentive ear +to all those often heard and constantly repeated phrases of praise +and adoration from those about me. You were at least free to suffer. +I was not. It is true I smiled, but amidst the pains of death. It is +true my cheeks did not blanch, but rouge was the veil with which I +covered their paleness; and then, Henry, in the midst of my pains +and longings, I had, too, a sweet consolation--your letters, your +poems, which fell like the dew of heaven upon my sick soul, and +restored it to health, for new torments and new hopes. Oh, how I +love them--those poems, in whose noble and enchanting language your +love and our sufferings are reechoed! How my whole soul flew forth +to meet them when I received them, and how pressed I my lips +thousands and thousands of times on the paper which seemed to me +redolent with your breath and your sighs! How I love that good, +faithful Jane, the silent messenger of our love! When I behold her +entering my chamber, with the unsullied paper in hand, she is to me +the dove with the olive-leaf, that brings me peace and happiness, +and I rush to her, and press her to my bosom; and give her all the +kisses I would give you, and feel how poor and powerless I am, +because I cannot repay her all the happiness that she brings me. Ah, +Henry, how many thanks do we owe to poor Jane!" + +"Why do you call her poor, when she can be near you, always behold +yon, always hear you?" + +"I call her poor, because she is unhappy. For she loves, Henry--she +loves to desperation, to madness, and she is not loved. She is +pining away with grief and pain, and wrings her hands in boundless +woe. Have you not noticed how pale she is, and how her eyes become +daily more dim?" + +"No, I have not seen it, for I see naught but you, and Lady Jane is +to me a lifeless image, as are all other women. But what! You +tremble; and your whole frame writhes in my arms, as if in a +convulsion! And what is that? Are you weeping?" + +"Oh, I weep, because I am so happy. I weep, because I was thinking +how fearful the suffering must be, to give the whole heart away, and +receive nothing in return, naught but death! Poor Jane!" + +"What is she to us? We, we love each other. Come, dear one, let me +kiss the tears from your eyes; let me drink this nectar, that it may +inspire me, and transfigure me to a god! Weep no more--no, weep not; +or, if you will do so, be it only in the excess of rapture, and +because word and heart are too poor to hold all this bliss!" + +"Yes, yes, let us shout for joy; let us be lost in blessedness!" +exclaimed she passionately, as with frantic violence she threw +herself on his bosom. + +Both were now silent, mutely resting on each other's heart. + +Oh, how sweet this silence; how entrancing this noiseless, sacred +night! How the trees without there murmur and rustle, as if they +were singing a heavenly lullaby to the lovers! how inquisitively the +pale crescent moon peeps through the window, as though she were +seeking the twain whose blessed confidante she is! + +But happiness is so swift-winged, and time flies so fast, when love +is their companion! + +Even now they must part again--now they must again say farewell. +"Not yet, beloved, stay yet! See, the night is still dark; and hark, +the castle clock is just striking two. No, go not yet." + +"I must, Henry, I must; the hours are past in which I can be happy." + +"Oh, you cold, proud soul! Does the head already long again for the +crown; and can you wait no longer for the purple to again cover your +shoulders? Come, let me kiss your shoulder; and think now, dear, +that my crimson lips are also a purple robe. + +And a purple robe for which I would gladly give my crown and my +life!" cried she, with the utmost enthusiasm, as she folded him in +her arms. + +"Do you love me, then? Do you really love me?" + +"Yes, I love you!" + +"Can you swear to me that you love no one except me?" + +"I can swear it, as true as there is a God above us, who hears my +oath." + +"Bless you for it, you dear, you only one--oh, how shall I call +you?--you whose name I may not utter! Oh, do you know that it is +cruel never to name the name of the loved one? Withdraw that +prohibition; grudge me not the painfully sweet pleasure of being +able at least to call you by your name!" + +"No," said she, with a shudder; "for know you not that the sleep- +walkers awake out of their dreams when they are called by name? I am +a somnambulist, who, with smiling courage, moves along a dizzy +height; call me by name, and I shall awake, and, shuddering, plunge +into the abyss beneath. Ah, Henry, I hate my name, for it is +pronounced by other lips than yours. For you I will not be named as +other men call me. Baptize me, my Henry; give me another name--a +name which is our secret, and which no one knows besides us." + +"I name you Geraldine; and as Geraldine I will praise and laud you +before all the world. I will, in spite of all these spies and +listeners, repeat again and again that I love you, and no one, not +the king himself, shall be able to forbid me." + +"Hush!" said she, with a shudder, "speak not of him! Oh, I conjure +you, my Henry, be cautious; think that you have sworn to me ever to +think of the danger that threatens us, and will, without doubt, dash +us in pieces if you, by only a sound, a look, or a smile, betray the +sweet secret that unites us two. Are you still aware what you have +sworn to me?" + +"I am aware of it! But it is an unnatural Draconian law. What! even +when I am alone with you, shall I never be allowed to address you +otherwise than with that reverence and restrain which is due the +queen? Even when no one can hear us, may I, by no syllable, by none, +not the slightest intimation, remind you of our love?" + +"No, no, do it not; for this castle has everywhere eyes and ears, +and everywhere are spies and listeners behind the tapestry; behind +the curtains; everywhere are they concealed and lurking, watching +every feature, every smile, every word, whether it may not afford +ground for suspicion. No, no, Henry; swear to me by our love that +you will never, unless here in this room, address me otherwise than +your queen. Swear to me that, beyond these walls, you will be to me +only the respectful servant of your queen, and at the same time the +proud earl and lord, of whom it is said that never has a woman been +able to touch his heart. Swear to me that you will not, by a look, +by a smile, by even the gentlest pressure of the hand, betray what +beyond this room is a crime for both of us. Let this room be the +temple of our love; but when we once pass its threshold, we will not +profane the sweet mysteries of our happiness, by allowing unholy +eyes to behold even a single ray of it. Shall it be so, my Henry? + +"Yes, it shall be so!" said he, with a troubled voice; "although I +must confess that this dreadful illusion often tortures me almost to +death. Oh, Geraldine, when I meet you elsewhere, when I observe the +eye so icy and immovable, with which you meet my look, I feel as it +were my heart convulsed; and I say to myself: 'This is not she, whom +I love--not the tender, passionate woman, whom in the darkness of +the night I sometimes lock in my arms. This is Catharine, the queen, +but not my loved one. A woman cannot so disguise herself; art goes +not so far as to falsify the entire nature, the innermost being and +life of a person.' Oh, there have been hours, awful, horrible hours, +when it seemed to me as though all this were a delusion, a +mystification--as though in some way an evil demon assumed the +queen's form by night to mock me, poor frenzied visionary, with a +happiness that has no existence, but lives only in my imagination. +When such thoughts come to me, I feel a frenzied fury, a crushing +despair, and I could, regardless of my oath and even the danger that +threatens you, rush to you, and, before all the courtly rabble and +the king himself, ask: 'Are you really what you seem? Are you, +Catharine Parr, King Henry's wife--nothing more, nothing else than +that? Or are you, my beloved, the woman who is mine in her every +thought, her every breath; who has vowed to me eternal love and +unchanging truth; and whom I, in spite of the whole world, and the +king, press to my heart as my own?'" + +"Unhappy man, if you ever venture that, you doom us both to death!" + +"Be it so, then! In death you will at least be mine, and no one +would longer dare separate us, and your eyes would no longer look so +cold and strangely upon me, as they often now do. Oh, I conjure you, +gaze not upon me at all, if you cannot do it otherwise than with +those cold, proud looks, that benumb my heart. Turn away your eyes, +and speak to me with averted face." + +"Then, men will say that I hate you, Henry." + +"It is more agreeable to me for them to say you abhor me than for +them to see that I am wholly indifferent to you; that I am to you +nothing more than the Earl of Surrey, your lord chamberlain." + +"No, no, Henry. They shall see that you are more to me than merely +that. Before the whole assembled court I will give you a token of my +love. Will you then believe, you dear, foolish enthusiast, that I +love you, and that it is no demon that rests here in your arms and +swears that she loves nothing but you? Say, will you then believe +me?" + +"I will believe you! But no, there is no need of any sign, or any +assurance. Nay, I know it; I feel indeed the sweet reality that +cuddles to my side, warm, and filling me with happiness; and it is +only the excess of happiness that makes me incredulous." + +"I will convince you thoroughly; and you shall doubt no more, not +even in the intoxication of happiness. Listen, then. The king, as +you know, is about to hold a great tournament and festival of the +poets, and it will take place in a few days. Now, then, at this fete +I will publicly, in the presence of the king and his court, give you +a rosette that I wear on my shoulder, and in the silver fringe of +which you will find a note from me. Will that satisfy you, my +Henry?" + +"And do you still question it, my dear? Do you question it, when you +will make me proud and happy above all others of your court?" + +He pressed her closely to his heart and kissed her. But suddenly she +writhed in his arms, and started up in wild alarm. + +"Day is breaking, day is breaking! See there! a red streak is +spreading over the clouds. The sun is coming; day is coming, and +already begins to dawn." + +He endeavored to detain her still; but she tore herself passionately +away, and again enveloped her head in her veil. + +"Yes," said he, "day is breaking and it is growing light! Let me +then, for a moment at least, see your face. My soul thirsts for it +as the parched earth for the dew. Come, it is light here at the +window. Let me see your eyes." + +She tore herself vehemently away. "No, no, you must be gone! Hark, +it is already three o'clock. Soon everything will be astir in the +castle. Did it not seem as if some person passed by the door here? +Haste, haste, if you do not wish me to die of dread!" She threw his +cloak over him; she drew his hat over his brow; then once more she +threw her arms around his neck and pressed on his lips a burning +kiss. "Farewell, my beloved! farewell, Henry Howard! When we see +each other again to-day, you are the Earl of Surrey, and I, the +queen--not your loved one--not the woman who loves you! Happiness is +past, and suffering awakes anew. Farewell." + +She herself opened the glass door, and pushed her lover out. + +"Farewell, Geraldine; good-night, my dear! Day comes, and I again +greet you as my queen, and I shall have to endure again the torture +of your cold looks and your haughty smiles." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +LOYOLA'S GENERAL. + + +She rushed to the window and gazed after him till he had +disappeared, then she uttered a deep cry of anguish, and, wholly +overcome by her agony, she sank down on her knees weeping and +wailing, wringing her hands, and raising them to God. + +But just before so happy and joyful, she was now full of woe and +anguish; and bitter sighs of complaint came trembling from her lips. + +"Oh, oh," moaned she, with sobs; "what terrible agonies are these, +and how full of despair the anguish that lacerates my breast! I have +lain in his arms; I have received his vows of love and accepted his +kisses; and these vows are not mine, and these kisses he gave not to +me. He kissed me, and he loves in me only her whom I hate. He lays +his hands in mine and utters vows of love which he dedicates to her. +He thinks and feels for her only--her alone. What a terrible torture +this is! To be loved under her name; under her name to receive the +vows of love that yet belong to me only--to me alone! For he loves +me, me exclusively. They are my lips that he kisses, my form that he +embraces; to me are addressed his words and his letters; and it is I +that reply to them. He loves me, me only, and yet he puts no faith +in me. I am nothing to him, naught but a lifeless image, like other +women. This he has told me; and I did not become frenzied; and I had +the cruel energy to pass off the tears wrung from me by despair, for +tears of rapture. Oh, detestable, horrible mockery of fate--to be +what I am not, and not to be what I am!" + +And with a shrill cry of agony she tore her hair, and with her fist +smote upon her breast, and wept and moaned aloud. + +She heard naught; she saw naught; she felt naught but her +inexpressible and despairing anguish. + +She did not once tremble for herself; she thought not at all of +this--that she would be lost if she were found in this place. + +And yet at the other side of the room a door had opened, softly and +noiselessly, and a man had entered. + +He shut the door behind him and walked up to Lady Jane, who still +lay on the floor. He stood behind her while she uttered her +despairing lamentation. He heard every word of her quivering lips; +her whole heart painfully convulsed and torn with grief lay unveiled +before him; and she knew it not. + +Now he bent over her; and with his hand he lightly touched her +shoulder. At this touch she gave a convulsive start, as if hit by +the stroke of a sword, and her sobbing was immediately silenced. + +An awful pause ensued. The woman lay on the floor motionless, +breathless, and near her, tall and cold as a figure of bronze, stood +the man. + +"Lady Jane Douglas," said he then, sternly and solemnly, "stand up. +It becomes not your father's daughter to be upon her knees, when it +is not God to whom she kneels. But you are not kneeling to God, but +to an idol, which you yourself have made, and to which you hate +erected a temple in your heart. This idol is called 'Your own +personal misfortune.' But it is written, 'Thou shalt have no other +Gods but me.' Therefore I say to you once more, Lady Jane Douglas, +rise from your knees, for it is not your God to whom you kneel." + +And as though these words exercised a magnetic power over her, she +raised herself up slowly from the floor, and now stood there before +her father, stern and cold as a statue of marble. + +"Cast from you the sorrows of this world, which burden you, and +hinder you in the sacred work which God has imposed on you!" +continued Earl Douglas in his metallic, solemn voice. "It is +written, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I +will give you rest,' saith our God. But you, Jane, you are to throw +down your trouble at the foot of the throne; and your burden will +become a crown that will glorify your head." + +He laid his hand on her head, but she wildly shook it off. + +"No," cried she, with heavy, faltering tongue, as if confused in a +dream. "Away with this crown! I wish no crown upon which devils have +laid a spell. I wish no royal robe that has been dyed crimson with +the blood of my beloved." + +"She is still in the delirium of her anguish," muttered the earl, as +he contemplated the pale, trembling woman who had now sunk again to +her knees, and was staring straight before her with eyes bewildered +and stretched wide open. But the looks of the earl remained cold and +unmoved, and not the least compassion was aroused in him for his +poor daughter, now penetrated with anguish. + +"Arise," said he, in a hard, steelly voice. "The Church, by my +mouth, commands you to serve her as you have vowed to do; that is to +say, with glad heart and a sense of your reliance on God; that is to +say, with smiling lips and a serene, beaming eye, as becomes a +disciple inspired by faith, and as you have sworn to do in the hands +of our lord and master, Ignatius Loyola." + +"I cannot! I cannot!" moaned she, in a low tone. I cannot be glad at +heart when despair, like a wild boar, is rending my heart; I cannot +command my eye to shine when my eyes are dimmed with tears of +anguish. Oh, have pity, have compassion! Remember that you are my +father; that I am your daughter--the daughter of a wife whom you +loved, and who would find in the grave no rest if she knew how you +are racking and torturing me. My mother, my mother, if thy spirit is +near me, come and protect me. Let thy mild looks overshadow my head, +and breathe a breath of thy love into the heart of this cruel +father, who is ready to sacrifice his child on the altar of his +God." + +"God has called me," said the earl, "and, like Abraham, I too will +learn to obey. But I will not adorn my victim with flowers, but with +a royal crown. I will not plunge a knife into her breast, but will +put a golden sceptre into her hand and say: Thou art a queen before +men, but before God be thou a faithful and obedient servant. Thou +hast all to command. But the holy Church, to whose service thou hast +consecrated thyself, and who will bless thee if thou art faithful, +who will dash thee in pieces with her curse if thou darest deal +treacherously, she commands thee. No, you are not my daughter, but +the priestess of the Church, consecrated to her holy service. No, +Ihave no sympathy with your tear's and this anguish, for I see the +end of these sorrows, and I know that these tears will be as a +diadem of pearls about your temples. Lady Jane Douglas, it is the +saintly Loyola who sends you his commands by my mouth. Obey them, +not because I am your father, but because I am the general to whom +you have sworn obedience and fidelity unto your life's end." + +"Then kill me, my father!" said she, feebly. "Let this life end, +which is but a torture, a protracted martyrdom. Punish me for my +disobedience by plunging your dagger deep into my breast. Punish me, +and grudge me not the repose of the grave." + +"Poor enthusiast!" said the father; "suppose you, we would be +foolish enough to subject you to so light a punishment! No, no, if +you dare, in insolent disobedience, rebel against my commands, your +penance shall be a terrible one, and your punishment without end. I +will not kill you, but him whom you love; it will be his head that +falls; and you will be his murderess. He shall die on the scaffold +and you--you shall live in disgrace." + +"Oh, horrible!" groaned Jane, as she buried her face in her hands. + +Her father continued: "Silly, short-sighted child, who thought she +could play with the sword, and did not see that she herself might +feel the stroke of this double-edged blade! You wanted to be the +servant of the Church, that you might thereby become mistress of the +world. You would acquire glory, but this glory must not singe your +head with its fiery rays. Silly child! he who plays with fire will +be consumed. But we penetrated your thoughts and the wish of which +you yourself were unconscious. We looked into the depths of your +being, and when we found love there, we made use of love for our own +purposes and your salvation. What do you bewail, then, and why do +you weep? Have we not allowed you to love? Have we not authorized +you to give yourself entirely up to this love? Do you not call +yourself Earl Surrey's wife, though you cannot name to me the priest +that married you? Lady Jane, obey, and we envy you not the happiness +of your love; dare to rebel against us, and disgrace and shame +overtake you, and you shall stand before all the world disowned and +scoffed at; you the strumpet, that--" + +"Stop, my father!" cried Jane, as she sprang vehemently from the +floor. "Desist from your terrible words if you do not wish me to die +of shame. Nay, I submit, I obey! You are right, I cannot draw back." + +"And why would you either? Is it not a life pleasant and full of +enjoyment? Is it not rare good fortune to see our sins transfigured +to virtue; to be able to account earthly enjoyment the service of +Heaven? And what do you bewail then? That he does not love you? Nay, +he does love you; his vows of love still echo in your ears; your +heart still trembles with the fruition of happiness. What matters it +if the Earl of Surrey with his inward eyes sees the woman he folds +in his arms to be another than you? Yet in reality he loves but you +alone. Whether you are for him named Catharine Parr or Jane Douglas, +it is all the same if you only are his love." + +"But a day will come when he will discover his mistake, and when he +will curse me." + +"That day will never come. The holy Church will find a way to avert +that, if you bow to her will and are obedient to her." + +"I do bow to it!" sighed Jane. "I will obey; only promise me, my +father, that no harm shall happen to him; that I shall not be his +murderess." + +"No, you shall become his savior and deliverer. Only you must fulfil +punctually the work I commit to you. First of all, then, tell me the +result of your meeting to-day. He does not doubt that you are the +queen?" + +"No, he believes it so firmly that he would take the sacrament on +it. That is to say, he believes it now because I have promised him +to give him publicly a sign by which he may recognize that it is the +queen that loves him." + +"And this sign?" inquired her father, with a look beaming with joy. + +"I have promised him that at the great tournament, the queen will +give him a rosette, and that in that rosette be will find a note +from the queen." + +"Ah, the idea is an admirable one!" exclaimed Lord Douglas, "and +only a woman who wishes to avenge herself could conceive it. So, +then, the queen will become her own accuser, and herself give into +our hands a proof of her guilt. The only difficulty in the way is to +bring the queen, without arousing her suspicion, to wear this +rosette, and to give it to Surrey." + +"She will do it if I beg her to do so, for she loves me; and I shall +so represent it to her that she will do it as an act of kindness to +me. Catharine is good-natured and agreeable, and cannot refuse a +request." + +"And I will apprise the king of it. That is to say, I shall take +good care not to do this myself, for it is always dangerous to +approach a hungry tiger in his cage and carry him his food, because +he might in his voracity very readily devour our own hand together +with the proffered meat." + +"But how?" asked she with an expression of alarm. "Will he content +himself with punishing Catharine alone; will he not also crush him-- +him whom he must look upon as her lover?" + +"He will do so. But you yourself shall save him and set him free. +You shall open his prison and give him freedom, and he will love +you--you, the savior of his life." + +"Father, father, it is a hazardous game that you are playing; and it +may happen that you will become thereby your daughter's murderer. +For, listen well to what I tell you; if his head falls, I die by my +own hands; if you make me his murderess, you become thereby mine; +and I will curse you and execrate you in hell! What to me is a royal +crown if it is stained with Henry Howard's blood? What care I for +renown and honor, if he is not there to see my greatness, and if his +beaming eyes do not reflect back to me the light of my crown? +Protect him, therefore; guard his life as the apple of your eye, if +you wish me to accept the royal crown that you offer me, so that the +King of England may become again a vassal of the Church!" + +"And that the whole of devout Christendom may praise Jane Douglas, +the pious queen who has succeeded in the holy work of bringing the +rebellious and recreant son of the Church, Henry the Eighth, back to +the Holy Father in Rome, to the only consecrated lord of the Church, +truly penitent. On, on, my daughter; do not despond. A high aim +beckons you, and a brilliant fortune awaits you! Our holy mother, +the Church, will bless and praise you, and Henry the Eighth will +declare you his queen." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE PRISONER. + + +Still all was calm and quiet in the palace of Whitehall. Nothing was +stirring, and nobody had heard how Lady Jane Douglas left her +chamber and glided down the corridor. + +No one has heard it, and no eye is awake, and none sees what is now +taking place in the queen's room. She is alone--all alone. The +servants are all asleep in their chambers. The queen herself has +bolted the doors of the anteroom on the inside, and no other door +leads into her boudoir and bedroom, except through this anteroom. +She is therefore perfectly secluded, perfectly secure. + +Speedily and in haste she envelops herself in a long black mantle, +the hood of which she draws well over her head and brow, and which +completely covers and conceals her form. + +And now she presses on a spring inserted in the frame of a picture. +The picture flies back and shows an opening, through which a person +can quite conveniently pass out. + +Catharine does so. Then she carefully pushes the picture back to its +place from the outside, and for a long time walks on in the passage +hollowed out of the solid wall, till groping along she at last lays +hold again of a knob in the wall. She presses on it; and now at her +feet opens a trap-door, through which a feeble light forces its way +and renders visible a small narrow staircase there situated. +Catharine enters and descends the steps with winged feet. Now at the +foot of the staircase she again presses on a secret spring; and +again a door opens, through which the queen passes into a large +hall. + +"Oh," whispered she, fetching a long breath, "the green summer house +at last." + +She quickly traversed it and opened the next door. + +"John Heywood?" + +"I am here, queen!" + +"Hush, hush! gently as possible, that the watch, who walks up and +down just behind the door, may not hear us. Come, we still have a +long walk--let us make haste." + +Again she pressed on a spring inserted in the wall; and again a door +opens. But before Catharine bolts this door, she takes the lamp +burning on the table there, which is to lighten the dark and +difficult path through which they are now to wend their way. + +Now she bolts the door behind them; and they enter a long, dark +corridor, at the end of which is found still another staircase, and +down which they both go. Numberless steps conduct them below; +gradually the air becomes dense, the steps moist. The stillness of +the grave is around them. No sound of life, not the least noise, is +now perceptible. + +They are in a subterranean passage, which stretches out in length +before them farther than the eye can reach. Catharine turns to John +Heywood; the lamp lights up her face, which is pale, but exhibits an +expression firm and resolute. + +"John Heywood, reflect once more! I ask not whether you have +courage, for I know that. I only wish to know whether you will +employ this courage for your queen?" + +"No, not for the queen, but for the noble woman who has saved my +son." + +"You must then be my protector to-day if we meet with dangers. But +if it be God's will, we shall encounter no dangers. Let us go." + +They go vigorously forward, silent all the way. At length they come +to a place where the passage grows broader, and spreads out into a +little open chamber, on the side walls of which a few teats are +placed. + +"We have now accomplished half of the journey," said Catharine; "and +here we will rest a little." + +She placed the lamp on the small marble table in the middle of the +passage, and sat down, pointing to John Heywood to take a seat near +her. + +"I am not the queen, here," said she; "and you are not the king's +fool; but I am a poor weak woman, and you are my protector. You may, +therefore, well have the right to sit by me." + +But John shook his head with a smile, and sat down at her feet. "St. +Catharine, savior of my son, I lie at thy feet, and devoutly return +thanks to thee." + +"John, are you acquainted with this subterranean passage?" asked the +queen. + +John gave a sad smile. "I am acquainted with it, queen." + +"Ah, you know it? I supposed it was a secret of the king and queen." + +"Then you will readily conceive that the fool knows it. For the King +of England and the fool are twin brothers. Yes, queen, I know this +passage; and I once wended it in anguish and tears." + +"What! You yourself, John Heywood?" + +"Yes, queen. And now I ask you, do you know the history of this +underground passage? You are silent. Now, well for you that you do +not know it. It is a long and bloody history, and if I should +narrate to you the whole of it, the night would be too short for it. +When this passage was built, Henry was still young, and possessed +yet a heart. At that time, he loved not merely his wives, but his +friends and servants also--specially Cromwell, the all-powerful +minister. He then resided at Whitehall, and Henry in the royal +apartments of the Tower. But Henry was always longing for his +favorite; and so Cromwell one day surprised him with this +subterranean passage, the construction of which had occupied a +hundred men a whole year. Ah, ah, the king was then very much moved, +and thanked his powerful minister for this surprise with tears and +hugs. There passed scarcely a day that Henry did not go to Cromwell +through this passage. So he saw each day how the palace of Whitehall +became more and more splendid and glorious; and when he returned to +the Tower, he discovered that this residence was altogether unworthy +of a king; but that his minister lived by far more magnificently +than the King of England. That, queen, was the cause of Cromwell's +fall! The king wanted Whitehall. The sly Cromwell noticed it, and +made him a present of his gem, the palace on whose construction and +decoration he had labored ten years. Henry accepted the present; but +now Cromwell's fall was irrevocable. The king could not, of course, +forgive Cromwell for having dared to offer him a present so +valuable, that Henry could not or would not repay it. He remained, +therefore, Cromwell's debtor; and since this tormented and vexed +him, he swore Cromwell's ruin. When Henry moved into Whitehall, it +was concluded that Cromwell must ascend the scaffold. Ah, the king +is such an economical builder! A palace costs him nothing but the +head of a subject. With Cromwell's bead be paid for Whitehall; and +Wolsey died for Hampton Court." + +"Not on the scaffold, though, John." + +"Oh, no; Henry preferred merely to break his heart, and not his +head. First, he had that wonderful pleasure-villa, Hampton Court, +with all its treasures, presented him by Wolsey; then he removed him +from all his offices, and deprived him of all his honors. Finally, +he was to go to the Tower as a prisoner; but he died on his way +thither. No, you are right! Wolsey did not die on the scaffold, he +was put to death much more slowly and more cruelly. He was not +killed with the sword, but pricked to death with pins!" + +"Did you not say, John, that you had travelled this way once +before?" + +"Yes, queen, and I did it to bid farewell to the noblest of men, and +the truest of friends, Thomas More! I begged and besought Cromwell +so long that he had compassion on my anguish, and allowed me to go +through this passage to Thomas More, that I might at least receive +the blessing and last kiss of affection of this saint. Ah, queen, +speak no more of it to me! From that day I became a fool; for I saw +it was not worth the trouble to be an honest man, when such men as +More are executed as criminals. Come, queen, let us go on!" + +"Yes, on, John!" said she, rising. "But do you know then whither we +are going?" + +"Ah, queen, do I not then know you? and did I not tell you that Anne +Askew is to be stretched upon the rack to-morrow, unless she +recant?" + +"I see that you have understood me," said she, giving him a friendly +nod. "Yes, I am going to Anne Askew." + +"But how will you, without being seen and discovered, find out her +cell?" + +"John, even the unhappy have friends. Yes, the queen herself has a +few; and so chance, or it may be even God's will, has so arranged +matters, that Anne Askew is occupying, just at this time, that small +room in which the secret passage terminates." + +"Is she alone in that room?" + +"Yes, all alone. The guard stands without before the door." + +"And should they hear you, and open the door?" + +"Then without doubt I am lost, unless God supports me." + +They walked on in silence, both too much occupied with their own +thoughts to interrupt them by conversation. + +But this long, extended walk at length wearied Catharine. She leaned +exhausted against the wall. + +"Will you do me a favor, queen?" asked John Heywood. "Permit me to +carry you. Your little feet can bear you no farther; make me your +feet, your majesty!" + +She refused with a friendly smile. "No, John, these are the passion- +stations of a saint; and you know one must make the round of them in +the sweat of his face, and on his knees." + +"Oh, queen, how noble and how courageous you are!" exclaimed John +Heywood. "You do good without display, and you shun no danger, if it +avails toward the accomplishment of noble work." + +"Yet, John," said she, with a bewitching smile, "I dread danger; and +just on that account I begged you to accompany me. I shudder at the +long, desolate way, at the darkness and grave-like stillness of this +passage. Ah, John, I thought to myself, if I came here alone, the +shades of Anne Boleyn and Catharine would be roused from their sleep +by me who wear their crown; they would hover about me, and seize me +by the hand and lead me to their graves, to show me that there is +yet room there for me likewise. You see, then, that I am not at all +courageous, but a cowardly and trembling woman." + +"And nevertheless, you came, queen." + +"I reckoned on you, John Heywood. It was my duty to risk this +passage, to save, perchance, the life of the poor enthusiastic girl. +For it shall not be said that Catharine deserts her friends in +misfortune, and that she shrinks back at danger. I am but a poor, +weak woman, John, who cannot defend her friends with weapons, and, +therefore, I must resort to other means. But see, John, here the +path forks! Ah, my God! I know it only from the description that was +given me, but no one said anything of this to me. John, which way +must we now turn?" + +"This way, queen; and here we are at the end of our journey. That +path there leads to the torture-chamber, that is to say, to a small +grated window, through which one can overlook that room. When King +Henry was in special good-humor, he would resort with his friend to +this grating to divert himself a little with the tortures of the +damned and blasphemers. For you well know, queen, only such as have +blasphemed God, or have not recognized King Henry as the pope of +their Church, have the honor of the rack as their clue. But hush! +here we are at the door, and here is the spring that opens it." + +Catharine set her lamp on the ground and pressed the spring. + +The door turned slowly and noiselessly on its hinges, and softly, +like shades, the two entered. + +They now found themselves in a small, circular apartment, which +seemed to have been originally a niche formed in the wall of the +Tower, rather than a room. Through a narrow grated opening in the +wall only a little air and light penetrated into this dungeon, the +bald, bare walls of which showed the stones of the masonry. There +was no chair, no table in the whole space; only yonder in that +corner on the earth they had heaped up some straw. On this straw lay +a pale, tender creature; the sunken, thin cheeks, transparently +white as alabaster; the brow so pure and clear; the entire +countenance so peaceful; the bare, meagre arms thrown back over the +head; the hands folded over the forehead, the head bent to one side +in quiet, peaceful slumber; the delicate, tender form wrapped in a +long black dress, gently stretched out, and on her lips a smile, +such as only the happy know. + +That was Anne Askew, the criminal, the condemned--Anne Askew, who +was an atheist only for this, because she did not believe in the +king's vast elevation and godlikeness, and would not subject her own +free soul to that of the king. + +"She sleeps," whispered Catharine, deeply mored, Wholly +involuntarily she folded her hands as she stepped to the couch of +the sufferer, and a low prayer trembled on her lips. + +"So sleep the gust!" said Hey wood. "Angels comfort them in their +slumbers; and the breath of God refreshes them. Poor girl; how soon, +and they will wrench these noble, fair limbs, and torture thee for +the honor of God, and open to tones of distress that mouth which now +smiles so peacefully!" + +"No, no," said the queen, hastily. "I have come to save her, and God +will assist me to do it. I cannot spare her slumbers any longer. I +must wake her." + +She bent down and pressed a kiss on the young girl's forehead. +"Anne, awake; I am here! I will save you and set you free. Anne, +Anne, awake!" + +She slowly raised her large, brilliant eyes, and nodded a salutation +to Catharine. + +"Catharine Parr!" said she, with a smile. "I expected only a letter +from you; and have you come yourself?" + +"The guards have been dismissed, and the turnkeys changed, Anne; for +our correspondence had been discovered." + +"Ah, you will write to me no more in future! And yet your letters +were my only comfort," sighed Anne Askew. "But that also is well; +and perhaps it will only make the path that I have to tread still +easier. The heart may move its pinions freely and easily, and return +to God." + +"Hear me, Anne, hear," said Catharine in a low and hurried voice. "A +terrible danger threatens you! The king has given orders to move +you, by means of the rack, to recant." + +"Well, and what more?" asked Anne, with smiling face. + +"Unfortunate, you know not what you are saying! You know not what +fearful agonies await you! You know not the power of pains, which +are perhaps still mightier than the spirit, and may overcome it." + +"And if I did know them now, what would it avail me?" asked Anne +Askew. "You say they will put me to the rack. Well, then, I shall +have to bear it, for I have no power to change their will." + +"Yet, Anne, yet you have the power! Retract what you have said, +Anne! Declare that you repent, and that you perceive that you have +been deluded! Say that you will recognize the king as lord of the +Church; that you will swear to the six articles, and never believe +in the Pope of Rome. Ah, Anne, God sees your heart and knows your +thoughts. You have no need to make them known by your lips. He has +given you life, and you have no right to throw it away; you must +seek to keep it so long as you can. Recant, then! It is perfectly +allowable to deceive those who would murder us. Recant, then, Anne, +recant! When they in their haughty arrogance demand of you to say +what they say, consider them as lunatics, to whom you make apparent +concessions only to keep them from raving. Of what consequence is it +whether you do or do not say that the king is the head of the +Church? From His heavens above, God looks down and smiles at this +petty earthly strife which concerns not Him, but men only. Let +scholars and theologians wrangle; we women have nothing to do with +it. If we only believe in God, and bear Him to our hearts, the form +in which we do it is a matter of indifference. But in this case the +question is not about God, but merely about external dogmas. Why +should you trouble yourself with these? What have you to do with the +controversies of the priests? Recant, then, poor enthusiastic child, +recant!" + +While Catharine, in a low tone and with fluttering breath, thus +spoke, Anne Askew had slowly arisen from her couch, and now stood, +like a lily, so slender and delicate, confronting the queen. + +Her noble countenance expressed deep indignation. Her eyes shot +lightning, and a contemptuous smile was on her lips. + +"What! Can you thus advise me?" said she. "Can you wish me to deny +my faith, and abjure my God, only to escape earthly pain? And your +tongue does not refuse to utter this, and your heart does not shrink +with shame while you do it? Look at these arms; what are they worth +that I should not sacrifice them to God? See these feeble limbs! Are +they so precious that I, like a disgusting niggard, should spare +them? No, no, God is my highest good--not this feeble, decaying +body! For God I sacrifice it. I should recant? Never! Faith is not +enveloped in this or that garb; it must be naked and open. So may +mine be. And if I then am chosen to be an example of pure faith, +that denies not, and makes profession--well, then, envy me not this +preeminence. 'Many are called, but few are chosen.' If I am one of +the chosen, I thank God for it, and bless the erring mortals who +wish to make me such by means of the torture of the rack. Ah, +believe me, Catharine, I rejoice to die, for it is such a sad, +desolate, and desperate thing to live. Let me die, Catharine--die, +to enter into blessedness!" + +"But, poor, pitiable child! this is more than death; it is the +torture of earth that threatens you. Oh, bethink you, Anne, that you +are only a feeble woman. Who knows whether the rack may not yet +conquer your spirit, and whether you, with your mangled limbs, may +not by the fury of the pain yet be brought to that point that you +will recant and abjure your faith?" + +"If I could do that," cried Anne Askew, with flashing eyes, "believe +me, queen, as soon as I came to my senses I would lay violent hands +on myself, in order to give myself over to eternal damnation, as the +punishment of my recantation! God has ordered that I shall be a sign +of the true faith. Be His command fulfilled!" + +"Well, then, so be it," said Catharine resolutely. "Do not recant, +but save yourself from your executioners! I, Anne, I, will save you! +I cannot bear--I cannot think of it--that this dear noble form +should be sacrificed to a vile delusion of man; that they will +torture to the honor of God a noble likeness of the same God! Oh, +come, come, I will save you! I, the queen! Give me your hand. Follow +me out of this dungeon. I know a path that leads out of this place; +and I will conceal you so long in my own apartments that you can +continue your flight without danger." + +"No, no, queen, you shall not conceal her with you!" said John +Heywood. "You have been graciously pleased to allow me to be your +confidant; envy me not, then, a share in your noble work also. Not +with you shall Anne Askew find refuge, but with me. Oh, come, Anne, +follow your friends. It is life that calls you, that opens the doors +to you, and desires to call you by a thousand names to itself! Do +you not hear them, all those sweet and alluring voices; do you not +see them, all those noble and smiling faces, how they greet you and +beckon to you? Anne Askew, it is the noble husband that calls you! +You know him not as yet, but he is waiting for you there in the +world without. Anne Askew, there are your children, who are +stretching their tender arms out to you. You have not yet borne +them; but love holds them in her arms, and will bring them to meet +you. It is the wife and the mother that the world yet demands of +you, Anne. You ought not to shun the holy calling which God has +given you. Come, then, and follow us--follow your queen, who has the +right to order her subject. Follow the friend, who has sworn that he +will watch over you and protect you as a father!" + +"Father in heaven, protect me!" exclaimed Anne Askew, falling on her +knees and stretching her hands upward. "Father in heaven! they would +tear away Thy child, and alienate my heart from Thee! They are +leading me into temptation and alluring me with their words. Protect +me, my Father; make my ear deaf, that I may not hear them! Give me a +sign that I am Thine; that no one has any longer power over me, save +Thou alone! A sign, that Thou, Father, callest me!" + +And as if God had really heard her prayer, a loud knocking was now +perceived at the outer door, and a voice cried: "Anne Askew, awake! +and hold yourself ready! The high chancellor and the Bishop of +Winchester come to fetch you away!" + +"Ah, the rack!" groaned Catharine, as with a shudder she buried her +face in her hands. + +"Yes, the rack!" said Anne, with a blissful smile. "God calls me!" + +John Heywood had approached the queen and impetuously seized her +hand. "You see it is in vain," said he, urgently. "Make haste then +to save yourself! Hasten to leave this prison before the door there +opens." + +"No," said Catharine, firmly and resolutely. "No, I stay. She shall +not surpass me in courage and greatness of soul! She will not deny +her God; well, then, I also will be a witness of my God. I will not +in shame cast my eyes to the ground before this young girl; like +her, I will frankly and openly profess my faith; like her I will +say: 'God alone is Lord of his Church,' God--" + +There was a movement without; a key was heard to turn in the lock. + +"Queen, I conjure you," besought John Heywood, "by all that is holy +to you, by your love, come, come!" + +"No, no!" cried she, vehemently. + +But now Anne seized her hand, and stretching the other arm toward +heaven, she said in a loud, commanding voice: "In the name of God, I +order you to leave me!" + +While Catharine drew back wholly involuntarily, John Heywood pushed +her to the secret door, and urging her out almost with violence, he +drew the door to behind them both. + +Just as the secret door had closed, the other on the opposite side +opened. "With whom were you speaking?" asked Gardiner, peering +around the room with a sharp look. + +"With the tempter, that wished to alienate me from God," said she-- +"with the tempter, who at the approach of your footsteps wanted to +fool my heart with fear, and persuade me to recant!" + +"You are, then, firmly resolved? you do not retract?" asked +Gardiner; and a savage joy shone in his pale, hard countenance. + +"No, I do not recant!" said she, with a face beaming with smiles. + +"Then, in the name of God and of the king, I take you into the +torture-chamber!" cried Chancellor Wriothesley, as he advanced and +laid his heavy hand on Anne's shoulder. "You would not hear the +voice of love warning you and calling you, so we will now try to +arouse you from your madness by the voice of wrath and damnation." +He beckoned to the attendants on the rack, who stood behind him in +the open door, and ordered them to seize her and carry her to the +torture-chamber. + +Anne, smiling, turned them back. "Nay, not so!" said she. "The +Saviour went on foot, and bore His cross to the place of execution. +I will tread His path. Show me the way, I follow you. But let no one +dare touch me. I will show you that not by constraint, but gladly +and freely, I tread the path of suffering, which I shall endure for +the sake of my God. Rejoice, oh my soul!--sing, my lips! for the +bridegroom is near, and the feast is about to begin." + +And in exultant tones Anne Askew began to sing a hymn, that had not +died away when she entered the torture-chamber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +PRINCESS ELIZABETH. + + +The king sleeps. Let him sleep! He is old and infirm, and God has +severely punished the restless tyrant with a vacillating, ever- +disquieted, never-satisfied spirit, while He bound his body and made +the spirit prisoner of the body; while He made the ambitious king, +struggling for the infinite, a slave to his own flesh. How high +soever his thoughts soar, still the king remains a clumsy, confined, +powerless child of humanity; how much soever his conscience harasses +him with disquiet and dread, yet he must be calm and endure it. He +cannot run away from his conscience; God has fettered him by the +flesh. The king is sleeping! But the queen is not; and Jane Douglas +is not; neither is the Princess Elizabeth. She has watched with +heart beating high. She is restless, and, pacing her room up and +down in strange confusion, waited for the hour that she had +appointed for the meeting. Now the hour had arrived. A glowing +crimson overspread the face of the young princess; and her hand +trembled as she took the light and opened the secret door to the +corridor. She stood still for a moment, hesitating; then, ashamed of +her irresolution, she crossed the corridor and ascended the small +staircase which led to the tower-chamber. With a hasty movement she +pushed open the door and entered the small slip that was at the end +of her journey, and Thomas Seymour was already there. + +As she saw him, an involuntary trepidation came over her, and for +the first time she now became conscious of her hazardous step. + +As Seymour, the ardent young man, approached her with a passionate +salutation, she stepped shyly back and pushed away his hand. + +"How! you will not allow me to kiss your hand?" asked he, and she +thought she observed on his face a slight, scornful smile. "You make +me the happiest of mortals by inviting me to this interview, and now +you stand before me rigid and cold, and I am not once permitted to +clasp you in my arms, Elizabeth!" + +Elizabeth! He had called her by her first name without her having +given him permission to do so. That offended her. In the midst of +her confusion, that aroused the pride of the princess, and made her +aware how much she must have forgotten her own dignity, when another +could be so forgetful of it. + +She wished to regain it. At this moment she would have given a year +of her life if she had not taken this step--if she had not invited +the earl to this meeting. + +She wanted to try and regain in his eyes her lost position, and +again to become to him the princess. + +Pride in her was still mightier than love. She meant her lover +should at the same time bow before her as her favored servant. + +Therefore she gravely said: "Earl Thomas Seymour, you have often +begged us for a private conversation; we now grant it to you. Speak, +then! what matter of importance have you to bring before us?" + +And with an air of gravity she stepped to an easy-chair, on which +she seated herself slowly and solemnly like a queen, who gives +audience to her vassals. + +Poor, innocent child, that in her unconscious trepidation wished to +intrench herself behind her grandeur, as behind a shield, which +might conceal her maidenly fear and girlish anxiety! + +Thomas Seymour, however, divined her thoughts; and his proud and +cold heart revolted against this child's attempt to defy him. + +He wanted to humble her; he wished to compel her to bow before him, +and implore his love as a gracious gift. + +He therefore bowed low to the princess, and respectfully said: "Your +highness, it is true I have often besought you for an audience; but +you have so long refused me, that at last I could no longer summon +up courage to solicit it; and I let my wish be silent and my heart +dumb. Therefore seek not now, when these pains have been subdued, to +excite them again. My heart should remain dead, my lips mute. You +have so willed; and I have submitted to your will. Farewell, then, +princess, and may your days be happier and more serene than those of +poor Thomas Seymour!" + +He bowed low before her, and then went slowly to the door. He had +already opened it and was about to step out, when a hand was +suddenly laid on his shoulder and drew him with vehement impetuosity +back into the room. + +"Do you want to go?" asked Elizabeth, with fluttering breath and +trembling voice. "You want to leave me, and, flouting me, you want +now, it may be, to go to the Duchess of Richmond, your mistress, and +relate to her with a sneer that the Princess Elizabeth granted you +an interview, and that you have flouted her?" + +"The Duchess of Richmond is not my mistress," said the earl, +earnestly. + +"No, not your mistress; but she will very soon be your wife!" + +"She will never be my wife!" + +"And why not?" + +"Because I do not love her, princess." + +A beam of delight passed over Elizabeth's pale, agitated face. "Why +do you call me princess?" asked she. + +"Because you have come as a princess to favor your poor servant with +an audience. But, ah, it would be greatly abusing your princely +grace did I want to protract this audience still further. I +therefore retire, princess." + +And again he approached the door. But Elizabeth rushed after him, +and, laying hold of his arms with both her hands, she wildly pushed +him back. + +Her eyes shot lightning; her lips trembled; a passionate warmth was +manifested in her whole being. Now she was the true daughter of her +father, inconsiderate and passionate in her wrath, destroying in her +ferocity. + +"You shall not go," muttered she, with her teeth firmly set. "I will +not let you go! I will not let you confront me any longer with that +cold, smiling face. Scold me; cast on me the bitterest reproaches, +because I have dared to brave you so long; curse me, if you can! +Anything but this smiling calmness. It kills me; it pierces my heart +like a dagger. For you see well enough that I have no longer the +power to withstand you; you see well enough that I love you. Yes, I +love you to ecstasy and to desperation; with desire and dread. I +love you as my demon and my angel. I am angry, because you have so +entirely crushed the pride of my heart. I curse you, because you +have made me so entirely your slave; and the next moment I fall on +my knees and beseech God to forgive me this crime against you. I +love you, I say--not as those soft, gentle-hearted women love, with +a smile on the lip; but with madness and desperation, with jealousy +and wrath. I love you as my father loved Anne Boleyn, whom, in the +hatred of his love and the cruel wrath of his jealousy, he made to +mount the scaffold, because he had been told that she was untrue to +him. Ah, had I the power, I would do as my father did; I would +murder you, if you should dare ever to cease to love me. And now, +Thomas Seymour, now say whether you have the courage to desire to +leave me?" + +She looked bewitching in the naming might of her passion; she was so +young, so ardent; and Thomas Seymour was so ambitious! In his eyes +Elizabeth was not merely the beautiful, charming maiden, who loved +him: she was more than that: she was the daughter of Henry the +Eighth, the Princess of England, perchance some day the heiress of +the throne. It is true, her father had disinherited her, and by act +of Parliament declared her unworthy of succeeding to the +throne.[Footnote: Burnet, vol. i, p. 138] But Henry's vacillating +mind might change, and the disowned princess might one day become +queen. + +The earl thought of this as he gazed on Elizabeth--as he saw her +before him, so charming, so young, and so glowing with passion. He +thought of it as he now clasped her in his arms, and pressed on her +lips a burning kiss. + +"No, I will not go," whispered he. "I will never more depart from +your side, if you do not wish me to go. I am yours!--your slave, +your vassal; and I will never be anything else but this alone. They +may betray me; your father may punish me for high treason; yet will +I exult in my good fortune, for Elizabeth loves me, and it will be +for Elizabeth that I die!" + +"You shall not die!" cried she, clinging fast to him. "You shall +live, live at my side, proud, great, and happy! You shall be my lord +and my master; and if I am ever queen, and I feel here in my heart +that I must become so, then will Thomas Seymour be King of England." + +"That is to say, in the quiet and secrecy of your chamber I should +perhaps be so!" said he with a sigh. "But there without, before the +world, I shall still be ever only a servant; and at the best, I +shall be called the favorite." + +"Never, never, that I swear to you! Said I not that I loved you?" + +"But the love of a woman is so changeable! Who knows how long it +will be before yon will tread under your feet poor Thomas Seymour, +when once the crown has adorned your brow." + +She looked at him well-nigh horrified. "Can this be, then? Is it +possible that one can forget and forsake what he once loved?" + +"Do you ask, Elizabeth? Has not your father already his sixth wife?" + +"It is true," said she, as mournfully she dropped her head upon her +breast. "But I," said she, after a pause, "I shall not be like my +father in that. I shall love you eternally! And that you may have a +guaranty of my faithfulness, I offer myself to you as your wife." + +Astonished, he looked inquiringly into her excited, glowing face! He +did not understand her. + +But she continued, passionately: "Yes, you shall be my lord and my +husband! Come, my beloved, come! I have not called you to take upon +yourself the disgraceful role of the secret lover of a princess--I +have called you to be my husband. I wish a bond to unite us two, +that is so indissoluble that not even the wrath and will of my +father, but only death itself, can sever it. I will give you proof +of my love and my devotion; and you shall be forced to acknowledge +that I truly love you. Come, my beloved, that I may soon hail you as +my husband!" + +He looked at her as though petrified. "Whither will you lead me?" + +"To the private chapel," said she, innocently. "I have written +Cranmer to await me there at daybreak. Let us hasten, then!" + +"Cranmer! You have written to the archbishop?" cried Seymour, +amazed. "How! what say you? Cranmer awaits us in the private +chapel?" + +"Without doubt he is waiting for us, as I have written him to do +so." + +"And what is he to do? What do you want of him?" + +She looked at him in astonishment. "What do I want of him? Why, that +he may marry us!" + +The earl staggered back as if stunned. "And have you written him +that also?" + +"Nay, indeed," said she, with a charming, childlike smile. "I know +very well that it is dangerous to trust such secrets to paper. I +have only written him to come in his official robes, because I have +an important secret to confess to him." + +"Oh, God he praised! We are not lost," sighed Seymour. + +"But how, I do not understand you?" asked she. "You do not extend me +your hand! You do not hasten to conduct me to the chapel!" + +"Tell me, I conjure you, tell me only this one thing: have you ever +spoken to the archbishop of your--no--of our love? Have you ever +betrayed to him so much, as a syllable of that which stirs our +hearts?" + +She blushed deeply beneath the steady gaze which he fixed on her. +"Upbraid me, Seymour," whispered she. "But my heart was weak and +timorous; and as often as I tried to fulfil the holy duty, and +confess everything honestly and frankly to the archbishop, I could +not do it! The word died on my lips; and it was as though an +invisible power paralyzed my tongue." + +"So, then, Cranmer knows nothing?" + +"No, Seymour, he knows nothing as yet. But now he shall learn all; +now we will go before him and tell him that we love each other, and +constrain him, by our prayers, to bless our union, and join our +hands." + +"Impossible!" cried Seymour. "That can never be!" + +"How! What do you say?" asked she in astonishment. + +"I say that Cranmer will never be so insane, nay, so criminal, as to +fulfil your wish. I say that you can never be my wife." + +She looked him full and square in the face. "Have you not then told +me that you loved me?" asked she. "Have I not sworn to you that I +loved you in return? Must we then not be married, in order to +sanctify the union of our hearts?" + +Seymour sank his eyes to the ground before her pure innocent look, +and blushed for shame. She did not understand this blush; because he +was silent, she deemed him convinced. + +"Come," said she, "come; Cranmer is waiting for us!" + +He again raised his eyes and looked at her in amazement, "Do you not +see, then, this is all only a dream that can never become reality? +Do you not feel that this precious fantasy of your great and noble +heart will never be realized? How! are you then so little acquainted +with your father as not to know that he would destroy us both if we +should dare to set at naught his paternal and his royal authority? +Your birth would not secure you from his destroying fury, for you +well know he is unyielding and reckless in his wrath; and the voice +of consanguinity sounds not so loud in him that it would not be +drowned by the thunder of his wrath. Poor child, you have learned +that already! Remember with what cruelty he has already revenged +himself on you for the pretended fault of your mother; how he +transferred to you his wrath against her. Remember that he refused +your hand to the Dauphin of France, not for the sake of your +happiness, but because he said you were not worthy of so exalted a +position. Anne Boleyn's bastard could never become Queen of France. +And after such a proof of his cruel wrath against you, will you dare +cast in his face this terrible insult?--compel him to recognize a +subject, a servant, as his son?" + +"Oh, this servant is, however, the brother of a Queen of England!" +said she, shyly. "My father loved Jane Seymour too warmly not to +forgive her brother." + +"Ah, ah, you do not know your father! He has no heart for the past; +or, if he has, it is only to take vengeance for an injury or a +fault, but not to reward love. King Henry would be capable of +sentencing Anne Boleyn's daughter to death, and of sending to the +block and rack Catharine Howard's brothers, because these two queens +once grieved him and wounded his heart; but he would not forgive me +the least offence on account of my being the brother of a queen who +loved him faithfully and tenderly till her death. But I speak not of +myself. I am a warrior, and have too often looked death in the face +to fear him now. I speak only of you, Elizabeth. You have no right +to perish thus. This noble head must not be laid upon the block. It +is destined to wear a royal crown. A fortune still higher than love +awaits you--fame and power! I must not draw you away from this proud +future. The Princess Elizabeth, though abused and disowned, may yet +one day mount the throne of England. The Countess Seymour never! she +disinherits herself! Follow, then, your high destiny. Earl Seymour +retires before a throne." + +"That is to say, you disdained me?" asked she, angrily stamping the +floor with her foot. "That is to say, the proud Earl Seymour holds +the bastard too base for his coronet! That is to say, you love me +not!" + +"No, it means that I love you more than myself--better and more +purely than any other man can love you; for this love is so great +that it makes my selfishness and my ambition silent, and allows me +to think only of you and your future." + +"Ah," sighed she, mournfully., "if you really loved me, you would +not consider--you would not see the danger, nor fear death. You +would think of nothing, and know nothing, save love." + +"Because I think of love, I think of you," said Seymour. "I think +that you are to move along over the world, great, powerful, and +glorious, and that I will lend you my arm for this. I think of this, +that my queen of the future needs a general who will win victories +for her, and that I will be that general. But when this goal is +reached--when you are queen--then you have the power from one of +your subjects to make a husband; then it rests with your own will to +elevate me to be the proudest, the happiest, and the most enviable +of all men. Extend me your hand, then, and I will thank and praise +God that he is so gracious to me; and my whole existence will be +spent in the effort to give you the happiness that you are so well +entitled to demand." + +"And until then?" asked she, mournfully. + +"Until then, we will be constant, and love each other!" cried he, as +he gently pressed her in his arms. She gently repelled him. "Will +you also be true to me till then?" + +"True till death!" + +"They have told me that you would marry the Duchess of Richmond, in +order thereby to at length put an end to the ancient hatred between +the Howards and Seymours." + +Thomas Seymour frowned, and his countenance grew dark. "Believe me, +this hatred is invincible," said he; "and no matrimonial alliance +could wash it away. It is an inheritance from many years in our +families; and I am firmly resolved not to renounce my inheritance. I +shall just as little marry the Duchess of Richmond, as Henry Howard +will my sister, the Countess of Shrewsbury." + +"Swear that to me! Swear to me, that you say the truth, and that +this haughty and coquettish duchess shall never be your wife. Swear +it to me, by all that is sacred to you!" + +"I swear it by my love!" exclaimed Thomas Seymour, solemnly. + +"I shall then at least have one sorrow the less," sighed Elizabeth. +"I shall have no occasion to be jealous. And is it not true," she +then said, "is it not true we shall often see each other? We will +both keep this secret of this tower faithfully and sacredly; and +after days full of privation and disappointment, we will here keep +festival the nights full of blissful pleasure and sweet transport. +But why do you smile, Seymour?" + +"I smile, because you are pure and innocent as an angel," said he, +as he reverently kissed her hand. "I smile, because you are an +exalted, godlike child, whom one ought to adore upon his knees, and +to whom one ought to pray, as to the chaste goddess Vesta! Yes, my +dear, beloved child, here we will, as you say, pass nights full of +blissful pleasure; and may I be reprobate and damned, if I should +ever be capable of betraying this sweet, guileless confidence with +which you favor me, and sully your angel purity!" + +"Ah, we will be very happy, Seymour!" said she, smiling. "I lack +only one thing--a friend, to whom I can tell my happiness, to whom I +can speak of you. Oh, it often seems to me as if this love, which +must always be concealed, always shut up, must at last burst my +breast; as if this secret must with violence break a passage, and +roar like a tempest over the whole world. Seymour, I want a +confidante of my happiness and my love." + +"Guard yourself well against desiring to seek such a one!" exclaimed +Seymour, anxiously. "A secret that three know, is a secret no more; +and one day your confidante will betray us." + +"Not so; I know a woman who would be incapable of that--a woman who +loves me well enough to keep my secret as faithfully as I myself; a +woman who could be more than merely a confidante, who could be the +protectress of our love. Oh, believe me, if we could gain her to our +side, then our future would be a happy and a blessed one, and we +might easily succeed in obtaining the king's consent to our +marriage." + +"And who is this woman?" + +"It is the queen." + +"The queen!" cried Thomas Seymour, with such an expression of horror +that Elizabeth trembled; "the queen your confidante? But that is +impossible! That would be plunging us both inevitably into ruin. +Unhappy child, be very careful not to mention even a single word, a +syllable of your relation to me. Be very careful not to betray to +her, even by the slightest intimation, that Thomas Seymour is not +indifferent to you! Ah, her wrath would dash to pieces you and me!" + +"And why do you believe that?" asked Elizabeth, gloomily. "Why do +you suppose that Catharine would fly into a passion because Earl +Seymour loves me? Or how?--it is she, perhaps, that you love, and +you dare not therefore let her know that you have sworn your love to +me also? Ah, I now see through it all; I understand it all! You love +the queen--her only. For that reason you will not go to the chapel +with me; for that reason you swore that you would not marry the +Duchess of Richmond; and therefore--oh, my presentiment did not +deceive me--therefore that furious ride in Epping Forest to-day. Ah, +the queen's horse must of course become raving, and run away, that +his lordship, the master of horse, might follow his lady, and with +her got lost in the thicket of the woods!--And now," said she, her +eyes flashing with anger, and raising her hand to heaven as if +taking an oath, "now I say to you: Take heed to yourself! Take heed +to yourself, Seymour, that you do not, even by a single word or a +single syllable, betray your secret, for that word would crush you! +Yes, I feel it, that I am no bastard, that I am my father's own +daughter; I feel it in this wrath and this jealousy that rages +within me! Take heed to yourself, Seymour, for I will go hence and +accuse you to the king, and the traitor's head will fall upon the +scaffold!" + +She was beside herself. With clenched fists and a threatening air +she paced the room up and down. Tears gushed from her eyes; but she +shook them out of her eyelashes, so that they fell scattering about +her like pearls. Her father's impetuous and untractable nature +stirred within her, and his blood seethed in her veins. + +But Thomas Seymour had already regained his self-command and +composure. He approached the princess and despite her struggles +clasped her in his arms. + +"Little fool!" said he, between his kisses. "Sweet, dear fool, how +beautiful you are in your anger, and how I love you for it! Jealousy +is becoming to love; and I do not complain, though you are unjust +and cruel toward me. The queen has much too cold and proud a heart +ever to be loved by any man. Ah, only to think this is already +treason to her virtue and modesty; and surely she has not deserved +this from us two, that we should disdain and insult her. She is the +first that has always been just to you; and to me she has ever been +only a gracious mistress!" + +"It is true," murmured Elizabeth, completely ashamed; "she is a true +friend and mother; and I have her to thank for my present position +at this court." + +Then, after a pause, she said, smiling, and extending her hand to +the earl: "You are right. It would be a crime to suspect her; and I +am a fool. Forgive me, Seymour, forgive my absurd and childish +anger; and I promise you in return to betray our secret to no one, +not even to the queen." + +"Do you swear that to me?" + +"I swear it to you! and I swear to you more than that: I will never +again be jealous of her." + +"Then you do but simple justice to yourself and to the queen also," +said the earl, with a smile, as he drew her again to his arms. + +But she pushed him gently back. "I must now away. The morning dawns, +and the archbishop awaits me in the royal chapel." + +"And what will you say to him, beloved?" + +"I will make my confession to him." + +"How! so you will then betray our love to him?" + +"Oh," said she, with a bewitching smile," that is a secret between +us and God; and only to Him alone can we confess it; because He +alone can absolve us from it. Farewell, then, Seymour, farewell, and +think of me till we see each other again! But when--say, when shall +we meet again?" + +"When there is a night like this one, beloved, when the moon is not +in the heavens. + +Oh, then I could wish there were a change of the moon every week," +said she, with the charming innocence of a child. "Farewell, +Seymour, farewell; we must part." + +She clung to his tall, sturdy form as the ivy twines around the +trunk of an oak. Then they parted. The princess slipped again softly +and unseen into her apartments, and thence into the royal chapel; +the earl descended again the spiral staircase which led to the +secret door of the garden. + +Unobserved and unseen he returned to his palace; even his valet, who +slept in the anteroom, did not see him, as the earl crept past him +lightly on his toes, and betook himself to his sleeping-room. + +But no sleep came to his eyes that night, and his soul was restless +and full of fierce torment. He was angry with himself, and accused +himself of treachery and perfidy; and then again, full of proud +haughtiness, he still tried to excuse himself and to silence his +conscience, which was sitting in judgment on him. + +"I love her--her only!" said he to himself. "Catharine possesses my +heart, my soul; I am ready to devote my whole life to her. Yes, I +love her! I have this day so sworn to her; and she is mine for all +eternity!" + +"And Elizabeth?" asked his conscience. "Have you not sworn truth and +love to her also?" + +"No!" said he. "I have only received her oath; I have not given her +mine in return. And when I vowed never to marry the Duchess of +Richmond; when I swore this 'by my love,' then I thought only of +Catharine--of that proud, beautiful, charming woman, at once +maidenly and voluptuous; but not of this young, inexperienced, wild +child--of this unattractive little princess!" + +"But the princess may one day become a queen," whispered his +ambition. + +"That, however, is very doubtful," replied he to himself. "But it is +certain that Catharine will one day be the regent, and if I am at +that time her husband, then I am Regent of England." + +This was the secret of his duplicity and his double treachery. +Thomas Seymour loved nothing but himself, nothing but his ambition. +He was capable of risking his life for a woman; but for renown and +greatness he would have gladly sacrificed this woman. + +For him there was only one aim, one struggle: to be come great and +powerful above all the nobles of the kingdom--to be the first man in +England. And to reach this aim, he would be afraid of no means; he +would shrink from no treachery and no sin. + +Like the disciples of Loyola, he said, in justification of himself, +"the end sanctifies the means." + +And thus for him every means was right which conducted him to the +end; that is to say, to greatness and glory. + +He was firmly convinced that he loved the queen ardently; and in his +nobler hours he did really love her. Depending on the moment, a son +of the hour, in him feeling and will varied with the rapidity of +lightning, and he ever was wholly and completely that with which the +moment inflamed him. + +When, therefore, he stood before the queen, he did not lie when he +swore that he loved her passionately. He really loved her, with +double warmth, since she had to his mind in some sort identified +herself with his ambition. He adored her, because she was the means +that might conduct him to his end; because she might some day hold +in her hands the sceptre of England. And on the day when this came +to pass, he wished to be her lover and her lord. She had accepted +him as her lord, and he was entirely certain of his future sway. + +Consequently he loved the queen, but his proud and ambitious heart +could never be so completely animated by one love as that there +should not be room in it for a second, provided this second love +presented him a favorable chance for the attainment of the aim of +his life. + +Princess Elizabeth had this chance. And if the queen would certainly +become one day Regent of England, yet Elizabeth might some day +perchance become queen thereof. Of course, it was as yet only a +perhaps, but one might manage out of this perhaps to make a reality. +Besides, this young, passionate child loved him, and Thomas Seymour +was himself too young and too easily excitable to be able to despise +a love that presented him with such enticing promises and bright +dreams of the future. + +"It does not become a man to live for love alone," said he to +himself as he now thought over the events of the night. "He must +struggle for the highest and wish to reach the greatest, and no +means of attaining this end ought he to leave unemployed. Besides, +my heart is large enough to satisfy a twofold love. I love them +both--both of these fair women who fetch me a crown. Let fate decide +to which of the two I shall one day belong!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY. + + +The great court festival, so long expected, was at last to take +place today. Knights and lords were preparing for the tournament; +poets and scholars for the feast of the poets. For the witty and +brave king wished to unite the two in this festival today, in order +to give the world a rare and great example of a king who could claim +all virtue and wisdom as his own; who could be equally great as a +hero and as a divine; equally great as a poet and as a philosopher +and a scholar. + +The knights were to fight for the honor of their ladies; the poets +were to sing their songs, and John Heywood to bring out his merry +farces. Ay, even the great scholars were to have a part in this +festival; for the king had specially, for this, summoned to London +from Cambridge, where he was then professor in the university, his +former teacher in the Greek language, the great scholar Croke, to +whom belonged the merit of having first made the learned world of +Germany, as well as of England, again acquainted with the poets of +Greece. [Footnote: Tytler, p. 307.] He wished to recite with Croke +some scenes from Sophocles to his wondering court; and though, to be +sure, there was no one there who understood the Greek tongue, yet +all, without doubt, must be enraptured with the wonderful music of +the Greek and the amazing erudition of the king. + +Preparations were going on everywhere; arrangements were being made; +every one was making his toilet, whether it were the toilet of the +mind or of the body. + +Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, made his also; that is to say, he had +retired to his cabinet, and was busy filing away at the sonnets +which he expected to recite to-day, and in which he lauded the +beauty and the grace of the fair Geraldine. + +He had the paper in his hand, and was lying on the velvet ottoman +which stood before his writing-table. + +Had Lady Jane Douglas seen him now, she would have been filled with +painful rapture to observe how, with head leaned back on the +cushion, his large blue eyes raised dreamily to heaven, he smiled +and whispered gentle words. + +He was wholly absorbed in sweet reminiscences; he was thinking of +those rapturous, blessed hours which he a few days before had spent +with his Geraldine; and as he thought of them he adored her, and +repeated to her anew in his mind his oath of eternal love and +inviolable truth. + +His enthusiastic spirit was completely filled with a sweet +melancholy; and he felt perfectly intoxicated by the magical +happiness afforded him by his Geraldine. + +She was his--his at last! After struggles so long and painful, after +such bitter renunciation, and such mournful resignation, happiness +had at last arisen for him; the never expected had at last become +indeed a reality. Catharine loved him. With a sacred oath she had +sworn to him that she would one day become his wife; that she would +become his wife before God and man. + +But when is the day to come on which he may show her to the world as +his consort? When will she be at length relieved from the burden of +her royal crown? When at length will fall from her those golden +chains that bind her to a tyrannical and bloodthirsty husband--to +the cruel and arrogant king? When will Catharine at length cease to +be queen, in order to become Lady Surrey? + +Strange! As he asked himself this, there ran over him a shudder, and +an unaccountable dread fell upon his soul. + +It seemed to him as if a voice whispered to him: "Thou wilt never +live to see that day! The king, old as he is, will nevertheless live +longer than thou! Prepare thyself to die, for death is already at +thy door!" + +And it was not the first time that he had heard that voice. Often +before it had spoken to him, and always with the same words, the +same warning. Often it seemed to him in his dreams as if he felt a +cutting pain about the neck; and he had seen a scaffold, from which +his own head was rolling down. + +Henry Howard was superstitious; for he was a poet, and to poets it +is given to perceive the mysterious connection between the visible +and the invisible world; to believe that supernatural powers and +invisible forms surround man, and either protect him or else curse +him. + +There were hours in which he believed in the reality of his dreams-- +in which he did not doubt of that melancholy and horrible fate which +they foretold. + +Formerly he had given himself up to it with smiling resignation; but +now--since he loved Catharine, since she belonged to him--now he +would not die. Now, when life held out to him its most enchanting +enjoyments, its intoxicating delights--now he would not leave them-- +now he dreaded to die. He was therefore cautious and prudent; and, +knowing the king's malicious, savage, and jealous character, he had +always been extremely careful to avoid everything that might excite +him, that might arouse the royal hyena from his slumbers. + +But it seemed to him as though the king bore him and his family a +special spite; as though he could never forgive them that the +consort whom he most loved, and who had the most bitterly wronged +him, had sprung from their stock. In the king's every word and every +look, Henry Howard felt and was sensible of this secret resentment +of the king; he suspected that Henry was only watching for the +favorable moment when he could seize and strangle him. + +He was therefore on his guard. For now, when Geraldine loved him, +his life belonged no longer to himself alone; she loved him; she had +a claim on him; his days were, therefore, hallowed in his own eyes. + +So he had kept silence under the petty annoyances and vexations of +the king. He had taken it even without murmuring, and without +demanding satisfaction, when the king had suddenly recalled him from +the army that was fighting against France, and of which he was +commander-in-chief, and in his stead had sent Lord Hertford, Earl of +Sudley, to the army which was encamped before Boulogne and +Montreuil. He had quietly and without resentment returned to his +palace; and since he could no longer be a general and warrior, he +became again a scholar and poet. His palace was now again the resort +of the scholars and writers of England; and he was always ready, +with true princely munificence, to assist oppressed and despised +talent; to afford the persecuted scholar an asylum in his palace. He +it was who saved the learned Fox from starvation, and took him into +his house, where Horatius Junius and the poet Churchyard, afterward +so celebrated, had both found a home--the former as his physician +and the latter as his page. [Footnote: Nott's Life of the Earl of +Surrey] + +Love, the arts, and the sciences, caused the wounds that the king +had given his ambition, to heal over; and he now felt no more +rancor; now he almost thanked the king. For to his recall only did +he owe his good fortune; and Henry, who had wished to injure him, +had given him his sweetest pleasure. + +He now smiled as he thought how Henry, who had taken from him the +baton, had, without knowing it, given him in return his own queen, +and had exalted him when he wished to humble him. + +He smiled, and again took in hand the poem in which he wished to +celebrate in song, at the court festival that day, the honor and +praise of his lady-love, whom no one knew, or even suspected--the +fair Geraldine. + +"The verses are stiff," muttered he; "this language is so poor! It +has not the power of expressing all that fulness of adoration and +ecstasy which I feel. Petrarch was more fortunate in this respect. +His beautiful, flexible language sounds like music, and it is, even +just by itself, the harmonious accompaniment of his love. Ah, +Petrarch, I envy thee, and yet would not be like thee. For thine was +a mournful and bitter-sweet lot. Laura never loved thee; and she was +the mother of twelve children, not a single one of whom belonged to +thee." + +He laughed with a sense of his own proud success in love, and seized +Petrarch's sonnets, which lay near him on the table, to compare his +own new sonnet with a similar one of Petrarch's. + +He was so absorbed in these meditations, that he had not at all +observed that the hanging which concealed the door behind him was +pushed aside, and a marvellous young woman, resplendent with +diamonds and sparkling with jewelry, entered his cabinet. + +For an instant she stood still upon the threshold, and with a smile +observed the earl, who was more and more absorbed in his reading. + +She was of imposing beauty; her large eyes blazed and glowed like a +volcano; her lofty brow seemed in all respects designed to wear a +crown. And, indeed, it was a ducal coronet that sparkled on her +black hair, which in long ringlets curled down to her full, +voluptuous shoulders. Her tall and majestic form was clad in a white +satin dress, richly trimmed with ermine and pearls; two clasps of +costly brilliants held fast to her shoulders the small mantilla of +crimson velvet, faced with ermine, which covered her back and fell +down to her waist. + +Thus appeared the Duchess of Richmond, the widow of King Henry's +natural son, Henry Richmond; the sister of Lord Henry Howard, Earl +of Surrey; and the daughter of the noble Duke of Norfolk. + +Since her husband had died and left her a widow at twenty, she +resided in her brother's palace, and had placed herself under his +protection, and in the world they were known as "the affectionate +brother and sister." + +Ah, how little knew the world, which is ever wont to judge from +appearances, of the hatred and the love of these two; how little +suspicion had it of the real sentiments of this brother and sister! + +Henry Howard had offered his sister his palace as her residence, +because he hoped by his presence to lay on her impulsive and +voluptuous disposition a restraint which should compel her not to +overstep the bounds of custom and decency. Lady Richmond had +accepted this offer of his palace because she was obliged to; +inasmuch as the avaracious and parsimonious king gave his son's +widow only a meagre income, and her own means she had squandered and +lavishly thrown away upon her lovers. + +Henry Howard had thus acted for the honor of his name; but he loved +not his sister; nay, he despised her. But the Duchess of Richmond +hated her brother, because her proud heart felt humbled by him, and +under obligations of gratitude. + +But their hatred and their contempt were a secret that they both +preserved in the depths of the heart, and which they scarcely dared +confess to themselves. Both had veiled this their inmost feeling +with a show of affection, and only once in a while was one betrayed +to the other by some lightly dropped word or unregarded look. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +BROTHER AND SISTER. + + +Lightly on the tips of her toes the duchess stole toward her +brother, who did not yet observe her. The thick Turkish carpet made +her steps inaudible. She already stood behind the earl, and he had +not yet noticed her. + +Now she bent over his shoulder, and fastened her sparkling eyes on +the paper in her brother's hand. + +Then she read in a loud, sonorous voice the title of it: "Complaint, +because Geraldine never shows herself to her lover unless covered by +her veil." [Footnote: Sonnet by Surrey.--See Nott's Life and Works +of Surrey.] "Ah," said the duchess, laughing, "now, then, I have +spied out your secret, and you must surrender to me at discretion. +So you are in love; and Geraldine is the name of the chosen one to +whom you address your poems! I swear to you, my brother, you will +repay me dear for this secret." + +"It is no secret at all, sister," said the earl, with a quiet smile, +as he rose from the divan and saluted the duchess. "It is so little +a secret, that I shall recite this sonnet at the court festival this +very evening. I shall not, therefore, need your secrecy, Rosabella." + +"So the fair Geraldine never shows herself to you unless in a dark +veil, black as the night," said the duchess, musingly. "But tell me, +brother, who then is the fair Geraldine? Of the ladies at court, I +know not a single one who bears that name." + +"So you see from that, the whole is only a fiction--a creation of my +fancy." + +"No, indeed," said she, smiling; "one does not write with such +warmth and enthusiasm unless he is really in love. You sing your +lady-love, and you give her another name. That is very plain. Do not +deny it, Henry, for I know indeed that you have a lady-love. It may +be read in your eyes. And look you! it is on account of this dear +one that I have come to you. It pains me, Henry, that you have no +confidence in me, and allow me no share in your joys and sorrows. Do +you not know, then, how tenderly I love you, my dear, noble +brother?" + +She put her arm tenderly round his neck, and wanted to kiss him. He +bent his head back, and laying his hand on her rosy, round chin, he +looked inquiringly and smilingly into her eyes. + +"You want something of me, Rosabella!" said he. "I have never yet +enjoyed your tenderness and sisterly affection, except when you +needed my services." + +"How suspicious you are!" cried she, with a charming pout, as she +shook his hand away from her face. "I have come from wholly +disinterested sympathy; partly to warn you, partly to find out +whether your love is perchance fixed upon a lady that would render +my warning useless." + +"Well, so you see, Rosabella, that I was right, and that your +tenderness was not aimless. Now, then, you want to warn me? I have +yet to learn that I need any warning." + +"Nay, brother! For it would certainly be very dangerous and +mischievous for you, if your love should chance not to be in +accordance with the command of the king." + +A momentary flush spread over Henry Howard's face, and his brow +darkened. + +"With the king's command?" asked he, in astonishment. "I did not +know that Henry the Eighth could control my heart. And, at any rate, +I would never concede him that right. Say quickly, then, sister, +what is it? What means this about the king's command, and what +matrimonial scheme have you women been again contriving? For I well +know that you and my mother have no rest with the thought of seeing +me still unmarried. You want to bestow on me, whether or no, the +happiness of marriage; yet, nevertheless, it appears to me that you +both have sufficiently learned from experience that this happiness +is only imaginary, and that marriage in reality is, at the very +least, the vestibule of hell." + +"It is true," laughed the duchess; "the only happy moment of my +married life was when my husband died. For in that I am more +fortunate than my mother, who has her tyrant still living about her. +Ah, how I pity my mother!" + +"Dare not to revile our noble father!" cried the earl, almost +threateningly. "God alone knows how much he has suffered from our +mother, and how much he still suffers. He is not to blame for this +unhappy marriage. But you have not come to talk over these sad and +disgraceful family matters, sister! You wish to warn me, did you +say?" + +"Yes, warn you!" said the duchess, tenderly, as she took her +brother's hand and led him to the ottoman. "Come, let us sit down +here, Henry, and let us for once chat confidentially and cordially, +as becomes brother and sister. Tell me, who is Geraldine?" + +"A phantom, an ideal! I have told you that already." + +"You really love, then, no lady at this court?" + +"No, none! There is among all these ladies, with whom the queen has +surrounded herself, not one whom I am able to love." + +"Ah, your heart then is free, Henry; and you will be so much more +easily inclined to comply with the king's wish." + +"What does the king wish?" + +She laid her head on her brother's shoulder, and said in a low +whisper: "That the Howard and Seymour families be at last +reconciled; that at last they may reconcile the hatred, which has +for centuries separated them, by means of a firm and sincere bond of +love." + +"Ah, the king wants that!" cried the earl, scornfully. + +"Forsooth, now, he has made a good beginning toward bringing about +this reconciliation. He has insulted me before all Europe, by +removing me from my command, and investing a Seymour with my rank +and dignity; and he requires that I in return shall love this +arrogant earl, who has robbed me of what is my due; who has long +intrigued and besieged the king's ears with lies and calumnies, till +he has gained his end and supplanted me." + +"It is true the king recalled you from the army; but this was done +in order to give you the first place at his court--to appoint you +lord chamberlain to the queen." + +Henry Howard trembled and was silent. "It is true," he then +muttered; "I am obliged to the king for this place." + +"And then," continued the duchess, with an innocent air, "then I do +not believe either that Lord Hertford is to blame for your recall. +To prove this to you, he has made a proposal to the king, and to me +also, which is to testify to you and to all the world how great an +honor Lord Hertford esteems it to be allied to the Howards, and +above all things to you, by the most sacred bonds." + +"Ah, that noble, magnanimous lord!" cried Henry Howard, with a +bitter laugh. "As matters do not advance well with laurels, he tries +the myrtles; since he can win no battles, he wants to make +marriages. Now, sister, let me hear what he has to propose." + +"A double marriage, Henry. He asks my hand for his brother Thomas +Seymour, provided you choose his sister, Lady Margaret, for your +wife." + +"Never!" cried the earl. "Never will Henry Howard present his hand +to a daughter of that house; never condescend so far as to elevate a +Seymour to be his wife. That is well enough for a king--not for a +Howard! + +Brother, you insult the king!" + +"Well, I insult him, then! He has insulted me, too, in arranging +this base scheme." + +"Brother, reflect; the Seymours are powerful, and stand high in the +king's favor." + +"Yes, in the king's favor they stand high! But the people know their +proud, cruel, and arrogant disposition; and the people and nobility +despise them. The Seymours have the voice of the king in their +favor; the Howards the voice of the whole country, and that is of +more consequence. The king can exalt the Seymours, for they stand +far beneath him. He cannot exalt the Howards, for they are his +equals. Nor can he degrade them. Catharine died on the scaffold--the +king became thereby only a hangman--our escutcheon was not sullied +by that act!" + +"These are very proud words, Henry!" + +"They become a son of the Norfolks, Rosabella! Ah, see that petty +Lord Hertford, Earl Seymour. He covets a ducal coronet for his +sister. He wants to give her to me to wife; for as soon as our poor +father dies, I wear his coronet! The arrogant upstarts! For the +sister's escutcheon, my coronet; for the brother's, your coronet. +Never, say I, shall that be!" + +The duchess had become pale, and a tremor ran through her proud +form. Her eyes flashed, and an angry word was already suspended on +her lips; but she still held it back. She violently forced herself +to calmness and self-possession. + +"Consider once more, Henry," said she, "do not decide at once. You +speak of our greatness; but you do not bear in mind the power of the +Seymours. I tell you they are powerful enough to tread us in the +dust, despite all our greatness. And they are not only powerful at +the present; they will be so in the future also; for it is well +known in what disposition and what way of thinking the Prince of +Wales is trained up. The king is old, weak, and failing; death lurks +behind his throne, and will soon enough press him in his arms. Then +Edward is king. With him, the heresy of Protestantism triumphs; and +however great and numerous our party may be, yet we shall be +powerless and subdued. Yes, we shall be the oppressed and +persecuted." + +"We shall then know how to fight, and if it must be so, to die +also!" cried her brother. "It is more honorable to die on the +battle-field than to purchase life and humiliation." + +"Yes, it is honorable to die on the field of battle; but, Henry, it +is a disgrace to come to an end upon the scaffold. And that, my +brother, may be your fate, if you do not this time bend your pride; +if you do not grasp the hand that Lord Hertford extends to you in +reconciliation, but mortally offend him. He will take bloody +vengeance, when once he comes into power." + +"Let him do it, if he can; my life is in God's hand! My head belongs +to the king, but my heart to myself; and that I will never degrade +to merchandise, which I may barter for a little security and royal +favor." + +"Brother, I conjure you, consider it!" cried the duchess, no longer +able to restrain her passionate disposition, and all ablaze in her +savage wrath. "Dare not in proud arrogance to destroy my future +also! You may die on the scaffold, if you choose; but I--I will be +happy; I will at last, after so many years of sorrow and disgrace, +have my share of life's joys also. It is my due, and I will not +relinquish it; and you shall not be allowed to tear it from me. +Know, then, my brother, I love Thomas Seymour; all my desire, all my +hope is fixed on him; and I will not tear this love out of my heart; +I will not give him up." + +"Well, if you love him, marry him, then!"exclaimed her brother. +"Become the wife of this Thomas Seymour! Ask the duke, our father, +for his consent to this marriage, and I am certain he will not +refuse you, for he is prudent and cautious, and will, better than I, +calculate the advantages which a connection with the Seymours may +yield our family. Do that, sister, and marry your dearly beloved. I +do not hinder you." + +"Yes, you do hinder me--you alone!" cried his sister, flaming with +wrath. "You will refuse Margaret's hand; you will give the Seymours +mortal offence. You thereby make my union with Thomas Seymour +impossible! In the proud selfishness of your haughtiness, you see +not that you are dashing to atoms my happiness, while you are +thinking only of your desire to offend the Seymours. But I tell you, +I love Thomas Seymour--nay, I adore him. He is my happiness, my +future, my eternal bliss. Therefore have pity on me, Henry! Grant me +this happiness, which I implore you for as Heaven's blessing. Prove +to me that you love me, and are willing to make this sacrifice for +me. Henry, on my knees, I conjure you! Give me the man I love; bend +your proud head; become Margaret Seymour's husband, that Thomas +Seymour may become mine." + +She had actually sunk upon her knees; and her face deluged with +tears, bewitchingly beautiful in her passionate emotion, she looked +up imploringly to her brother. + +But the earl did not lift her up; on the contrary, with a smile, he +fell back a step. "How long is it now, duchess," asked he, +mockingly, "since you swore that your secretary, Mr. Wilford, was +the man whom you loved? Positively, I believed you--I believed it +till I one day found you in the arms of your page. On that day, I +swore to myself never to believe you again, though you vowed to me, +with an oath ever so sacred, that you loved a man. Well, now, you +love a man; but what one, is a matter of indifference. To-day his +name is Thomas, tomorrow Archibald, or Edward as you please!" + +For the first time the earl drew the veil away from his heart, and +let his sister see all the contempt and anger that he felt toward +her. + +The duchess also felt wounded by his words, as by a red-hot iron. + +She sprang from her knees; and with flurried breath, with looks +flashing with rage, every muscle of her countenance convulsed and +trembling, there she stood before her brother. She was a woman no +more; she was a lioness, that, without compassion or pity, will +devour him who has dared irritate her. + +"Earl of Surrey, you are a shameless wretch!" said she, with +compressed, quivering lips. "Were I a man, I would slap you in the +face, and call you a scoundrel. But, by the eternal God, you shall +not say that you have done this with impunity! Once more, and for +the last time, I now ask you, will you comply with Lord Hertford's +wish? Will you marry Lady Margaret, and accompany me with Thomas +Seymour to the altar?" + +"No, I will not, and I will never do it!" exclaimed her brother, +solemnly. "The Howards bow not before the Seymours; and never will +Henry Howard marry a wife that he does not love!" + +"Ah, you love her not!" said she, breathless, gnashing her teeth. +"You do not love Lady Margaret; and for this reason must your sister +renounce her love, and give up this man whom she adores. Ah, you +love not this sister of Thomas Seymour? She is not the Geraldine +whom you adore--to whom you dedicate your verses! Well, now, I will +find her out--your Geraldine. I will discover her; and then, woe to +you and to her! You refuse me your hand to lead me to the altar with +Thomas Seymour; well, now, I will one day extend you my hand to +conduct you and your Geraldine to the scaffold!" + +And as she saw how the earl startled and turned pale, she continued +with a scornful laugh: "Ah, you shrink, and horror creeps over you! +Does your conscience admonish you that the hero, rigid in virtue, +may yet sometimes make a false step? You thought to hide your +secret, if you enveloped it in the veil of night, like your +Geraldine, who, as you wailingly complain in that poem there, never +shows herself to you without a veil as black as night. Just wait, +wait! I will strike a light for you, before which all your night- +like veils shall he torn in shreds; I will light up the night of +your secret with a torch which will be large enough to set on fire +the fagot piles ahout the stake to which you and your Geraldine are +to go!" + +"Ah, now you let me see for the first time your real countenance," +said Henry Howard, shrugging his shoulders. "The angel's mask falls +from your face; and I behold the fury that was hidden beneath it. +Now you are your mother's own daughter; and at this moment I +comprehend for the first time what my father has suffered, and why +he shunned not even the disgrace of a divorce, just to be delivered +from such a Megaera." + +"Oh, I thank you, thank you!" cried she, with a savage laugh. "You +are filling up the measure of your iniquity. It is not enough that +you drive your sister to despair; you revile your mother also! You +say that we are furies; well, indeed, for we shall one day be such +to you, and we will show you our Medusa-face, before which you will +be stiffened to stone. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, from this hour +out, I am your implacable enemy; look out for the head on your +shoulders, for my hand is raised against it, and in my hand is a +sword! Guard well the secret that sleeps in your breast; for you +have transformed me to a vampire that will suck your heart's blood. +You have reviled my mother, and I will go hence and tell her of it. +She will believe me; for she well knows that you hate her, and that +you are a genuine son of your father; that is to say, a canting +hypocrite, a miserable fellow, who carries virtue on the lips and +crime in the heart." + +"Cease, I say, cease," cried the earl, "if you do not want me to +forget that you are a woman and my sister!" + +"Forget it by all means," said she, scornfully. "I have forgotten +long since that you are my brother, as you have long since forgotten +that you are the son of your mother. Farewell, Earl of Surrey; I +leave you and your palace, and will from this hour out abide with my +mother. the divorced wife of the Duke of Norfolk. But mark you this: +we two are separated from you in our love--but not in our hate! Our +hatred to you remains eternal and unchangeable; and one day it will +crush you! Farewell, Earl of Surrey; we meet again in the king's +presence!" + +She rushed to the door. Henry Howard did not hold her back. He +looked after her with a smile as she left the cabinet, and murmured, +almost compassionately: "Poor woman! I have, perhaps, cheated her +out of a lover, and she will never forgive me that. Well, let it be +so! Let her, as much as she pleases, be my enemy, and torment me +with petty pin-prickings, if she be but unable to harm her. I hope, +though, that I have guarded well my secret, and she could not +suspect the real cause of my refusal. Ah, I was obliged to wrap +myself in that foolish family pride, and make haughtiness a cloak +for my love. Oh, Geraldine, thee would I choose, wert thou the +daughter of a peasant; and I would not hold my escutcheon tarnished, +if for thy sake I must draw a pale athwart it.--But hark! It is +striking four! My service begins! Farewell, Geraldine, I must to the +queen!" + +And while he betook himself to his dressing-room, to put on his +state robes for the great court feast, the Duchess of Richmond +returned to her own apartments, trembling and quivering with rage. +She traversed these with precipitate haste, and entered her boudoir, +where Earl Douglas was waiting for her. + +"Well," said he, stepping toward her with his soft, lurking smile, +"has he consented?" + +"No," said she, gnashing her teeth. "He swore he would never enter +into an alliance with the Seymours." + +"I well knew that," muttered the earl. "And what do you decide upon +now, my lady?" + +"I will have revenge! He wants to hinder me from being happy; I will +for that make him unhappy!" + +"You will do well in that, my lady; for he is an apostate and +perjurer; an unfaithful son of the Church. He inclines to the +heretical sect, and has forgotten the faith of his fathers." + +"I know it!" said she, breathlessly. + +Earl Douglas looked at her in astonishment, and continued: "But he +is not merely an atheist, he is a traitor also; and more than once +he has reviled his king, to whom he, in his pride of heart, believes +himself far superior." + +"I know it!" repeated she. + +"So proud is he," continued the earl, "so full of blasphemous +haughtiness, that he might lay his hands upon the crown of England." + +"I know it!" said the duchess again. But as she saw the earl's +astonished and doubting looks, she added, with an inhuman smile: "I +know everything that you want that I should know! Only impute crimes +to him; only accuse him; I will substantiate everything, testify to +everything that will bring him to ruin. My mother is our ally; she +hates the father as hotly as I the son. Bring your accusation, then, +Earl Douglas; we are your witnesses!" + +"Nay, indeed, my lady," said he, with a gentle, insinuating smile. +"I know nothing at all; I have heard nothing; how, then, can I bring +an accusation? You know all; to you he has spoken. You must be his +accuser!" + +"Well, then, conduct me to the king!" said she. + +"Will you allow me to give you some more advice first?" + +"Do so, Earl Douglas." + +"Be very cautious in the choice of your means. Do not waste them all +at once, so that if your first thrust does not hit, you may not be +afterward without weapons. It is better, and far less dangerous, to +surely kill the enemy that you hate with a slow, creeping poison, +gradually and day by day, than to murder him at once with a dagger, +which may, however, break on a rib and become ineffective. Tell, +then, what you know, not at once, but little by little. Administer +your drug which is to make the king furious, gradually; and if you +do not hit your enemy to-day, think that you will do it so much the +more surely to-morrow. Nor do you forget that we have to punish, not +merely the heretic Henry Howard, but above all things the heretical +queen, whose unbelief will call down the wrath of the Most High upon +this land." + +"Come to the king," said she, hastily. "On the way you can tell me +what I ought to make known and what conceal. I will do implicitly +what you say. Now, Henry Howard," said she softly to herself, "hold +yourself ready; the contest begins! In your pride and selfishness +you have destroyed the happiness of my life--my eternal felicity. I +loved Thomas Seymour; I hoped by his side to find the happiness that +I have so long and so vainly sought in the crooked paths of life. By +this love my soul would have been saved and restored to virtue. My +brother has willed otherwise. He has, therefore, condemned me to be +a demon, instead of an angel. I will fulfil my destiny. I will be an +evil spirit to him." [Footnote: The Earl of Surrey, by his refusal +to marry Margaret Seymour, gave occasion to the rupture of the +proposed alliance between Thomas Seymour and the Duchess of +Richmond, his sister. After that the duchess mortally hated him and +combined with his enemies against him. The Duchess of Richmond is +designated by all the historians of her time as "the most beautiful +woman of her century, but also a shameless Messalina."--See Tytler, +p. 890. Also Burnet, vol. i, p. 134; Leti, vol. i, p. 83; and Nott's +Life of Henry Howard.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE QUEEN'S TOILET. + + +The festivities of the day are concluded, and the gallant knights +and champions, who have to-day broken a lance for the honor of their +ladies, may rest from their victories upon their laurels. The +tournament of arms was over, and the tournament of mind was about to +begin. The knights, therefore, retired to exchange the coat-of-mail +for gold-embroidered velvet apparel; the ladies to put on their +lighter evening dresses; and the queen, likewise with this design, +had withdrawn to her dressing-room, while the ladies and lords of +her court were in attendance in the large anteroom to escort her to +the throne. + +Without, it was beginning to grow dusky, and the twilight cast its +long shadows across this hall, in which the cavaliers of the court +were walking up and down with the ladies, and discussing the +particularly important events of the day's tourney. + +The Earl of Sudley, Thomas Seymour, had borne off the prize of the +day, and conquered his opponent, Henry Howard. The king had been in +raptures on this account. For Thomas Seymour had been for some time +his favorite; perhaps because he was the declared enemy of the +Howards. He had, therefore, added to the golden laurel crown which +the queen had presented to the earl as the award, a diamond pin, and +commanded the queen to fasten it in the earl's ruff with her own +hand. Catharine had done so with sullen countenance and averted +looks; and even Thomas Seymour had shown himself only a very little +delighted with the proud honor with which the queen, at her +husband's command, was to grace him. + +The rigid popish party at court formed new hopes from this, and +dreamed of the queen's conversion and return to the true, pure +faith; while the Protestant, "the heretical" party, looked to the +future with gloomy despondency, and were afraid of being robbed of +their most powerful support and their most influential patronage. + +Nobody had seen that, as the queen arose to crown the victor, Thomas +Seymour, her handkerchief, embroidered with gold, fell from her +hands, and that the earl, after he had taken it up and presented it +to the queen, had thrust his hand for a moment, with a motion wholly +accidental and undesigned, into his ruff, which was just as white as +the small neatly-folded paper which he concealed in it, and which he +had found in the queen's handkerchief. + +One person had seen it. This little ruse of the queen had not +escaped John Heywood, who had immediately, by some cutting +witticism, set the king to laughing, and tried to draw the attention +of the courtiers from the queen and her lover. + +He was now standing crowded into the embrasure of a window, and +entirely concealed behind the silk curtain; and so, without being +seen, he let his falcon eyes roam over the whole room. + +He saw everything; he heard everything; and, noticed by none, he +observed all. + +He saw how Earl Douglas now made a sign to Bishop Gardiner, and how +he quickly answered it. + +As if by accident, both now left the groups with whom they had just +been chatting, and drew near each other, looking about for some +place where, unobserved and separated from the rest, they might +converse together. In all the windows were standing groups, chatting +and laughing; only that window behind the curtain of which John +Heywood was concealed, was unoccupied. + +So Earl Douglas and the bishop turned thither. + +"Shall we attain our end to-day?" asked Gardiner, in a low voice. + +"With God's gracious assistance, we shall annihilate all our enemies +to-day. The sword already hangs over their heads, and soon it will +fall and deliver us from them," said Earl Douglas, solemnly. + +"Are you, then, certain of it?" asked Gardiner, and an expression of +cruel delight flitted across his malicious, ashy face. "But tell me, +how comes it that Archbishop Cranmer is not here?" + +"He is sick, and so had to remain at Lambeth. + +May this sickness be the forerunner of his death!" muttered the +bishop, devoutly folding his hands. + +"It will be so, your highness; God will destroy His enemies and +bless us. Cranmer is accused, and the king will judge him without +mercy. + +And the queen?" + +Earl Douglas was a moment silent, and then said, in a low whisper: +"Wait but a few hours more, and she will be queen no longer. Instead +of returning from the throne-room to her apartments, we shall +accompany her to the Tower." + +John Heywood, completely enveloped in the folds of the curtain, held +his breath and listened. + +"And you are, then, perfectly sure of our victory?" asked Gardiner. +"Can no accident, no unforeseen circumstance, snatch it from us?" + +"If the queen gives him the rosette--no! For then the king will find +Geraldine's love-letter in the silver knot, and she is condemned. So +all depends on the queen's wearing the rosette, and not discovering +its contents. But see, your highness, there is the Duchess of +Richmond approaching us. She makes a sign to me. Now pray for us, +your highness, for I am going with her to the king, and she will +accuse this hated Catharine Parr! I tell you, bishop, it is an +accusation involving life and death; and if Catharine escape one +danger, she will run into another. Wait here for me, your highness; +I will return soon and tell you the result of our scheme. Lady Jane, +also, will soon bring us news here." + +He left the window and followed the duchess, who crossed the hall, +and with her disappeared through the door that led to the king's +apartments. + +The ladies and lords of the court laughed and chatted away. + +John Heywood stood, with throbbing heart and in breathless anxiety, +behind the curtain, close by Gardiner, who had folded his hands and +was praying. + +While Gardiner prayed, and Douglas accused and calumniated, the +queen, suspecting nothing of these plots they were framing against +her, was in her toilet-room and being adorned by her women. + +She was to-day very beautiful, very magnificent to look upon; at +once a woman and queen; at the same time resplendent and modest, +with a bewitching smile on her rosy lips; and yet commanding respect +in her proud and glorious beauty. None of Henry's queens had so well +understood the art of appearing in public, and none remained so much +the woman while doing so. + +As she now stood before the large mirror, which the Republic of +Venice had sent the king as a wedding-gift, and which reflected the +figure of the queen sparkling with diamonds, she smiled, for she was +obliged to confess to herself that she was very beautiful to-day; +and she thought that to-day Thomas Seymour would look upon his love +with pride. + +As she thought of him, a deep crimson overspread her face, and a +thrill flew through her frame. How handsome he had been at the +tournament that day; how splendidly he leaped over the barriers; how +his eye flashed; how contemptuous had been his smile! And then, that +look which he directed over to her at the moment when he had +conquered his antagonist, Henry Howard, and hurled the lance from +his hand! Oh, her heart was then ready to burst with delight and +rapture! + +Wholly given up to her reverie, she sank in her gilded arm-chair and +cast her eyes to the ground, dreaming and smiling. + +Behind her stood her women in respectful silence, waiting for a sign +from their mistress. But the queen no longer thought at all of them; +she imagined herself alone; she saw nobody but that handsome, manly +face for which she had reserved a place in her heart. + +Now the door opened, and Lady Jane Douglas entered. She, too, was +magnificently dressed, and sparkling with diamonds; she, too, was +beautiful, but it was the pallid, dreadful beauty of a demon; and he +who looked upon her just then, as she entered the room, would have +trembled, and his heart would have been seized with an undefined +fear. + +She threw a quick glance on her mistress lost in revery; and as she +saw that her toilet was finished, she made a sign to the women, who +silently obeyed and left the room. + +Still Catharine noticed nothing. Lady Jane stood behind her and +observed her in the mirror. As she saw the queen smile, her brow +darkened and fierce fire flashed in her eyes. + +"She shall smile no more," said she to herself. "I suffer thus +terribly by her; well, now, she shall suffer too." + +Softly and noiselessly she slipped into the next room, the door of +which stood ajar, and opened with hurried hand a carton filled with +ribbons and bows. Then she drew from the velvet pocket, wrought with +pearls, which hung at her side, suspended by a gold chain, a dark- +red rosette, and threw it into the box. That was all. + +Lady Jane now returned to the adjoining room; and her countenance, +which had been previously gloomy and threatening, was now proud and +joyful. + +With a bright smile she walked up to the queen, and kneeling down at +her side, she pressed a fervent kiss on the hand that was hanging +down. + +"What is my queen musing over?" asked she, as she laid her head on +Catharine's knee and tenderly looked up at her. + +The queen gave a slight start, and raised her head. She saw Lady +Jane's tender smile, and her yet searching looks. + +Because she felt conscious of guilt, at least of guilty thoughts, +she was on her guard, and remembered John Heywood's warning. + +"She is observing me," she said to herself; "she seems affectionate; +so she is brooding over some wicked plot. + +Ah, it is well you have come, Jane," said she aloud. "You can help +me; for, to tell you the truth, I am in great perplexity. I am in +want of a rhyme, and I am thinking in vain how I shall find it." + +"Ah, are you composing poetry, queen?" + +"Why, Jane, does that surprise you? Shall I, the queen, be able, +then, to bear off no prize? I would give my precious jewels, if I +could succeed in composing a poem to which the king was obliged to +award the prize. But I am wanting in a musical ear; I cannot find +the rhyme, and so shall he obliged at last to give up the idea of +winning laurels also. How the king would enjoy it, though! For, to +confess the truth to you, I believe he is a little afraid that Henry +Howard will bear off the prize, and he would be very thankful to me +if I could contest it with him. You well know the king has no love +for the Howards." + +"And you, queen?" asked Jane; and she turned so pale, that the queen +herself noticed it. + +"You are unwell, Jane," said she, sympathizingly. "Really, Jane, you +seem to be suffering. You need recreation; you should rest a +little." + +But Jane had already regained her calm and earnest air, and she +succeeded in smiling. + +"No, indeed!" said she. "I am well, and satisfied to be permitted to +be near you. But will you allow me, queen, to make a request of +you?" + +"Ask, Jane, ask, and it is granted beforehand; for I know that Jane +will request nothing that her friend cannot grant." + +Lady Jane was silent, and looked thoughtfully upon the ground. With +firm resolution she struggled with herself. Her proud heart reared +fiercely up at the thought of bowing before this woman, whom she +hated, and of being obliged to approach her with a fawning prayer. +She felt such raging hate against the queen, that in that hour she +would willingly have given her own life, if she could have first +seen her enemy at her feet, wailing and crushed. + +Henry Howard loved the queen; so Catharine had robbed her of the +heart of him whom she adored. Catharine had condemned her to the +eternal torment of renouncing him--to the rack of enjoying a +happiness and a rapture that was not hers--to warm herself at a fire +which she like a thief had stolen from the altar of another's god. + +Catharine was condemned and doomed. Jane had no more compassion. She +must crush her. + +"Well," asked the queen, "you are silent? You do not tell me what I +am to grant you?" + +Lady Jane raised her eyes, and her look was serene and peaceful. +"Queen," said she, "I encountered in the ante-room one who is +unhappy, deeply bowed down. In your hand alone is the power to raise +him up again. Will you do it?" + +"Will I do it!" exclaimed Catharine, quickly. "Oh, Jane, you well +know how much my heart longs to help and be serviceable to the +unfortunate! Ah, so many wounds are inflicted at this court, and the +queen is so poor in balm to heal them! Allow me this pleasure then, +Jane, and I shall be thankful to you, not you to me! Speak then, +Jane, speak quickly; who is it that needs my help?" + +"Not your help, queen, but your compassion and your grace. Earl +Sudley has conquered poor Earl Surrey in the tournament to-day, and +you comprehend that your lord chamberlain feels himself deeply bowed +and humbled." + +"Can I alter that, Jane? Why did the visionary earl, the +enthusiastic poet, allow himself a contest with a hero who already +knows what he wants, and ever accomplishes what he wills? Oh, it was +wonderful to look upon, with what lightning speed Thomas Seymour +lifted him out of the saddle! And the proud Earl Surrey, the wise +and learned man, the powerful party leader, was forced to bow before +the hero, who like an angel Michael had thrown him in the dust." + +The queen laughed. + +That laugh went through Jane's heart like a cutting sword. + +"She shall pay me for that!" said she softly to herself. "Queen," +said she aloud, "you are perfectly right; he has deserved this +humiliation; but now, after he is punished, you should lift him up. +Nay, do not shake your beautiful head. Do it for your own sake, +queen; do it from prudence. Earl Surrey, with his father, is the +head of a powerful party, whom this humiliation of the Howards fills +with a still more burning hate against the Seymours, and who will, +in time to come, take a bloody revenge for it." + +"Ah, you frighten me!" said the queen, who had now become serious. + +Lady Jane continued: "I saw how the Duke of Norfolk bit his lips, as +his son had to yield to Seymour; I heard how one, here and there, +muttered low curses and vows of vengeance against the Seymours." + +"Who did that? Who dared to do it?" exclaimed Catharine, springing +up impetuously from her arm-chair. "Who at this court is so +audacious as to wish to injure those whom the queen loves? Name him +to me, Jane; I will know his name! I will know it, that I may accuse +him to the king. For the king does not want that these noble +Seymours should give way to the Howards; he does not want that the +nobler, the better, and more glorious, should bow before these +quarrelsome, domineering papists. The king loves the noble Seymours, +and his powerful arm will protect them against all their enemies." + +"And, without doubt, your majesty will assist him in it?" said Jane, +smiling. + +This smile brought the queen back to her senses again. + +She perceived that she had gone too far; that she had betrayed too +much of her secret. She must, therefore, repair the damage, and +allow her excitement to be forgotten. Therefore she said, calmly: +"Certainly, Jane; I will assist the king to be just. But never will +I be unjust, not even against these papists. If I cannot love them, +nevertheless no one shall say that I hate them. And besides, it +becomes a queen to rise above parties. Say, then, Jane, what can I +do for poor Surrey? With what shall we bind up these wounds that the +brave Seymour has inflicted on him?" + +"You have publicly given the victor in the tournament a token of +your great favor--you have crowned him." + +"It was the king's order," exclaimed Catharine, warmly. + +"Well! He will not, however, command you to reward the Earl of +Surrey also, if he likewise should gain the victory this evening. Do +it, therefore, of your own accord, queen. Give him openly, before +your whole court, a token of your favor! It is so easy for princes +to make men happy, to comfort the unfortunate! A smile, a friendly +word, a pressure of the hand is sufficient for it. A ribbon that you +wear on your dress makes him to whom you present it, proud and +happy, and raises him high above all others. Ponder it well, queen; +I speak not for Earl Surrey's sake; I am thinking more of yourself. +If you have the courage, publicly and in spite of the disgrace with +which King Henry threatens the Howards, to be nevertheless just to +them, and to recognize _their_ merits as well as that of others-- +believe me, if you do that, the whole of this powerful party, which +is now hostile to you, will fall at your feet overcome and +conquered. You will at last become the all-powerful and universally +loved Queen of England; and, like the heretics, the papists also +will call you their mistress and protectress. Consider no longer! +Let your noble and generous heart prevail! Spiteful fortune has +prostrated Henry Howard in the dust. Extend him your hand, queen, +that he may rise again, and again stand there at your court, proud +and radiant as he always was. Henry Howard well deserves that you +should be gracious to him. Great and beaming like a star, he shines +on high above all men; and there is no one who can say that he +himself is more prudent or braver, wiser or more learned, noble or +greater, than the noble, the exalted Surrey. All England resounds +with his fame. The women repeat with enthusiasm his beautiful +sonnets and love-songs; the learned are proud to call him their +equal, and the warriors speak with admiration of his feats of arms. +Be just, then, queen! You have so highly honored the merit of valor; +now, honor the merit of mind also! You have, in Seymour, honored the +warrior; now, in Howard, honor the poet and the man!" + +"I will do it," said Catharine, as with a charming smile she looked +into Jane's glowing and enthusiastic countenance. "I will do it, +Jane, but upon one condition!" + +"And this condition is--" + +Catharine put her arm around Jane's neck, and drew her close to her +heart, "That you confess to me, that you love Henry Howard, whom you +know how to defend so enthusiastically and warmly." + +Lady Jane gave a start, and for a moment leaned her head on the +queen's shoulder, exhausted. + +"Well," asked she, "do you confess it? Will you acknowledge that +your proud, cold heart is obliged to declare itself overcome and +conquered?" + +"Yes, I confess it," cried Lady Jane, as with passionate vehemence +she threw herself at Catharine's feet. "Yes, I love him--I adore +him. I know it is a disdained and unhappy love; but what would you +have? My heart is mightier than everything else. I love him; he is +my god and my lord; I adore him as my savior and lord. Queen, you +know all my secret; betray me if you will! Tell it to my father, if +you wish him to curse me. Tell it to Henry Howard, if it pleases you +to hear how he scoffs at me. For he, queen--he loves me not!" + +"Poor unfortunate Jane!" exclaimed the queen, compassionately. + +Jane uttered a low cry, and rose from her knees. That was too much. +Her enemy commiserated her. She, who was to blame for her sorrow-- +she bemoaned her fate. + +Ah, she could have strangled the queen; she could have plunged a +dagger into her heart, because she dared to commiserate her. + +"I have complied with your condition, queen," said she, breathing +hurriedly. "Will you now comply with my request?" + +"And will you really be an advocate for this unthankful, cruel man, +who does not love you? Proudly and coldly he passes your beauty by, +and you--you intercede for him!" + +"Queen, true love thinks not of itself! It sacrifices itself. It +makes no question of the reward it receives, but only of the +happiness which it bestows. I saw in his pale, sorrowful face, how +much he suffered; ought I not to think of comforting him? I +approached him, I addressed him; I heard his despairing lamentation +over that misfortune, which, however, was not the fault of his +activity and courage, but, as all the world saw, the fault of his +horse, which was shy and stumbled. And as he, in all the bitterness +of his pain, was lamenting that you, queen, would despise and scorn +him, I, with full trust in your noble and magnanimous heart, +promised him that you would, at my request, yet give him to-day, +before your whole court, a token of your favor. Catharine, did I do +wrong?" + +"No, Jane, no! You did right; and your words shall be made good. But +how shall I begin? What shall I do?" + +"The earl this evening, after the king has read the Greek scene with +Croke, will recite some new sonnets which he has composed. When he +has done so, give him some kind of a present--be it what it may, no +matter--as a token of your favor." + +"But how, Jane, if his sonnets deserve no praise and no +acknowledgment? + +You may be sure that they do deserve it. For Henry Howard is a noble +and true poet, and his verses are full of heavenly melody and +exalted thoughts." + +The queen smiled. "Yes," said she, "you love him ardently; for you +have no doubt as to him. We will, therefore, recognize him as a +great poet. But with what shall I reward him?" + +"Give him a rose that you wear in your bosom--a rosette that is +fastened to your dress and shows your colors." + +" But alas, Jane, to-day I wear neither a rose nor a rosette." + +"Yet you can wear one, queen. A rosette is, indeed, wanting here on +your shoulder. Your purple mantle is too negligently fastened. We +must put some trimming here." + +She went hastily into the next room and returned with the box in +which were kept the queen's ribbons embroidered with gold, and bows +adorned with jewels. + +Lady Jane searched and selected, here and there, a long time. Then +she took the crimson velvet rosette, which she herself had +previously thrown into the box, and showed it to the queen. + +"See, it is at the same time tasteful and rich, for a diamond clasp +confines it in the middle. Will you allow me to fasten this rosette +on your shoulder, and will you give it to the Earl of Surrey?" + +"Yes, Jane, I will give it to him, because you wish it. But, poor +Jane, what do, you gain by my doing it?" + +"At any rate, a friendly smile, queen." + +"And is that enough for you? Do you love him so much, then?" + +"Yes, I love him!" said Jane Douglas, with a sigh of pain, as she +fastened the rosette on the queen's shoulder. + +"And now, Jane, go and announce to the master of ceremonies that I +am ready, as soon as the king wishes it, to resort to the gallery." +Lady Jane turned to leave the chamber. But, already upon the +threshold, she returned once more. + +"Forgive me, queen, for venturing to make one more request of you. +You have, however, just shown yourself too much the noble and true +friend of earlier days for me not to venture one more request." + +"Now, what is it, poor Jane?" + +"I have intrusted my secret not to the queen, but to Catharine Parr, +the friend of my youth. Will she keep it, and betray to none my +disgrace and humiliation?" + +"My word for that, Jane. Nobody but God and ourselves shall ever +know what we have spoken." + +Lady Jane humbly kissed her hand and murmured a few words of thanks; +then she left the queen's room to go in quest of the master of +ceremonies. + +In the queen's anteroom she stopped a moment, and leaned against the +wall, exhausted, and as it were crushed. Nobody was here who could +observe and listen to her. She had no need to smile, no need to +conceal, beneath a calm and equable appearance, all those +tempestuous and despairing feelings which were working within. She +could allow her hatred and her resentment, her rage and her despair, +to pour forth in words and gestures, in tears and imprecations, in +sobs and sighs. She could fall on her knees and beseech God for +grace and mercy, and call on the devil for revenge and destruction. + +When she had so done, she arose, and her demeanor resumed its wonted +cold and calm expression. Only her cheeks were still paler; only a +still gloomier fire darted from her eyes, and a scornful smile +played about her thin, compressed lips. + +She traversed the rooms and corridors, and now she entered the +king's anteroom. As she observed Gardiner, who was standing alone +and separated from the rest in the embrasure of the window, she went +up to him; and John Heywood, who was still hidden behind the +curtain, shuddered at the frightful and scornful expression of her +features. + +She offered the bishop her hand, and tried to smile. "It is done" +said she, almost inaudibly. + +"What! The queen wears the rosette?" asked Gardiner vivaciously. + +"She wears the rosette, and will give it to him." + +"And the note is in it?" + +"It is concealed under the diamond clasp." + +"Oh, then she is lost!" muttered Gardiner. "If the king finds this +paper, Catharine's death-warrant is signed." + +"Hush!" said Lady Jane. "See! Lord Hertford is coming toward us. Let +us go to meet him." + +They both left the window and walked out into the hall. + +John Heywood immediately slipped from behind the curtain, and, +softly gliding along by the wall, left the hall perceived by no one. + +Outside, he stopped and reflected. + +"I must see this conspiracy to the bottom," said he to himself. "I +must find out through whom and by what they wish to destroy her; and +I must have sure and undeniable proof in my hands, in order to be +able to convict them, and successfully accuse them to the king. +Therefore it is necessary to be cautious and prudent. So let us +consider what to do. The simplest thing would be to beg the queen +not to wear the rosette. But that is only to demolish the web for +this time, without, however, being able to kill the spider that wove +it. So she must wear the rosette; for besides, without that I should +never be able either to find out to whom she is to give it. But the +paper that is concealed in the rosette--that I must have--that must +not be in it. 'If the king finds this paper. Catharine's death- +warrant is signed.' Now, my reverend priest of the devil, the king +will not find that paper, for John Heywood will not have it so. But +how shall I begin? Shall I tell the queen what I heard? No! She +would lose her cheerful spirit and become embarrassed, and the +embarrassment would be in the king's eyes the most convincing proof +of her guilt. No, I must take this paper out of the rosette without +the queen's being aware of it. Boldly to work, then! I must have +this paper, and tweak these hypocrites by the nose. How it can be +done, it is not clear to me yet; but I will do it--that is enough. +Halloo, forward to the queen!" + +With precipitant haste he ran through the halls and corridors, while +with a smile he muttered away to himself: "Thank God, I enjoy the +honor of being the fool; for only the king and the fool have the +privilege of being able to enter unannounced every room, even the +queen's." + +Catharine was alone in her boudoir, when the small door, through +which the king was accustomed to resort to her, was softly opened. + +"Oh, the king is coming!" said she, walking to the door to greet her +husband. + +"Yes, the king is coming, for the fool is already here," said John +Heywood, who entered through the private door. "Are we alone, queen? +Does nobody overhear us?" + +"No, John Heywood, we are all alone. What do you bring me?" + +"A letter, queen." + +"From whom?" asked she, and a glowing crimson flitted over her +cheek. + +"From whom?" repeated John Heywood, with a waggish smile. "I do not +know, queen; but at any rate it is a begging letter; and without +doubt you would do well not to read it at all; for I bet you, the +shameless writer of this letter demands of you some impossibility-- +it may be a smile, or a pressure of the hand, a lock of your hair, +or perchance even a kiss. So, queen, do not read the begging letter +at all." + +"John," said she, smiling, and yet trembling with impatience, "John, +give me the letter." + +"I will sell it to you, queen. I have learned that from the king, +who likewise gives nothing away generously, without taking in return +more than he gives. So let us trade. I give you the letter; you give +me the rosette which you wear on your shoulder there." + +"Nay, indeed, John; choose something else--I cannot give you the +rosette." + +"And by the gods be it sworn!" exclaimed John, with comic pathos, "I +give you not the letter, if you do not give me the rosette." + +"Silly loon," said the queen, "I tell you I cannot! Choose something +else, John; and I conjure you, dear John, give me the letter." + +"Then only, when you give me the rosette. I have sworn it by the +gods, and what I vow to them, that I stick to! No, no, queen--not +those sullen airs, not that angry frown. For if I cannot in earnest +receive the rosette as a present, then let us do like the Jesuits +and papists, who even trade with the dear God, and snap their +fingers at Him. I must keep my oath! I give you the letter, and you +give me the rosette; but listen--you only lend it to me; and when I +have it in my hand a moment, I am generous and bountiful, like the +king, and I make you a present of your own property." + +With a quick motion the queen tore the rosette from her shoulder, +and handed it to John Heywood. + +"Now give me the letter, John." + +"Here it is," said John Heywood as he received the rosette. "Take +it; and you will see that Thomas Seymour is my brother." + +"Your brother?" asked Catharine with a smile, as with trembling hand +she broke the seal. + +"Yes, my brother, for he is a fool! Ah, I have a great many +brothers. The family of fools is so very large!" + +The queen no longer heard. She was reading the letter of her lover. +She had eyes only for those lines, that told her that Thomas Seymour +loved her, adored her, and was pining away with longing after her. +She did not see how John Heywood, with nimble hand, unfastened the +diamond clasp from the rosette, and took out of it the little paper +that was concealed in the folds of the ribbon. + +"She is saved!" murmured he, while he thrust the fatal paper into +his doublet, and fastened the clasp again with the pin." She is +saved, and the king will not sign her death-warrant this time." + +Catharine had read the letter to the end, and hid it in her bosom. + +"Queen, you have sworn to burn up every letter that I bring you from +him; for, forbidden love-letters are dangerous things. One day they +may find a tongue and testify against you! Queen, I will not bring +you again another letter, if you do not first burn that one." + +"John, I will burn it up when once I have really read it. Just now I +read it only with my heart, not with my eyes. Allow me, then, to +wear it on my heart a few hours more." + +"Do you swear to me that you will burn it up this very day?" + +"I swear it." + +"Then I will be satisfied this time. Here is your rosette; and like +the famous fox in the fable, that pronounced the grapes sour because +he could not get them, I say, take your rosette back; I will have +none of it." + +He handed the queen the rosette, and she smilingly fastened it on +her shoulder again. + +"John," said she, with a bewitching smile, extending her hand to +him, "John, when will you at length permit me to thank you otherwise +than with words? When will you at length allow your queen to reward +you for all this service of love, otherwise than with words?" + +John Heywood kissed her hand, and said mournfully: "I will demand a +reward of you on the day when my tears and my prayers succeed in +persuading you to renounce this wretched and dangerous love. On that +day I shall have really deserved a reward, and I will accept it from +you with a proud heart." + +"Poor John! So, then, you will never receive your reward; for that +day will never come!" + +"So, then, I shall probably receive my reward, but from the king; +and it will be a reward whereby one loses hearing and sight, and +head to boot. Well, we shall see! Till then, farewell, queen! I must +to the king; for somebody might surprise me here, and come to the +shrewd conclusion that John Heywood is not always a fool, but +sometimes also the messenger of love! I kiss the hem of your +garment; farewell, queen!" + +He glided again through the private door. + +"Now we will at once examine this paper," said he, as he reached the +corridor and was sure of being seen by no one. + +He drew the paper out of his doublet and opened it. "I do not know +the hand-writing," muttered her, "but it was a woman that wrote it." + +"The letter read: "Do you believe me now, my beloved? I swore to +deliver to you to-day, in the presence of the king and all of my +court, this rosette; and I have done so. For you I gladly risk my +life, for you are my life; and still more beautiful were it to die +with you, than to live without you. I live only when I rest in your +arms; and those dark nights, when you can be with me, are the light +and sunshine of my days. Let us pray Heaven a dark night may soon +come; for such a night restores to me the loved one, and to you, +your happy wife, Geraldine." + +"Geraldine! who is Geraldine?" muttered John Heywood, slipping the +paper into his doublet again. "I must disentangle this web of lying +and deceit. I must know what all this means. For this is more than a +conspiracy--a false accusation. It concerns, as it seems, a reality. +This letter the queen is to give to a man; and in it, sweet +recollections, happy nights, are spoken of. So he who receives this +letter is in league with them against Catharine, and I dare say her +worst enemy, for he makes use of love against her. Some treachery or +knavery is concealed behind this. Either the man to whom this letter +is addressed is deceived--and he is unintentionally a tool in the +hands of the papists--or he is in league with them, and has given +himself up to the villainy of playing the part of a lover to the +queen. But who can he be? Perchance, Thomas Seymour. It were +possible; for he has a cold and deceitful heart, and he would be +capable of such treachery. But woe be to him if it is he! Then it +will be I who accuses him to the king; and, by God! his head shall +fall! Now away to the king!" + +Just as he entered the king's anteroom, the door of the cabinet +opened, and the Duchess of Richmond, accompanied by Earl Douglas, +walked out. + +Lady Jane and Gardiner were standing, as if by accident, near the +door. + +"Well, have we attained our end there also?" asked Gardiner. + +"We have attained it," said Earl Douglas. "The duchess has accused +her brother of a liaison with the queen. She has deposed that he +sometimes leaves the palace by night, and does not return to it +before morning. She has declared that for four nights she herself +dogged her brother and saw him as he entered the wing of the castle +occupied by the queen; and one of the queen's maids has communicated +to the duchess that the queen was not in her room on that night." + +"And the king listened to the accusation, and did not throttle you +in his wrath!" + +"He is just in that dull state of rage in which the lava that the +crater will afterward pour forth, is just prepared. As yet all is +quiet, but be sure there will be an eruption, and the stream of red- +hot lava will busy those who have dared excite the god Vulcan." + +"And does he know about the rosette?" asked Lady Jane. + +"He knows everything. And until that moment he will allow no one to +suspect his wrath and fury. He says he will make the queen perfectly +secure, in order to get into his hands thereby sure proof of her +guilt. Well, we will furnish him this evidence; and hence it follows +that the queen is inevitably lost." + +"But hark! The doors are opened, and the master of ceremonies comes +to summon us to the golden gallery." + +"Just walk in," muttered John Heywood, gliding along behind them. "I +am still here; and I will be the mouse that gnaws the net in which +you want to catch my noble-minded lioness." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE QUEEN'S ROSETTE. + + +The golden gallery, in which the tourney of the poets was to take +place, presented to-day a truly enchanting and fairy-like aspect. +Mirrors of gigantic size, set in broad gilt frames, ornamented with +the moat perfect carved work, covered the walls, and threw back, a +thousand times reflected, the enormous chandeliers which, with their +hundreds and hundreds of candles, shed the light of day in the vast +hall. Here and there were seen, arranged in front of the mirrors, +clusters of the rarest and choicest flowers, which poured through +the hall their fragrance, stupefying and yet so enchanting, and +outshone in brilliancy of colors even the Turkish carpet, which +stretched through the whole room and changed the floor into one +immense flower-bed. Between the clumps of flowers were seen tables +with golden vases, in which were refreshing beverages; while at the +other end of the enormous gallery stood a gigantic sideboard, which +contained the choicest and rarest dishes. At present the doors of +the sideboard, which, when open, formed a room of itself, were +closed. + +They had not yet come to the material enjoyments; they were still +occupied in absorbing the spiritual. The brilliant and select +company that filled the hall was still for some time condemned to be +silent, and to shut up within them their laughter and gossip, their +backbiting and slander, their flattery and hypocrisy. + +Just now a pause ensued. The king, with Croke, had recited to his +court a scene from "Antigone"; and they were just taking breath from +the wonderful and exalted enjoyment of having just heard a language +of which they understood not a word, but which they found to be very +beautiful, since the king admired it. + +Henry the Eighth had again leaned back on his golden throne, and, +panting, rested from his prodigious exertion; and while he rested +and dreamed, an invisible band played a piece of music composed by +the king himself, and which, with its serious and solemn movement, +strangely contrasted with this room so brilliant and cheerful--with +this splendid, laughing and jesting assembly. + +For the king had bidden them amuse themselves and be gay; to give +themselves up to unrestrained chit-chat. It was, therefore, natural +for them to laugh, and to appear not to notice the king's exhaustion +and repose. + +Besides, they had not for a long time seen Henry so cheerful, so +full of youthful life, so sparkling with wit and humor, as on this +evening. His mouth was overflowing with jests that made the +gentlemen laugh, and the beautiful, brilliant women blush, and, +above all, the young queen, who sat by him on the rich and splendid +throne, and now and then threw stolen and longing glances at her +lover, for whom she would willingly and gladly have given her royal +crown and her throne. + +When the king saw how Catharine blushed, he turned to her, and in +his tenderest tone begged her pardon for his jest, which, however, +in its sauciness, served only to make his queen still more +beautiful, still more bewitching. His words were then so tender and +heartfelt, his looks so full of love and admiration, that nobody +could doubt but that the queen was in highest favor with her +husband, and that he loved her most tenderly. + +Only the few who knew the secret of this tenderness of the king, so +open and so unreservedly displayed, comprehended fully the danger +which threatened the queen; for the king was never more to be +dreaded than when he flattered; and on no one did his wrath fall +more crushingly than on him whom he had just kissed and assured of +his favor. + +This was what Earl Douglas said to himself, when he saw with what a +cordial look Henry the Eighth chatted with his consort. + +Behind the throne of the royal pair was seen John Heywood, in his +fantastic and dressy costume, with his face at once noble and +cunning; and the king just then broke out into loud, resounding +laughter at his sarcastic and satirical observations. + +"King, your laugh does not please me to-day," said John Heywood, +earnestly. "It smacks of gall. Do you not find it so, queen?" + +The queen was startled from her sweet reveries, and that was what +John Heywood had wished. He, therefore, repeated his question. + +"No, indeed," said she: "I find the king to-day quite like the sun. +He is radiant and bright, like it." + +"Queen, you do not mean the sun, but the full moon," said John +Heywood. "But only see, Henry, how cheerfully Earl Archibald Douglas +over there is chatting with the Duchess of Richmond! I love that +good earl. He always appears like a blind-worm, which is just in the +notion of stinging some one on the heel, and hence it comes that, +when near the earl, I always transform myself into a crane. I stand +on one leg; because I am then sure to have the other at least safe +from the earl's sting. King, were I like you, I would not have those +killed that the blind-worm has stung; but I would root out the +blind-worms, that the feet of honorable men might be secure from +them." + +The king cast at him a quick, searching look, which John Heywood +answered with a smile. + +"Kill the blind-worms, King Henry," said he; "and when you are once +at work destroying vermin, it will do no harm if you once more give +these priests also a good kick. It is now a long time since we burnt +any of them, and they are again becoming arrogant and malicious, as +they always were and always will be. I see even the pious and meek +bishop of Winchester, the noble Gardiner, who is entertaining +himself with Lady Jane over there, smiling very cheerfully, and that +is a bad sign; for Gardiner smiles only when he has again caught a +poor soul, and prepared it as a breakfast for his lord. I do not +mean you, king, but his lord--the devil. For the devil is always +hungry for noble human souls; and to him who catches one for him he +gives indulgence for his sins for an hour. Therefore Gardiner +catches so many souls; for since he sins every hour, every hour he +needs indulgence." + +"You are very spiteful to-day, John Heywood," said the queen, +smiling, while the king fixed his eyes on the ground, thoughtful and +musing. + +John Heywood's words had touched the sore place of his heart, and, +in spite of himself, filled his suspicious soul with new doubts. + +He mistrusted not merely the accused, but the accusers also; and if +he punished the one as criminals, he would have willingly punished +the others as informants. + +He asked himself: "What aim had Earl Douglas and Gardiner in +accusing the queen; and why had they startled him out of his quiet +and confidence?" At that moment, when he looked on his beautiful +wife, who sat by him in such serene tranquillity, unembarrassed and +smiling, he felt a deep anger fill his heart, not against Catharine, +but against Jane, who accused her. She was so lovely and beautiful! +Why did they envy him her? Why did they not leave him in his sweet +delusion? But perhaps she was not guilty. No, she was not. The eye +of a culprit is not thus bright and clear. The air of infidelity is +not thus unembarrassed--of such maidenly delicacy. + +Moreover, the king was exhausted and disgusted. One can become +satiated even with cruelty; and, at this hour, Henry felt completely +surfeited with bloodshed. + +His heart--for, in such moments of mental relaxation and bodily +enfeeblement, the king even had a heart--his heart was already in +the mood of pronouncing the word pardon, when his eye fell on Henry +Howard, who, with his father, the Duke of Norfolk, and surrounded by +a circle of brilliant and noble lords, was standing not far from the +royal throne. + +The king felt a deadly stab in his breast, and his eyes darted +lightning over toward that group. + +How proud and imposing the figure of the noble earl looked; how high +he overtopped all others; how noble and handsome his countenance; +how kingly was his bearing and whole appearance! + +Henry must admit all this; and because he must do so, he hated him. + +Nay! no mercy for Catharine! If what her accusers had told him were +true--if they could give him the proofs of the queen's guilt, then +she was doomed. And how could he doubt it? Had they not told him +that in the rosette, which the queen would give Earl Surrey, was +contained a love-letter from Catharine, which he would find? Had not +Earl Surrey, in a confidential hour, yesterday imparted this to his +sister, the Duchess of Richmond, when he wished to bribe her to be +the messenger of love between the queen and himself? Had she not +accused the queen of having meetings by night with the earl in the +deserted tower? + +Nay, no compassion for his fair queen, if Henry Howard was her +lover. + +He must again look over at his hated enemy. There he still stood by +his father, the Duke of Norfolk. How sprightly and gracefully the +old duke moved; how slim his form; and how lofty and imposing his +bearing! The king was younger than the duke; and yet he was fettered +to his truckle-chair; yet he sat on his throne like an immovable +colossus, while he moved freely and lightly, and obeyed his own +will, not necessity. Henry could have crushed him--this proud, +arrogant earl, who was a free man, whilst his king was nothing but a +prisoner to his own flesh, a slave of his unwieldy body. + +"I will exterminate it--this proud, arrogant race of Howards!" +muttered the king, as he turned with a friendly smile to the Earl of +Surrey. + +"You have promised us some of your poems, cousin!" said he. "So let +us now enjoy them; for you see, indeed, how impatiently all the +beautiful women look on England's noblest and greatest poet, and how +very angry with me they would be if I still longer withhold this +enjoyment from them! Even my fair queen is full of longing after +your songs, so rich in fancy; for you well know, Howard, she loves +poetry, and, above all things, yours." + +Catharine had scarcely heard what the king said. Her looks had +encountered Seymour's, and their eyes were fixed on each other's. +But she had then cast down to the floor her eyes, still completely +filled with the sight of her lover, in order to think of him, since +she no longer dared gaze at him. + +When the king called her name, she started up and looked at him +inquiringly. She had not heard what he had said to her. + +"Not even for a moment does she look toward me!" said Henry Howard +to himself. "Oh, she loves me not! or at least her understanding is +mightier than her love. Oh, Catharine, Catharine, fearest thou death +so much that thou canst on that account deny thy love?" + +With desperate haste he drew out his portfolio. "I will compel her +to look at me, to think of me, to remember her oath," thought he. +"Woe to her, if she does not fulfil it--if she gives me not the +rosette, which she promised me with so solemn a vow! If she does it +not, then I will break this dreadful silence, and before her king, +and before her court, accuse her of treachery to her love. Then, at +least, she will not be able to cast me off; for we shall mount the +scaffold together." + +"Does my exalted queen allow me to begin?" asked he aloud, wholly +forgetting that the king had already given him the order to do so, +and that it was he only who could grant such a permission. + +Catharine looked at him in astonishment. Then her glance fell on +Lady Jane Douglas, who was gazing over at her with an imploring +expression. The queen smiled; for she now remembered that it was +Jane's beloved who had spoken to her, and that she had promised the +poor young girl to raise again the dejected Earl of Surrey and to be +gracious to him. + +"Jane is right," thought she; "he appears to be deeply depressed and +suffering. Ah, it must be very painful to see those whom one loves +suffering. I will, therefore, comply with Jane's request, for she +says this might revive the earl." + +With a smile she bowed to Howard. "I beg you," said she, "to lend +our festival its fairest ornament--to adorn it with the fragrant +flowers of your poesy. You see we are all burning with desire to +hear your verses." + +The king shook with rage, and a crushing word was already poised +upon his lip. But he restrained himself. He wanted to have proofs +first; he wanted to see them not merely accused, but doomed also; +and for that he needed proofs of their guilt. + +Henry Howard now approached the throne of the royal pair, and with +beaming looks, with animated countenance, with a voice trembling +with emotion, he read his love-song to the fair Geraldine. A murmur +of applause arose when he had read his first sonnet. The king only +looked gloomily, with fixed eyes; the queen alone remained +uninterested and cold. + +"She is a complete actress," thought Henry Howard, in the madness of +his pain. "Not a muscle of her face stirs; and yet this sonnet must +remind her of the fairest and most sacred moment of our love." + +The queen remained unmoved and cold. But had Henry Howard looked at +Lady Jane Douglas, he would have seen how she turned pale and +blushed; how she smiled with rapture, and how, nevertheless, her +eyes filled with tears. + +Earl Surrey, however, saw nothing but the queen; and the sight of +her made him tremble with rage and pain. His eyes darted lightning: +his countenance glowed with passion; his whole being was in +desperate, enthusiastic excitement. At that moment he would have +gladly breathed out his life at Geraldine's feet, if she would only +recognize him--if she would only have the courage to call him her +beloved. + +But her smiling calmness, her friendly coolness, brought him to +despair. + +He crumpled the paper in his hand; the letters danced before his +eyes; he could read no more. + +But he would not remain, mute, either. Like the dying swan, he would +breathe out his pain in a last song, and give sound and words to his +despair and his agony. He could no longer read; but he improvised. + +Like a glowing stream of lava, the words flowed from his lips; in +fiery dithyrambic, in impassioned hymns, he poured forth his love +and pain. The genius of poesy hovered over him and lighted up his +noble and thoughtful brow. + +He was radiantly beautiful in his enthusiasm; and even the queen +felt herself carried away by his words. His plaints of love, his +longing pains, his rapture and his sad fancies, found an echo in her +heart. She understood him; for she felt the same joy, the same +sorrow and the same rapture; only she did not feel all this for him. + +But, as we have said, he enchanted her; the current of his passion +carried her away. She wept at his laments; she smiled at his hymns +of joy. + +When Henry Howard at length ceased, profound silence reigned in the +vast and brilliant hall. + +All faces betrayed deep emotion; and this universal silence was the +poet's fairest triumph; for it showed that envy and jealousy were +dumb, and that scorn itself could find no words. + +A momentary pause ensued; it resembled that sultry, ominous +stillness which is wont to precede the bursting of a tempest; when +Nature stops a moment in breathless stillness, to gather strength +for the uproar of the storm. + +It was a significant, an awful pause; but only a few understood its +meaning. + +Lady Jane leaned against the wall, completely shattered and +breathless. She felt that the sword was hanging over their heads, +and that it would destroy her if it struck her beloved. + +Earl Douglas and the Bishop of Winchester had involuntarily drawn +near each other, and stood there hand in hand, united for this +unholy struggle; while John Heywood had crept behind the king's +throne, and in his sarcastic manner whispered in his ear some +epigrams, that made the king smile in spite of himself. + +But now the queen arose from her seat, and beckoned Henry Howard +nearer to her. + +"My lord," said she, almost with solemnity," as a queen and as a +woman I thank you for the noble and sublime lyrics which you have +composed in honor of a woman! And for that the grace of my king has +exalted me to be the first woman in England, it becomes me, in the +name of all women, to return to you my thanks. To the poet is due a +reward other than that of the warrior. To the victor on the +battlefield is awarded a laurel crown. But you have gained a victory +not less glorious, for you have conquered hearts! We acknowledge +ourselves vanquished, and in the name of all these noble women, I +proclaim you their knight! In token of which, accept this rosette, +my lord. It entitles you to wear the queen's colors; it lays you +under obligation to be the knight of all women!" + +She loosened the rosette from her shoulder, and handed it to the +earl. + +He had sunk on one knee before her, and already extended his hand to +receive this precious and coveted pledge. + +But at this moment the king arose, and, with an imperious gesture, +held back the queen's hand. + +"Allow me, my lady," said he, in a voice quivering with rage--"allow +me first to examine this rosette, and convince myself that it is +worth enough to be presented to the noble earl as his sole reward. +Let me see this rosette." + +Catharine looked with astonishment into that face convulsed with +passion and fury, but without hesitation she handed him the rosette. + +"We are lost!" murmured Earl Surrey, while Earl Douglas and Gardiner +exchanged with each other looks of triumph; and Jane Douglas +murmured in her trembling heart prayers of anxiety and dread, +scarcely hearing the malicious and exultant words which the Duchess +of Richmond was whispering in her ear. + +The king held the rosette in his hand and examined it. But his hands +trembled so much that he was unable to unfasten the clasp which held +it together. + +He, therefore, handed it to John Heywood. "These diamonds are poor," +said he, in a curt, dry tone. "Unfasten the clasp, fool; we will +replace it with this pin here. Then will the present gain for the +earl a double value; for it will come at the same time from me and +from the queen. + +How gracious you are to-day!" said John Heywood, smiling--"as +gracious as the cat, that plays a little longer with the mouse +before she devours it." + +"Unfasten the clasp!" exclaimed the king, in a thundering voice, no +longer able to conceal his rage. Slowly John Heywood unfastened the +clasp from the ribbon. He did it with intentional slowness and +deliberation; he let the king see all his movements, every turn of +his fingers; and it delighted him to hold those who had woven this +plot in dreadful suspense and expectation. + +Whilst he appeared perfectly innocent and unembarrassed, his keen, +piercing glance ran over the whole assembly, and he noticed well the +trembling impatience of Gardiner and Earl Douglas; and it did not +escape him how pale Lady Jane was, and how full of expectation were +the intent features of the Duchess of Richmond. + +"They are the ones with whom this conspiracy originated," said John +Heywood to himself. "But I will keep silence till I can one day +convict them." + +"There, here is the clasp!" said he then aloud to the king. "It +stuck as tightly in the ribbon as malice in the hearts of priests +and courtiers!" + +The king snatched the ribbon out of his hand, and examined it by +drawing it through his fingers. + +"Nothing! nothing at all!" said he, gnashing his teeth; and now, +deceived in his expectations and suppositions, he could no longer +muster strength to withstand that roaring torrent of wrath which +overflowed his heart. The tiger was again aroused in him; he had +calmly waited for the moment when the promised prey would be brought +to him; now, when it seemed to be escaping him, his savage and cruel +disposition started up within him. The tiger panted and thirsted for +blood; and that he was not to get it, made him raging with fury. + +With a wild movement he threw the rosette on the ground, and raised +his arm menacingly toward Henry Howard. "Dare not to touch that +rosette," cried he, in a voice of thunder, "before you have +exculpated yourself from the guilt of which you are accused." + +Earl Surrey looked him steadily and boldly in the eye. "Have I been +accused, then?" asked he. "Then I demand, first of all, that I be +confronted with my accusers, and that my fault be named!" + +"Ha, traitor! Do you dare to brave me?" yelled the king, stamping +furiously with his foot. "Well, now, I will be your accuser and I +will be your judge!" + +"And surely, my king and husband, you will be a righteous judge," +said Catharine, as she inclined imploringly toward the king and +grasped his hand. "You will not condemn the noble Earl Surrey +without having heard him; and if you find him guiltless, you will +punish his accusers?" + +But this intercession of the queen made the king raging. He threw +her hand from him, and gazed at her with looks of such flaming +wrath, that she involuntarily trembled. + +"Traitoress yourself!" yelled he, wildly. "Speak not of innocence-- +you who are yourself guilty; and before you dare defend the earl, +defend yourself!" + +Catharine rose from her seat and looked with flashing eyes into the +king's face blazing with wrath. "King Henry of England," said she, +solemnly, "you have openly, before your whole court, accused your +queen of a crime. I now demand that you name it!" + +She was of wondrous beauty in her proud, hold bearing--in her +imposing, majestic tranquillity. + +The decisive moment had come, and she was conscious that her life +and her future were struggling with death for the victory. + +She looked over to Thomas Seymour, and their eyes met. She saw how +he laid his hand on his sword, and nodded to her a smiling greeting. + +"He will defend me; and before he will suffer me to be dragged to +the Tower, he himself will plunge his sword into my breast," thought +she, and a joyous, triumphant assurance filled her whole heart. + +She saw nothing but him, who had sworn to die with her when the +decisive moment came. She looked with a smile on the blade which he +had already half drawn from its scabbard; and she hailed it as a +dear, long-yearned-for friend. + +She saw not that Henry Howard also had lain his hand on his sword; +that he, too, was ready for her defence, firmly resolved to slay the +king himself, before his mouth uttered the sentence of death over +the queen. + +But Lady Jane Douglas saw it. She understood how to read the earl's +countenance; she felt that he was ready to go to death for his +beloved; and it filled her heart at once with woe and rapture. + +She, too, was now firmly resolved to follow her heart and her love; +and, forgetting all else besides these, she hastened forward, and +was now standing by Henry Howard. + +"Be prudent, Earl Surrey," said she, in a low whisper. "Take your +hand from your sword. The queen, by my mouth, commands you to do +so!" + +Henry Howard looked at her astonished and surprised; but he let his +hand slip from the hilt of his sword, and again looked toward the +queen. + +She had repeated her demand; she had once more demanded of the king- +-who, speechless and completely overcome with anger, had fallen back +into his seat--to name the crime of which she was accused. + +"Now, then, my queen, you demand it, and you shall hear it," cried +he. "You want to know the crime of which you are accused? Answer me +then, my lady! They accuse you of not always staying at night in +your sleeping-room. It is alleged that you sometimes leave it for +many hours; and that none of your women accompanied you when you +glided through the corridors and up the secret stairs to the lonely +tower, in which, was waiting for you your lover, who at the same +time entered the tower through the small street door." + +"He knows all!" muttered Henry Howard; and again he laid his hand on +his sword, and was about to approach the queen. + +Lady Jane held him back. "Wait for the issue," said she. "There is +still time to die!" + +"He knows all!" thought the queen also; and now she felt within +herself the daring courage to risk all, that at least she might not +stand there a traitoress in the eyes of her lover. + +"He shall not believe that I have been untrue to him," thought she. +"I will tell all--confess all, that he may know why I went and +whither." + +"Now answer, my Lady Catharine!" thundered the king. "Answer, and +tell me whether you have been falsely accused. Is it true that you, +eight days ago, in the night between Monday and Tuesday, left your +sleeping-room at the hour of midnight, and went secretly to the +lonely tower? Is it true that you received there a man who is your +lover?" + +The queen looked at him in angry pride. "Henry, Henry, woe to you, +that you dare thus insult your own wife!" cried she. + +"Answer me! You were not on that night in your sleeping-room?" + +"No," said Catharine, with dignified composure, "I was not there." + +The king sank back in his seat, and a real roar of fury sounded from +his lips. It made the women turn pale, and even the men felt +themselves tremble. + +Catharine alone had not heeded it at all; she alone had heard +nothing save that cry of amazement which Thomas Seymour uttered; and +she saw only the angry and up-braiding looks which he threw across +at her. She answered these looks with a friendly and confident +smile, and pressed both her hands to her heart, as she looked at +him. + +"I will justify myself before him at least," thought she. + +The king had recovered from his first shock. He again raised himself +up, and his countenance now exhibited a fearful, threatening +coolness. + +"You confess, then," asked he, "that you were not in your sleeping- +room on that night?" + +"I have already said so," exclaimed Catharine, impatiently. The king +compressed his lips so violently, that they bled. "And a man was +with you?" asked he--"a man with whom you made an assignation, and +whom you received in the lonely tower?" + +"A man was with me. But I did not receive him in the lonely tower; +and it was no assignation." + +"Who was that man?" yelled the king. "Answer me! Tell me his name, +if you do not want me to strangle you myself!" + +"King Henry, I fear death no longer!" said Catharine, with a +contemptuous smile. + +"Who was that man? Tell me his name!" yelled the king once more. + +The queen raised herself more proudly, and her defiant look ran over +the whole assembly. + +"The man," said she, solemnly, "who was with me on that night--he is +named--" + +"He is named John Heywood!" said this individual; as he seriously +and proudly walked forward from behind the king's throne. "Yes, +Henry, your brother, the fool John Heywood, had on that night the +proud honor of accompanying your consort on her holy errand; but, I +assure you, that he was less like the king, than the king is just +now like the fool." + +A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly. The king leaned back +in his royal seat speechless. "And now, King Henry," said Catharine, +calmly--"now I will tell you whither I went with John Heywood on +that night." + +She was silent, and for a moment leaned back on her seat. She felt +that the looks of all were directed to her; she heard the king's +wrathful groan; she felt her lover's flashing, reproachful glances; +she saw the derisive smile of those haughty ladies, who had never +forgiven her--that she, from a simple baroness, had become queen. +But all this made her only still bolder and more courageous. + +She had arrived at the turning-point of her life, where she must +risk everything to avoid sinking into the abyss. + +But Lady Jane also had arrived at such a decisive moment of her +existence. She, too, said to herself: "I must at this hour risk all, +if I do not want to lose all." She saw Henry Howard's pale, +expectant face. She knew, if the queen now spoke, the whole web of +their conspiracy would be revealed to him. + +She must, therefore, anticipate the queen. She must warn Henry +Howard. + +"Fear nothing!" whispered she to him. "We were prepared for that. I +have put into her hands the means of escape!" + +"Will you now at last speak?" exclaimed the king, quivering with +impatience and rage. "Will you at last tell us where you were on +that night?" + +"I will tell!" exclaimed Catharine, rising up again boldly and +resolutely "But woe be to those who drive me to this! For I tell you +beforehand, from the accused I will become an accuser who demands +justice, if not before the throne of the King of England, yet before +the throne of the Lord of all kings! King Henry of England, do you +ask me whither I went on that night with John Heywood? I might, +perhaps, as your queen and consort, demand that you put this +question to me not before so many witnesses, but in the quiet of our +chamber; but you seek publicity, and I do not shun it. Well, hear +the truth, then, all of you! On that night, between Monday and +Tuesday, I was not in my sleeping-apartment, because I had a grave +and sacred duty to perform; because a dying woman called on me for +help and pity! Would you know, my lord and husband, who this dying +woman was? It was Anne Askew!" + +"Anne Askew!" exclaimed the king in astonishment; and his +countenance exhibited a less wrathful expression. + +"Anne Askew!" muttered the others; and John Heywood very well saw +how Bishop Gardiner's brow darkened, and how Chancellor Wriothesley +turned pale and cast down his eyes. + +"Yes,I was with Anne Askew!" continued the queen--"with Anne Askew, +whom those pious and wise lords yonder had condemned, not so much on +account of her faith, but because they knew that I loved her. Anne +Askew was to die, because Catharine Parr loved her! She was to go to +the stake, that my heart also might burn with fiery pains! And +because it was so, I was obliged to risk everything in order to save +her. Oh, my king, say yourself, did I not owe it to this poor girl +to try everything in order to save her? On my account she was to +suffer these tortures. For they had shamefully stolen from me a +letter which Anne Askew, in the distress of her heart, had addressed +to me; and they showed this letter to you in order to cast suspicion +on me and accuse me to you. But your noble heart repelled the +suspicion; and now their wrath fell again on Anne Askew, and she +must suffer, because they did not find me punishable. She must atone +for having dared to write to me. They worked matters with you so +that she was put to the rack. But when my husband gave way to their +urging, yet the noble king remained still awake in him. 'Go,' said +he, 'rack her and kill her; but see first whether she will not +recant.'" + +Henry looked astonished into her noble and defiant face. "Do you +know that?" asked he. "And yet we were alone, and no human being +present. Who could tell you that?" + +"When man is no longer able to help, then God undertakes!" said +Catharine solemnly. "It was God who commanded me to go to Anne +Askew, and try whether I could save her. And I went. But though the +wife of a noble and great king, I am still but a weak and timid +woman. I was afraid to tread this gloomy and dangerous path alone; I +needed a strong manly arm to lean upon; and so John Heywood lent me +his." + +"And you were really with Anne Askew," interposed the king, +thoughtfully--"with that hardened sinner, who despised mercy, and in +the stubbornness of her soul would not be a partaker of the pardon +that I offered her?" + +"My lord and husband," said the queen, with tears in her eyes, "she +whom you have just accused stands even now before the throne of the +Lord, and has received from her God the forgiveness of her sins! +Therefore, do you likewise pardon her; and may the flames of the +stake, to which yesterday the noble virgin body of this girl was +bound, have consumed also the wrath and hatred which had been +kindled in your heart against her! Anne Askew passed away like a +saint; for she forgave all her enemies and blessed her tormentors." + +"Anne Askew was a damnable sinner, who dared resist the command of +her lord and king!" interrupted Bishop Gardiner, looking daggers at +her. + +"And dare you maintain, my lord, that you at that time fulfilled the +commands of your royal master simply and exactly?" asked Catharine. +"Did you keep within them with respect to Anne Askew? No! I say; for +the king had not ordered you to torture her; he had not bidden you +to lacerate in blasphemous wrath a noble human form, and distort +that likeness of God into a horrible caricature. And that, my lord, +you did! Before God and your king, I accuse you of it--I, the queen! +For you know, my lord and husband, I was there when Anne Askew was +racked. I saw her agony, and John Heywood saw it with me." + +The eyes of all were now directed inquiringly to the king, of whose +ferocity and choler every one expected a violent outbreak. + +But this time they were mistaken. The king was so well satisfied to +find his consort clear of the crime laid to her charge, that he +willingly forgave her for having committed a crime of less weighty +character. Besides, it filled him with respect to see his consort +confronting her accusers so boldly and proudly; and he felt toward +them just as burning wrath and hatred as he had before harbored +against the queen. He was pleased that the malignant and persistent +persecutors of his fair and proud wife should now be humbled by her +before the eyes of all his court. + +Therefore he looked at her with an imperceptible smile, and said +with deep interest: "But how could this happen, my lady? By what +path did you get thither?" + +"That is an inquiry which any one except the king is authorized to +make. King Henry alone knows the way that I went!" said Catharine, +with a slight smile. + +John Heywood, who was still standing behind the king's throne, now +bent down close to Henry's ear, and spoke with him a long time in a +quick, low tone. + +The king listened to him attentively; then he murmured so loud that +the bystanders could very well understand him: "By God, she is a +spirited and brave woman; and we should be obliged to confess that, +even were she not our queen!" + +"Continue, my lady!" said he then aloud, turning to the queen with a +gracious look. "Relate to me, Catharine, what saw you then in the +torture-chamber?" + +"Oh, my king and lord, it horrifies me only to think of it," cried +she, shuddering and turning pale. "I saw a poor young woman who +writhed in fearful agony, and whose staring eyes were raised in mute +supplication to Heaven. She did not beg her tormentors for mercy; +she wanted from them no compassion and no pity; she did not scream +and whine from the pain, though her limbs cracked and her flesh +snapped apart like glass; she raised her clasped hands to God, and +her lips murmured low prayers, which, perhaps, made the angels of +heaven weep, but were not able to touch the hearts of her +tormentors. You had ordered her to be racked, if she would not +retract. They did not ask her whether she would do this--they racked +her. But her soul was strong and full of courage; and, under the +tortures of the executioner, her lips remained mute. Let theologians +say and determine whether Anne Askew's faith was a false one; but +this they will not dare deny: that in the noble enthusiasm of this +faith, she was a heroine who at least did not deny her God. At +length, worn out with so much useless exertion, the assistant +executioners discontinued their bloody work, to rest from the +tortures which they had prepared for Anne Askew. The lieutenant of +the Tower declared the work of the rack ended. The highest degrees +had been applied, and they had proved powerless; cruelty was obliged +to acknowledge itself conquered. But the priests of the Church, with +savage vehemence, demanded that she should be racked once more. Dare +deny that, ye lords, whom I behold standing there opposite with +faces pale as death! Yes, my king, the servants of the rack refused +to obey the servants of God; for in the hearts of the hangman's +drudges there was more pity than in the hearts of the priests! And +when they refused to proceed in their bloody work, and when the +lieutenant of the Tower, in virtue of the existing law, declared the +racking at an end, then I saw one of the first ministers of our +Church throw aside his sacred garments; then the priest of God +transformed himself into a hangman's drudge, who, with bloodthirsty +delight, lacerated anew the noble mangled body of the young girl, +and more cruel than the attendants of the rack, unsparingly they +broke and dislocated the limbs, which they had only squeezed in +their screws. [Footnote: Burnet's "History of the Reformation," vol. +i, p. 132.] Excuse me, my king, from sketching this scene of horror +still further! Horrified and trembling, I fled from that frightful +place, and returned to my room, shattered and sad at heart." + +Catharine ceased, exhausted, and sank back into her seat. + +A breathless stillness reigned around. All faces were pale and +colorless. Gardiner and Wriothesley stood with their eyes fixed, +gloomy and defiant, expecting that the king's wrath would crush and +destroy them. + +But the king scarcely thought of them; he thought only of his fair +young queen, whose boldness inspired him with respect, and whose +innocence and purity filled him with a proud and blissful joy. + +He was, therefore, very much inclined to forgive those who in +reality had committed no offence further than this, that they had +carried out a little too literally and strictly the orders of their +master. + +A long pause had ensued--a pause full of expectation and anxiety for +all who were assembled in the hall. Only Catharine reclined calmly +in her chair, and with beaming eyes looked across to Thomas Seymour, +whose handsome countenance betrayed to her the gratification and +satisfaction which he felt at this clearing up of her mysterious +night-wandering. + +At last the king arose, and, bowing low before his consort, said in +a loud, full-toned voice: "I have deeply and bitterly injured you, +my noble wife; and as I publicly accused you, I will also publicly +ask your forgiveness! You have a right to be angry with me; for it +behooved me, above all, to believe with unshaken firmness in the +truth and honor of my wife. My lady, you have made a brilliant +vindication of yourself; and I, the king, first of all bow before +you, and beg that you may forgive me and impose some penance." + +"Leave it to me, queen, to impose a penance on this repentant +sinner!" cried John Hey wood, gayly. "Your majesty is much too +magnanimous, much too timid, to treat him as roughly as my brother +King Henry deserves. Leave it to me, then, to punish him; for only +the fool is wise enough to punish the king after his deserts." + +Catharine nodded to him with a grateful smile. She comprehended +perfectly John Heywood's delicacy and nice tact; she apprehended +that he wanted by a joke to relieve her from her painful situation, +and put an end to the king's public acknowledgment, which at the +same time must turn to her bitter reproach--bitter, though it were +only self-reproach. + +"Well," said she, smiling, "what punishment, then, will you impose +upon the king?" + +"The punishment of recognizing the fool as his equal!" + +"God is my witness that I do so!" cried the king, almost solemnly. +"Fools we are, one and all, and we fall short of the renown which we +have before men." + +"But my sentence is not yet complete, brother!" continued John +Heywood. "I furthermore give sentence, that you also forthwith allow +me to recite my poem to you, and that you open your ears in order to +hear what John Heywood, the wise, has indited!" + +"You have, then, fulfilled my command, and composed a new +interlude?" cried the king, vivaciously. + +"No interlude, but a wholly novel, comical affair--a play full of +lampoons and jokes, at which your eyes are to overflow, yet not with +weeping, but with laughter. To the right noble Earl of Surrey +belongs the proud honor of having presented to our happy England her +first sonnets. Well, now, I also will give her something new. I +present her the first comedy; and as he sings the beauty of his +Geraldine, so I celebrate the fame of Gammer Gurton's sewing-needle- +-Gammer Gurton's needle--so my piece is called; and you, King Henry, +shall listen to it as a punishment for your sins!" + +"I will do so," cried the king, cheerfully, "provided you permit it, +Kate! But before I do so, I make also one more condition--a +condition for you, queen! Kate, you have disdained to impose a +penance on me, but grant me at least the pleasure of being allowed +to fulfil some wish of yours! Make me a request, that I may grant it +you!" + +"Well, then, my lord and king," said Catharine with a charming +smile, "I beg you to think no more of the incidents of this day, and +to forgive those whom I accused, only because their accusation was +my vindication. They who brought charges against me have in this +hour felt contrition for their own fault. Let that suffice, king, +and forgive them, as I do!" + +"You are a noble and great woman, Kate!" cried the king; and, as his +glance swept over toward Gardiner with an almost contemptuous +expression, he continued: "Your request is granted. But woe to them +who shall dare accuse you again! And have you nothing further to +demand, Kate?" + +"Nay, one thing more, my lord and husband!" She leaned nearer to the +king's ear, and whispered: "They have also accused your noblest and +most faithful servant; they have accused Cranmer. Condemn him not, +king, without having heard him; and if I may beg a favor of you, it +is this: talk with Cranmer yourself. Tell him of what they have +charged him, and hear his vindication." + +"It shall be so, Kate," said the king, "and you shall be present! +But let this be a secret between us, Kate, and we will carry it out +in perfect silence. And now, then, John Heywood, let us hear your +composition; and woe to you, if it does not accomplish what you +promised--if it does not make us laugh! For you well know that you +are then inevitably exposed to the rods of our injured ladies." + +"They shall have leave to whip me to death, if I do not make you +laugh!" cried John Heywood, gayly, as he drew out his manuscript. + +Soon the hall rang again with loud laughter; and in the universal +merriment no one observed that Bishop Gardiner and Earl Douglas +slipped quietly away. + +In the anteroom without, they stopped and looked at each other long +and silently; their countenances expressed the wrath and bitterness +which filled them; and they understood this mute language of their +features. + +"She must die!" said Gardiner in a short and quick tone. "She has +for once escaped from our snares; we will tie them all the tighter +next time!" + +"And I already hold in my hand the threads out of which we will form +these snares," said Earl Douglas. "We have to-day falsely accused +her of a love-affair. When we do it again, we shall speak the truth. +Did you see the looks that Catharine exchanged with the heretical +Earl Sudley, Thomas Seymour?" + +"I saw them, earl!" + +"For these looks she will die, my lord. The queen loves Thomas +Seymour, and this love will be her death." + +"Amen!" said Bishop Gardiner, solemnly, as he raised his eyes +devoutly to heaven. "Amen! The queen has grievously and bitterly +injured us to-day; she has insulted and abused us before all the +court. We will requite her for it some day! The torture-chamber, +which she has depicted in such lively colors, may yet one day open +for her, too--not that she may behold another's agonies, but that +she may suffer agonies herself. We shall one day avenge ourselves!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +REVENGE. + + +Miss Holland, the beautiful and much-admired mistress of the Duke of +Norfolk, was alone in her magnificently adorned boudoir. It was the +hour when ordinarily the duke was wont to be with her; for this +reason she was charmingly attired, and had wrapped herself in that +light and voluptuous negligee which the duke so much liked, because +it set off to so much advantage the splendid form of his friend. + +But to-day the expected one did not make his appearance: in his +stead his valet had just come and brought the fair miss a note from +his master. This note she was holding in her hand, while with +passionate violence she now walked up and down her boudoir. A +glowing crimson blazed upon her cheeks, and her large, haughty eyes +darted wild flashes of wrath. + +She was disdained--she, Lady Holland, was forced to endure the +disgrace of being dismissed by her lover. + +There, there, in that letter which she held in her hand, and which +burned her fingers like red-hot iron--there it stood in black and +white, that he would see her no more; that he renounced her love; +that he released her. + +Her whole frame shook as she thought of this. It was not the anguish +of a loving heart which made her tremble; it was the wounded pride +of the woman. + +He had abandoned her. Her beauty, her youth no longer had the power +to enchain him--the man with white hairs and withered features. + +He had written her that he was satiated and weary, not of her, but +only of love in general; that his heart had become old and withered +like his face: and that there was still in his breast no more room +for love, but only for ambition. + +Was not that a revolting, an unheard-of outrage--to abandon the +finest woman in England for the sake of empty, cold, stern ambition? + +She opened the letter once more. Once more she read that place. Then +grinding her teeth with tears of anger in her eyes: "He shall pay me +for this! I will take vengeance for this insult!" She thrust the +letter into her bosom, and touched the silver bell. + +"Have my carriage brought round!" was her order to the servant who +entered; and he withdrew in silence. + +"I will avenge myself!" muttered she, as with trembling hands she +wrapped herself in her large Turkish shawl. "I will avenge myself; +and, by the Eternal! it shall be a bloody and swift vengeance! I +will show him that I, too, am ambitious, and that my pride is not to +be humbled. He says he will forget me. Oh, I will compel him to +think of me, even though it be only to curse me!" + +With hasty step she sped through the glittering apartments, which +the liberality of her lover had furnished so magnificently, and +descended to the carriage standing ready for her. + +"To the Duchess of Norfolk's!" said she to the footman standing at +the door of the carriage, as she entered it. + +The servant looked at her in astonishment and inquiringly. + +"To the Duke of Norfolk; is it not, my lady?" + +"No, indeed, to the duchess!" cried she with a frown, as she leaned +back on the cushion. + +After a short time, the carriage drew up before the palace of the +duchess, and with haughty tread and commanding air she passed +through the porch. + +"Announce me to the duchess immediately," was her order to the +lackey who was hurrying to meet her. + +"Your name, my lady?" + +"Miss Arabella Holland." + +The servant stepped back, and stared at her in surprise. + +"Miss Arabella Holland! and you order me to announce you to the +duchess?" + +A contemptuous smile played a moment about the thin lips of the +beautiful miss. "I see you know me," said she, "and you wonder a +little to see me here. Wonder as much as you please, good friend; +only conduct me immediately to the duchess. + +I doubt whether her ladyship receives calls to-day," stammered the +servant, hesitatingly. + +"Then go and ask; and, that I may learn her answer as soon as +possible, I will accompany you." + +With a commanding air, she motioned to the servant to go before her; +and he could not summon up courage to gainsay this proud beauty. + +In silence they traversed the suite of stately apartments, and at +length stood before a door hung with tapestry. + +"I must beg you to wait here a moment, my lady, so that I can +announce you to the duchess, who is there in her boudoir." + +"No, indeed; I will assume that office myself," said Miss Holland, +as with strong hand she pushed back the servant and opened the door. + +The duchess was sitting at her writing-table, her back turned to the +door through which Arabella had entered. She did not turn round; +perhaps she had not heard the door open. She continued quietly +writing. + +Miss Arabella Holland with stately step crossed the room, and now +stood close to the chair of the duchess. + +"Duchess, I would like to speak with you," said she, coolly and +calmly. + +The duchess uttered a cry and looked up. "Miss Holland!" cried she +amazed, and hastily rising. "Miss Holland! you here with me, in my +house! What do you want here? How dare you cross my threshold?" + +"I see you still hate me, my lady," said Arabella, smiling. "You +have not yet forgiven me that the duke, your husband, found more +delight in my young, handsome face, than in yours, now growing old-- +that my sprightly, wanton disposition pleased him better than your +cold, stately air." + +The duchess turned pale with rage, and her eyes darted lightning. +"Silence, you shameless creature! silence, or I will call my +servants to rid me of you!" + +"You will not call them; for I have come to be reconciled with you, +and to offer you peace." + +"Peace with you!" sneered the duchess--"peace with that shameless +woman who stole from me my husband, the father of my children?--who +loaded me with the disgrace of standing before the whole world as a +repudiated and despised wife, and of suffering myself to be compared +with you, that the world might decide which of us two was worthier +of his love? Peace with you, Miss Holland?--with the impudent +strumpet who squanders my husband's means in lavish luxury, and, +with scoffing boldness, robs my children of their lawful property?" + +"It is true, the duke is very generous," said Miss Holland, +composedly. "He loaded me with diamonds and gold." + +"And meanwhile I was doomed almost to suffer want," said the +duchess, grinding her teeth. + +"Want of love, it may be, my lady, but not want of money; for you +are very magnificently fitted up; and every one knows that the +Duchess of Norfolk is rich enough to be able to spare the trifles +that her husband laid at my feet. By Heaven! my lady, I would not +have deemed it worth the trouble to stoop for them, if I had not +seen among these trifles his heart. The heart of a man is well worth +a woman's stooping for! You have neglected that, my lady, and +therefore you lost your husband's heart. I picked it up. That is +all. Why will you make a crime of that?" + +"That is enough!" cried the duchess. "It does not become me to +dispute with you; I desire only to know what gave you the courage to +come to me?" + +"My lady, do you hate me only? Or do you also hate the duke your +husband?" + +"She asks me whether I hate him!" cried the duchess, with a wild, +scornful laugh. "Yes, Miss Holland, yes! I hate him as ardently as I +despise you. I hate him so much that I would give my whole estate-- +ay, years of my life--if I could punish him for the disgrace he has +put upon me." + +"Then, my lady, we shall soon understand each other; for I too hate +him," said Miss Holland, quietly seating herself on the velvet +divan, and smiling as she observed the speechless astonishment of +the duchess. + +"Yes, my lady, I hate him; and without doubt still more ardently, +still more intensely than you yourself; for I am young and fiery; +you are old, and have always managed to preserve a cool heart." + +The duchess was convulsed with rage; but silently, and with an +effort, she gulped down the drop of wormwood which her wicked rival +mingled in the cup of joy which she presented to her. + +"You do hate him, Miss Holland?" asked she, joyfully. + +"I hate him, and I have come to league myself with you against him. +He is a traitor, a perfidious wretch, a perjurer. I will take +vengeance for my disgrace!" + +"Ah, has he then deserted you also?" + +"He has deserted me also." + +"Well, then, God be praised!" cried the duchess, and her face beamed +with joy. "God is great and just; and He has punished you with the +same weapons with which you sinned! For your sake, he deserted me; +and for the sake of another woman, he forsakes you." + +"Not so, my lady!" said Miss Holland, proudly. "A woman like me is +not forsaken on account of a woman; and he who loves me will love no +other after me. There, read his letter!" + +She handed the duchess her husband's letter. + +"And what do you want to do now?" asked the duchess, after she had +read it. + +"I will have revenge, my lady! He says he no longer has a heart to +love; well, now, we will so manage, that he may no longer have a +head to think. Will you be my ally, my lady? + +I will." + +"And I also will be," said the Duchess of Richmond, who just then +opened the door and came out of the adjoining room. + +Not a word of this entire conversation had escaped her, and she very +well understood that the question was not about some petty +vengeance, but her father's head. She knew that Miss Holland was not +a woman that, when irritated, pricked with a pin; but one that +grasped the dagger to strike her enemy a mortal blow. + +"Yes, I too will be your ally," cried the Duchess of Richmond; "we +have all three been outraged by the same man. Let, then, our revenge +be a common one. The father has insulted you; the son, me. Well, +then, I will help you to strike the father, if you in return will +assist me to destroy the son." + +"I will assist you," said Arabella, smiling; "for I also hate the +haughty Earl of Surrey, who prides himself on his virtue, as if it +were a golden fleece which God himself had stuck on his breast. I +hate him; for he never meets me but with proud disregard; and he +alone is to blame for his father's faithlessness." + +"I was present when with tears he besought the duke, our father, to +free himself from your fetters, and give up this shameful and +disgraceful connection with you," said the young duchess. + +Arabella answered nothing. But she pressed her hands firmly +together, and a slight pallor overspread her cheeks. + +"And why are you angry with your brother?" asked the old duchess, +thoughtfully. + +"Why am I angry with him, do you ask, my mother? I am not angry with +him; but I execrate him, and I have sworn to myself never to rest +till I have avenged myself. My happiness, my heart, and my future, +lay in his hands; and he has remorselessly trodden under his haughty +feet these--his sister's precious treasures. It lay with him to make +me the wife of the man I love; and he has not done it, though I lay +at his feet weeping and wringing my hands." + +"But it was a great sacrifice that you demanded," said her mother. +"He had to give his hand to a woman he did not love, so that you +might be Thomas Seymour's wife." + +"Mother, you defend him; and yet he it is that blames you daily; and +but yesterday it seemed to him perfectly right and natural that the +duke had forsaken you, our mother." + +"Did he do that?" inquired the duchess, vehemently. "Well, now, as +he has forgotten that I am his mother, so will I forget that he is +my son. I am your ally! Revenge for our injured hearts! Vengeance on +father and son!" + +She held out both hands, and the two young women laid their hands in +hers. + +"Vengeance on father and son!" repeated they both; and their eyes +flashed, and crimson now mantled their cheeks. + +"I am tired of living like a hermit in my palace, and of being +banished from court by the fear that I may encounter my husband +there." + +"You shall encounter him there no more," said her daughter, +laconically. + +"They shall not laugh and jeer at me," cried Arabella. "And when +they learn that he has forsaken me, they shall also know how I have +avenged myself for it." + +"Thomas Seymour can never become my husband so long as Henry Howard +lives; for he has mortally offended him, as Henry has rejected the +hand of his sister. Perhaps I may become his wife, if Henry Howard +is no more," said the young duchess. "So let us consider. How shall +we begin, so as to strike them surely and certainly?" + +"When three women are agreed, they may well be certain of their +success," said Arabella, shrugging her shoulders. "We live--God be +praised for it--under a noble and high-minded king, who beholds the +blood of his subjects with as much pleasure as he does the crimson +of his royal mantle, and who has never yet shrunk back when a death- +warrant was to be signed." + +"But this time he will shrink back," said the old duchess. "He will +not dare to rob the noblest and most powerful family of his kingdom +of its head." + +"That very risk will stimulate him," said the Duchess of Richmond, +laughing; "and the more difficult it is to bring down these heads, +so much the more impatiently will he hanker after it. The king hates +them both, and he will thank us, if we change his hatred into +retributive justice." + +"Then let us accuse both of high treason!" cried Arabella. "The duke +is a traitor; for I will and can swear that he has often enough +called the king a bloodthirsty tiger, a relentless tyrant, a man +without truth and without faith, although he coquettishly pretends +to be the fountain and rock of all faith." + +"If he has said that, and you have heard him, you are in duty bound +to communicate it to the king, if you do not want to be a traitoress +yourself," exclaimed the young duchess, solemnly. + +"And have you not noticed that the duke has for some time borne the +same coat-of-arms as the king?" asked the Duchess of Norfolk. "It is +not enough for his haughty and ambitious spirit to be the first +servant of this land; he strives to be lord and king of it." + +"Tell that to the king, and by to-morrow the head of the traitor +falls. For the king is as jealous of his kingdom as ever a woman was +of her lover. Tell him that the duke bears his coat-of-arms, and his +destruction is certain." + +"I will tell him so, daughter." + +"We are sure of the father, but what have we for the son?" + +"A sure and infallible means, that will as certainly dispatch him +into eternity as the hunter's tiny bullet slays the proudest stag. +Henry loves the queen; and I will furnish the king proof of that," +said the young duchess. + +"Then let us go to the king!" cried Arabella, impetuously. + +"No, indeed! That would make a sensation, and might easily frustrate +our whole plan," said the Duchess of Richmond. "Let us first talk +with Earl Douglas, and hear his advice. Come; every minute is +precious! We owe it to our womanly honor to avenge ourselves. We +cannot and will not leave unpunished those who have despised our +love, wounded our honor, and trodden under foot the holiest ties of +nature!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT. + + +The Princess Elizabeth was sitting in her room, melancholy and +absorbed in thought. Her eyes were red with weeping; and she pressed +her hand on her heart, as if she would repress its cry of anguish. + +With a disconsolate, perplexed look she gazed around her chamber, +and its solitude was doubly painful to her to-day, for it testified +to her forsaken condition, to the disgrace that still rested on her. +For were it not so, to-day would have been to the whole court a day +of rejoicing, of congratulations. + +To-day was Elizabeth's birthday; fourteen years ago to-day, Anne +Boleyn's daughter had seen the light of this world. + +"Anne Boleyn's daughter!" That was the secret of her seclusion. That +was why none of the ladies and lords of the court had remembered her +birthday; for that would have been at the same time a remembrance of +Anne Boleyn, of Elizabeth's beautiful and unfortunate mother, who +had been made to atone for her grandeur and prosperity by her death. + +Moreover, the king had called his daughter Elizabeth a bastard, and +solemnly declared her unworthy of succeeding to the throne. + +Her birthday, therefore, was to Elizabeth only a day of humiliation +and pain. Reclining on her divan, she thought of her despised and +joyless past, of her desolate and inglorious future. + +She was a princess, and yet possessed not the rights of her birth; +she was a young maiden, and yet doomed, in sad resignation, to +renounce all the delights and enjoyments of youth, and to condemn +her passionate and ardent heart to the eternal sleep of death. For +when the Infante of Spain sued for her hand, Henry the Eighth had +declared that the bastard Elizabeth was unworthy of a princely +husband. But in order to intimidate other suitors also, he had +loudly and openly declared that no subject should dare be so +presumptuous as to offer his hand to one of his royal daughters, and +he who dared to solicit them in marriage should be punished as a +traitor. + +So Elizabeth was condemned to remain unmarried; and nevertheless she +loved; nevertheless she harbored only this one wish, to be the wife +of her beloved, and to be able to exchange the proud title of +princess for the name of Countess Seymour. + +Since she loved him, a new world, a new sun had arisen on her; and +before the sweet and enchanting whispers of her love, even the proud +and alluring voices of her ambition had to be silent. She no longer +thought of it, that she would never be a queen; she was only +troubled that she could not be Seymour's wife. + +She no longer wanted to rule, but she wanted to be happy. But her +happiness reposed on him alone--on Thomas Seymour. + +Such were her thoughts, as she was in her chamber on the morning of +her birthday, alone and lonely; and her eyes reddened by tears, her +painfully convulsed lips, betrayed how much she had wept to-day; how +much this young girl of fourteen years had already suffered. + +But she would think no more about it; she would not allow the +lurking, everywhere-prying, malicious, and wicked courtiers the +triumph of seeing the traces of her tears, and rejoicing at her +pains and her humiliation. She was a proud and resolute soul; she +would rather have died than to have accepted the sympathy and pity +of the courtiers. + +"I will work," said she. "Work is the best balm for all pains." + +And she took up the elaborate silk embroidery which she had begun +for her poor, unfortunate friend, Anne of Cleves, Henry's divorced +wife. But the work occupied only her fingers, not her thoughts. + +She threw it aside and seized her books. She took Petrarch's +Sonnets; and his love plaints and griefs enchained and stirred her +own love-sick heart. + +With streaming tears, and yet smiling and full of sweet melancholy, +Elizabeth read these noble and tender poems. It appeared to her as +if Petrarch had only said what she herself so warmly felt. There +were her thoughts, her griefs. He had said them in his language; she +must now repeat them in her own. She seated herself, and with hands +trembling with enthusiasm, fluttering breath, perfectly excited and +glowing, in glad haste she began a translation of Petrarch's first +sonnet. [Footnote: Elizabeth, who even as a girl of twelve years old +spoke four languages, was very fond of composing verses, and of +translating the poems of foreign authors. But she kept her skill in +this respect very secret, and was always very angry if any one by +chance saw one of her poems. After her death there were found among +her papers many translations, especially of Petrarch's Sonnets, +which were the work of her earliest youth.--Leti, vol. i, p. 150.] A +loud knock interrupted her; and in the hastily opened door now +appeared the lovely form of the queen. + +"The queen!" exclaimed Elizabeth with delight. "Have you come to me +at such an early morning hour?" + +"And should I wait till evening to wish my Elizabeth happiness on +her festival? Should I first let the sun go down on this day, which +gave to England so noble and so fair a princess?" asked Catharine. +"Or you thought, perhaps, I did not know that this was your +birthday, and that to-day my Elizabeth advances from the years of +childhood, as a proud maiden full of hope?" + +"Full of hope?" said Elizabeth, sadly. "Anne Boleyn's daughter has +no hopes: and when you speak of my birthday, you remind me at the +same time of my despised birth!" + +"It shall be despised no longer!" said Catharine, and, as she put +her arm tenderly around Elizabeth's neck, she handed her a roll of +parchment. + +"Take that, Elizabeth; and may this paper be to you the promise of a +joyful and brilliant future! At my request, the king has made this +law, and he therefore granted me the pleasure of bringing it to +you." + +Elizabeth opened the parchment and read, and a radiant expression +overspread her countenance. + +"Acknowledged! I am acknowledged!" cried she. "The disgrace of my +birth is taken away! Elizabeth is no more a bastard--she is a royal +princess!" + +"And she may some day be a queen!" said Catharine, smiling. + +"Oh," cried Elizabeth, "it is not that which stirs me with such joy. +But the disgrace of my birth is taken away; and I may freely hold up +my head and name my mother's name! Now thou mayst sleep calmly in +thy grave, for it is no longer dishonored! Anne Boleyn was no +strumpet; she was King Henry's lawful wife, and Elizabeth is the +king's legitimate daughter! I thank Thee, my God--I thank Thee!" And +the young, passionate girl threw herself on her knees, and raised +her hands and her eyes to heaven. + +"Spirit of my glorified mother," said she, solemnly, "I call thee! +Come to me! Overshadow me with thy smile, and bless me with thy +breath! Queen Anne of England, thy daughter is no longer a bastard, +and no one dares venture more to insult her. Thou wert with me when +I wept and suffered, my mother; and often in my disgrace and +humiliation, it was as if I heard thy voice, which whispered comfort +to me; as if I saw thy heavenly eyes, which poured peace and love +into my breast! Oh, abide with me now also, my mother--now, when my +disgrace is taken away, abide with me in my prosperity; and guard my +heart, that it may be kept pure from arrogance and pride, and remain +humble in its joy! Anne Boleyn, they laid thy beautiful, innocent +head upon the block; but this parchment sets upon it again the royal +crown; and woe, woe to those who will now still dare insult thy +memory!" + +She sprang from her knees and rushed to the wall opposite, on which +was a large oil painting, which represented Elizabeth herself as a +child playing with a dog. + +"Oh, mother, mother!" said she, "this picture was the last earthly +thing on which thy looks rested; and to these painted lips of thy +child thou gavest thy last kiss, which thy cruel hangman would not +allow to thy living child. Oh, let me sip up this last kiss from +that spot; let me touch with my mouth the spot that thy lips have +consecrated!" + +She bent down and kissed the picture. + +"And now come forth out of thy grave, my mother," said she, +solemnly. "I have been obliged so long to hide, so long to veil +thee! Now thou belongest to the world and to the light! The king has +acknowledged me as his lawful daughter; he cannot refuse me to have +a likeness of my mother in my room." + +As she thus spoke, she pressed on a spring set in the broad gilt +frame of the picture; and suddenly the painting was seen to move and +slowly open like a door, so as to render visible another picture +concealed beneath it, which represented the unfortunate Anne Boleyn +in bridal attire, in the full splendor of her beauty, as Holbein had +painted her, at the desire of her husband the king. + +"How beautiful and angelic that countenance is!" said Catharine, +stepping nearer. "How innocent and pure those features! Poor queen! +Yet thine enemies succeeded in casting suspicion on thee and +bringing thee to the scaffold. Oh, when I behold thee, I shudder; +and my own future rises up before me like a threatening spectre! Who +can believe herself safe and secure, when Anne Boleyn was not +secure; when even she had to die a dishonorable death? Ah, do but +believe me, Elizabeth, it is a melancholy lot to be Queen of +England; and often indeed have I asked the morning whether I, as +still Queen of England, shall greet the evening. But no--we will not +talk of myself in this hour, but only of you, Elizabeth--of your +future and of your fortune. May this document be acceptable to you, +and realize all the wishes that slumber in your bosom!" + +"One great wish of mine it has fulfilled already," said Elizabeth, +still occupied with the picture. "It allows me to show my mother's +likeness unveiled! That I could one day do so was her last prayer +and last wish, which she intrusted to John Heywood for me. To him +she committed this picture. He alone knew the secret of it, and he +has faithfully preserved it." + +"Oh, John Heywood is a trusty and true friend," said Catharine, +heartily; "and it was he who assisted me in inclining the king to +our plan and in persuading him to acknowledge you." + +With an unutterable expression Elizabeth presented both hands to +her. "I thank you for my honor, and the honor of my mother," said +she; "I will love you for it as a daughter; and never shall your +enemies find with me an open ear and a willing heart. Let us two +conclude with each other a league offensive and defensive! Lot us +keep true to each other; and the enemies of the one shall be the +enemies of the other also. And where we see danger we will combat it +in common; and we will watch over each other with a true sisterly +eye, and warn one another whenever a chance flash brings to light an +enemy who is stealing along in the darkness, and wants with his +dagger to assassinate us from behind." + +"So be it!" said Catharine, solemnly. "We will remain inseparable, +and true to one another, and love each other as sisters!" + +And as she imprinted a warm kiss on Elizabeth's lips, she continued: +"But now, princess, direct your looks once more to that document, of +which at first you read only the beginning. Do but believe me, it is +important enough for you to read it quite to the end; for it +contains various arrangements for your future, and settles on you a +suite and a yearly allowance, as is suitable for a royal princess." + +"Oh, what care I for these things?" cried Elizabeth, merrily. "That +is my major-domo's concern, and he may attend to it." + +"But there is yet another paragraph that will interest you more," +said Catharine, with a slight smile; "for it is a full and complete +reparation to my proud and ambitious Elizabeth. You recollect the +answer which your father gave to the King of France when he +solicited your hand for the dauphin?" + +"Do I recollect it!" cried Elizabeth, her features quickly becoming +gloomy. "King Henry said: 'Anne Boleyn's daughter is not worthy to +accept the hand of a royal prince.'" + +"Well, then, Elizabeth, that the reparation made to you may be +complete, the king, while he grants you your lawful title and honor, +has decreed that you are permitted to marry only a husband of equal +birth; to give your hand only to a royal prince, if you would +preserve your right of succeeding to the throne, Oh, certainly, +there could be no more complete recantation of the affront once put +upon you. And that he consented to do this, you owe to the eloquent +intercession of a true and trusty friend; you have John Hey wood to +thank for it." + +"John Heywood!" cried Elizabeth, in a bitter tone. + +"Oh, I thank you, queen, that it was not you who determined my +father to this decision. John Heywood did it, and you call him my +friend? You say that he is a true and devoted servant to us both? +Beware of his fidelity, queen, and build not on his devotedness; for +I tell you his soul is full of falsehood; and while he appears to +bow before you in humbleness, his eyes are only searching for the +place on your heel where he can strike you most surely and most +mortally. Oh, he is a serpent, a venomous serpent; and he has just +wounded me mortally and incurably. But no," continued she, +energetically, "I will not submit to this fraud; I will not be the +slave of this injurious law! I will be free to love and to hate as +my heart demands; I will not be shackled, nor be compelled to +renounce this man, whom I perhaps love, and to marry that one, whom +I perhaps abhor." + +With an expression of firm, energetic resolve, she took the roll of +parchment and handed it back to Catharine. "Queen, take this +parchment back again; return it to my father, and tell him that I +thank him for his provident goodness, but will decline the brilliant +lot which this act offers me. I love freedom so much, that even a +royal crown cannot allure me when I am to receive it with my hands +bound and my heart not free." + +"Poor child!" sighed Catharine, "you know not, then, that the royal +crown always binds us in fetters and compresses our heart in iron +clamps? Ah, you want to be free, and yet a queen! Oh, believe me, +Elizabeth, none are less free than sovereigns! No one has less the +right and the power to live according to the dictates of his heart +than a prince." + +"Then," exclaimed Elizabeth, with flashing eyes, "then I renounce +the melancholy fortune of being, perchance, one day queen. Then I do +not subscribe to this law, which wants to guide my heart and limit +my will. What! shall the daughter of King Henry of England allow her +ways to be traced out by a miserable strip of parchment? and shall a +sheet of paper be able to intrude itself between me and my heart? I +am a royal princess; and why will they compel me to give my hand +only to a king's son? Ay, you are right; it is not my father that +has made this law, for my father's proud soul has never been willing +to submit to any such constraint of miserable etiquette. He has +loved where he pleased; and no Parliament--no law--has been able to +hinder him in this respect. I will be my father's own daughter. I +will not submit to this law!" + +"Poor child!" said Catharine, "nevertheless you will be obliged to +learn well how to submit; for one is not a princess without paying +for it. No one asks whether our heart bleeds. They throw a purple +robe over it, and though it be reddened with our heart's blood, who +then sees and suspects it? You are yet so young, Elizabeth; you yet +hope so much!" + +"I hope so much, because I have already suffered so much--my eyes +have been already made to shed so many tears. I have already in my +childhood had to take before-hand my share of the pain and sorrow of +life; now I will demand my share of life's pleasure and enjoyment +also." + +"And who tells you that you shall not have it? This love forces on +you no particular husband; it but gives you the proud right, once +disputed, of seeking your husband among the princes of royal blood." + +"Oh," cried Elizabeth, with flashing eyes, "if I should ever really +be a queen, I should be prouder to choose a husband whom I might +make a king, than such a one as would make me a queen. [Footnote: +Elizabeth's own words,--Leti, vol. ii, p. 62.] Oh, say yourself, +Catharine, must it not be a high and noble pleasure to confer glory +and greatness on one we love, to raise him in the omnipotence of our +love high above all other men, and to lay our own greatness, our own +glory, humbly at his feet, that he may be adorned therewith and make +his own possession what is ours?" + +"By Heaven, you are as proud and ambitious as a man!" said +Catharine, smiling. "Your father's own daughter! So thought Henry +when he gave his hand to Anne Boleyn; so thought he when he exalted +me to be his queen. But it behooves him thus to think and act, for +he is a man." + +"He thought thus, because he loved--not because he was a man." + +"And you, too, Elizabeth--do you, too, think thus because you love?" + +"Yes, I love!" exclaimed Elizabeth, as with an impulsive movement +she threw herself into Catharine's arms, and hid her blushing face +in the queen's bosom. "Yes, I love! I love like my father-- +regardless of my rank, of my birth; but feeling only that my lover +is of equally high birth in the nobility of his sentiment, in his +genius and noble mind; that he is my superior in all the great and +fine qualities which should adorn a man, and yet are conferred on so +few. Judge now, queen, whether that law there can make me happy. He +whom I love is no prince--no son of a king." + +"Poor Elizabeth!" said Catharine, clasping the young girl fervently +in her arms. + +"And why do you bewail my fate, when it is in your power to make me +happy?" asked Elizabeth, urgently. + +"It was you who prevailed on the king to relieve me of the disgrace +that rested on me; you will also have power over him to set aside +this clause which contains my heart's sentence of condemnation." + +Catharine shook her head with a sigh. "My power does not reach so +far," said she, sadly. "Ah, Elizabeth, why did you not put +confidence in me? Why did you not let me know sooner that your heart +cherished a love which is in opposition to this law? Why did you not +tell your friend your dangerous secret?" + +"Just because it is dangerous I concealed it from you; and just on +that account I do not even now mention the name of the loved one. +Queen, you shall not through me become a guilty traitoress against +your husband; for you well know that he punishes every secret +concealed from him as an act of high treason. No, queen; if I am a +criminal, you shall not he my accomplice. Ah, it is always dangerous +to be the confidant of such a secret. You see that in John Heywood. +He alone was my confidant, and he betrayed me. I myself put the +weapons into his hands, and he turned them against me." + +"No, no," said Catharine, thoughtfully; "John Heywood is true and +trusty, and incapable of treachery." + +"He has betrayed me!" exclaimed Elizabeth, impetuously. "He knew--he +only--that I love, and that my beloved, though of noble, still is +not of princely birth. Yet it was he, as you said yourself, who +moved the king to introduce this paragraph into the act of +succession." + +"Then, without doubt, he has wished to save you from an error of +your heart." + +"No, he has been afraid of the danger of being privy to this secret, +and at the cost of my heart and my happiness he wanted to escape +this danger. But oh, Catharine, you are a noble, great and strong +woman; you are incapable of such petty fear--such low calculation; +therefore, stand by me; be my savior and protectress! By virtue of +that oath which we have just now mutually taken--by virtue of that +mutual clasp of the hands just given--I call you to my help and my +assistance. Oh, Catharine, allow me this high pleasure, so full of +blessing, of being at some time, perhaps, able to make him whom I +love great and powerful by my will. Allow me this intoxicating +delight of being able with my hand to offer to his ambition at once +power and glory--it may be even a crown. Oh, Catharine, on my knees +I conjure you--assist me to repeal this hated law, which wants to +bind my heart and my hand!" + +In passionate excitement she had fallen before the queen, and was +holding up her hands imploringly to her. + +Catharine, smiling, bent down and raised her up in her arms. +"Enthusiast," said she, "poor young enthusiast! Who knows whether +you will thank me for it one day, if I accede to your wish; and +whether you will not some time curse this hour which has brought +you, perhaps, instead of the hoped-for pleasure, only a knowledge of +your delusion and misery?" + +"And were it even so," cried Elizabeth, energetically, "still it is +better to endure a wretchedness we ourselves have chosen, than to be +forced to a happy lot. Say, Catharine--say, will you lend me your +assistance? Will you induce the king to withdraw this hated clause? +If you do it not, queen, I swear to you, by the soul of my mother, +that I will not submit to this law; that I will solemnly, before all +the world, renounce the privilege that is offered me; that I--" + +"You are a dear, foolish child," interrupted Catharine--"a child, +that in youthful presumption might dare wish to fetch the lightnings +down from heaven, and borrow from Jupiter his thunderbolt. Oh, you +are still too young and inexperienced to know that fate regards not +our murmurs and our sighs, and, despite our reluctance and our +refusal, still leads us in its own ways, not our own. You will have +to learn that yet, poor child!" + +"But I will not!" cried Elizabeth, stamping on the floor with all +the pettishness of a child. "I will not ever and eternally be the +victim of another's will; and fate itself shall not have power to +make me its slave!" + +"Well, we will see now," said Catharine, smiling. "We will try this +time, at least, to contend against fate; and I will assist you if I +can." + +"And I will love you for it as my mother and my sister at once," +cried Elizabeth, as with ardor she threw herself into Catharine's +arms. "Yes, I will love you for it; and I will pray God that He may +one day give me the opportunity to show my gratitude, and to reward +you for your magnanimity and goodness." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +INTRIGUES. + + +For a few days past the king's gout had grown worse, and, to his +wrath and grief, it confined him as a prisoner to his rolling chair. + +The king was, therefore, very naturally gloomy and dejected, and +hurled the lightnings of his wrath on all those who enjoyed the +melancholy prerogative of being in his presence. His pains, instead +of softening his disposition, seemed only to heighten still more his +natural ferocity; and often might he heard through the palace of +Whitehall the king's angry growl, and his loud, thundering +invectives, which no longer spared any one, nor showed respect for +any rank or dignity. + +Earl Douglas, Gardiner, and Wriothesley very well knew how to take +advantage of this wrathful humor of the king for their purposes, and +to afford the cruel monarch, tortured with pain, one satisfaction at +least--the satisfaction of making others suffer also. + +Never had there been seen in England so many burnt at the stake as +in those days of the king's sickness; never had the prisons been so +crowded; never had so much blood flowed as King Henry now caused to +be shed. [Footnote: During the king's reign, and at the instigation +of the clergy, twenty-eight hundred persons were burnt and executed, +because they would not recognize the religious institutions +established by the king as the only right and true ones.--Leti, vol. +i, p. 34.] But all this did not yet suffice to appease the blood- +thirstiness of the king, and his friends and counsellors, and his +priests. + +Still there remained untouched two mighty pillars of Protestantism +that Gardiner and Wriothesley had to overthrow. These were the queen +and Archbishop Cranmer. + +Still there were two powerful and hated enemies whom the Seymours +had to overcome; these were the Duke of Norfolk and his son, the +Earl of Surrey. + +But the various parties that in turn besieged the king's ear and +controlled it, were in singular and unheard-of opposition, and at +the same time inflamed with bitterest enmity, and they strove to +supplant each other in the favor of the king. + +To the popish party of Gardiner and Earl Douglas, everything +depended on dispossessing the Seymours of the king's favor; and +they, on the other hand, wanted above all things to continue in +power the young queen, already inclined to them, and to destroy for +the papists one of their most powerful leaders, the Duke of Norfolk. + +The one party controlled the king's ear through the queen; the +other, through his favorite, Earl Douglas. + +Never had the king been more gracious and affable to his consort-- +never had he required more Earl Douglas's presence than in those +days of his sickness and bodily anguish. + +But there was yet a third party that occupied an important place in +the king's favor--a power which every one feared, and which seemed +to keep itself perfectly independent and free from all foreign +influences. This power was John Heywood, the king's fool, the +epigrammatist, who was dreaded by the whole court. + +Only one person had influence with him. John Heywood was the friend +of the queen. For the moment, then, it appeared as if the "heretical +party," of which the queen was regarded as the head, was the most +powerful at court. + +It was therefore very natural for the popish party to cherish an +ardent hatred against the queen; very natural for them to be +contriving new plots and machinations to ruin her and hurl her from +the throne. + +But Catharine knew very well the danger that threatened her, and she +was on her guard. She watched her every look, her every word; and +Gardiner and Douglas could not examine the queen's manner of life +each day and hour more suspiciously than she herself did. + +She saw the sword that hung daily over her head; and, thanks to her +prudence and presence of mind, thanks to the ever-thoughtful +watchfulness and cunning of her friend Heywood! she had still known +how to avoid the falling of that sword. + +Since that fatal ride in the wood of Epping Forest, she had not +again spoken to Thomas Seymour alone; for Catharine very well knew +that everywhere, whithersoever she turned her steps, some spying eye +might follow her, some listener's ear might be concealed, which +might hear her words, however softly whispered, and repeat them +where they might be interpreted into a sentence of death against +her. + +She had, therefore, renounced the pleasure of speaking to her lover +otherwise than before witnesses, and of seeing him otherwise than in +the presence of her whole court. + +What need had she either for secret meetings? What mattered it to +her pure and innocent heart that she was not permitted to be alone +with him? Still she might see him, and drink courage and delight +from the sight of his haughty and handsome face; still she might be +near him, and could listen to the music of his voice, and intoxicate +her heart with his fine, euphonious and vigorous discourse. + +Catharine, the woman of eight-and-twenty, had preserved the +enthusiasm and innocence of a young girl of fourteen. Thomas Seymour +was her first love; and she loved him with that purity and guileless +warmth which is indeed peculiar to the first love only. + +It sufficed her, therefore, to see him; to be near him; to know that +he loved her; that he was true to her; that all his thoughts and +wishes belonged to her, as hers to him. + +And that she knew. For there ever remained to her the sweet +enjoyment of his letters--of those passionately written avowals of +his love. If she was not permitted to say also to him how warmly and +ardently she returned this love, yet she could write it to him. + +It was John Heywood, the true and discreet friend, that brought her +these letters, and bore her answers to him, stipulating, as a reward +for this dangerous commission, that they both should regard him as +the sole confidant of their love; that both should burn up the +letters which he brought them. He had not been able to hinder +Catharine from this unhappy passion, but wanted at least to preserve +her from the fatal consequences of it. Since he knew that this love +needed a confidant, he assumed this role, that Catharine, in the +vehemence of her passion and in the simplicity of her innocent +heart, might not make others sharers of her dangerous secret. + +John Heywood therefore watched over Catharine's safety and +happiness, as she watched over Thomas Seymour and her friends. He +protected and guarded her with the king, as she guarded Cranmer, and +protected him from the constantly renewed assaults of his enemies. + +This it was that they could never forgive the queen--that she had +delivered Cranmer, the noble and liberal-minded Archbishop of +Canterbury, from their snares. More than once Catharine had +succeeded in destroying their intriguing schemes, and in rending the +nets that Gardiner and Earl Douglas, with so sly and skilful a hand, +had spread for Cranmer. + +If, therefore, they would overthrow Cranmer, they must first +overthrow the queen. For this there was a real means--a means of +destroying at once the queen and the hated Seymours, who stood in +the way of the papists. + +If they could prove to the king that Catharine entertained criminal +intercourse with Thomas Seymour, then were they both lost; then were +the power and glory of the papists secured. + +But whence to fetch the proofs of this dangerous secret, which the +crafty Douglas had read only in Catharine's eyes, and for which he +had no other support than his bare conviction? How should they begin +to influence the queen to some inconsiderate step, to a speaking +witness of her love? + +Time hung so heavily on the king's hands! It would have been so easy +to persuade him to some cruel deed--to a hasty sentence of death! + +But it was not the blood of the Seymours for which the king +thirsted. Earl Douglas very well knew that. He who observed the king +day and night--he who examined and sounded his every sigh, each of +his softly murmured words, every twitch of his mouth, every wrinkle +of his brow--he well knew what dark and bloody thoughts stirred the +king's soul, and whose blood it was for which he thirsted. + +The royal tiger would drink the blood of the Howards; and that they +still lived in health, and abundance, and glory, while he, their +king and master, lonely and sad, was tossing on his couch in pain +and agony--that was the worm which gnawed at the king's heart, which +made his pains yet more painful, his tortures yet keener. + +The king was jealous--jealous of the power and greatness of the +Howards. It filled him with gloomy hatred to think that the Duke of +Norfolk, when he rode through the streets of London, was everywhere +received with the acclamations and rejoicing of the people, while +he, the king, was a prisoner in his palace. It was a gnawing pain +for him to know that Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was praised as +the handsomest and greatest man of England; that he was called the +noblest poet; the greatest scholar; while yet he, the king, had also +composed his poems and written his learned treatises, aye, even a +particular devout book, which he had printed for his people, and +ordered them to read instead of the Bible. [Footnote: Burnet, vol. +i, p. 95.] + +It was the Howards who everywhere disputed his fame. The Howards +supplanted him in the favor of his people, and usurped the love and +admiration which were due to the king alone, and which should be +directed toward no one but him. He lay on his bed of pain, and +without doubt the people would have forgotten him, if he had not by +the block, the stake, and the scaffold, daily reminded them of +himself. He lay on his bed of pain, while the duke, splendid and +magnificent, exhibited himself to the people and transported them +with enthusiasm by the lavish and kingly generosity with which he +scattered his money among the populace. + +Yes, the Duke of Norfolk was the king's dangerous rival. The crown +was not secure upon his head so long as the Howards lived. And who +could conjecture whether in time to come, when Henry closed his +eyes, the exultant love of the people might not call to the throne +the Duke of Norfolk, or his noble son, the Earl of Surrey, instead +of the rightful heir--instead of the little boy Edward, Henry's only +son? + +When the king thought of that, he had a feeling as though a stream +of fire were whirling up to his brain; and he convulsively clenched +his hands, and screamed and roared that he would take vengeance-- +vengeance on those hated Howards, who wanted to snatch the crown +from his son. + +Edward, the little boy of tender age--he alone was the divinely +consecrated, legitimate heir to the king's crown. It had cost his +father so great a sacrifice to give his people this son and +successor! In order to do it, he had sacrificed Jane Seymour, his +own beloved wife; he had let the mother be put to death, in order to +preserve the son, the heir of his crown. + +And the people did not once thank the king for this sacrifice that +Jane Seymour's husband had made for them. The people received with +shouts the Duke of Norfolk, the father of that adulterous queen whom +Henry loved so much that her infidelity had struck him like the stab +of a poisoned dagger. + +These were the thoughts that occupied the king on his bed of pain, +and upon which he dwelt with all the wilfulness and moodiness of a +sick man. + +"We shall have to sacrifice these Howards to him!" said Earl Douglas +to Gardiner, as they had just again listened to a burst of rage from +their royal master. "If we would at last succeed in ruining the +queen, we must first destroy the Howards." + +The pious bishop looked at him inquiringly, and in astonishment. + +Earl Douglas smiled. "Your highness is too exalted and noble to be +always able to comprehend the things of this world. Your look, which +seeks only God and heaven, does not always see the petty and pitiful +things that happen here on the earth below." + +"Oh, but," said Gardiner, with a cruel smile, "I see them, and it +charms my eye when I see how God's vengeance punishes the enemies of +the Church here on earth. Set up then, by all means, a stake or a +scaffold for these Howards, if their death can be to us a means to +our pious and godly end. You are certain of my blessing and my +assistance. Only I do not quite comprehend how the Howards can stand +in the way of our plots which are formed against the queen, inasmuch +as they are numbered among the queen's enemies, and profess +themselves of the Church in which alone is salvation." + +"The Earl of Surrey is an apostate, who has opened his ear and heart +to the doctrines of Calvin!" + +"Then let his head fall, for he is a criminal before God, and no one +ought to have compassion on him! And what is there that we lay to +the charge of the father?" + +"The Duke of Norfolk is well-nigh yet more dangerous than his son; +for although a Catholic, he has not nevertheless the right faith; +and his soul is full of unholy sympathy and injurious mildness. He +bewails those whose blood is shed because they were devoted to the +false doctrine of the priests of Baal; and-he calls us both the +king's blood-hounds." + +"Well, then, cried Gardiner with an uneasy, dismal smile," we will +show him that he has called us by the right name; we will rend him +in pieces!" + +"Besides, as we have said, the Howards stand in the way of our +schemes in relation to the queen," said Earl Douglas, earnestly. +"The king's mind is so completely filled with this one hatred and +this one jealousy, that there is no room in it for any other +feeling, for any other hate. It is true he signs often enough these +death-warrants which we lay before him; but he does it, as the lion, +with utter carelessness and without anger, crushes the little mouse +that is by chance under his paws. But if the lion is to rend in +pieces his equal, he must beforehand be put into a rage. When he is +raging, then you must let him have his prey. The Howards shall be +his first prey. But, then, we must exert ourselves, that when the +lion again shakes his mane his wrath may fall upon Catharine Parr +and the Seymours." + +"The Lord our God will be with us, and enlighten us, that we may +find the right means to strike His enemies a sure blow!" exclaimed +Gardiner, devoutly folding his hands. + +"I believe the right means are already found," said Earl Douglas, +with a smile; "and even before this day descends to its close, the +gates of the Tower will open to receive this haughty and soft- +hearted Duke of Norfolk and this apostate Earl Surrey. Perchance we +may even succeed in striking at one blow the queen together with the +Howards. See! an equipage stops before the grand entrance, and I see +the Duchess of Norfolk and her daughter, the Duchess of Richmond, +getting out of the carriage. Only see! they are making signs to us. +I have promised to conduct these two noble and pious ladies to the +king, and I shall do so. Whilst we are there, pray for us, your +highness, that our words, like well-aimed arrows, may strike the +king's heart, and then rebound upon the queen and the Seymours!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +THE ACCUSATION. + + +In vain had the king hoped to master his pains, or at least to +forget them, while he tried to sleep. Sleep had fled from the king's +couch; and as he now sat in his rolling-chair, sad, weary, and +harassed with pain, he thought, with gloomy spite, that the Duke of +Norfolk told him but yesterday that sleep was a thing under his +control, and he could summon it to him whenever it seemed good to +him. This thought made him raving with anger; and grinding his +teeth, he muttered: "He can sleep; and I, his lord and king--I am a +beggar that in vain whines to God above for a little sleep, a little +forgetfulness of his pains! But it is this traitorous Norfolk that +prevents me from sleeping. Thoughts of him keep me awake and +restless. And I cannot crush this traitor with these hands of mine; +I am a king, and yet so powerless and weak, that I can find no means +of accusing this traitor, and convicting him of his sinful and +blasphemous deeds. Oh, where may I find him--that true friend, that +devoted servant, who ventures to understand my unuttered thoughts, +and fulfil the wishes to which I dare not give a name?" + +Just as he was thus thinking, the door behind him opened and in +walked Earl Douglas. His countenance was proud and triumphant, and +so wild a joy gleamed from his eyes that even the king was surprised +at it. + +"Oh," said he, peevishly, "you call yourself my friend; and you are +cheerful, Douglas, while your king is a poor prisoner whom the gout +has chained with brazen bands to this chair." + +"You will recover, my king, and go forth from this imprisonment as +the conqueror, dazzling and bright, that by his appearance under +God's blessing treads all his enemies in the dust--that triumphs +over all those who are against him, and would betray their king!" + +"Are there, then, any such traitors, who threaten their king?" asked +Henry, with a dark frown. + +"Ay, there are such traitors!" + +"Name them to me!" said the king, trembling with passionate +impatience. "Name them to me, that my arm may crush them and my +avenging justice overtake the heads of the guilty." + +"It is superfluous to mention them, for you, King Henry, the wise +and all-knowing--you know their names." + +And bending down closer to the king's ear, Earl Douglas continued: +"King Henry, I certainly have a right to call myself your most +faithful and devoted servant, for I have read your thoughts. I have +understood the noble grief that disturbs your heart, and banishes +sleep from your eyes and peace from your soul. You saw the foe that +was creeping in the dark; you heard the low hiss of the serpent that +was darting his venomous sting at your heel. But you were so much +the noble and intrepid king, that you would not yourself become the +accuser--nay, you would not once draw back the foot menaced by the +serpent. Great and merciful, like God Himself, you smiled upon him +whom you knew to be your enemy. But I, my king--I have other duties. +I am like the faithful dog, that has eyes only for the safety of his +master, and falls upon every one that comes to menace him. I have +seen the serpent that would kill you, and I will bruise his head!" + +"And what is the name of this serpent of which you speak?" asked the +king; and his heart beat so boisterously that he felt it on his +trembling lips. + +"It is called," said Earl Douglas, earnestly and solemnly--"it is +called Howard!" + +The king uttered a cry, and, forgetting his gout and his pains, +arose from his chair. + +"Howard!" said he, with a cruel smile. "Say you that a Howard +threatens our life? Which one is it? Name me the traitor!" + +"I name them both--father and son! I name the Duke of Norfolk and +the Earl of Surrey! I say that they both are traitors, who threaten +the life and honor of my king, and with blasphemous arrogance dare +stretch out their hands even to the crown!" + +"Ah, I knew it, I knew it!" screamed the king. "And it was this that +made me sleepless, and ate into my body like red-hot iron." + +And as he fastened on Douglas his eyes flashing with rage, he asked, +with a grim smile: "Can you prove that these Howards are traitors? +Can you prove that they aim at my crown?" + +"I hope to be able to do so," said Douglas. "To be sure, there are +no great convincing facts--" + +"Oh," said the king, interrupting him with a savage laugh, "there is +no need of great facts. Give into my hand but a little thread, and I +will make out of it a cord strong enough to haul the father and son +up to the gallows at one time." + +"Oh, for the son there is proof enough," said the earl, with a +smile: "and as regards the father, I will produce your majesty some +accusers against him, who will be important enough to bring the duke +also to the block. Will you allow me to bring them to you +immediately?" + +"Yes, bring them, bring them!" cried the king. "Every minute is +precious that may lead these traitors sooner to their punishment." + +Earl Douglas stepped to the door and opened it. Three veiled female +figures entered and bowed reverentially. + +"Ah," whispered the king, with a cruel smile, as he sank back again +into his chair, "they are the three Fates that spin the Howards' +thread of life, and will now, it is to be hoped, break it off. I +will furnish them with the scissors for it; and if they are not +sharp enough, I will, with my own royal hands, help them to break +the thread." + +"Sire," said Earl Douglas, as, at a sign from him, the three women +unveiled themselves--"sire, the wife, the daughter, and the mistress +of the Duke of Norfolk have come to accuse him of high treason. The +mother and the sister of the Earl of Surrey are here to charge him +with a crime equally worthy of death." + +"Now verily," exclaimed the king, "it must be a grievous and +blasphemous sin which so much exasperates the temper of these noble +women, and makes them deaf to the voice of nature!" + +"It is indeed such a sin," said the Duchess of Norfolk, in a solemn +tone; and, approaching a few paces nearer to the king, she +continued: "Sire, I accuse the duke, my divorced husband, of high +treason and disloyalty to his king. He has been so bold as to +appropriate your own royal coat-of-arms; and on his seal and +equipage, and over the entrance of his palace, are displayed the +arms of the kings of England." + +"That is true," said the king, who, now that he was certain of the +destruction of the Howards, had regained his calmness and self- +possession, and perfectly reassumed the air of a strict, impartial +judge. "Yes, he bears the royal arms on his shield, but yet, if we +remember rightly, the crown and paraph of our ancestor Edward the +Third are wanting." + +"He has now added this crown and this paraph to his coat-of-arms," +said Miss Holland. "He says he is entitled to them; for that, like +the king, he also is descended in direct line from Edward the Third; +and, therefore, the royal arms belong likewise to him." + +"If he says that, he is a traitor who presumes to call his king and +master his equal," cried the king, coloring up with a grim joy at +now at length having his enemy in his power. + +"He is indeed a traitor," continued Miss Holland. "Often have I +heard him say he had the same right to the throne of England as +Henry the Eighth; and that a day might come when he would contend +with Henry's son for that crown." + +"Ah," cried the king, and his eyes darted flashes so fierce that +even Earl Douglas shrank before them, "ah, he will contend with my +son for the crown of England! It is well, now; for now it is my +sacred duty, as a king and as a father, to crush this serpent that +wants to bite me on the heel; and no compassion and no pity ought +now to restrain me longer. And were there no other proofs of his +guilt and his crime than these words that he has spoken to you, yet +are they sufficient, and will rise up against him, like the +hangman's aids who are to conduct him to the block." + +"But there are yet other proofs," said Miss Holland, laconically. + +The king was obliged to unbutton his doublet. It seemed as though +joy would suffocate him. + +"Name them!" commanded he. + +"He dares deny the king's supremacy; he calls the Bishop of Rome the +sole head and holy Father of the Church." + +"Ah, does he so?" exclaimed the king, laughing. "Well, we shall see +now whether this holy Father will save this faithful son from the +scaffold which we will erect for him. Yes, yes, we must give the +world a new example of our incorruptible justice, which overtakes +every one, however high and mighty he may be, and however near our +throne he may stand. Really, really, it grieves our heart to lay low +this oak which we had planted so near our throne, that we might lean +upon it and support ourselves by it; but justice demands this +sacrifice, and we will make it--not in wrath and spite, but only to +meet the sacred and painful duty of our royalty. We have greatly +loved this duke, and it grieves us to tear this love from our +heart." + +And with his hand, glittering with jewels, the king wiped from his +eyes the tears which were not there. + +"But how?" asked the king, then, after a pause, "will you have the +courage to repeat your accusation publicly before Parliament? Will +you, his wife, and you, his mistress, publicly swear with a sacred +oath to the truth of your declaration?" + +"I will do so," said the duchess, solemnly, "for he is no longer my +husband, no longer the father of my children, but simply the enemy +of my king; and to serve him is my most sacred duty." + +"I will do so," cried Miss Holland, with a bewitching smile; "for he +is no longer my lover, but only a traitor, an atheist, who is +audacious enough to recognize as the holy head of Christendom that +man at Rome who has dared to hurl his curse against the sublime head +of our king. It is this, indeed, that has torn my heart from the +duke, and that has made me now hate him as ardently as I once loved +him." + +With a gracious smile, the king presented both his hands to the two +women. "You have done me a great service to-day, my ladies," said +he, "and I will find a way to reward you for it. I will give you, +duchess, the half of his estate, as though you were his rightful +heir and lawful widow. And you, Miss Holland, I will leave in +undisputed possession of all the goods and treasures that the +enamored duke has given you." + +The two ladies broke out into loud expressions of thanks and into +enthusiastic rapture over the liberal and generous king, who was so +gracious as to give them what they already had, and to bestow on +them what was already their own property. + +"Well, and are you wholly mute, my little duchess," asked the king +after a pause, turning to the Duchess of Richmond, who had withdrawn +to the embrasure of a window. + +"Sire," said the duchess, smiling, "I was only waiting for my cue." + +"And this cue is--" + +"Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey! As your majesty knows, I am a merry +and harmless woman; and I understand better how to laugh and joke +than to talk much seriously. The two noble and fair ladies have +accused the duke, my father; and they have done so in a very +dignified and solemn manner. I wish to accuse my brother, Henry +Howard; but you must exercise forbearance, if my words sound less +solemn and elevated. They have told you, sire, that the Duke of +Norfolk is a traitor and a criminal who denominates the Pope of +Rome, and not you, my exalted king, the head of the Church. Now, the +Earl of Surrey is neither a traitor nor a papist; and he has neither +devised criminal plots against the throne of England, nor has he +denied the supremacy of the king. No, sire, the Earl of Surrey is no +traitor and no papist!" + +The duchess paused, and looked with a malicious and droll smile into +the astonished faces of those present. + +A dark frown gathered on the king's brow, and his eyes, which just +before had looked so cheerful, were now fixed with an angry +expression on the young duchess. + +"Why, then, my lady, have you made your appearance here?" asked he. +"Why have you come here, if you have nothing further to say than +what I already know--that the Earl of Surrey is a very loyal +subject, and a man without any ambition, who neither courts the +favor of my people nor thinks of laying his traitorous hands on my +crown?" + +The young duchess shook her head with a smile. "I know not whether +he does all that," said she. "I have indeed heard that he said, with +bitter scorn, that you, my king, wanted to be the protector of +religion, yet you yourself were entirely without religion and +without belief. Also, he of late broke out into bitter curses +against you, because you had robbed him of his field-marshal's +staff, and given it to Earl Hertford, that noble Seymour. Also, he +meant to see whether the throne of England were so firm and steady +that it had no need of his hand and his arm to prop it. All that I +have of course heard from him; but you are right, sire, it is +unimportant--it is not worth mentioning, and therefore I do not even +make it as an accusation against him." + +"Ah, you are always a mad little witch, Rosabella!" cried the king, +who had regained his cheerfulness. "You say you will not accuse him, +and yet you make his head a plaything that you poise upon your +crimson lips. But take care, my little duchess--take care, that this +head does not fall from your lips with your laughing, and roll down +to the ground; for I will not stop it--this head of the Earl of +Surrey, of whom you say that he is no traitor." + +"But is it not monotonous and tiresome, if we accuse the father and +son of the same crime?" asked the duchess, laughing. "Let us have a +little variation. Let the duke be a traitor; the son, my king, is by +far a worse criminal!" + +"Is there, then, a still worse and more execrable crime than to be a +traitor to his king and master, and to speak of the anointed of the +Lord without reverence and love?" + +"Yes, your majesty, there is a still worse crime; and of that I +accuse the Earl of Surrey. He is an adulterer!" + +"An adulterer!" repeated the king, with an expression of abhorrence. +"Yes, my lady, you are right; that is a more execrable and unnatural +crime, and we shall judge it strictly. For it shall not be said that +modesty and virtue found no protector in the king of this land, and +that he will not as a judge punish and crash all those who dare sin +against decency and morals. Oh, the Earl of Surrey is an adulterer, +is he?" + +"That is to say, sire, he dares with his sinful love to pursue a +virtuous and chaste wife. He dares to raise his wicked looks to a +woman who stands as high above him as the sun above mortals, and +who, at least by the greatness and high position of her husband, +should be secure from all impure desires and lustful wishes." + +"Ah," cried the king, indignantly, "I see already whither that +tends. It is always the same accusation; and now I say, as you did +just now, let us have a little variation! The accusation I have +already often heard; but the proofs are always wanting." + +"Sire, this time, it may be, we can give the proofs," said the +duchess, earnestly. Would you know, my noble king, who the Geraldine +is to whom Henry Howard addresses his love-songs? Shall I tell you +the real name of this woman to whom, in the presence of your sacred +person and of your whole court, he uttered his passionate +protestations of love and his oath of eternal faithfulness? Well, +now, this Geraldine--so adored, so deified--is the queen!" + +"That is not true!" cried the king, crimson with anger; and he +clenched his hands so firmly about the arms of his chair that it +cracked. "That is not true, my lady!" + +"It is true!" said the duchess, haughtily and saucily. "It is true, +sire, for the Earl of Surrey has confessed to me myself that it is +the queen whom he loves, and that Geraldine is only a melodious +appellation for Catharine." + +"He has confessed it to you yourself?" inquired the king, with +gasping breath. "Ah, he dares love his king's wife? Woe to him, +woe!" + +He raised his clenched fist threateningly to heaven, and his eyes +darted lightning. "But how!" said he, after a pause--" has he not +recently read before us a poem to his Geraldine, in which he thanks +her for her love, and acknowledges himself eternally her debtor for +the kiss she gave him?" + +"He has read before your majesty such a poem to Geraldine." + +The king uttered a low cry, and raised himself in his seat. +"Proofs," said he, in a hoarse, hollow voice--"proofs--or, I tell +you, your own head shall atone for this accusation!" + +"This proof, your majesty, I will give you!" said Earl Douglas, +solemnly. "It pleases your majesty, in the fulness of your +gentleness and mercy, to want to doubt the accusation of the noble +duchess. Well, now, I will furnish you infallible proof that Henry +Howard, Earl of Surrey, really loves the queen, and that he really +dares to extol and adore the king's wife as his Geraldine. You shall +with your own ears, sire, hear how Earl Surrey swears his love to +the queen." + +The scream which the king now uttered was so frightful, and gave +evidence of so much inward agony and rage, that it struck the earl +dumb, and made the cheeks of the ladies turn pale. + +"Douglas, Douglas, beware how you rouse the lion!" gasped the king. +"The lion might rend you yourself in pieces!" + +"This very night I will give you the proof that you demand, sire. +This very night you shall hear how Earl Surrey, sitting at the feet +of his Geraldine, swears to her his love." + +"It is well!" said the king. "This night, then! Woe to you, Douglas, +if you cannot redeem your word!" + +"I will do so, your majesty. For this, it is only necessary that you +will be graciously pleased to swear to me that you will not, by a +sigh or a breath, betray yourself. The earl is suspicious; and the +fear of an evil conscience has sharpened his ear. He would recognize +you by your sigh, and his lips would not speak those words and +avowals which you desire to hear." + +"I swear to you that I will not by any sigh or breath betray my +presence!" said the king, solemnly. "I swear this to you by the holy +mother of God! But now let that suffice. Air--air--I suffocate! +Everything swims before my eyes. Open the window, that a little air +may flow in! Ah! that is good! This air at least is pure, and not +infected with sin and slander!" + +And the king had Earl Douglas roll him to the opened window, and +inspired in long draughts that pure fresh air. Then he turned to the +ladies with an agreeable smile. + +"My ladies," said he, "I thank you! You have to-day shown yourselves +my true and devoted friends! I shall ever remember it, and I beg of +you, if at any time you need a friend and protector, to apply to us +with all confidence. We shall never forget what great service you +have to-day rendered us." + +He nodded to them in a friendly manner, whilst, with a majestic wave +of the hand, he dismissed them, and concluded the audience. + +"And now, Douglas," exclaimed the king, vehemently, as soon as the +ladies had retired--"now I have had enough of this dreadful torture! +Oh, you say I am to punish the traitors--these Surreys--and you +inflict on me the most frightful pains of the rack!" + +"Sire, there was no other means of delivering up this Surrey to you. +You were wishing that he were a criminal; and I shall prove to you +that he is so." + +"Oh, I shall then be able at least to tread his hated head under my +feet" said the king, grinding his teeth. "I shall no more tremble +before this malicious enemy, who goes about among my people with his +hypocritical tongue, while I, tortured with pain, sit in the dungeon +of my sickroom. Yes, yes, I thank you, Douglas, that you will hand +him over to my arm of vengeance; and my soul is full of joy and +serenity at it. Ah, why were you obliged to cloud this fair, this +sublime hour? Why was it necessary to weave the queen into this +gloomy web of guilt and crime? Her cheerful smile and her radiant +looks have ever been an enjoyment so dear to my eyes." + +"Sire, I do not by any means say that the queen is guilty. Only +there was no other means to prove to you Earl Surrey's guilt than +that you should hear for yourself his confession of love to the +queen." + +"And I will hear it!" cried the king, who had now already overcome +the sentimental emotion of his heart. + +"Yes, I will have full conviction of Surrey's guilt; and woe to the +queen, should I find her also guilty! This night, then, earl! But +till then, silence and secrecy! We will have father and son seized +and imprisoned at the same hour; for otherwise the imprisonment of +the one might easily serve as a warning to the other, and he might +escape my just wrath. Ah, they are so sly--these Howards--and their +hearts are so full of cunning and malice! But now they shall escape +me no more; now they are ours! How it does me good to think that! +And how briskly and lightly my heart leaps! It is as though a stream +of new life were rushing through my veins, and a new power were +infused into my blood. Oh, it was these Howards that made me sick. I +shall be well again when I know that they are in the Tower. Yes, +yes, my heart leaps with joy, and this is to be a happy and blessed +day. Call the queen hither to me, that I may once more enjoy her +rosy face before I make it turn pale with terror. Yes, let the queen +come, and let her adorn herself; I want to see her once more in the +full splendor of her youth and her royalty, before her star goes out +in darkness. I will once more delight myself with her before I make +her weep. Ah, know you, Douglas, that there is no enjoyment keener, +more devilish, and more heavenly, than to see such a person who +smiles and suspects nothing, while she is already condemned; who +still adorns her head with roses, while the executioner is already +sharpening the axe that is to lay that head low; who still has hopes +of the future, and of joy and happiness, while her hour of life has +already run out; while I have already bidden her stop and descend +into the grave! So, call the queen to me; and tell her that we are +in a merry mood, and want to jest and laugh with her! Call all the +ladies and lords of our court; and have the royal saloons opened; +and let them be radiant with the brilliancy of the lights; and let +us have music--loud, crashing music--for we want at least to make +this a merry day for us since it seems as though we should have a +sad and unhappy night. Yes, yes, a merry day we will have; and after +that, let come what come may! The saloons shall resound with +laughter and joyfulness; and naught but rejoicing and fun shall be +heard in the great royal saloons. And invite also the Duke of +Norfolk, my noble cousin, who shares with me my royal coat-of-arms. +Yes, invite him, that I may enjoy once more his haughty and imposing +beauty and grandeur before this august sun is extinguished and +leaves us again in night and darkness. Then invite also Wriothesley, +the high chancellor, and let him bring with him a few gallant and +brave soldiers of our body-guard. They are to be the noble duke's +suite, when he wishes to leave our feast and go homeward--homeward-- +if not to his palace, yet to the Tower, and to the grave. Go, go, +Douglas, and attend to all this for me! And send me here directly my +merry fool, John Heywood. He must pass away the time for me till the +feast begins. He must make me laugh and be gay." + +"I will go and fulfil your orders, sire," said Earl Douglas. "I will +order the feast, and impart your commands to the queen and your +court. And first of all, I will send John Heywood to you. But pardon +me, your majesty, if I venture to remind you that you have given me +your royal word not to betray our secret by a single syllable, or +even by a sigh." + +"I gave my word, and I will keep it!" said the king. "Go now, Earl +Douglas, and do what I have bidden you!" + +Wholly exhausted by this paroxysm of cruel delight, the king sank +back in his seat, and moaning and groaning he rubbed his leg, the +piercing pains of which he had for a moment forgotten, but which now +reminded him of their presence with so much the more cruel fury. + +"Ah, ah!" moaned the king. "He boasts of being able to sleep when he +pleases. Well, this time we will be the one to lull this haughty +earl to sleep. But it will be a sleep out of which he is never to +awake again!" + +While the king thus wailed and suffered, Earl Douglas hastened with +quick, firm step through the suite of royal apartments. A proud, +triumphant smile played about his lips, and a joyful expression of +victory flashed from his eyes. + +"Triumph! triumph! we shall conquer!" said he, as he now entered his +daughter's chamber and extended his hand to Lady Jane. "Jane, we +have at last reached the goal, and you will soon be King Henry's +seventh wife!" + +A rosy shimmer flitted for a moment over Lady Jane's pale, colorless +cheeks, and a smile played about her lips--a smile, however, which +was more sad than loud sobs could have been. + +"Ah," said she in a low tone, "I fear only that my poor head will be +too weak to wear a royal crown." + +"Courage, courage, Jane, lift up your head, and be again my strong, +proud daughter!" + +"But, I suffer so much, my father," sighed she. "It is hell that +burns within me!" + +"But soon, Jane, soon you shall feel again the bliss of heaven! I +had forbidden you to grant Henry Howard a meeting, because it might +bring us danger. Well, then, now your tender heart shall be +satisfied. To-night you shall embrace your lover again!" + +"Oh," murmured she, "he will again call me his Geraldine, and it +will not be I, but the queen, that he kisses in my arms!" + +"Yes, to-day, it will still be so, Jane; but I swear to you that to- +day is the last time that you are obliged to receive him thus." + +"The last time that I see him?" asked Jane, with an expression of +alarm. + +"No, Jane, only the last time that Henry Howard loves in you the +queen, and not you yourself." + +"Oh, he will never love me!" murmured she, sadly. + +"He will love you, for you it will be that will save his life. +Hasten, then. Jane, haste! Write him quickly one of those tender +notes that you indite with so masterly a hand. Invite him to a +meeting to-night at the usual time and place." + +"Oh, I shall at last have him again!" whispered Lady Jane; and she +stepped to the writing-table and with trembling hand began to write. + +But suddenly she stopped, and looked at her father sharply and +suspiciously. + +"You swear to me, my father, that no danger threatens him if he +comes?" + +"I swear to you, Jane, that you shall be the one to save his life! I +swear to you, Jane, that you shall take vengeance on the queen-- +vengeance for all the agony, the humiliation and despair that you +have suffered by her. To-day she is yet Queen of England! To-morrow +she will be nothing more than a criminal, who sighs in the +confinement of the Tower for the hour of her execution. And you will +be Henry's seventh queen. Write, then, my daughter, write! And may +love dictate to you the proper words!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +THE FEAST OF DEATH. + + +For a long time the king had not appeared in such good spirits as on +this festive evening. For a long time he had not been so completely +the tender husband, the good-natured companion, the cheerful bon- +vivant. + +The pains of his leg seemed to have disappeared, and even the weight +of his body seemed to be less burdensome than usual, for more than +once he rose from his chair, and walked a few steps through the +brilliantly lighted saloon, in which the ladies and lords of his +court, in festive attire, were moving gently to and fro; in which +music and laughter resounded. How tender he showed himself toward +the queen to-day; with what extraordinary kindness he met the Duke +of Norfolk; with what smiling attention, he listened to the Earl of +Surrey, as he, at the king's desire, recited some new sonnets to +Geraldine! + +This marked preference for the noble Howards enraptured the Roman +Catholic party at court, and filled it with new hopes and new +confidence. + +But one there was who did not allow himself to be deceived by this +mask which King Henry had to-day put on over his wrathful face. + +John Heywood had faith neither in the king's cheerfulness nor in his +tenderness. He knew the king; he was aware that those to whom he was +most friendly often had the most to fear from him. Therefore, he +watched him; and he saw, beneath this mask of friendliness, the +king's real angry countenance sometimes flash out in a quick, hasty +look. + +The resounding music and the mad rejoicing no more deceived John +Heywood. He beheld Death standing behind this dazzling life; he +smelt the reek of corruption concealed beneath the perfume of these +brilliant flowers. + +John Heywood no longer laughed and no longer chatted. He watched. + +For the first time in a long while the king did not need to-day the +exciting jest and the stinging wit of his fool in order to be +cheerful and in good humor. + +So the fool had time and leisure to be a reasonable and observant +man; and he improved the time. + +He saw the looks of mutual understanding and secure triumph that +Earl Douglas exchanged with Gardiner, and it made him mistrustful to +notice that the favorites of the king, at other times so jealous, +did not seem to be at all disturbed by the extraordinary marks of +favor which the Howards were enjoying this evening. + +Once he heard how Gardiner asked Wriothesley, as he passed by, "And +the soldiers of the Tower?" and how he replied just as laconically, +"They stand near the coach, and wait." + +It was, therefore, perfectly clear that somebody would be committed +to prison this very day. There was, therefore, among the laughing, +richly-attired, and jesting guests of this court, one who this very +night, when he left these halls radiant with splendor and pleasure, +was to behold the dark and gloomy chambers of the Tower. + +The only question was, who that one was for whom the brilliant +comedy of this evening was to be changed to so sad a drama. + +John Heywood felt his heart oppressed with an unaccountable +apprehension, and the king's extraordinary tenderness toward the +queen terrified him. + +As now he smiled on Catharine, as he now stroked her cheeks, so had +the king smiled on Anne Boleyn in the same hour that he ordered her +arrest; so had he stroked Buckingham's cheek on the same day that he +signed his death-warrant. + +The fool was alarmed at this brilliant feast, resounding music, and +the mad merriment of the king. He was horrified at the laughing +faces and frivolous jests, which came streaming from all those +mirthful lips. + +O Heaven! they laughed, and death was in the midst of them; they +laughed, and the gates of the Tower were already opened to admit one +of those merry guests of the king into that house which no one in +those days of Henry the Eighth left again, save to go to the stake +or to ascend the scaffold! + +Who was the condemned? For whom were the soldiers below at the +carriage waiting? John Heywood in vain racked his brain with this +question. + +Nowhere could he spy a trace that might lead him on the right track; +nowhere a clew that might conduct him through this labyrinth of +horrors. + +"When you are afraid of the devil, you do well to put yourself under +his immediate protection," muttered John Heywood; and sad and +despondent at heart, he crept behind the king's throne and crouched +down by it on the ground. + +John Heywood had such a little, diminutive form, and the king's +throne was so large and broad, that it altogether concealed the +little crouching fool. + +No one had noticed that John Heywood was concealed there behind the +king. Nobody saw his large, keen eyes peeping out from behind the +throne and surveying and watching the whole hall. + +John Heywood could see everything and hear everything going on in +the vicinity of the king. He could observe every one who approached +the queen. + +He saw Lady Jane likewise, who was standing by the queen's seat. He +saw how Earl Douglas drew near his daughter, and how she turned +deadly pale as he stepped up to her. + +John Heywood held his breath and listened. + +Earl Douglas stood near his daughter, and nodded to her with a +peculiar smile. "Go, now, Jane, go and change your dress. It is +time. Only see how impatiently and longingly Henry Howard is already +looking this way, and with what languishing and enamored glances he +seems to give a hint to the queen. Go then, Jane, and think of your +promise." + +"And will you, my father, also think of your promise?" inquired Lady +Jane, with trembling lips. "Will no danger threaten him?" + +"I will, Jane. But now make haste, my daughter, and be prudent and +adroit." + +Lady Jane bowed, and murmured a few unintelligible words. Then she +approached the queen, and begged permission to retire from the +feast, because a severe indisposition had suddenly overtaken her. + +Lady Jane's countenance was so pale and deathlike, that the queen +might well believe in the indisposition of her first maid of honor, +and she allowed her to retire. Lady Jane left the hall. The queen +continued the conversation with Lord Hertford, who was standing by +her. It was a very lively and warm conversation, and the queen +therefore did not heed what was passing around her; and she heard +nothing of the conversation between the king and Earl Douglas. + +John Heywood, still crouching behind the king's throne, observed +everything and heard every word of this softly whispered +conversation. + +"Sire," said Earl Douglas, "it is late and the hour of midnight is +drawing nigh. Will your majesty be pleased to conclude the feast? +For you well know that at mid-night we must be over there in the +green summer-house, and it is a long way there." + +"Yes, yes, at midnight!" muttered the king. "At midnight the +carnival is at an end; and we shall tear off our mask, and show our +wrathful countenance to the criminals! At midnight we must be over +in the green summer-house. Yes, Douglas, we must make haste; for it +would be cruel to let the tender Surrey wait still longer. So we +will give his Geraldine liberty to leave the feast; and we ourselves +must begin our journey. Ah, Douglas, it is a hard path that we have +to tread, and the furies and gods of vengeance bear our torches. To +work, then--to work!" + +The king arose from his seat, and stepped to the queen, to whom he +presented his hand with a tender smile. + +"My lady, it is late," said he; "and we, who are king of so many +subjects--we are, nevertheless, in turn, the subject of a king. This +is the physician, and we must obey him. He has ordered me to seek my +couch before midnight, and, as a loyal subject must do, I obey. We +wish you, therefore, a good-night, Kate; and may your beautiful eyes +on the morrow also shine as starlike as they do to-night." + +"They will shine to-morrow as to-night, if my lord and husband is +still as gracious to me to-morrow as to-day," said Catharine, with +perfect artlessness and without embarrassment, as she gave her hand +to the king. Henry cast on her a suspicious, searching look, and a +peculiar, malicious expression was manifested in his face. + +"Do you believe then, Kate, that we can ever be ungracious to you?" +asked he. + +"As to that, I think," said she, with a smile, "that even the sun +does not always shine; and that a gloomy night always succeeds his +splendor." + +The king did not reply. He looked her steadily in the face, and his +features suddenly assumed a gentler expression. + +Perhaps he had compassion on his young wife. Perhaps he felt pity +for her youth and her enchanting smile, which had so often revived +and refreshed his heart. + +Earl Douglas at least feared so. + +"Sire," said he, "it is late. The hour of midnight is drawing nigh." + +"Then let us go," exclaimed the king, with a sigh. "Yes once again, +good-night, Kate! Nay, do not accompany me! I will leave the hall +quite unobserved; and I shall be pleased, if my guests will still +prolong the fairfeast till morning. All of you remain here! No one +but Douglas accompanies me." + +"And your brother, the fool!" said John Heywood, who long before had +come out of his hiding-place and was now standing by the king. "Yes, +come, brother Henry; let us quit this feast. It is not becoming for +wise men of our sort to grant our presence still longer to the feast +of fools. Come to your couch, king, and I will lull your ear to +sleep with the sayings of my wisdom, and enliven your soul with the +manna of my learning." + +While John Heywood thus spoke, it did not escape him that the +features of the earl suddenly clouded and a dark frown settled on +his brow. + +"Spare your wisdom for to-day, John," said the king; "for you would +indeed be preaching only to deaf ears. I am tired, and I require not +your erudition, but sleep. Good-night, John." + +The king left the hall, leaning on Earl Douglas's arm. + +"Earl Douglas does not wish me to accompany the king," whispered +John Heywood. "He is afraid the king might blab out to me a little +of that diabolical work which they will commence at midnight. Well, +I call the devil, as well as the king, my brother, and with his help +I too will be in the green-room at midnight. Ah, the queen is +retiring; and there is the Duke of Norfolk leaving the hall. I have +a slight longing to see whether the duke goes hence luckily and +without danger, or if the soldiers who stand near the coach, as +Wriothesley says, will perchance be the duke's bodyguard for this +night." + +Slipping out of the hall with the quickness of a cat, John Heywood +passed the duke in the anteroom and hurried on to the outer gateway, +before which the carriages were drawn up. + +John Heywood leaned against a pillar and watched. A few minutes, and +the duke's tall and proud form appeared in the entrance-hall; and +the footman, hurrying forward, called his carriage. + +The carriage rolled up; the door was opened. + +Two men wrapped in black mantles sat by the coachman; two others +stood behind as footmen, while a fifth was by the open door of the +carriage. + +The duke first noticed him as his foot had already touched the step +of the carriage. + +"This is not my equipage! These are not my people!" said he; and he +tried to step back. But the pretended servant forced him violently +into the carriage and shut the door. "Forward!" ordered he. The +carriage rolled on. A moment still, John Heywood saw the duke's pale +face appear at the open carriage window, and it seemed to him as +though he were stretching out his arms, calling for help--then the +carriage disappeared in the night. "Poor duke!" murmured John +Heywood. "The gates of the Tower are heavy, and your arm will not be +strong enough to open them again, when they have once closed behind +you. But it avails nothing to think more about him now. The queen is +also in danger. Away, then, to the queen!" + +With fleet foot John Heywood hastened back into the castle. Through +passages and corridors he slipped hurriedly along. + +Now he stood in the corridor which led to the apartments of the +queen. + +"I will constitute her guard to-night," muttered John Heywood, as he +hid himself in one of the niches in the corridor. "The fool by his +prayers will keep far from the door of his saint the tricks of the +devil, and protect her from the snares which the pious Bishop +Gardiner and the crafty courtier Douglas want to lay for her feet. +My queen shall not fall and be ruined. The fool yet lives to protect +her." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE QUEEN + + +From the niche in which John Heywood had hid himself he could survey +the entire corridor and all the doors opening into it--could see +everything and hear everything without being himself seen, for the +projecting pilaster completely shaded him. + +So John Heywood stood and listened. All was quiet in the corridor. +In the distance was now and then heard the deadened sound of the +music; and the confused hum of many voices from the festive halls +forced its way to the listener's ear. + +This was the only thing that John Heywood perceived. All else was +still. But this stillness did not last long. The corridor was +lighted up, and the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps was +heard. + +It was the gold-laced lackeys, who bore the large silver candelabra +to light the queen, who, with her train of ladies, was passing +through the corridor. + +She looked wondrously beautiful. The glare of the candles borne +before her illumined her countenance, which beamed with +cheerfulness. As she passed the pillar behind which John Heywood was +standing, she was talking in unrestrained gayety with her second +maid of honor; and a clear and lively laugh rang from her lips, +which disclosed both rows of her dazzling white teeth. Her eyes +sparkled; her checks were flushed with a rich red; bright as stars +glittered the diamonds in the diadem that encircled her lofty brow; +like liquid gold shone her dress of gold brocade, the long trail of +which, trimmed with black ermine, was borne by two lovely pages. + +Arrived at the door of her bed-chamber, the queen dismissed her +pages and lackeys, and permitted only the maid of honor to cross the +threshold of her chamber with her. + +In harmless gossip the pages glided down the corridor and the +staircase. Then came the lackeys who bore the candelabra. They also +left the corridor. + +Now all was quiet again. Still John Heywood stood and listened, +firmly resolved to speak to the queen yet that night, even should he +be obliged to wake her from sleep. Only he wanted to wait till the +maid of honor also had left the queen's room. + +Now the door opened, and the maid of honor came out. She crossed the +corridor to that side where her own apartments were situated. John +Heywood heard her open the door and then slide the bolt on the +inside. + +"Now but a brief time longer, and I will go to the queen," muttered +John Heywood. + +He was just going to leave his lurking-place, when he perceived a +noise as if a door were slowly and cautiously opened. + +John Heywood cowered again close behind the pillar, and held his +breath to listen. + +A bright light fell over the corridor. A dress came rustling nearer +and nearer. + +John Heywood gazed astounded and amazed at the figure, which just +brushed past without seeing him. + +That figure was Lady Jane Douglas--Lady Jane, who, on account of +indisposition, had retired from the feast in order to betake herself +to rest. Now, when all rested, she watched--when all laid aside +their festive garments, she had adorned herself with the same. Like +the queen, she wore a dress of gold brocade, trimmed with ermine, +and, like her, a diadem of diamonds adorned Lady Jane's brow. + +Now she stood before the queen's door and listened. Then a fierce +sneer flitted across her deathly pale face, and her dark eyes +flashed still more. + +"She sleeps," muttered she. "Only sleep, queen--sleep till we shall +come to wake you! Sleep, so that I can wake for you." + +She raised her arm threateningly toward the door, and wildly shook +her head. Her long black ringlets encircled and danced around her +sullen brow like the snakes of the furies; and pale and colorless, +and with demon-like beauty, she resembled altogether the goddess of +vengeance, in scornful triumph preparing to tread her victim beneath +her feet. + +With a low laugh she now glided adown the corridor, but not to that +staircase yonder, but farther down to the end, where on the wall +hung a life-size picture of Henry the Sixth. She pressed on a +spring; the picture flew open, and through the door concealed behind +it Lady Jane left the corridor. + +"She is going to the green-room to a meeting with Henry Howard!" +whispered John Heywood, who now stepped forth from behind the +pillar. "Oh, now I comprehend it all; now the whole of this devilish +plot is clear to me; Lady Jane is Earl Surrey's lady-love, and they +want to make the king believe that it is the queen. Doubtless this +Surrey is with them in the conspiracy, and perhaps he will call Jane +Douglas by the name of the queen. They will let the king see her but +a moment. She wears a gold brocade dress and a diamond diadem like +the queen; and thereby they hope to deceive Henry. She has the +queen's form precisely; and everybody knows the astonishing +similarity and likeness of Lady Jane's voice to that of the queen. +Oh, oh, it is a tolerably cunning plot! But nevertheless you shall +not succeed, and you shall not yet gain the victory. Patience, only +patience! We likewise will be in the green-room, and face to face +with this royal counterfeit we will place the genuine queen!" + +With hurried step John Heywood also left the corridor, which was now +lonely and still, for the queen had gone to rest. + +Yes, the queen slept, and yet over yonder in the green-room +everything was prepared for her reception. + +It was to be a very brilliant and extraordinary reception; for the +king, in his own person, had betaken himself to that wing of the +castle, and the chief master of ceremonies, Earl Douglas, had +accompanied him. + +To the king, this excursion, which he had to make on foot, had been +very troublesome; and this inconvenience had made him only still +more furious and excited, and the last trace of compassion for his +queen had disappeared from the king's breast, for on Catharine's +account he had been obliged to make this long journey to the green- +room; and with a grim joy Henry thought only how terrible was to be +his punishment for Henry Howard and also for Catharine. + +Now that Earl Douglas had brought him hither, the king no longer had +any doubts at all of the queen's guilt. It was no longer an +accusation--it was proof. For never in the world would Earl Douglas +have dared to bring him, the king, hither, if he were not certain +that he would give him here infallible proofs. + +The king, therefore, no longer doubted; at last Henry Howard was in +his power, and he could no more escape him. So he was certain of +being able to bring these two hated enemies to the block, and of +feeling his sleep no longed disturbed by thoughts of his two +powerful rivals. + +The Duke of Norfolk had already passed the gates of the Tower, and +his son must soon follow him thither. + +At this thought the king felt an ecstasy so savage and bloodthirsty, +that be wholly forgot that the same sword that was to strike Henry +Howard's head was drawn on his queen also. + +They were now standing in the green-room, and the king leaned +panting and moaning on Earl Douglas's arm. + +The large wide room, with its antique furniture and its faded glory, +was only gloomily and scantily lighted in the middle by the two wax +candles of the candelabrum that Earl Douglas had brought with him; +while further away it was enveloped in deep gloom, and seemed to the +eye through this gloom to stretch out to an interminable length. + +"Through the door over there comes the queen," said Douglas; and he +himself shrank at the loud sound of his voice, which in the large, +desolate room became of awful fulness. "And that, there, is Henry +Howard's entrance. Oh, he knows that path very thoroughly; for he +has often enough already travelled it in the dark night, and his +foot no longer stumbles on any stone of offence!" + +"But he will perchance stumble on the headsman's block!" muttered +the king, with a cruel laugh. + +"I now take the liberty of asking one question more," said Douglas; +and the king did not suspect how stormily the earl's heart beat at +this question. "Is your majesty satisfied to see the earl and the +queen make their appearance at this meeting? Or, do you desire to +listen to a little of the earl's tender protestations?" + +"I will hear not a little, but all!" said the king. "Ah, let us +allow the earl yet to sing his swan-like song before he plunges into +the sea of blood!" + +"Then," said Earl Douglas, "then we must put out this light, and +your majesty must be content merely to hear the guilty ones, and not +to see them also. We will then betake ourselves to the boudoir here, +which I have opened for this purpose, and in which is an easy-chair +for your majesty. We will place this chair near the open door, and +then your majesty will be able to hear every word of their tender +whisperings." + +"But how shall we, if we extinguish this our only light, at last +attain to a sight of this dear loving pair, and be able to afford +them the dramatic surprise of our presence?" + +"Sire, as soon as the Earl of Surrey enters, twenty men of the +king's bodyguard will occupy the anteroom through which the earl +must pass; and it needs but a call from you to have them enter the +hall with their torches. I have taken care also that before the +private backgate of the palace two coaches stand ready, the drivers +of which know very well the street that leads to the Tower!" + +"Two coaches?" said the king, laughing. "Ah, ah, Douglas, how cruel +we are to separate the tender, loving pair on this journey which is +yet to be their last! Well, perhaps we can compensate them for it, +and allow these turtledoves to make the last trip--the trip to the +stake--together. No, no, we will not separate them in death. +Together they may lay their heads on the block." + +The king laughed, quite delighted with his jest, while, leaning on +the earl's arm, he crossed to the little boudoir on the other side, +and took his place in the armchair set near the door. + +"Now we must extinguish the light; and may it please your majesty to +await in silence the things that are to come." + +The earl extinguished the light, and deep darkness and a grave-like +stillness now followed. + +But this did not last long. Now was heard quite distinctly the sound +of footsteps. They came nearer and nearer--now a door was heard to +open and shut again, and it was as though some one were creeping +softly along on his toes in the hall. + +"Henry Howard!" whispered Douglas. + +The king could scarcely restrain the cry of savage, malicious +delight that forced its way to his lips. + +The hated enemy was then in his power; he was convicted of the +crime; he was inevitably lost. + +"Geraldine!" whispered a voice, "Geraldine!" + +And as if his low call had already been sufficient to draw hither +the loved one, the secret door here quite close to the boudoir +opened. The rustling of a dress was very distinctly heard, and the +sound of footsteps. + +"Geraldine!" repeated Earl Surrey. + +"Here I am, my Henry!" + +With an exclamation of delight, the woman rushed forward toward the +sound of the loved voice. + +"The queen!" muttered Henry; and in spite of himself he felt his +heart seized with bitter grief. + +He saw with his inward eye how they held each other in their +embrace. He heard their kisses and the low whisper of their tender +vows, and all the agonies of jealousy and wrath filled his soul. But +yet the king prevailed upon himself to be silent and swallow down +his rage. He wanted to hear everything, to know everything. + +He clenched his hands convulsively, and pressed his lips firmly +together to hold in his panting breath. He wanted to hear. + +How happy they both were! Henry had wholly forgotten that he had +come to reproach her for her long silence; she did not think about +this being the last time she might see her lover. + +They were with each other, and this hour was theirs. What did the +whole world matter to them? What cared they whether or not mischief +and ruin threatened them hereafter? + +They sat by each other on the divan, quite near the boudoir. They +jested and laughed; and Henry Howard kissed away the tears that the +happiness of the present caused his Geraldine to shed. + +He swore to her eternal and unchanging love. In blissful silence she +drank in the music of his words; and then she reiterated, with +jubilant joy, his vows of love. + +The king could scarcely restrain his fury. + +The heart of Earl Douglas leaped with satisfaction and +gratification. "A lucky thing that Jane has no suspicion of our +presence," thought he--"otherwise she would have been less +unrestrained and ardent, and the king's ear would have imbibed less +poison." + +Lady Jane thought not at all of her father; she scarcely remembered +that this very night would destroy her hated rival the queen. + +Henry Howard had called her his Geraldine only. Jane had entirely +forgot that it was not she to whom her lover had given this name. + +But he himself finally reminded her of it. + +"Do you know, Geraldine," said Earl Surrey--and his voice, which had +been hitherto so cheerful and sprightly, was now sad--"do you know, +Geraldine, that I have had doubts of you? Oh, those were frightful, +horrible hours; and in the agony of my heart I came at last to the +resolution of going to the king and accusing myself of this love +that was consuming my heart. Oh, fear naught! I would not have +accused you. I would have even denied that love which you have so +often and with such transporting reality sworn to me. I would have +done it in order to see whether my Geraldine could at last gain +courage and strength to lover. He saw how he pressed her hands to +his lips; how he put his hand to her head to raise it from the +floor. + +The king was speechless with rage. He could only lift his arm to +beckon the soldiers to approach; to point to Henry Howard, who had +not yet succeeded in raising the queen's head from the floor. + +"Arrest him!" said Earl Douglas, lending words to the king's mute +sign. "In the king's name arrest him, and conduct him to the Tower!" + +"Yes, arrest him!" said the king; and, as with youthful speed he +walked up to Henry Howard and put his hand heavily on his shoulder, +he with terrible calmness continued: "Henry Howard, your wish shall +be fulfilled; you shall mount the scaffold for which you have so +much longed!" + +The earl's noble countenance remained calm and unmoved; his bright +beaming eye fearlessly encountered the eye of the king flashing with +wrath. + +"Sire," said he, "my life is in your hand, and I very well know that +you will not spare it. I do not even ask you to do so. But spare +this noble and beautiful woman, whose only crime is that she has +followed the voice of her heart. Sire, I alone am the guilty one. +Punish me, then--torture me, if you like--but be merciful to her." + +The king broke out into a loud laugh. "Ah, he begs for her!" said +he. "This little Earl Surrey presumes to think that his sentimental +love-plaint can exercise an influence on the heart of his judge! No, +no, Henry Howard; you know me better. You say, indeed, that I am a +cruel man, and that blood cleaves to my crown. Well, now, it is our +pleasure to set in our crown a new blood-red ruby; and if we want to +take it from Geraldine's heart's blood, your sonnets will not hinder +us from doing so, my good little earl. That is all the reply I have +to make to you; and I think it will be the last time that we shall +meet on earth!" + +"There above we shall see each other again, King Henry of England!" +said Earl Surrey, solemnly. "There But still this hour was hers, and +she would enjoy it. She clung fast to his breast; she drew him with +irresistible force to her heart, which now trembled no longer for +love, but from a nameless anxiety. + +"Let us fly! Let us fly!" repeated she, breathlessly. See! This hour +is yet ours. Let us avail ourselves of it; for who knows whether the +next will still belong to us?" + +"No! it is no longer yours," yelled the king, as he sprang like a +roused lion from his seat. "Your hours are numbered, and the next +already belongs to the hangman!" + +A piercing shriek burst from Geraldine's lips. Then was heard a dull +fall. + +"She has fainted," muttered Earl Douglas. + +"Geraldine, Geraldine, my loved one!" cried Henry Howard. "My God, +my God! she is dying! You have killed her! Woe to you!" + +"Woe to yourself!" said the king, solemnly. "Here with the light! +Here, you folks!" + +The door of the anteroom opened, and in it appeared four soldiers +with torches in their hands. + +"Light the candles, and guard the door!" said the king, whose +dazzled eyes were not yet able to bear this bright glare of light +which now suddenly streamed through the room. + +The soldiers obeyed his orders. A pause ensued. The king had put his +hand before his eyes, and was struggling for breath and self- +control. + +When at length he let his hand glide down, his features had assumed +a perfectly calm, almost a serene expression. + +With a hasty glance he surveyed the room. He saw the queen in her +dress glistening with gold; he saw how she lay on the floor, +stretched at full length, her face turned to the ground, motionless +and rigid. + +He saw Henry Howard, who knelt by his beloved and was busy about her +with all the anxiety and agony of a acknowledge her love openly and +frankly; whether her heart had the power to burst that iron band +which the deceitful rules of the world had placed around it; whether +she would acknowledge her lover when he was willing to die for her. +Yes, Geraldine, I wanted to do it, that I might finally know which +feeling is stronger in you--love or pride--and whether you could +then still preserve the mask of indifference, when death was +hovering over your lover's head. Oh, Geraldine, I should deem it a +fairer fate to die united with you, than to be obliged to still +longer endure this life of constraint and hateful etiquette." + +"No, no," said she, trembling, "we will not die. My God, life is +indeed so beautiful when you are by my side! And who knows whether a +felicitous and blissful future may not still await us?" + +"Oh, should we die, then should we be certain of this blissful +future, my Geraldine. There, above, there is no more separation--no +more renunciation for us. There above, you are mine, and the bloody +image of your husband no longer stands between us." + +"It shall no longer do so, even here on earth," whispered Geraldine. +"Come, my beloved; let us fly far, far hence, where no one knows us- +-where we can cast from us all this hated splendor, to live for each +other and for love." + +She threw her arms about her lover, and in the ecstasy of her love +she had wholly forgotten that she could never indeed think to flee +with him, that he belonged to her only so long as he saw her not. + +An inexplicable anxiety overpowered her heart; and in this anxiety +she forgot everything--even the queen and the vengeance she had +vowed. + +She now remembered her father's words, and she trembled for her +lover's life. + +If now her father had not told her the truth--if now he had +notwithstanding sacrificed Henry Howard in order to ruin the queen-- +if she was not able to save him, and through her fault he were to +perish on the scaffold--above Henry the Eighth will no more be the +judge, but the condemned criminal; and your bloody and accursed +deeds will witness against you!" + +The king laughed. "You avail yourself of your advantage," said he. +"Because you have nothing more to lose and the scaffold is sure of +you, you do not stick at heaping up the measure of your sins a +little more, and you revile your legitimate, God-appointed king! But +you should bear in mind, earl, that before the scaffold there is yet +the rack, and that it is very possible indeed that a painful +question might there be put to the noble Earl Surrey, to which his +agonies might prevent him from returning an answer. Now, away with +you! We have nothing more to say to each other on earth!" + +He motioned to the soldiers, who approached the Earl of Surrey. As +they reached their hands toward him, he turned on them a look so +proud and commanding that they involuntarily recoiled a step. + +"Follow me!" said Henry Howard, calmly; and, without even deigning +the king a single look more, with head proudly erect, he walked to +the door. + +Geraldine still lay on the ground--her face turned to the floor. She +stirred not. She seemed to have fallen into a deep swoon. + +Only as the door with a sullen sound closed behind Earl Surrey, a +low wail and moan was perceived--such as is wont to struggle forth +at the last hour from the breast of the dying. + +The king did not heed it. He still gazed, with eyes stern and +flashing with anger, toward the door through which Earl Surrey had +passed. + +"He is unyielding," muttered he. "Not even the rack affrights him; +and in his blasphemous haughtiness he moves along in the midst of +the soldiers, not as a prisoner, but as a commander. Oh, these +Howards are destined to torment me; and even their death will +scarcely be a full satisfaction to me." + +"Sire," said Earl Douglas, who had observed the king with a keen, +penetrating eye, and knew that he had now reached the height of his +wrath, at which he shrank from no deed of violence and no cruelty-- +"sire, you have sent Earl Surrey to the Tower. But what shall be +done with the queen, who lies there on the floor in a swoon?" + +The king roused himself from his reverie; and his bloodshot eyes +were fixed on Geraldine's motionless form with so dark an expression +of hate and rage, that Earl Douglas exultingly said to himself: "The +queen is lost! He will be inexorable!" + +"Ah, the queen!" cried Henry, with a savage laugh. "Yea, verily, I +forgot the queen. I did not think of this charming Geraldine! But +you are right, Douglas; we must think of her and occupy ourselves a +little with her! Did you not say that a second coach was ready? +Well, then, we will not hinder Geraldine from accompanying her +beloved. She shall be where he is--in the Tower, and on the +scaffold! We will therefore wake this sentimental lady and show her +the last duty of a cavalier by conducting her to her carriage!" + +He was about to approach the figure of the queen lying on the floor. +Earl Douglas held him back. + +"Sire," said he, "it is my duty--as your faithful subject, who loves +you and trembles for your welfare--it is my duty to implore you to +spare yourself and preserve your precious and adored person from the +venomous sting of anger and grief. I conjure you, therefore, do not +deign to look again on this woman, who has so deeply injured you. +Give me your orders--what am I to do with her--and allow me first of +all to accompany you to your apartments." + +"You are right," said the king, "she is not worthy of having my eyes +rest on her again; and she is even too contemptible for my anger! We +will call the soldiers that they may conduct this traitoress and +adulteress to the tower, as they have done her paramour." + +"Yet for that there is needed still a formality. The queen will not +be admitted into the Tower without the king's written and sealed +order." + +"Then I will draw up that order." + +"Sire, in that cabinet yonder may be found the necessary writing- +materials, if it please your majesty." + +The king leaned in silence on the earl's arm, and allowed himself to +be led again into the cabinet. + +With officious haste Earl Douglas made the necessary arrangements. +He rolled the writing-table up to the king; he placed the large +sheet of white paper in order, and slipped the pen into the king's +hand. + +"What shall I write?" asked the king, who, by the exertion of his +night's excursion, and of his anger and vexation, began at length to +be exhausted. + +"An order for the queen's imprisonment, sire." + +The king wrote. Earl Douglas stood behind him, with eager attention, +in breathless expectation, his look steadily fixed on the paper over +which the king's hand, white, fleshy, and sparkling with diamonds, +glided along in hasty characters. + +He had at length reached his goal. When at last he should hold in +his hand the paper which the king was then writing--when he had +induced Henry to return to his apartments before the imprisonment of +the queen had taken place--then was he victorious. Not that woman +there would he then imprison; but, with the warrant in his hand, he +would go to the real queen, and take her to the Tower. + +Once in the Tower, the queen could no longer defend herself; for the +king would see her no more; and if before the Parliament she +protested her innocence in ever so sacred oaths, still the king's +testimony must convict her; for he had himself surprised her with +her paramour. + +No, there was no escape for the queen. She had once succeeded in +clearing herself of an accusation, and proving her innocence, by a +rebutting alibi. But this time she was irretrievably lost, and no +alibi could deliver her. + +The king completed his work and arose, whilst Douglas, at his +command, was employed in setting the king's seal to the fatal paper. + +From the hall was heard a slight noise, as though some person were +cautiously moving about there. + +Earl Douglas did not notice it; he was just in the act of pressing +the signet hard on the melted sealing-wax. + +The king heard it, and supposed that it was Geraldine, and that she +was just waking from her swoon and rising. + +He stepped to the door of the hall, and looked toward the place +where she was lying. But no--she had not yet risen; she still lay +stretched at full length on the floor. + +"She has come to; but she still pretends to be in a swoon," thought +the king; and he turned to Douglas. + +"We are done," said he; "the warrant for imprisonment is prepared, +and the sentence of the adulterous queen is spoken. We have done +with her forever; and never shall she again behold our face, or +again hear our voice. She is sentenced and damned, and the royal +mercy has nothing more to do with this sinner. A curse on the +adulteress! A curse on the shameless woman who deceived her husband, +and gave herself up to a traitorous paramour! Woe to her, and may +shame and disgrace forever mark her name, which--" + +Suddenly the king stopped and listened. The noise that he had heard +just, before was now repeated louder and quicker; it came nearer and +nearer. + +And now the door opened and a figure entered--a figure which made +the king stare with astonishment and admiration. It came nearer and +nearer, light, graceful, and with the freshness of youth; a gold- +brocade dress enveloped it; a diadem of diamonds sparkled on the +brow; and brighter yet than the diamonds beamed the eyes. + +"No, the king was not mistaken. It was the queen, She was standing +before him--and yet she still lay motionless and stiff upon the +floor yonder. + +The king uttered a cry, and, turning pale, reeled a step backward. + +"The queen!" exclaimed Douglas, in terror; and he trembled so +violently that the paper in his hand rattled and fluttered. + +"Yes, the queen!" said Catharine, with a haughty smile. "The queen, +who comes to scold her husband, that, contrary to his physician's +orders, he still refrains from his slumbers at so late an hour of +the night." + +"And the fool!" said John Heywood, as with humorous pathos he +stepped forward from behind the queen--"the fool, who comes to ask +Earl Douglas how he dared deprive John Heywood of his office, and +usurp the place of king's fool to Henry, and deceive his most +gracious majesty with all manner of silly pranks and carnival +tricks." + +"And who"--asked the king, in a voice quivering with rage, fastening +his flashing looks on Douglas with an annihilating expression--" +who, then, is that woman there? Who has dared with such cursed +mummery to deceive the king, and calumniate the queen?" + +"Sire," said Earl Douglas, who very well knew that his future and +that of his daughter depended on the present moment, and whom this +consciousness had speedily restored to his self-possession and +calmness--"sire, I beseech your majesty for a moment of private +explanation; and I shall be entirely successful in vindicating +myself." + +"Do not grant it him, brother Henry," said John Heywood; "he is a +dangerous juggler; and who knows whether he may not yet, in his +private conversation, convince you that he is king, and you nothing +more than his lickspittle, fawning, hypocritical servant Earl +Archibald Douglas." + +"My lord and husband, I beg you to hear the earl's justification," +said Catharine, as she extended her hand to the king with a +bewitching smile. "It would be cruel to condemn him unheard, + +I will hear him, but it shall be done in your presence, Kate, and +you yourself shall decide whether or not his justification is +sufficient." + +"No indeed, my husband; let me remain an entire stranger to this +night's conspiracy, so that spite and anger may not fill my heart +and rob me of the supreme confidence which I need, to be able to +walk on at your side happy and smiling in the midst of my enemies." + +"You are right, Kate," said the king, thoughtfully. "You have many +enemies at our court; and we have to accuse ourselves that we have +not always succeeded in stopping our ear to their malicious +whisperings, and in keeping ourselves pure from the poisonous breath +of their calumny. Our heart is still too artless, and we cannot even +yet comprehend that men are a disgusting, corrupt race, which one +should tread beneath his feet, but never take to his heart. Come, +Earl Douglas, I will hear you; but woe to you, if you are unable to +justify yourself!" + +He retired to the embrasure of the large window of the boudoir. Earl +Douglas followed him thither, and let the heavy velvet curtain drop +behind them. + +"Sire," said he, hardily and resolutely, "the question now is this: +Whose head would you rather give over to the executioner, mine or +the Earl of Surrey's? You have the choice between the two. You are +aware that I have ventured for a moment to deceive you. Well, send +me to the Tower then, and set free the noble Henry Howard, that he +may henceforth disturb your sleep and poison your days; that he may +further court the love of the people, and perhaps some day rob your +son of the throne that belongs to him. Here is my head, sire; it is +forfeited to the headsman's axe, and Earl Surrey is free!" + +"No, he is not free, and never shall be!" said the king, grinding +his teeth. + +"Then, my king, I am justified; and instead of being angry with me, +you will thank me? It is true I have played a hazardous game, but I +did so in the service of my king. I did it because I loved him, and +because I read on your lofty clouded brow the thoughts that begirt +with darkness my master's soul, and disturbed the sleep of his +nights. You wanted to have Henry Howard in your power; and this +crafty and hypocritical earl knew how to conceal his guilt so +securely under the mask of virtue and loftiness of soul! But I knew +him, and behind this mask I had seen his face distorted with passion +and crime. I wanted to unmask him; but for this, it was necessary +that I should deceive first him, and then for the hour even +yourself. I knew that he burned with an adulterous love for the +queen, and I wanted to avail myself of the madness of this passion, +in order to bring him surely and unavoidably to a richly-deserved +punishment. But I would not draw the pure and exalted person of the +queen into this net with which we wanted to surround Earl Surrey. I +was obliged, then, to seek a substitute for her; and I did so. There +was at your court a woman whose whole heart belongs, after God, to +the king alone; and who so much adores him, that she would be ready +at any hour gladly to sacrifice for the king her heart's blood, her +whole being--ay, if need be, even her honor itself--a woman, sire, +who lives by your smile, and worships you as her redeemer and +savior--a woman whom you might, as you pleased, make a saint or a +strumpet; and who, to please you, would be a shameless Phyrne or a +chaste veiled nun." + +"Tell me her name, Douglas," said the king, "tell me it! It is a +rare and precious stroke of fortune to be so loved; and it would be +a sin not to want to enjoy this good fortune." + +"Sire, I will tell you her name when you have first forgiven me," +said Douglas, whose heart leaped for joy, and who well understood +that the king's anger was already mollified and the danger now +almost overcome. "I said to this woman: 'You are to do the king a +great service; you are to deliver him from a powerful and dangerous +foe! You are to save him from Henry Howard!' 'Tell me what I must +do!' cried she, her looks beaming with joy. 'Henry Howard loves the +queen. You must be the queen to him. You must receive his letters, +and answer them in the queen's name. You must grant him interviews +by night, and, favored by the darkness of the night, make him +believe that it is the queen whom he holds in his arms. He must be +convinced that the queen is his lady-love; and in his thoughts, as +in his deeds, he must be placed before the king as a traitor and +criminal whose head is forfeited to the headsman's axe. One day we +will let the king be a witness of a meeting that Henry Howard +believes he has with the queen; it will then be in his power to +punish his enemy for his criminal passion, which is worthy of +death!' And as I thus spoke to the woman, sire, she said with a sad +smile: 'It is a disgraceful and dishonorable part that you assign +me; but I undertake it, for you say I may thereby render a service +to the king. I shall disgrace myself for him; but he will perhaps +bestow upon me in return a gracious smile; and then I shall be +abundantly rewarded.'" + +"But this woman is an angel!" cried the king, ardently--"an angel +whom we should kneel to and adore. Tell me her name, Douglas!" + +"Sire, as soon as you have forgiven me! You know now all my guilt +and all my crime. For, as I bade that noble woman, so it came to +pass, and Henry Howard has gone to the Tower in the firm belief that +it was the queen whom he just now held in his arms." + +"But why did you leave me in this belief, Douglas? Why did you fill +my heart with wrath against the noble and virtuous queen also?" + +"Sire, I dared not reveal the deception to you before you had +sentenced Surrey, for your noble and just moral sense would have +been reluctant to punish him on account of a crime that he had not +committed; and in your first wrath you would also have blamed this +noble woman who has sacrificed herself for her king." + +"It is true," said the king, "I should have misjudged this noble +woman, and, instead of thanking her, I should have destroyed her." + +"Therefore, my king, I quietly allowed you to make out an order for +the queen's incarceration. But you remember well, sire, I begged you +to return to your apartments before the queen was arrested. Well, +now, there I should have disclosed to you the whole secret, which I +could not tell you in the presence of that woman. For she would die +of shame if she suspected that you knew of her love for the king, so +pure and self-sacrificing, and cherished in such heroic silence." + +"She shall never know it, Douglas! But now at length satisfy my +desire. Tell me her name." + +"Sire, you have forgiven me, then? You are no longer angry with me +that I dared to deceive you?" + +"I am no longer angry with you, Douglas; for you have acted rightly. +The plan, which you have contrived and carried out with such happy +results, was as crafty as it was daring." + +"I thank you, sire; and I will now tell you the name. That woman, +sire, who at my wish gave herself up a sacrifice to this adulterous +earl, who endured his kisses, his embraces, his vows of love, in +order to render a service to her king--that woman was my daughter, +Lady Jane Douglas!" + +"Lady Jane!" cried the king. "No, no, this is a new deception. That +haughty, chaste, and unapproachable Lady Jane--that wonderfully +beautiful marble statue really has then a heart in her breast, and +that heart belongs to me? Lady Jane, the pure and chaste virgin, has +made for me this prodigious sacrifice, of receiving this hated +Surrey as her lover, in order, like a second Delilah, to deliver him +into my hand? No, Douglas, you are lying to me. Lady Jane has not +done that!" + +"May it please your majesty to go yourself and take a look at that +fainting woman, who was to Henry Howard the queen." + +The king did not reply to him; but he drew back the curtain and +reentered the cabinet, in which the queen was waiting with John +Heywood. + +Henry did not notice them. With youthful precipitation he crossed +the cabinet and the hall. Now he stood by the figure of Geraldine +still lying on the floor. + +She was no longer in a swoon. She had long since regained her +consciousness; and terrible were the agonies and tortures that rent +her heart. Henry Howard had incurred the penalty of the headsman's +axe, and it was she that had betrayed him. + +But her father had sworn to her that she should save her lover. + +She durst not die then. She must live to deliver Henry Howard. + +There were burning, as it were, the fires of hell in her poor heart; +but she was not at liberty to heed these pains. She could not think +of herself--only of him--of Henry Howard, whom she must deliver, +whom she must save from an ignominious death. + +For him she sent up her fervent prayers to God; for him her heart +trembled with anxiety and agony, as the king now advanced to her, +and, bending down, gazed into her eyes with a strange expression, at +once scrutinizing and smiling. + +"Lady Jane," said he then, as he presented her his hand, "arise from +the ground and allow your king to express to you his thanks for your +sublime and wonderful sacrifice! Verily, it is a fair lot to be a +king; for then one has at least the power of punishing traitors, and +of rewarding those that serve us. I have to-day done the one, and I +will not neglect to do the other also. Stand up, then, Lady Jane; it +does not become you to lie on your knees before me." + +"Oh, let me kneel, my king," said she, passionately; "let me beseech +you for mercy, for pity! Have compassion, King Henry--compassion on +the anxiety and agony which I endure. It is not possible that this +is all a reality! that this juggling is to be changed into such +terrible earnest! Tell me, King Henry--I conjure you by the agonies +which I suffer for your sake--tell me, what will you do with Henry +Howard? Why have you sent him to the Tower?" + +"To punish the traitor as he deserves," said the king, as he cast a +dark and angry look across at Douglas, who had also approached his +daughter, and was now standing close by her. + +Lady Jane uttered a heartrending cry, and sank down again, senseless +and completely exhausted. + +The king frowned. "It is possible," said he--"and I almost believe +it--that I have been deceived in many ways this evening, and that +now again my guilelessness has been played upon in order to impose +upon me a charming story. However, I have given my word to pardon; +and it shall not be said that Henry the Eighth, who calls himself +God's vicegerent, has ever broken his word; nor even that he has +punished those whom he has assured of exemption from punishment. My +Lord Douglas, I will fulfil my promise. I forgive you." + +He extended his hand to Douglas, who kissed it fervently. The king +bent down closer to him. "Douglas," whispered he, "you are as +cunning as a serpent; and I now see through your artfully-woven web! +You wanted to destroy Surrey, but the queen was to sink into the +abyss with him. Because I am indebted to you for Surrey, I forgive +you what you have done to the queen. But take heed to yourself, take +heed that I do not meet you again on the same track; do not ever try +again, by a look, a word, ay, even by a smile, to cast suspicion on +the queen. The slightest attempt would cost you your life! That I +swear to you by the holy mother of God; and you know that I have +never yet broken that oath. As regards Lady Jane, we do not want to +consider that she has misused the name of our illustrious and +virtuous consort in order to draw this lustful and adulterous earl +into the net which you had set for him; she obeyed your orders, +Douglas; and we will not now decide what other motives besides have +urged her to this deed. She may settle that with God and her own +conscience, and it does not behoove us to decide about it." + +"But it behooves me, perhaps, my husband, to ask by what right Lady +Jane has dared to appear here in this attire, and to present to a +certain degree a counterfeit of her queen?" asked Catharine in a +sharp tone. "I may well be allowed to ask what has made my maid of +honor, who left the festive hall sick, now all at once so well that +she goes roaming about the castle in the night time, and in a dress +which seems likely to be mistaken for mine? Sire, was this dress +perchance a craftily-devised stratagem, in order to really confound +us with one another? You are silent, my lord and king. It is true, +then, they have wanted to carry out a terrible plot against me; and, +without the assistance of my faithful and honest friend, John +Heywood, who brought me here, I should without doubt be now +condemned and lost, as the Earl of Surrey is." + +"Ah, John, it was you then that brought a little light into this +darkness?" cried the king, with a cheerful laugh, as he laid his +hand on Heywood's shoulder. "Now, verily, what the wise and prudent +did not see, that the fool has seen through!" + +"King Henry of England," said John Heywood, solemnly, "many call +themselves wise, and yet they are fools; and many assume the mask of +folly, because fools are allowed to be wise." + +"Kate," said the king, "you are right; this was a bad night for you, +but God and the fool have saved you and me. We will both be thankful +for it. But it is well if you do as you before wished, and ask and +inquire nothing more concerning the mysteries of this night. It was +brave in you to come here, and I will be mindful of it. Come, my +little queen, give me your arm and conduct me to my apartments. I +tell you, child, it gives me joy to be able to lean on your arm, and +see your dear sprightly face blanched by no fear or terrors of +conscience. Come, Kate, you alone shall lead me, and to you alone +will I trust myself." + +"Sire, you are too heavy for the queen," said the fool, as he put +his neck under the other arm. "Let me share with her the burden of +royalty." + +"But before we go," said Catharine, "I have, my husband, one +request. Will you grant it?" + +"I will grant you everything that you may ask, provided you will not +require me to send you to the Tower." + +"Sire, I wish to dismiss my maid of honor, Lady Jane Douglas, from +my service--that is all," said the queen, as her eyes glanced with +an expression of contempt, and yet at the same time of pain, at the +form of her friend of other days, prostrate on the floor. + +"She is dismissed!" said the king. "You will choose another maid of +honor to-morrow. Come, Kate!" + +And the king, supported by his consort and John Heywood, left the +room with slow and heavy steps. + +Earl Douglas watched them with a sullen, hateful expression. As the +door closed after them he raised his arm threateningly toward +heaven, and his trembling lips uttered a fierce curse and +execration. + +"Vanquished! vanquished again!" muttered he, gnashing his teeth. +"Humbled by this woman whom I hate, and whom I will yet destroy! +Yes, she has conquered this time; but we will commence the struggle +anew, and our envenomed weapon shall nevertheless strike her at +last!" + +Suddenly he felt a hand laid heavily on his shoulder, and a pair of +glaring, flaming eyes gazed at him. + +"Father," said Lady Jane, as she threw her right hand threateningly +toward heaven--"father, as true as there is a God above us, I will +accuse you yourself to the king as a traitor--I will betray to him +all your accursed plots--if you do not help me to deliver Henry +Howard!" + +Her father looked with an expression almost melancholy in her face, +painfully convulsed and pale as marble. "I will help you!" said he. +"I will do it, if you will help me also, and further my plans." + +"Oh, only save Henry Howard, and I will sign myself away to the +devil with my heart's blood!" said Jane Douglas, with a horrible +smile. "Save his life, or, if you have not the power to do that, +then at least procure me the happiness of being able to die with +him." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +UNDECEIVED. + + +Parliament, which had not for a long time now ventured to offer any +further opposition to the king's will--Parliament had acquiesced in +his decree. It had accused Earl Surrey of high treason; and, on the +sole testimony of his mother and his sister, he had been declared +guilty of lese majeste and high treason. A few words of discontent +at his removal from office, some complaining remarks about the +numerous executions that drenched England's soil with blood--that +was all that the Duchess of Richmond had been able to bring against +him. That he, like his father, bore the arms of the Kings of +England--that was the only evidence of high treason of which his +mother the Duchess of Norfolk could charge him. [Footnote: Tytler, +p. 402. Burnet, vol. i, p. 95.] + +These accusations were of so trivial a character, that the +Parliament well knew they were not the ground of his arrest, but +only a pretext for it--only a pretext, by which the king said to his +pliant and trembling Parliament: "This man is innocent; but I will +that you condemn him, and therefore you will account the accusation +sufficient." + +Parliament had not the courage to oppose the king's will. These +members of Parliament were nothing more than a flock of sheep, who, +in trembling dread of the sharp teeth of the dog, go straight along +the path which the dog shows them. + +The king wanted them to condemn the Earl of Surrey, and they +condemned him. + +They summoned him before their judgment-seat, and it was in vain +that he proved his innocence in a speech spirited and glowing with +eloquence. These noble members of Parliament would not see that he +was innocent. + +It is true, indeed, there were a few who were ashamed to bow their +heads so unreservedly beneath the king's sceptre, which dripped with +blood like a headsman's axe. There were still a few to whom the +accusation appeared insufficient; but they were outvoted; and in +order to give Parliament a warning example, the king, on the very +same day, had these obstinate ones arrested and accused of some +pretended crime. For this people, enslaved by the king's cruelty and +savage barbarity, were already so degenerate and debased in self- +consciousness, that men were always and without trouble found, who, +in order to please the king and his bloodthirstiness and +sanctimonious hypocrisy, degraded themselves to informers, and +accused of crime those whom the king's dark frown had indicated to +them as offenders. + +So Parliament had doomed the Earl of Surrey to die, and the king had +signed his death-warrant. + +Early next morning he was to be executed; and in the Tower-yard the +workmen were already busy in erecting the scaffold on which the +noble earl was to be beheaded. + +Henry Howard was alone in his cell. He had done with life and +earthly things. He had set his house in order and made his will; he +had written to his mother and sister, and forgiven them for their +treachery and accusation; he had addressed a letter to his father, +in which he exhorted him, in words as noble as they were touching, +to steadfastness and calmness, and bade him not to weep for him, for +death was his desire, and the grave the only refuge for which he +longed. + +He had then, as we have said, done with life; and earthly things no +longer disturbed him. He felt no regret and no fear. Life had left +him nothing more to wish; and he almost thanked the king that he +would so soon deliver him from the burden of existence. + +The future had nothing more to offer him; why then should he desire +it? Why long for a life which could be for him now only an isolated, +desolate, and gloomy one? For Geraldine was lost to him! He knew not +her fate; and no tidings of her had penetrated to him through the +solitary prison walls. Did the queen still live? Or had the king in +his wrath murdered her on that very night when Henry was carried to +the Tower, and his last look beheld his beloved lying at her +husband's feet, swooning and rigid. + +What had become of the queen--of Henry Howard's beloved Geraldine? +He knew nothing of her. He had hoped in vain for some note, some +message from her; but he had not dared to ask any one as to her +fate. Perhaps the king desisted from punishing her likewise. Perhaps +his murderous inclination had been satisfied by putting Henry Howard +to death; and Catharine escaped the scaffold. It might, therefore, +have been ruinous to her, had he, the condemned, inquired after her. +Or, if she had gone before him, then he was certain of finding her +again, and of being united with her forevermore beyond the grave. + +He believed in a hereafter, for he loved; and death did not affright +him, for after death came the reunion with her, with Geraldine, who +either was already waiting for him there above, or would soon follow +him. + +Life had nothing more to offer him. Death united him to his beloved. +He hailed death as his friend and savior, as the priest who was to +unite him to his Geraldine. He heard the great Tower clock of the +prison which with threatening stroke made known the hour; and each +passing hour he hailed with a joyous throb of the heart. The evening +came and deep night descended upon him--the last night that was +allotted to him-the last night that separated him from his +Geraldine. + +The turnkey opened the door to bring the earl a light, and to ask +whether he had any orders to give. Heretofore it had been the king's +special command not to allow him a light in his cell; and he had +spent these six long evenings and nights of his imprisonment in +darkness. But to-day they were willing to give him a light; to-day +they were willing to allow him everything that he might still +desire. The life which he must leave in a few hours was to be once +more adorned for him with all charms and enjoyments which he might +ask for. Henry Howard had but to wish, and the jailer was ready to +furnish him everything. + +But Henry Howard wished for nothing; he demanded nothing, save that +they would leave him alone-save that they would remove from his +prison this light which dazzled him, and which opposed to his +enrapturing dreams the disenchanting reality. + +The king, who had wanted to impose a special punishment in +condemning him to darkness-the king had, contrary to his intention, +become thereby his benefactor. For with darkness came dreams and +fantasies. With the darkness came Geraldine. + +When night and silence were ail around him, then there was light +within; and an enchanting whisper and a sweet, enticing voice +resounded within him. The gates of his prison sprang open, and on +the wings of thought Henry Howard soared away from that dismal and +desolate place. On the wings of thought he came to her-to his +Geraldine. + +Again she was by him, in the large, silent hall. Again night lay +upon them, like a veil concealing, blessing, and enveloping them;- +and threw its protection over their embraces and their kisses. +Solitude allowed him to hear again the dear music of her voice, +which sang for him so enchanting a melody of love and ecstasy. + +Henry Howard must be alone, so that he can hear his Geraldine. Deep +darkness must surround him, so that his Geraldine can come to him. + +He demanded, therefore, for his last night, nothing further than to +be left alone, and without a light. The jailer extinguished the +light and left the cell. But he did not shove the great iron bolt +across the door. He did not put the large padlock on it, but he only +left the door slightly ajar, and did not lock it at all. + +Henry Howard took no notice of this. What cared he, whether this +gate was locked or no-he who no longer had a desire for life and +freedom! + +He leaned back on his seat, and dreamed with eyes open. There below +in the yard they were working on the scaffold which Henry Howard was +to ascend as soon as day dawned. The dull monotony of the strokes of +the hammers fell on his ear. Now and then the torches, which lighted +the workmen at their melancholy task, allowed to shine up into his +cell a pale glimmer of light, which danced on the walls in ghost- +like shapes. + +"There are the ghosts of all those that Henry has put to death," +thought Henry Howard; "they gather around me; like will-o'-the- +wisps, they dance with me the dance of death, and in a few hours I +shall be forever theirs." + +The dull noise of hammers and saws continued steadily on, and Henry +Howard sank deeper and deeper in reverie. + +He thought, he felt, and desired nothing but Geraldine. His whole +soul was concentrated in that single thought of her. It seemed to +him he could bid his spirit see her, as though he could command his +senses to perceive her. Yes, she was there; he felt-he was conscious +of her presence. Again he lay at her feet, and leaned his head on +her knee, and listened again to those charming revelations of her +love. + +Completely borne away from the present, and from existence, he saw, +he felt, only her. The mystery of love was perfected, and, under the +veil of night, Geraldine had again winged her way to him, and he to +her. + +A happy smile played about his lips, which faltered forth rapturous +words of greeting. Overcome by a wonderful hallucination, he saw his +beloved approaching him; he stretched out his arms to clasp her; and +it did not arouse him when he felt instead of her only the empty +air. + +"Why do you float away from me again, Geraldine?" asked he, in a low +tone. "Wherefore do you withdraw from my arms, to whirl with the +will-o'-the-wisps in the death-dance? Come, Geraldine, come; my soul +burns for you. My heart calls you with its last faltering throb. +Come, Geraldine, oh, come!" + +What was that? It was as though the door were gently opened, and the +latch again gently fastened. It was as though a foot were moving +softly over the floor-as though the shape of a human form shaded for +a moment the flickering light which danced around the walls. + +Henry Howard saw it not. + +He saw naught but his Geraldine, whom he with so much fervency and +longing wished by his side. He spread his arms; he called her with +all the ardor, all the enthusiasm of a lover. + +Now he uttered a cry of ecstasy. His prayer of love was answered. +The dream had become a reality. His arms no longer clasped the empty +air; they pressed to his breast the woman whom he loved, and for +whom he was to die. + +He pressed his lips to her mouth and she returned his kisses. He +threw his arms around her form, and she pressed him fast, fast to +her bosom. + +Was this a reality? Or was it madness that was creeping upon him and +seizing upon his brain, and deceiving him with fantasies so +enchanting? + +Henry Howard shuddered as he thought this, and, falling upon his +knees, he cried in a voice trembling with agony and love: +"Geraldine, have pity on me! Tell me that this is no dream, that I +am not mad--that you are really--you are Geraldine--you--the king's +consort, whose knees I now clasp! Speak, oh speak, my Geraldine!" + +"I am she!" softly whispered she. "I am Geraldine--am the woman whom +you love, and to whom you have sworn eternal truth and eternal love! +Henry Howard, my beloved, I now remind you of your oath! Your life +belongs to me. This you have vowed, and I now come to demand of you +that which is my own!" + +"Ay, my life belongs to you, Geraldine! But it is a miserable, +melancholy possession, which you will call yours only a few hours +longer." + +She threw her arms closely around his neck; she raised him to her +heart; she kissed his mouth, his eyes. He felt her tears, which +trickled like hot fountains over his face; he heard her sighs, which +struggled from her breast like death-groans. + +"You must not die!" murmured she, amid her tears. "No, Henry, you +must live, so that I too can live; so that I shall not become mad +from agony and sorrow for you! My God, my God, do you not then feel +how I love you? Know you not, then, that your life is my life, and +your death my death?" + +He leaned his head on her shoulder, and, wholly intoxicated with +happiness, he scarcely heard what she was speaking. + +She was again there! What cared he for all the rest? + +"Geraldine," softly whispered he, "do you recollect still how we +first met each other? how our hearts were united in one throb, how +our lips clung to each other in one kiss? Geraldine, my life, my +loved one, we then swore that naught could separate us, that our +love should survive the grave! Geraldine, do you remember that +still?" + +"I remember it, my Henry! But you shall not die yet; and not in +death, but in life, shall your love for me be proved! Ay, we will +live, live! And your life shall be my life, and where you are, there +will I be also! Henry, do you remember that you vowed this to me +with a solemn oath!" + +"I remember it, but I cannot keep my word, my Geraldine! Hear you +how they are sawing and hammering there below? Know you what that +indicates, dearest?" + +"I know it, Henry! It is the scaffold that they are building there +below. The scaffold for you and me. For I too will die if you will +not live; and the axe that seeks your neck shall find mine also, if +you wish not that we both live!" + +"Do I wish it! But how can we, beloved?" + +"We can, Henry, we can! All is ready for the flight! It is all +arranged, everything prepared! The king's signet-ring has opened to +me the gates of the prison; the omnipotence of gold has won over +your jailer. He will not see it, when two persons instead of one +leave this dungeon. Unmolested and without hinderance, we will both +leave the Tower by ways known only to him, over secret corridors and +staircases, and will go aboard a boat which is ready to take us to a +ship, which lies in the harbor prepared to sail, and which as soon +as we are aboard weighs anchor and puts to sea with us. Come, Henry, +come! Lay your arm in mine, and let us leave this prison!" + +She threw both her arms around his neck, and drew him forward. He +pressed her fast to his heart and whispered: "Yes, come, come, my +beloved! Let us fly! To you belongs my life, you alone!" + +He raised her up in his arms, and hastened with her to the door. He +pushed it hastily open with his foot and hurried forward down the +corridor; but having arrived just at the first turn he reeled back +in horror. + +Before the door wore standing soldiers with shouldered arms. There +stood also the lieutenant of the Tower, and two servants behind him +with lighted candles. Geraldine gave a scream, and with anxious +haste rearranged the thick veil that had slipped from her head. + +Henry Howard also had uttered a cry, but not on account of the +soldiers and the frustrated flight. + +His eyes, stretched wide open, stared at this figure at his side, +now so closely veiled. + +It seemed to him as though like a spectre a strange face had risen +up close by him--as though it were not the beloved head of the queen +that rested there on his shoulder. He had seen this face only as a +vision, as the fantasy of a dream; but he knew with perfect +certainty that it was not her countenance, not the countenance of +his Geraldine. + +The lieutenant of the Tower motioned to his servants, and they +carried the lighted candles into the earl's cell. + +Then he gave Henry Howard his hand and silently led him back into +the prison. + +Henry Howard exhibited no reluctance to follow him; but his hand had +seized Geraldine's arm, and he drew her along with him; his eye +rested on her with a penetrating expression, and seemed to threaten +her. + +They were now again in the room which they had before left with such +blessed hopes. + +The lieutenant of the Tower motioned to the servants to retire, then +turned with solemn earnestness to Earl Surrey. + +"My lord," said he, "it is at the king's command that I bring you +these lights. His majesty knows all that has happened here this +night. He knew that a plot was formed to rescue you; and while they +believed they were deceiving him, the plotters themselves were +deceived. They had succeeded under various artful false pretences in +influencing the king to give his signet-ring to one of his lords. +But his majesty was already warned, and he already knew that it was +not a man, as they wanted to make him believe, but a woman, who +came, not to take leave of you, but to deliver you from prison.--My +lady, the jailer whom you imagined that you had bribed was a +faithful servant of the king. He betrayed your plot to me; and it +was I who ordered him to make a show of favoring your deed. You will +not be able to release Earl Surrey; but if such is your command, I +will myself see you to the ship that lies in the harbor for you +ready to sail. No one will hinder you, my lady, from embarking on +it; Earl Surrey is not permitted to accompany you!--My lord, soon +the night is at an end, and you know that it will be your last +night. The king has ordered that I am not to prevent this lady, if +she wishes to spend this night with you in your room. But she is +allowed to do so only on the condition that the lights in your room +remain burning. That is the king's express will, and these are his +own words: 'Tell Earl Surrey that I allow him to love his Geraldine, +but that he is to open his eyes to see her! That he may see, you +will give him a light; and I command him not to extinguish it so +long as Geraldine is with him. Otherwise he may confound her with +another woman; for in the dark one cannot distinguish even a +harlequin from a queen!'--You have now to decide, my lord, whether +this lady remains with you, or whether she goes, and the light shall +be put out!" + +"She shall remain with me, and I very much need the light!" said +Earl Surrey; and his penetrating look rested steadily on the veiled +figure, which shook at his words, as if in an ague. + +"Have you any other wish besides this, my lord?" + +"None, save that I may be left alone with her." + +The lieutenant bowed and left the room. + +They wore now alone again, and stood confronting each other in +silence. Naught was heard but the beating of their hearts, and the +sighs of anguish that burst from Geraldine's trembling lips. + +It was an awful, a terrible pause. Geraldine would gladly have given +her life could she thereby have extinguished the light and veiled +herself in impenetrable darkness. + +But the earl would see. With an angry, haughty look, he stepped up +to her, and, as with commanding gesture lie raised his arm, +Geraldine shuddered and submissively bowed her head. + +"Unveil your face!" said he, in a tone of command. She did not stir. +She murmured a prayer, then raised her clasped hands to Henry and in +a low moan, said: "Mercy! mercy!" + +He extended his hand and seized the veil. + +"Mercy!" repeated she, in a voice of still deeper supplication--of +still greater distress. + +But he was inexorable. He tore the veil from her face and stared at +her. Then with a wild shriek he reeled back and covered his face +with his hands. + +Jane Douglas durst not breathe or stir. She was pale as marble; her +large, burning eyes were fastened with an unutterable expression of +entreaty upon her lover, who stood before her with covered head, and +crushed with anguish. She loved him more than her life, more than +her eternal salvation; and yet she it was that had brought him to +this hour of agony. + +At length Earl Surrey let his hands fall from his face, and with a +fierce movement dashed the tears from his eyes. + +As he looked at her, Jane Douglas wholly involuntarily sank upon her +knees, and raised her hands imploringly to him. "Henry Howard," said +she, in a low whisper, "I am Geraldine! Me have you loved; my +letters have you read with ecstasy, and to me have you often sworn +that you loved my mind yet more than my appearance. And often has my +heart been filled with rapture, when you told me you would love me +however my face might change, however old age or sickness might +alter my features. You remember, Henry, how I once asked you whether +you would cease to love me, if now God suddenly put a mask before my +face, so that you could not recognize my features. You replied to +me: 'Nevertheless, I should love and adore you; for what in you +ravishes me, is not your face, but you yourself--yourself with your +glorious being and nature. It is your soul and your heart which can +never change, which lie before me like a holy book, clear and +bright!' That was your reply to me then, as you swore to love me +eternally. Henry Howard, I now remind you of your oath! I am your +Geraldine. It is the same soul, the same heart; only God has put a +mask upon my face!" + +Earl Surrey had listened to her with eager attention, with +increasing amazement. + +"It is she! It is really!" cried he, as she ceased. "It is +Geraldine!" + +And wholly overcome, wholly speechless with anguish, he sank into a +seat. + +Geraldine flew to him; she crouched at his feet; she seized his +drooping hand and covered it with kisses. And amid streaming tears, +often interrupted by her sighs and her sobs, she recounted to him +the sad and unhappy history of her love; she unveiled before him the +whole web of cunning and deceit, that her father had drawn around +them both. She laid her whole heart open and unveiled before him. +She told him of her love, of her agonies, of her ambition, and her +remorse. She accused herself; but she pleaded her love as an excuse, +and with streaming tears, clinging to his knees, she implored him +for pity, for forgiveness. + +He thrust her violently from him, and stood up in order to escape +her touch. His noble countenance glowed with anger: his eyes darted +lightning; his long flowing hair shaded his lofty brow and his face +like a sombre veil. He was beautiful in his wrath, beautiful as the +archangel Michael trampling the dragon beneath his feet. And thus he +bent down his head toward her; thus he gazed at her with flashing +and contemptuous looks. + +"I forgive you?" said he. "Never will that be! Ha, shall I forgive +you?--you, who have made my entire life a ridiculous lie, and +transformed the tragedy of my love into a disgusting farce? Oh, +Geraldine, how I have loved you; and now you have become to me a +loathsome spectre, before which my soul shudders, and which I must +execrate! You have crushed my life, and even robbed my death of its +sanctity; for now it is no longer the martyrdom of my love, but only +the savage mockery of my credulous heart. Oh, Geraldine, how +beautiful it would have been to die for you!--to go to death with +your name upon my lips!--to bless you!--to thank you for my happy +lot, as the axe was already uplifted to smite off my head! How +beautiful to think that death does not separate us, but is only the +way to an eternal union; that we should lose each other but a brief +moment here, to find each other again forevermore!" + +Geraldine writhed at his feet like a worm trodden upon; and her +groans of distress and her smothered moans were the heartrending +accompaniment of his melancholy words. + +"But that is now all over!" cried Henry Howard; and his face, which +was before convulsed with grief and agony, now glowed again with +wrath. "You have poisoned my life and my death; and I shall curse +you for it, and my last word will be a malediction on the harlequin +Geraldine!" + +"Have pity!" groaned Jane. "Kill me, Henry; stamp my head beneath +your feet; only let this torture end!" + +"Nay, no pity!" yelled he, wildly; "no pity for this impostor, who +has stolen my heart and crept like a thief into my love! Arise, and +leave this room; for you fill me with horror; and when I behold you, +I feel only that I must curse you! Ay, a curse on you and shame, +Geraldine! Curse on the kisses that I have impressed on your lips-- +on the tears of rapture that I have wept on your bosom. When I +ascend the scaffold, I will curse you, and my last words shall be: +'Woe to Geraldine!--for she is my murderess!'" + +He stood there before her with arm raised on high, proud and great +in his wrath. She felt the destroying lightning of his eyes, though +she durst not look up at him, but lay at his feet moaning and +convulsed, and concealing her face in her veil, as she shuddered at +her own picture. + +"And this be my last word to you Geraldine," said Henry Howard, +panting for breath: "Go hence under the burden of my curse, and +live--if you can!" + +She unveiled her head, and raised her countenance toward him. A +contemptuous smile writhed about her deathly pale lips. "Live!" said +she. "Have we not sworn to die with each other? Your curse does not +release me from my oath, and when you descend into the grave, Jane +Douglas will stand upon its brink, to wail and weep until you make a +little place for her there below; until she has softened your heart +and you take her again, as your Geraldine, into your grave. Oh, +Henry! in the grave, I no longer wear the face of Jane Douglas--that +hated face, which I would tear with my nails. In the grave, I am +Geraldine again. There I may again lie close to your heart, and +again you will say to me: 'I love not your face and your external +form! I love you yourself; I love your heart and mind; and that can +never change; and can never be otherwise!'" + +"Silence!" said he, roughly; "silence, if you do not want me to run +mad! Cast not my own words in my face. They defile me, for falsehood +has desecrated and trodden them in the mire. No! I will not make +room for you in my grave. I will not again call you Geraldine. You +are Jane Douglas, and I hate you, and I hurl my curse upon your +criminal head! I tell you--" + +He suddenly paused, and a slight convulsion ran through his whole +frame. + +Jane Douglas uttered a piercing scream, and sprang from her knees. + +Day had broken; and from the prison-tower sounded the dismal, +plaintive stroke of the death-bell. + +"Do you hear, Jane Douglas?" said Surrey. "That bell summons me to +death. You it is that has poisoned my last hour. I was happy when I +loved you. I die in despair, for I despise and hate you." + +"No, no, you dare not die!" cried she, clinging to him with +passionate anguish. "You dare not go to the grave with that fierce +curse upon your lips. I cannot be your murderess. Oh, it is not +possible that they will put you to death--you, the beautiful, the +noble and the virtuous Earl Surrey. My God, what have you done to +excite their wrath? You are innocent; and they know it. They cannot +execute you; for it would be murder! You have committed no offence; +you have been guilty of nothing; no crime attaches to your noble +person. It is indeed no crime to love Jane Douglas, and me have you +loved--me alone." + +"No, not you," said he proudly; "I have nothing to do with Lady Jane +Douglas. I loved the queen, and I believed she returned my love. +That is my crime." + +The door opened: and in solemn silence the lieutenant of the Tower +entered with the priests and his assistants. In the door was seen +the bright-red dress of the headsman, who was standing upon the +threshold with face calm and unmoved. + +"It is time!" solemnly said the lieutenant. + +The priest muttered his prayers, and the assistants swung their +censers. Without, the death-bell kept up its wail; and from the +court was heard the hum of the mob, which, curious and bloodthirsty +as it ever is, had streamed hither to behold with laughing mouth the +blood of the man who but yesterday was its favorite. + +Earl Surrey stood there a moment in silence. His features worked and +were convulsed, and a deathlike pallor covered his cheeks. + +He trembled, not at death, but at dying. It seemed to him that he +already felt on his neck the cold broad-axe which that frightful man +there held in his hand. Oh, to die on the battle-field--what a boon +it would have been! To come to an end on the scaffold--what a +disgrace was this! + +"Henry Howard, my son, are you prepared to die?" asked the priest. +"Have you made your peace with God? Do you repent of your sins, and +do you acknowledge death as a righteous expiation and punishment? Do +you forgive your enemies, and depart hence at peace with yourself +and with mankind?" + +"I am prepared to die," said Surrey, with a proud smile; "the other +questions, my father, I will answer to my God." + +"Do you confess that you were a wicked traitor? And do you beg the +forgiveness of your noble and righteous, your exalted and good king, +for the blasphemous injury to his sacred majesty?" + +Earl Surrey looked him steadily in the eye. "Do you know what crime +I am accused of?" + +The priest cast down his eyes, and muttered a few unintelligible +words. + +With a haughty movement of the head, Henry Howard turned from the +priest to the lieutenant of the Tower. + +"Do you know my crime, my lord?" said he. + +But the lord lieutenant also dropped his eyes, and remained silent. + +Henry Howard smiled. "Well, now, I will tell you. I have, as it +becomes me, my father's son, borne the arms of our house on my +shield and over the entrance of my palace, and it has been +discovered that the king bears the same arms that we do. That is my +high treason! I have said that the king is deceived in many of his +servants, and often promotes his favorites to high honors which they +do not deserve. That is my offence against his majesty; and it is +that for which I shall lay my head upon the block. [Footnote: These +two insignificant accusations were the only points that could be +made out against the Earl of Surrey. Upon these charges, brought by +his mother and sister, he was executed.--Tytler, p. 492; Burnet, +vol. I, p. 75; Leti, vol. I, p. 108.] But make yourself easy; I +shall myself add to my crimes one more, so that they may be grievous +enough to make the conscience of the righteous and generous king +quiet. I have given up my heart to a wretched and criminal love, and +the Geraldine whom I have sung in many a poem, and have celebrated +even before the king, was nothing but a miserable coquettish +strumpet!" + +Jane Douglas gave a scream, and sank upon the ground as if struck by +lightning. + +"Do you repent of this sin, my son?" asked the priest. "Do you turn +your heart away from this sinful love, in order to turn it to God?" + +"I not only repent of this love, but I execrate it! and now, my +father, let us go; for you see, indeed, my lord is becoming +impatient. He bears in mind that the king will find no rest until +the Howards also have gone to rest. Ah, King Henry! King Henry! Thou +callest thyself the mighty king of the world, and yet thou tremblest +before the arms of thy subject! My lord, if you go to the king to- +day, give him Henry Howard's greeting; and tell him, I wish his bed +may be as easy to him as the grave will be to me. Now, come, my +lords! It is time." + +With head proudly erect and calm step, he turned to the door. But +now Jane Douglas sprang from the ground; now she rushed to Henry +Howard and clung to him with all the might of her passion and agony. +"I leave you not!" cried she, breathless and pale as death. "You +dare not repulse me, for you have sworn that we shall live and die +together." + +He hurled her from him in fierce wrath, and drew himself up before +her, lofty and threatening. + +"I forbid you to follow me!" cried he, in a tone of command. She +reeled back against the wall and looked at him, trembling and +breathless. + +He was still lord over her soul; she was still subject to him in +love and obedience. She could not therefore summon up courage to +defy his command. + +She beheld him as he left the room and passed down the corridor with +his dreadful train; she heard their footsteps gradually die away; +and then suddenly in the yard sounded the hollow roll of the drum. + +Jane Douglas fell on her knees to pray, but her lips trembled so +much that she could find no words for her prayer. + +The roll of the drum ceased in the court below, and only the death- +bell still continued to wail and wail. She heard a voice speaking +loud and powerful words. + +It was his voice; it was Henry Howard that was speaking. And now +again the hollow roll of the drums drowned his voice. + +"He dies! He dies, and I am not with him!" cried she, with a shriek; +and she gathered herself up, and as if borne by a whirlwind she +dashed out of the room, through the corridor, and down the stairs. + +There she stood in the court. That dreadful black pile above there, +in the midst of this square crowded with men--that was the scaffold. +Yonder she beheld him prostrate on his knees. She beheld the axe in +the headsman's hand; she saw him raise it for the fatal stroke. + +She was a woman no longer, but a lioness! Not a drop of blood was in +her cheeks. Her nostrils were expanded and her eyes darted +lightning. + +She drew out a dagger that she had concealed in her bosom, and made +a path through the amazed, frightened, yielding crowd. + +With one spring she had rushed up the steps of the scaffold. She now +stood by him on the top of it--close by that kneeling figure. + +There was a flash through the air. She heard a peculiar whiz--then a +hollow blow. A red vapor-like streak of blood spurted up, and +covered Jane Douglas with its crimson flood. + +"I come, Henry, I come!" cried she, with a wild shout. "I shall be +with thee in death!" And again there was a flash through the air. It +was the dagger that Jane Douglas plunged into her heart. + +She had struck well. No sound--no groan burst from her lips. With a +proud smile she sank by her lover's headless corpse, and with a last +dying effort she said to the horrified headsman: "Let me share his +grave! Henry Howard, in life and in death I am with thee!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +NEW INTRIGUES. + + +Henry Howard was dead; and now one would have thought the king might +be satisfied and quiet, and that sleep would no longer flee from his +eyelids, since Henry Howard, his great rival, had closed his eyes +forever; since Henry Howard was no longer there, to steal away his +crown, to fill the world with the glory of his deeds, to dim the +genius of the king by his own fame as a poet. + +But the king was still dissatisfied. Sleep still fled from his +couch. + +The cause of this was that his work was only just half done. Henry +Howard's father, the Duke of Norfolk, still lived. The cause of this +was, that the king was always obliged to think of this powerful +rival; and these thoughts chased sleep from his eyelids. His soul +was sick of the Howards; therefore his body suffered such terrible +pains. If the Duke of Norfolk would close his eyes in death, then +would the king also be able to close his again in refreshing sleep! +But this court of peers--and only by such a court could the duke be +judged--this court of peers was so slow and deliberate! It worked +far less rapidly, and was not near so serviceable, as the Parliament +which had so quickly condemned Henry Howard. Why must the old Howard +bear a ducal title? Why was he not like his son, only an earl, so +that the obedient Parliament might condemn him? + +That was the king's inextinguishable grief, his gnawing pain, which +made him raving with fury and heated his blood, and thereby +increased the pains of his body. + +He raved and roared with impatience. Through the halls of his palace +resounded his savage vituperation. It made every one tremble and +quake, for no one was sure that it was not he that was to fall that +day a victim to the king's fury. No one could know whether the +king's ever-increasing thirst for blood would not that day doom him. + +With the most jealous strictness the king, from his sick-couch, +watched over his royal dignity; and the least fault against that +might arouse his wrath and bloodthirstiness. Woe to those who wanted +still to maintain that the pope was the head of the Church! Woe to +those who ventured to call God the only Lord of the Church, and +honored not the king as the Church's holy protector! The one, like +the other, were traitors and sinners, and he had Protestants and +Roman Catholics alike executed, however near they stood to his own +person, and however closely he was otherwise bound to them. + +Whoever, therefore, could avoid it, kept himself far from the +dreaded person of the king; and whoever was constrained by duty to +be near him, trembled for his life, and commended his soul to God. + +There were only four persons who did not fear the king, and who +seemed to be safe from his destroying wrath. There was the queen, +who nursed him with devoted attention, and John Heywood, who with +untiring zeal sustained Catharine in her difficult task, and who +still sometimes succeeded in winning a smile from the king. There +were, furthermore, Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and Earl Douglas. + +Lady Jane Douglas was dead. The king had therefore forgiven her +father, and again shown himself gracious and friendly to the deeply- +bowed earl. Besides, it was such an agreeable and refreshing feeling +to the suffering king to have some one about him who suffered yet +more than he himself! It comforted him to know that there could be +agonies yet more horrible than those pains of the body under which +he languished. Earl Douglas suffered these agonies; and the king saw +with a kind of delight how his hair turned daily more gray, and his +features became more relaxed and feeble. Douglas was younger than +the king, and yet how old and gray his face was beside the king's +well-fed and blooming countenance! + +Could the king have seen the bottom of his soul, he would have had +less sympathy with Earl Douglas's sorrow. + +He considered him only as a tender father mourning the death of his +only child. He did not suspect that it was less the father that +Jane's painful death had smitten, than the ambitious man, the +fanatical Roman Catholic, the enthusiastic disciple of Loyola, who +with dismay saw all his plans frustrated, and the moment drawing +nigh when he would be divested of that power and consideration which +he enjoyed in the secret league of the disciples of Jesus. With him, +therefore, it was less the daughter, for whom he mourned, than the +king's seventh wife. And that Catharine wore the crown, and not his +daughter--not Jane Douglas--his it was that he could never forgive +the queen. + +He wanted to take vengeance on the queen for Jane's death; he wanted +to punish Catharine for his frustrated hopes, for his desires that +she had trampled upon. But Earl Douglas durst not himself venture to +make another attempt to prejudice the king's mind against his +consort. Henry had interdicted him from it under the penalty of his +wrath. With words of threatening, he had warned him from such an +attempt; and Earl Douglas very well knew that King Henry was +inflexible in his determination, when the matter under consideration +was the execution of a threatened punishment, Yet what Douglas durst +not venture, that Gardiner could venture--Gardiner, who, thanks to +the capriciousness of the sick king, had for the few days past +enjoyed again the royal favor so unreservedly that the noble +Archbishop Cranmer had received orders to leave the court and retire +to his episcopal residence at Lambeth. + +Catharine had seen him depart with anxious forebodings; for Cranmer +had ever been her friend and her support. His mild and serene +countenance had ever been to her like a star of peace in the midst +of this tempest-tossed and passion-lashed court life; and his gentle +and noble words had always fallen like a soothing balm on her poor +trembling heart. + +She felt that with his departure she lost her noblest support, her +strengthening aid, and that she was now surrounded only by enemies +and opponents. True, she still had John Heywood, the faithful +friend, the indefatigable servant; but since Gardiner had exercised +his sinister influence over the king's mind, John Heywood durst +scarcely risk himself in Henry's presence. True, she had also Thomas +Seymour, her lover; but she knew and felt that she was everywhere +surrounded by spies and eavesdroppers, and that now it required +nothing more than an interview with Thomas Seymour--a few tender +words--perchance even only a look full of mutual understanding and +love, in order to send him and her to the scaffold. + +She trembled not for herself, but for her lover. That made her +cautious and thoughtful. That gave her courage never to show Thomas +Seymour other than a cold, serious face; never to meet him otherwise +than in the circle of her court; never to smile on him; never to +give him her hand. + +She was, however, certain of her future. She knew that a day would +come on which the king's death would deliver her from her burdensome +grandeur and her painful royal crown; when she should be free--free +to give her hand to the man whom alone on earth she loved, and to +become his wife. + +She waited for that day, as the prisoner does for the hour of his +release; but like him she knew that a premature attempt to escape +from her dungeon would bring her only ruin and death, and not +freedom. + +She must be patient and wait. She must give up all personal +intercourse with her lover; and even his letters John Heywood could +bring her but very seldom, and only with the greatest caution. How +often already had not John Heywood conjured her to give up this +correspondence also! how often had he not with tears in his eyes +besought her to renounce this love, which might one day be her ruin +and her death! Catharine laughed at his gloomy forebodings, and +opposed to his dark prophecies a bravery reliant on the future, the +joyous courage of her love. + +She would not die, for happiness and love were awaiting her; she +would not renounce happiness and love, for the sake of which she +could endure this life in other respects--this life of peril, of +resignation, of enmity, and of hatred. + +But she wanted to live in order to be happy hereafter. This thought +made her brave and resolute; it gave her courage to defy her enemies +with serene brow and smiling lip; it enabled her to sit with bright +eye and rosy cheeks at the side of her dreaded and severe husband, +and, with cheerful wit and inexhaustible good-humor, jest away the +frown from his brow, and vexation from his soul. + +But just because she could do this, she was a dangerous antagonist +to Douglas and Gardiner. Just on that account, it was to be their +highest effort to destroy this beautiful young woman, who durst defy +them and weaken their influence with the king. If they could but +succeed in rendering the king's mind more and more gloomy; if they +could but completely fill him again with fanatical religious zeal; +then, and then only, could they hope to attain their end; which end +was this: to bring back the king as a contrite, penitent, and humble +son of the only saving mother Church, and to make him again, from a +proud, vain, and imperious prince, an obedient and submissive son of +the pope. + +The king was to renounce this vain and blasphemous arrogance of +wishing to be himself head of his Church. He was to turn away from +the spirit of novelty and heresy, and again become a faithful and +devout Catholic. + +But in order that they might attain this end, Catharine must be +removed from him; he must no longer behold her rosy and beautiful +face, and no longer allow himself to be diverted by her sensible +discourse and her keen wit. + +"We shall not be able to overthrow the queen," said Earl Douglas to +Gardiner, as the two stood in the king's anteroom, and as +Catharine's cheerful chit-chat and the king's merry laugh came +pealing to them from the adjoining room. "No, no, Gardiner, she is +too powerful and too crafty. The king loves her very much; and she +is such an agreeable and refreshing recreation to him." + +"Just on that account we must withdraw her from him," said Gardiner, +with a dark frown. "He must turn away his heart from this earthly +love; and after we shall have mortified this love in him, this +savage and arrogant man will return to us and to God, contrite and +humble." But we shall not be able to mortify it, friend. It is so +ardent and selfish a love. + +"So much the greater will be the triumph, if our holy admonitions +are successful in touching his heart, Douglas. It is true he will +suffer very much if he is obliged to give up this woman. But he +needs precisely this suffering in order to become contrite and +penitent. His mind must first be entirely darkened, so that we can +illuminate it with the light of faith. He must first be rendered +perfectly isolated and comfortless in order to bring him back to the +holy communion of the Church, and to, find him again accessible to +the consolations of that faith which alone can save." + +"Ah," sighed Douglas, "I fear that this will be a useless struggle. +The king is so vain of his self-constituted high-priesthood!" + +"But he is such a weak man, and such a great sinner!" said Gardiner, +with a cold smile. "He trembles so much at death and God's judgment, +and our holy mother the Church can give him absolution, and by her +holy sacraments render death easy to him. He is a wicked sinner and +has stings of conscience. This it is that will bring him back again +to the bosom of the Catholic Church." + +"But when will that come to pass? The king is sick, and any day may +put an end to his life. Woe to us, if he die before he has given the +power into our hands, and nominated us his executors! Woe to us, if +the queen is appointed regent, and the king selects the Seymours as +her ministers! Oh, my wise and pious father, the work that you wish +to do must be done soon, or it must remain forever unaccomplished." + +"It shall be done this very day," said Gardiner, solemnly; and +bending down closer to the earl's ear, he continued: "we have lulled +the queen into assurance and self-confidence, and by this means she +shall be ruined this very day. She relies so strongly on her power +over the king's disposition, that she often summons up courage even +to contradict him, and to set her own will in opposition to his. +That shall be her ruin this very day! For mark well, earl; the king +is now again like a tiger that has been long fasting. He thirsts for +blood! The queen has an aversion to human blood, and she is +horrified when she hears of executions. So we must manage that these +opposing inclinations may come into contact, and contend with each +other." + +"Oh, I understand now," whispered Douglas; "and I bow in reverence +before the wisdom of your highness. You will let them both contend +with their own weapons." + +"I will point out a welcome prey to his appetite for blood, and give +her silly compassion an opportunity to contend with the king for his +prey. Do you not think, earl, that this will be an amusing +spectacle, and one refreshing to the heart, to see how the tiger and +dove struggle with each other? And I tell you the tiger thirsts so +much for blood! Blood is the only balm that he applies to his aching +limbs, and by which alone he imagines that he can restore peace and +courage to his tortured conscience and his dread of death. Ah, ha! +we have told him that, with each new execution of a heretic, one of +his great sins would be blotted out, and that the blood of the +Calvinists serves to wash out of his account-book some of his evil +deeds. He would be so glad to be able to appear pure and guiltless +before the tribunal of his God! Therefore he needs very much +heretical blood. But hark--the hour strikes which summons me to the +royal chamber! There has been enough of the queen's laughing and +chit-chat. We will now endeavor to banish the smile forever from her +face. She is a heretic; and it is a pious work, well pleasing to +God, if we plunge her headlong into ruin!" + +"May God be with your highness, and assist you by His grace, that +you may accomplish this sublime work!" + +"God will be with us, my son, since for Him it is that we labor and +harass ourselves. To His honor and praise we bring these +misbelieving heretics to the stake, and make the air re-echo with +the agonizing shrieks of those who are racked and tortured. That is +music well pleasing to God; and the angels in heaven will triumph +and be glad when the heretical and infidel Queen Catharine also has +to strike up this music of the damned. Now I go to the holy labor of +love and godly wrath. Pray for me, my son, that I may succeed. +Remain here in the anteroom, and await my call; perhaps we shall +need you. Pray for us, and with us. Ah, we still owe this heretical +queen a grudge for Anne Askew. To-day we will pay her. Then she +accused us, to-day we will accuse her, and God and His host of +saints and angels are with us." + +And the pious and godly priest crossed himself, and with head humbly +bowed and a soft smile about his thin, bloodless lips, strode +through the hall in order to betake himself to the king's chamber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +THE KING AND THE PRIEST. + + +"God bless and preserve your majesty!"said Gardiner as he entered, +to the king, who just then was sitting with the queen at the chess- +board. With frowning brow and compressed lips he looked over the +game, which stood unfavorable for him, and threatened him with a +speedy checkmate. + +It was not wise in the queen not to let the king win; for his +superstitious and jealous temper looked upon such a won game of +chess as withal an assault on his own person. And he who ventured to +conquer him at chess was always to Henry a sort of traitor that +threatened his kingdom, and was rash enough to attempt to seize the +crown. + +The queen very well knew that, but--Gardiner was right--she was too +self-confident. She trusted a little to her power over the king; she +imagined he would make an exception in her favor. And it was so dull +to be obliged ever to be the losing and conquered party at this +game; to permit the king always to appear as the triumphant victor, +and to bestow on his game praise which he did not deserve. Catharine +wanted to allow herself for once the triumph of having beaten her +husband. She fought him man to man; she irritated him by the ever- +approaching danger. The king, who at the beginning had been +cheerful, and laughed when Catharine took up one of his pieces--the +king now no longer laughed. It was no more a game. It was a serious +struggle; and he contended with his consort for the victory with +impassioned eagerness. Catharine did not even see the clouds which +were gathering on the king's brow. Her looks were directed only to +the chess-board; and, breathless with expectation and glowing with +eagerness, she considered the move she was about to make. + +But Gardiner was very well aware of the king's secret anger; and he +comprehended that the situation was favorable for him. + +With soft, sneaking step he approached the king, and, standing +behind him, looked over the game. + +"You are checkmated in four moves, my husband!" said the queen with +a cheerful laugh, as she made her move. + +A still darker frown gathered on the king's brow, and his lips were +violently compressed. + +"It is true, your majesty," said Gardiner. "You will soon have to +succumb. Danger threatens you from the queen." + +Henry gave a start, and turned his face to Gardiner with an +expression of inquiry. In his exasperated mood against the queen, +the crafty priest's ambiguous remark struck him with double +keenness. + +Gardiner was a very skilful hunter; the very first arrow that he +shot had hit. But Catharine, too, had heard it whiz. Gardiner's +slow, ambiguous words had startled her from her artless security; +and as she now looked into the king's glowing, excited face, she +comprehended her want of prudence. + +But it was too late to remedy it. The king's checkmate was +unavoidable; and Henry himself had already noticed his defeat. + +"It is all right!" said the king, impetuously. "You have won, +Catharine, and, by the holy mother of God! you can boast of the rare +good fortune of having vanquished Henry of England!" + +"I will not boast of it, my noble husband!" said she, with a smile. +"You have played with me as the lion does with the puppy, which he +does not crush only because he has compassion on him, and he pities +the poor little creature. Lion, I thank you. You have been +magnanimous to-day. You have let me win." + +The king's face brightened a little. Gardiner saw it. He must +prevent Catharine from following up her advantage further. + +"Magnanimity is an exalted, but a very dangerous virtue," said he, +gravely; "and kings above all things dare not exercise it; for +magnanimity pardons crimes committed, and kings are not here to +pardon, but to punish." + +"Oh, no, indeed," said Catharine; "to be able to be magnanimous is +the noblest prerogative of kings; and since they are God's +representatives on earth, they too must exercise pity and mercy, +like God himself." + +The king's brow again grew dark, and his sullen looks stared at the +chess-board. + +Gardiner shrugged his shoulders, and made no reply. He drew a roll +of papers out of his gown and handed it to the king. + +"Sire," said he, "I hope you do not share the queen's views; else it +would be bad for the quiet and peace of the country. Mankind cannot +be governed by mercy, but only through fear. Your majesty holds the +sword in his hands. If you hesitate to let it fall on evil-doers, +they will soon wrest it from your hands, and you will be powerless!" + +"Those are very cruel words, your highness!" exclaimed Catharine, +who allowed herself to be carried away by her magnanimous heart, and +suspected that Gardiner had come to move the king to some harsh and +bloody decision. + +She wanted to anticipate his design; she wanted to move the king to +mildness. But the moment was unpropitious for her. + +The king, whom she had just before irritated by her victory over +him, felt his vexation heightened by the opposition which she +offered to the bishop; for this opposition was at the same time +directed against himself. The king was not at all inclined to +exercise mercy; it was, therefore, a very wicked notion of the +queen's to praise mercy as the highest privilege of princes. + +With a silent nod of the head, he took the papers from Gardiner's +hands, and opened them. + +"Ah," said he, running over the pages, "your highness is right; men +do not deserve to be treated with mercy, for they are always ready +to abuse it. Because we have for a few weeks lighted no fagot-piles +and erected no scaffolds, they imagine that we are asleep; and they +begin their treasonable and mischievous doings with redoubled +violence, and raise their sinful fists against us, in order to mock +us. I see here an accusation against one who has presumed to say +that there is no king by the grace of God; and that the king is a +miserable and sinful mortal, just as well as the lowest beggar. +Well, we will concede this man his point--we will not be to him a +king by the grace of God, but a king by the wrath of God! We will +show him that we are not yet quite like the lowest beggar, for we +still possess at least wood enough to build a pile of fagots for +him." + +And as the king thus spoke, he broke out into a loud laugh, in which +Gardiner heartily chimed. + +"Here I behold the indictment of two others who deny the king's +supremacy," continued Henry, still turning over the leaves of the +papers. "They revile me as a blasphemer, because I dare call myself +God's representative--the visible head of His holy Church; they say +that God alone is Lord of His Church, and that Luther and Calvin are +more exalted representatives of God than the king himself. Verily we +must hold our royalty and our God-granted dignity very cheap, if we +should not punish these transgressors, who blaspheme in our sacred +person God Himself." + +He continued turning over the leaves. Suddenly a deep flush of anger +suffused his countenance, and a fierce curse burst from his lips. He +threw the paper on the table, and struck it with his clenched fist. +"Are all the devils let loose, then?" yelled he, in wrath. "Does +sedition blaze so wildly in my land, that we have no longer the +power to subdue it? Here a fanatical heretic on the public street +has warned the people not to read that holy book which I myself, +like a well-intentioned and provident father and guardian, wrote for +my people, and gave it them that they might be edified and exalted +thereby. And this book that felon has shown to the people, and said +to them: 'You call that the king's book; and you are right; for it +is a wicked book, a work of hell, and the devil is the king's +sponsor!' Ah, I see well we must again show our earnest and angry +face to this miserable, traitorous rabble, that it may again have +faith in the king. It is a wretched, disgusting, and contemptible +mob--this people! They are obedient and humble only when they +tremble and feel the lash. Only when they are trampled in the dust, +do they acknowledge that we are their master; and when we have +racked them and burnt, they have respect for our excellency. We +must, however, brand royalty on their bodies so that they may be +sensible of it as a reality. And by the eternal God, we will do +that! Give me the pen here that I may sign and ratify these +warrants. But dip the pen well, your highness, for there are eight +warrants, and I must write my name eight times. Ah, ah, it is a hard +and fatiguing occupation to be a king, and no day passes without +trouble and toil!" + +"The Lord our God will bless this toil to you!" said Gardiner, +solemnly, as he handed the king the pen. + +Henry was preparing to write, as Catharine laid her hand on his, and +checked him. + +"Do not sign them, my husband," said she, in a voice of entreaty. +"Oh, by all that is sacred to you, I conjure you not to let yourself +be carried away by your momentary vexation; let not the injured man +be mightier in you than the righteous king. Let the sun set and rise +on your wrath; and then, when you are perfectly calm, perfectly +composed--then pronounce judgment on these accused. For consider it +well, my husband, these are eight death-warrants that you are here +about to sign; and with these few strokes of the pen, you will tear +eight human beings from life, from family, and from the world; you +will take from the mother, her son; from the wife, her husband; and +from the infant children, their father. Consider it, Henry; it is so +weighty a responsibility that God has placed in your hand, and it is +presumptuous not to meet it in holy earnestness and undisturbed +tranquillity of mind." + +"Now, by the holy mother!" cried the king, striking vehemently upon +the table, "I believe, forsooth, you dare excuse traitors and +blasphemers of their king! You have not heard then of what they are +accused?" + +"I have heard it," said Catharine, more and more warmly; "I have +heard, and I say, nevertheless, sign not those death-warrants, my +husband. It is true these poor creatures have grievously erred, but +they erred as human beings. Then let your punishment also be human. +It is not wise, O king, to want to avenge so bitterly a trifling +injury to your majesty. A king must be exalted above reviling and +calumny. Like the sun, he must shine upon the just and the unjust, +no one of whom is so mighty that he can cloud his splendor and dim +his glory. Punish evil-doers and criminals, but be noble and +magnanimous toward those who have injured your person." + +"The king is no person that can be injured!" said Gardiner. "The +king is a sublime idea, a mighty, world-embracing thought. Whoever +injures the king, has not injured a person, but a divinely +instituted royalty--the universal thought that holds together the +whole world!" + +"Whoever injures the king has injured God!" yelled the king; "and +whoever seizes our crown and reviles us, shall have his hand struck +off, and his tongue torn out, as is done to atheists and +patricides!" + +"Well, strike off their hand then, mutilate them; but do not kill +them!" cried Catharine, passionately. "Ascertain at least whether +their crime is so grievous as they want to make you believe, my +husband. Oh, it is so easy now to be accused as a traitor and +atheist! All that is needed for it is an inconsiderate word, a +doubt, not as to God, but to his priests and this Church which you, +my king, have established; and of which the lofty and peculiar +structure is to many so new and unusual that they ask themselves in +doubt whether that is a Church of God or a palace of the king, and +that they lose themselves in its labyrinthine passages, and wander +about without being able to find the exit." + +"Had they faith," said Gardiner, solemnly, "they would not lose +their way; and were God with them, the entrance would not be closed +to them." + +"Oh, I well know that YOU are always inexorable!" cried Catharine, +angrily. "But it is not to you either that I intercede for mercy, +but to the king; and I tell you, sir bishop, it would be better for +you, and more worthy of a priest of Christian love, if you united +your prayers with mine, instead of wanting to dispose the king's +noble heart to severity. You are a priest; and you have learned in +your own life that there are many paths that lead to God, and that +we, one and all, doubt and are perplexed which of them is right." + +"How!" screamed the king, as he rose from his seat and gazed at +Catharine with angry looks. "You mean, then, that the heretics also +may find themselves on a path that leads to God?" + +"I mean," cried she, passionately, "that Jesus Christ, too, was +called an atheist, and executed. I mean that Stephen was stoned by +Paul, and that, nevertheless, both are now honored as saints and +prayed to as such. I mean, that Socrates was not damned because he +lived before Christ, and so could not be acquainted with his +religion; and that Horace and Julius Caesar, Phidias and Plato, must +yet be called great and noble spirits, even though they were +heathen. Yes, my lord and husband, I mean that it behooves us well +to exercise gentleness in matters of religion, and that faith is not +to be obtruded on men by main force as a burden, but is to be +bestowed upon them as a benefit through their own conviction." + +"So you do not hold these eight accused to be criminals worthy of +death?" asked Henry with studied calmness, and a composure +maintained with difficulty. + +"No, my husband! I hold that they are poor, erring mortals, who seek +the right path, and would willingly travel it; and who, therefore, +ask in doubt all along, 'Is this the right way?'" + +"It is enough!" said the king, as he beckoned Gardiner to him, and, +leaning on his arm, took a few steps across the room. "We will speak +no more of these matters. They are too grave for us to wish to +decide them in the presence of our gay young queen. The heart of +woman is always inclined to gentleness and forgiveness. You should +have borne that in mind, Gardiner, and not have spoken of these +matters in the queen's presence." + +"Sire, it was, however, the hour that you appointed for consultation +on these matters." + +"Was it the hour!" exclaimed the king, quickly. "Well, then we did +wrong to devote it to anything else than grave employments; and you +will pardon me, queen, if I beg you to leave me alone with the +bishop. Affairs of state must not be postponed." + +He presented Catharine his hand, and with difficulty, and yet with a +smiling countenance, conducted her to the door. As she stopped, and, +looking him in the eye with an expression inquiring and anxious, +opened her lips to speak to him, he made an impatient gesture with +his hand, and a dark frown gathered on his brow. + +"It is late," said he, hastily, "and we have business of state." + +Catharine did not venture to speak; she bowed in silence and left +the room. The king watched her with sullen brow and angry looks. +Then he turned round to Gardiner. + +"Now," asked he, "what do you think of the queen?" + +"I think," said Gardiner, so slowly and so deliberately that each +word had time to penetrate the king's sensitive heart like the prick +of a needle--"I think that she does not deem them criminals that +call the holy book which you have written a work of hell; and that +she has a great deal of sympathy for those heretics who will not +acknowledge your supremacy." + +"By the holy mother, I believe she herself would speak thus, and +avow herself among my enemies, if she were not my wife!" cried the +king, in whose heart rage began already to seethe like lava in a +volcano. + +"She does it already, although she is your wife, sire! She imagines +her exalted position renders her unamenable, and protects her from +your righteous wrath; therefore she does what no one else dares do, +and speaks what in the mouth of any other would be the blackest +treason." + +"What does she? and what says she?" cried the king. "Do not hesitate +to tell me, your highness. It behooves me well to know what my wife +does and says." + +"Sire, she is not merely the secret patroness of heretics and +reformers, but she is also a professor of their faith. She listens +to their false doctrine with eager mind, and receives the cursed +priests of this sect into her apartments, in order to hear their +fanatical discourse and hellish inspiration. She speaks of these +heretics as true believers and Christians; and denominates Luther +the light that God has sent into the world to illuminate the gloom +and falsehood of the Church with the splendor of truth and love-- +that Luther, sire, who dared write you such shameful and insulting +letters, and ridiculed in such a brutal manner your royalty and your +wisdom." + +"She is a heretic; and when you say that, you say everything!" +screamed the king. The volcano was ripe for an eruption, and the +seething lava must at last have an outlet. "Yes, she is a heretic!" +repeated the king; "and yet we have sworn to exterminate these +atheists from our land." + +"She very well knows that she is secure from your wrath," said +Gardiner, with a shrug of his shoulders. "She relies on the fact +that she is the queen, and that in the heart of her exalted husband +love is mightier than the faith." + +"Nobody shall suppose that he is secure from my wrath, and no one +shall rely on the security afforded him by my love. She is a proud, +arrogant, and audacious woman!" cried the king, whose looks were +just then fixed again on the chess-board, and whose spite was +heightened by the remembrance of the lost game. "She ventures to +brave us, and to have a will other than ours. By the holy mother, we +will endeavor to break her stubbornness, and bend her proud neck +beneath our will! Yes, I will show the world that Henry of England +is still the immovable and incorruptible. I will give the heretics +an evidence that I am in reality the defender and protector of the +faith and of religion in my land, and that nobody stands too high to +be struck by my wrath, and to feel the sword of justice on his neck. +She is a heretic; and we have sworn to destroy heretics with fire +and sword. We shall keep our oath." + +"And God will bless you with His blessing. He will surround your +head with a halo of fame; and the Church will praise you as her most +glorious pastor, her exalted head." + +"Be it so!" said the king, as with youthful alacrity he strode +across the room; and, stepping to his writing-table, with a vigorous +and fleet hand he wrote down a few lines. Gardiner stood in the +middle of the room with his hands folded; and his lips murmured in +an undertone a prayer, while his large flashing eyes were fastened +on the king with a curious and penetrating expression. + +"Here, your highness," the king then said, "take this paper--take it +and order everything necessary. It is an arrest-warrant; and before +the night draws on, the queen shall be in the Tower." + +"Verily, the Lord is mighty in you!" cried Gardiner, as he took the +paper; "the heavenly hosts sing their hallelujah and look down with +rapture on the hero who subdues his own heart to serve God and the +Church." + +"Take it and speed you!" said the king, hastily. "In a few hours +everything must be done. Give Earl Douglas the paper, and bid him go +with it to the lord-lieutenant of the Tower, so that he himself may +repair hither with the yeomen of the guard. For this woman is yet a +queen, and even in the criminal I will still recognize the queen. +The lord-lieutenant himself must conduct her to the Tower. Hasten +then, say I! But, hark you, keep all this a secret, and let nobody +know anything of it till the decisive moment arrives. Otherwise her +friends might take a notion to implore my mercy for this sinner; and +I abhor this whining and crying. Silence, then, for I am tired and +need rest and sleep. I have, as you say, just done a work well +pleasing to God; perhaps He may send me, as a reward for it, +invigorating and strengthening sleep, which I have now so long +desired in vain." + +And the king threw back the curtains of his couch, and, supported by +Gardiner, laid himself on the downy cushion. + +Gardiner drew the curtains again, and thrust the fatal paper into +his pocket. Even in his hands it did not seem to him secure enough. +What! might not some curious eye fasten on it, and divine its +contents? Might not some impertinent and shameless friend of the +queen snatch this paper from him, and carry it to her and give her +warning? No, no, it was not secure enough in his hands. He must hide +it in the pocket of his gown. There, no one could find it, no one +discover it. + +So there he hid it. In the gown with its large folds it was safe; +and, after he had thus concealed the precious paper, he left the +room with rapid strides, in order to acquaint Earl Douglas with the +glorious result of his plans. + +Not a single time did he look back. Had he done so, he would have +sprung back into that room as a tiger pounces on his prey. He would +have plunged, as the hawk stoops at the dove, at that piece of white +paper that lay there on the floor, exactly on the spot where +Gardiner was before standing when he placed into his pocket the +arrest-warrant written by the king. + +Ah, even the gown of a priest is not always close enough to conceal +a dangerous secret; and even the pocket of a bishop may sometimes +have holes in it. + +Gardiner went away with the proud consciousness of having the order +of arrest in his pocket; and that fatal paper lay on the floor in +the middle of the king's chamber. + +"Who will come to pick it up? Who will become the sharer of this +dangerous secret? To whom will this mute paper proclaim the shocking +news that the queen has fallen into disgrace, and is this very day +to be dragged to the Tower as a prisoner? + +All is still and lonely in the king's apartment. Nothing is +stirring, not even the heavy damask curtains of the royal couch. + +The king sleeps. Even vexation and anger are a good lullaby; they +have so agitated and prostrated the king, that he has actually +fallen asleep from weariness. + +Ah, the king should have been thankful to his wife for his vexation +at the lost game of chess, and his wrath at Catharine's heretical +sentiments. These had fatigued him; these had lulled him to sleep. + +The warrant of arrest still lay on the floor. Now, quite softly, +quite cautiously, the door opens. Who is it that dares venture to +enter the king's room unsummoned and unannounced? + +There are only three persons who dare venture that: the queen, +Princess Elizabeth, and John Heywood the fool. Which of the three is +it? + +It is Princess Elizabeth, who comes to salute her royal father. +Every forenoon at this hour she had found the king in his room. +Where was he then to-day? As she looked around the room with an +inquiring and surprised air, her eye fell on that paper which lay +there on the floor. She picked it up, and examined it with childish +curiosity. What could this paper contain? Surely it was no secret-- +else, it would not lie here on the floor. + +She opened it and read. Her fine countenance expressed horror and +amazement; a low exclamation escaped her lips. But Elizabeth had a +strong and resolute soul; and the unexpected and the surprising did +not dull her clear vision, nor cloud her sharp wit. The queen was in +danger. The queen was to be imprisoned. THAT, this dreadful paper +shrieked in her ear; but she durst not allow herself to be stunned +by it. She must act; she must warn the queen. + +She hid the paper in her bosom, and light as a zephyr she floated +away again out of the chamber. + +With flashing eyes and cheeks reddened by her rapid race Elizabeth +entered the queen's chamber; with passionate vehemence she clasped +her in her arms and tenderly kissed her. + +"Catharine, my queen, and my mother," said she, "we have sworn to +stand by and protect each other when danger threatens us. Fate is +gracious to me, for it has given into my hand the means of making +good my oath this very day. Take that paper and read! It is an order +for your imprisonment, made out by the king himself. When you have +read it, then let us consider what is to be done, and how we can +avert the danger from you." + +"An order of imprisonment!" said Catharine, with a shudder, as she +read it. "An order of imprisonment--that is to say, a death-warrant! +For when once the threshold of that frightful Tower is crossed, it +denotes that it is never to be left again; and if a queen is +arrested and accused, then is she also already condemned. Oh, my +God, princess, do you comprehend that--to have to die while life +still throbs so fresh and warm in our veins? To be obliged to go to +death, while the future still allures us with a thousand hopes, a +thousand wishes? My God, to have to descend into the desolate prison +and into the gloomy grave, while the world greets us with alluring +voices, and spring-tide has scarcely awoke in our heart!" + +Streams of tears burst from her eyes, and she hid her face in her +trembling hands. + +"Weep not, queen," whispered Elizabeth, herself trembling and pale +as death. "Weep not; but consider what is to be done. Each minute, +and the danger increases; each minute brings the evil nearer to us." + +"You are right," said Catharine, as she again raised her head, and +shook the tears from her eyes. "Yes, you are right; it is not time +to weep and wail. Death is creeping upon me; but I--I will not die. +I live still; and so long as there is a breath in me I will fight +against death. God will assist me; God will help me to overcome this +danger also, as I have already done so many others." + +"But what will you do? where can you begin? You know not the +accusation. You know not who accuses you, nor with what you are +charged." + +"Yet I suspect it!" said the queen, musingly. "When I now recall to +mind the king's angry countenance, and the malicious smile of that +malignant priest, I believe I know the accusation. Yes--everything +is now clear to me. Ah, it is the heretic that they would sentence +to death. Well, now, my lord bishop, I still live; and--we will see +which of us two will gain the victory!" + +With proud step and glowing cheeks she hurried to the door. +Elizabeth held her hack. "Whither are you going?" cried she, in +astonishment. + +"To the king!" said she, with a proud smile. "He has heard the +bishop; now he shall hear me also. The king's disposition is fickle +and easily changed. We will now see which cunning is the stronger-- +the cunning of the priest or the cunning of the woman. Elizabeth, +pray for me. I go to the king; and you will either see me free and +happy, or never again." + +She imprinted a passionate kiss on Elizabeth's lips, and hurriedly +left the chamber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +CHESS-PLAY. + + +It was many days since the king had been as well as he was to-day. +For a long time he had not enjoyed such refreshing sleep as on the +day when he signed the warrant for the queen's imprisonment. But he +thought nothing at all about it. Sleep seemed to have obliterated +all recollection of it from his memory. Like an anecdote which you +listen to, and smile at for the moment, but soon forget, so had the +whole occurrence vanished again from him. It was an anecdote of the +moment--a transient interlude--nothing further. + +The king had slept well, and he had no care for anything else. He +stretched himself, and lay lounging on his couch, thinking with +rapture how fine it would be if he could enjoy such sweet and +refreshing repose every day, and if no bad dreams and no fear would +frighten away sleep from his eyes. He felt very serene and very +good-humored; and had any one now come to beg a favor of the king, +he would have granted it in the first joy after such invigorating +sleep. But he was alone; no one was with him; he must repress his +gracious desires. But no. Was it not as though something were +stirring and breathing behind the curtains? The king threw back the +curtains, and a soft smile flitted over his features; for before his +bed sat the queen. There she sat with rosy cheeks and sparkling +eyes, and greeted him with a roguish smile. + +"Ah, Kate, it is you!" cried the king. "Well, now, I understand how +it happened that I have had such a sound and refreshing sleep! You +stood by as my good angel, and scared the pains and bad dreams away +from my couch." + +And as he said this, he reached out his hand and tenderly stroked +her velvet cheek. He did not at all recollect that he had already, +as it were, devoted that charming head to the scaffold, and that in +a few hours more those bright eyes were to behold naught but the +night of the dungeon. Sleep, as we have said, had lulled to rest +also the recollection of this; and the evil thoughts had not yet +awoke again in him. To sign an order of arrest or a death-warrant +was with the king such a usual and every-day matter, that it +constituted no epoch in his life, and neither burdened him with +troubles of conscience nor made his heart shudder and tremble. + +But Catharine thought of it, and as the king's hand stroked her +cheek, it was as though death were just then touching her, never +again to release her. However, she overcame this momentary horror, +and had the courage to preserve her serene and innocent air. + +"You call me your good angel, my husband," said she, with a smile; +"but yet I am nothing more than your little Puck, who bustles about +you, and now and then makes you laugh with his drolleries." + +"And a dear little Puck you are, Katie," cried the king, who always +gazed upon his wife's rosy and fresh countenance with real +satisfaction. + +"Then I will prove myself this very day your Puck, and allow you no +more repose on your couch," said she, as she made a mock effort to +raise him up. "Do you know, my husband, why I came here? A butterfly +has tapped at my window. Only think now, a butterfly in winter! That +betokens that this time winter is spring; and the clerk of the +weather above there has confounded January with March. The butterfly +has invited us, king; and only see! the sun is winking into the +window to us, and says we have but to come out, as he has already +dried the walks in the garden below, and called forth a little grass +on the plat. And your rolling chair stands all ready, my lord and +husband, and your Puck, as you see, has already put on her furs, and +clad herself in armor against the winter, which, however, is not +there!" + +"Well, then, help me, my dearest Puck, so that I can arise, and obey +the command of the butterfly and the sun and my lovely wife," cried +the king, as he put his arm around Catharine's neck, and slowly +raised himself from the couch. + +She busied herself about him with officious haste; she put her arm +tenderly on his shoulder and supported him, and properly arranged +for him the gold chain, which had slipped out of place on his +doublet, and playfully plaited the lace ruff which was about his +neck. + +"Is it your order, my husband, that your servants come?--the master +of ceremonies, who, without doubt, awaits your back in the anteroom- +-the lord bishop--who a while ago made such a black-looking face at +me? But how! my husband, your face, too, is now in an eclipse? How? +Has your Puck perchance said something to put you out of tune?" + +"No, indeed!" said the king, gloomily; but he avoided meeting her +smiling glance and looking in her rosy face. + +The evil thoughts had again awoke in him; and he now remembered the +warrant of arrest that he had given Gardiner. He remembered it, and +he regretted it. For she was so fair and lovely--his young queen; +she understood so well by her jests to smooth away care from his +brow, and affright vexation from his soul--she was such an agreeable +and sprightly pastime, such a refreshing means of driving away +ennui. + +Not for her sake did he regret what he had done, but only on his own +account. From selfishness alone, he repented having issued that +order for the queen's imprisonment. Catharine observed him. Her +glance, sharpened by inward fear, read his thoughts on his brow, and +understood the sigh which involuntarily arose from his breast. + +She again seized courage; she might succeed in turning away by a +smile the sword that hung over her head. + +"Come, my lord and husband," said she, cheerfully, "the sun beckons +to us, and the trees shake their heads indignantly because we are +not yet there." + +"Yes, come, Kate," said the king, rousing himself with an effort +from his brown study; "come, we will go down into God's free air. +Perhaps He is nearer to us there, and may illuminate us with good +thoughts and wholesome resolutions. Come, Kate." + +The queen gave him her arm, and, supported on it, the king advanced +a few steps. But suddenly Catharine stood still; and as the king +fastened on her his inquiring look, she blushed and cast down her +eyes. + +"Well!" asked the king, "why do you linger?" + +"Sire, I was considering your words; and what you say about the sun +and wholesome resolutions has touched my heart and startled my +conscience. My husband, you are right; God is there without, and I +dare not venture to behold the sun, which is God's eye, before I +have made my confession and received absolution. Sire, I am a great +sinner, and my conscience gives me no rest. Will you be my +confessor, and listen to me?" + +The king sighed. "Ah," thought he, "she is hurrying to destruction, +and by her own confession of guilt she will make it impossible for +me to hold her guiltless!" + +"Speak!" said he aloud. + +"First," said she, with downcast eyes--"first, I must confess to you +that I have to-day deceived you, my lord and king. Vanity and sinful +pride enticed me to this; and childish anger made me consummate what +vanity whispered to me. But I repent, my king; I repent from the +bottom of my soul, and I swear to you, my husband--yes, I swear to +you by all that is sacred to me, that it is the first and only time +that I have deceived you. And never will I venture to do it again, +for it is a dismal and awful feeling to stand before you with a +guilty conscience." + +"And in what have you deceived us, Kate?" asked the king; and his +voice trembled. + +Catharine drew from her dress a small roll of paper, and, humbly +bowing, handed it to the king. "Take and see for yourself, my +husband," said she. + +With hurried hand the king opened the paper, and then looked in +utter astonishment, now at its contents, and now at the blushing +face of the queen. + +"What!" said he, "you give me a pawn from the chess-board! What does +that mean?" + +"That means," said she, in a tone of utter contrition--"that means, +that I stole it from you, and thereby cheated you out of your +victory. Oh, pardon me, my husband! but I could no longer endure to +lose always, and I was afraid you would no more allow me the +pleasure of playing with you, when you perceived what a weak and +contemptible antagonist I am. And behold, this little pawn was my +enemy! It stood near my queen and threatened her with check, while +it discovered check to my king from your bishop. You were just going +to make this move, which was to ruin me, when Bishop Gardiner +entered. You turned away your eyes and saluted him. You were not +looking on the game. Oh, my lord and husband, the temptation was too +alluring and seductive; and I yielded to it. Softly I took the pawn +from the board, and slipped it into my pocket. When you looked again +at the game, you seemed surprised at first; but your magnanimous and +lofty spirit had no suspicion of my base act; so you innocently +played on; and so I won the game of chess. Oh, my king, will you +pardon me, and not be angry with me?" The king broke out into a loud +laugh, and looked with an expression of tenderness at Catharine, who +stood before him with downcast eyes, abashed and blushing. This +sight only redoubled his merriment, and made him again and again +roar out with laughter. + +"And is that all your crime, Kate?" asked he, at length, drying his +eyes. "You have stolen a pawn from me--this is your first and only +deception?" + +"Is it not indeed great enough, sire? Did I not purloin it because I +was so high-minded as to want to win a game of chess from you? Is +not the whole court even now acquainted with my splendid luck? And +does it not know that I have been the victor to-day, whilst yet I +was not entitled to be so--whilst I deceived you so shamefully?" + +"Now, verily," said the king, solemnly, "happy are the men who are +not worse deceived by their wives than you have deceived me to-day; +and happy are the women whose confessions are so pure and innocent +as yours have been to-day! Do but lift up your eyes again, my Katie; +that sin is forgiven you; and by God and by your king it shall be +accounted to you as a virtue." + +He laid his hand on her head, as if in blessing, and gazed at her +long and silently. Then, said he, laughingly: + +"According to this, then, my Kate, I should have been the victor of +to-day, and not have lost that game of chess." + +"No," said she, dolefully, "I must have lost it, if I had not stolen +the pawn." + +Again the king laughed. Catharine said, earnestly: + +"Do but believe me, my husband, Bishop Gardiner alone was the cause +of my fall. Because he was by, I did not want to lose. My pride +revolted to think that this haughty and arrogant priest was to be +witness of my defeat. In mind, I already saw the cold and +contemptuous smile with which he would look down on me, the +vanquished; and my heart rose in rebellion at the thought of being +humbled before him. And now I have arrived at the second part of my +fault which I want to confess to you to-day. Sire, I must +acknowledge another great fault to you. I have grievously offended +against you to-day, in that I contradicted you, and withstood your +wise and pious words. Ah, my husband, it was not done to spite you, +but only to vex and annoy the haughty priest. For I must confess to +you, my king, I hate this Bishop of Winchester--ay, yet more--I have +a dread of him; for my foreboding heart tells me that he is my +enemy, that he is watching each of my looks, each of my words, so +that he can make from them a noose to strangle me. He is the evil +destiny that creeps up behind me and would one day certainly destroy +me, if your beneficent hand and your almighty arm did not protect +me. + +Oh, when I behold him, my husband, I would always gladly fly to your +heart, and say to you: 'Protect me, my king, and have compassion on +me! Have faith in me and love me; for if you do not, I am lost! The +evil fiend is there to destroy me.'" + +And, as she thus spoke, she clung affectionately to the king's side, +and, leaning her head on his breast, looked up to him with a glance +of tender entreaty and touching devotion. + +The king bent down and kissed her brow. "Oh, sancta simplicitas," +softly murmured he--"she knows not how nigh she is to the truth, and +how much reason she has for her evil forebodings!" Then he asked +aloud: "So, Kate, you believe that Gardiner hates you?" + +"I do not believe it, I know it!" said she. "He wounds me whenever +he can; and though his wounds are made only with pins, that comes +only from this, that he is afraid that you might discover it if he +drew a dagger on me, whilst you might not notice the pin with which +he secretly wounds me. And what was his coming here to-day other +than a new assault on me? He knows very well--and I have never made +a secret of it--that I am an enemy to this Roman Catholic religion +the pope of which has dared to hurl his ban against my lord and +husband; and that I seek with lively interest to be instructed as to +the doctrine and religion of the so-called reformers." + +"They say that you are a heretic," said the king, gravely. + +"Gardiner says that! But if I am so, you are so too, my king; for +your belief is mine. If I am so, so too is Cranmer, the noble +Archbishop of Canterbury; for he is my spiritual adviser and helper. +But Gardiner wishes that I were a heretic, and he wants me likewise +to appear so to you. See, my husband, why it was that he laid those +eight death-warrants before you awhile ago. There were eight, all +heretics, whom you were to condemn--not a single papist among them; +and yet I know that the prisons are full of papists, who, in the +fanaticism of their persecuted faith, have spoken words just as +worthy of punishment as those unfortunate ones whom you were to-day +to send from life to death by a stroke of your pen. Sire, I should +have prayed you just as fervently, just as suppliantly, had they +been papists whom you were to sentence to death! But Gardiner wanted +a proof of my heresy; and therefore he selected eight heretics, for +whom I was to oppose your hard decree." + +"It is true," said the king, thoughtfully; "there was not a single +papist among them! But tell me, Kate--are you really a heretic, and +an adversary of your king?" + +With a sweet smile she looked deep into his eyes, and humbly crossed +her arms over her beautiful breast. + +"Your adversary!" whispered she. "Are you not my husband and my +lord? Was not the woman made to be subject to the man? The man was +created after the likeness of God, and the woman after the likeness +of man. So the woman is only the man's second self; and he must have +compassion on her in love; and he must give her of his spirit, and +influence her understanding from his understanding. Therefore your +duty is to instruct me, my husband; and mine is, to learn of you. +And of all the women in the world, to no one is this duty made so +easy as to me; for God has been gracious to me and given me as my +husband a king whose prudence, wisdom, and learning are the wonder +of all the world." [Footnote: The queen's own words, as they have +been given by all historical writers. See on this point Burnet, vol. +I, p. 84; Tytler, p. 413; Larrey's "Histoire d'Angleterre," vol. II, +p. 201; Leti, vol. I, p. 154, (death-sign) Historical. The king's +own words.] "What a sweet little flatterer you are, Kate!" said the +king, with a smile; "and with what a charming voice you want to +conceal the truth from us! The truth is, that you yourself are a +very learned little body, who has no need at all to learn anything +from others, but who would be well able to instruct others." + +"Oh, if it is so, as you say," cried Catharine, "well, then would I +teach the whole world to love my king as I do, and to be subject to +him in humility, faithfulness, and obedience, as I am." + +And as she thus spoke, she threw both her arms about the king's +neck, and leaned her head with a languishing expression upon his +breast. + +The king kissed her, and pressed her fast to his heart. He thought +no longer of the danger that was hovering over Catharine's head; he +thought only that he loved her, and that life would be very +desolate, very tedious and sad without her. + +"And now, my husband," said Catharine, gently disengaging herself +from him--"now, since I have confessed to you and received +absolution from you--now let us go down into the garden, so that +God's bright sun may shine into our hearts fresh and glad. Come, my +husband, your chair is ready; and the bees and the butterflies, the +gnats and the flies, have already practised a hymn, with which they +are going to greet you, my husband." + +Laughing and jesting, she drew him along to the adjoining room, +where the courtiers and the rolling-chair were standing ready; and +the king mounted his triumphal car, and allowed himself to be rolled +through the carpeted corridors, and down the staircases, transformed +into broad inclined planes of marble, into the garden. + +The air had the freshness of winter and the warmth of spring. The +grass like a diligent weaver was already beginning to weave a carpet +over the black level of the square; and already here and there a +tiny blossom, curious and bashful, was peeping out and appeared to +be smiling in astonishment at its own premature existence. The sun +seemed so warm and bright; the heavens were so blue! + +At the king's side went Catharine, with such rosy cheeks and +sparkling eyes. Those eyes were always directed to her husband; and +her charming prattle was to the king like the melodious song of +birds, and made his heart leap for pleasure and delight. But how? +What noise all at once drowned Catharine's sweet prattle? And what +was it that flashed up there at the end of that large alley which +the royal pair with their suite had just entered? + +It was the noise of soldiers advancing; and shining helmets and +coats-of-mail flashed in the sunlight. + +One band of soldiers held the outlet from the alley; another +advanced up it in close order. At their head were seen striding +along Gardiner and Earl Douglas, and at their side the lieutenant of +the Tower. + +The king's countenance assumed a lowering and angry expression and +his cheeks were suffused with crimson. With the quickness of youth +he rose from his chair, and, raised to his full height, he looked +with flaming eyes at the procession. + +The queen seized his hand and pressed it to her breast. + +"Ah," said she, with a low whisper, "protect me, my husband, for +fear already overpowers me again! It is my enemy--it is Gardiner-- +that comes, and I tremble." + +"You shall no longer tremble before him, Kate!" said the king. "Woe +to them, that dare make King Henry's consort tremble! I will speak +with Gardiner." + +And almost roughly pushing aside the queen, the king, utterly +heedless in his violent excitement of the pain of his foot, went in +a quick pace to meet the advancing troop. + +He ordered them by his gesture to halt, and called Gardiner and +Douglas to him. "What want you here? And what means this strange +array?" asked he, in a rough tone. + +The two courtiers stared at him with looks of amazement, and durst +not answer him. + +"Well!" asked the king, with ever-rising wrath, "will you at length +tell me by what right you intrude into my garden with an armed host- +-specially at the same hour that I am here with my consort? Verily, +there is no sufficient excuse for such a gross violation of the +reverence which you owe your king and master; and I marvel, my lord +master of ceremonies, that you did not seek to prevent this +indecorum!" + +Earl Douglas muttered a few words of apology, which the king did not +understand, or did not want to understand. + +"The duty of a master of ceremonies is to protect his king from +every annoyance, and you, Earl Douglas, offer it to me yourself. +Perchance you want thereby to show that you are weary of your +office. Well, then, my lord, I dismiss you from it, and that your +presence may not remind me of this morning's transaction, you will +leave the court and London! Farewell, my lord!" + +Earl Douglas, turning pale and trembling, staggered a few steps +backward, and gazed at the king with astonishment. He wanted to +speak, but Henry, with a commanding wave of the hand, bade him be +silent. + +"And now for you, my lord bishop!" said the king, and his eyes were +turned on Gardiner with an expression so wrathful and contemptuous, +that he turned pale and looked down to the ground. "What means this +strange train with which the priest of God approaches his royal +master to-day? And under what impulse of Christian love are you +going to hold to-day a heretic hunt in the garden of your king?" + +"Sire," said Gardiner, completely beside himself, "your majesty well +knows why I come; it was at your majesty's command that I with Earl +Douglas and the lieutenant of the Tower came, in order to--" + +"Dare not to speak further!" yelled the king, who became still more +angry because Gardiner would not understand him and comprehend the +altered state of his mind. "How dare you make a pretence of my +commands, whilst I, full of just amazement, question you as to the +cause of your appearance? That is to say, you want to charge your +king with falsehood. You want to excuse yourself by accusing me. Ah, +my worthy lord bishop, this time you are thwarted in your plan, and +I disavow you and your foolish attempt. No! there is nobody here +whom you shall arrest; and, by the holy mother of God, were your +eyes not blind, you would have seen that here, where the king is +taking an airing with his consort, there could be no one whom these +catchpolls had to look for! The presence of the royal majesty is +like the presence of God; it dispenses happiness and peace about it; +and whoever is touched by his glory, is graced and sanctified +thereby." + +"But, your majesty," screamed Gardiner, whom anger and disappointed +hope had made forgetful of all considerations, "you wanted me to +arrest the queen; you yourself gave me the order for it; and now +when I come to execute your will--now you repudiate me." + +The king uttered a yell of rage, and with lifted arm moved some +steps toward Gardiner. + +But suddenly he felt his arm held back. It was Catharine, who had +hurried up to the king. "Oh, my husband," said she, in a low +whisper, "whatever he may have done, spare him! Still he is a priest +of the Lord; and so let his sacred robe protect him, though +perchance his deeds condemn him!" + +"Ah, do you plead for him?" cried the king. "Really, my poor wife, +you suspect not how little ground you have to pity him, and to beg +my mercy for him. [Footnote: The king's own words,--See Leti, vol. +I, p. 133,] But you are right. We will respect his cassock, and +think no more of what a haughty and intriguing man is wrapped in +it.--But beware, priest, that you do not again remind me of that. My +wrath would then inevitably strike you; and I should have as little +mercy for you as you say I ought to show to other evil-doers. And in +as much as you are a priest, be penetrated with a sense of the +gravity of your office and the sacredness of your calling. Your +episcopal see is at Winchester, and I think your duties call you +thither. We no longer need you, for the noble Archbishop of +Canterbury is coming back to us, and will have to fulfil the duties +of his office near us and the queen. Farewell!" + +He turned his back on Gardiner, and, supported on Catharine's arm, +returned to his rolling-chair. + +"Kate," said he, "just now a lowering cloud stood in your sky, but, +thanks to your smile and your innocent face, it has passed +harmlessly over. We thinks we still owe you special thanks for this; +and we would like to show you that by some office of love. Is there +nothing that would give you special delight, Kate?" + +"Oh, yes," said she, with fervor. "Two great desires burn in my +heart." + +"Then name them, Kate; and, by the mother of God, if it is in the +power of a king to fulfil them, I will do it." + +Catharine seized his hand and pressed it to her heart. + +"Sire," said she, "they wanted to have you sign eight death-warrants +to-day. Oh, my husband, make of these eight criminals eight happy, +thankful subjects; teach them to love that king whom they have +reviled--teach their children, their wives and mothers to pray for +you, whilst you restore life and freedom to these fathers, these +sons and husbands, and while you, great and merciful, like Deity, +pardon them." + +"So shall it be!" cried the king, cheerfully. "Our hand shall have +to-day no other work than to rest in yours; and we will spare it +from making these eight strokes of the pen. The eight evil-doers are +pardoned; and they shall be free this very day." + +With an exclamation of rapturous delight Catharine pressed Henry's +hand to her lips, and her face shone with pure happiness. + +"And your second wish?" asked the king. + +"My second wish," said she, with a smile, "pleads for the freedom of +a poor prisoner--for the freedom of a human heart, sire." + +The king laughed. "A human heart? Does that then run about on the +street, so that it can be caught and made a prisoner of?" + +"Sire, you have found it, and incarcerated it in your daughter's +bosom. You want to put Elizabeth's heart in fetters, and by an +unnatural law compel her to renounce her freedom of choice. Only +think--to want to bid a woman's heart, before she can love, to +inquire first about the genealogical tree, and to look at the coat- +of-arms before she notices the man!" + +"Oh, women, women, what foolish children you are, though!" cried the +king, laughingly. "The question is about thrones, and you think +about your hearts! But come, Kate, you shall still further explain +that to me; and we will not take back our word, for we have given it +you from a free and glad heart." + +He took the queen's arm, and, supported on it, walked slowly up the +alley with her. The lords and ladies of the court followed them in +silence and at a respectful distance; and no one suspected that this +woman, who was stepping along so proud and magnificent, had but just +now escaped an imminent peril of her life; that this man, who was +leaning on her arm with such devoted tenderness, had but a few hours +before resolved on her destruction. [Footnote: All this plot +instigated by Gardiner against the queen is, in minutest details, +historically true, and is found substantially the same in all +historical works.] And whilst chatting confidentially together they +both wandered through the avenues, two others with drooping head and +pale face left the royal castle, which was to be to them henceforth +a lost paradise. Sullen spite and raging hate were in their hearts, +but yet they were obliged to endure in silence; they were obliged to +smile and to seem harmless, in order not to prepare a welcome feast +for the malice of the court. They felt the spiteful looks of all +these courtiers, although they passed by them with down-cast eyes. +They imagined they heard their malicious whispers, their derisive +laughter; and it pierced their hearts like the stab of a dagger. + +At length they had surmounted it--at length the palace lay behind +them, and they were at least free to pour out in words the agony +that consumed them--free to be able to break out into bitter +execrations, into curses and lamentations. + +"Lost! all is lost!" said Earl Douglas to himself in a hollow voice. +"I am thwarted in all my plans. I have sacrificed to the Church my +life, my means, ay, even my daughter, and it has all been in vain. +And, like a beggar, I now stand on the street forsaken and without +comfort; and our holy mother the Church will no longer heed the son +who loved her and sacrificed himself for her, since he was so +unfortunate, and his sacrifice unavailing." + +"Despair not!" said Gardiner, solemnly. "Clouds gather above us; but +they are dispersed again. And after the day of storm, comes again +the day of light. Our day also will come, my friend. Now, we go +hence, our heads strewn with ashes, and bowed at heart; but, believe +me, we shall one day come again with shining face and exultant +heart; and the flaming sword of godly wrath will glitter in our +hands, and a purple robe will enfold us, dyed in the blood of +heretics whom we offer up to the Lord our God as a well-pleasing +sacrifice. God spares us for a better time; and our banishment, +believe me, friend, is but a refuge that God has prepared for us +this evil time which we are approaching." + +"You speak of an evil time, and nevertheless you hope, your +highness?" asked Douglas, gloomily. + +"And nevertheless I hope!" said Gardiner, with a strange and +horrible smile, and, bending down closer to Douglas, he whispered: +"the king has only a few days more to live. He does not suspect how +near he is to his death, and nobody has the courage to tell him. But +his physician has confided it to me. His vital forces are consumed, +and death stands already before his door to throttle him." + +"And when he is dead," said Earl Douglas, shrugging his shoulders, +"his son Edward will be king, and those heretical Seymours will +control the helm of state! Call you that hope, your highness?" + +"I call it so." + +"Do you not know that Edward, young as he is, is nevertheless a +fanatical adherent of the heretical doctrine, and at the same time a +furious opponent of the Church in which alone is salvation?" + +"I know it, but I know also that Edward is a feeble boy; and there +is current in our Church a holy prophecy which predicts that his +reign is only of short duration. God only knows what his death will +be, but the Church has often before seen her enemies die a sudden +death. Death has been often before this the most effective ally of +our holy mother the Church. Believe me, then, my son and hope, for I +tell you Edward's rule will be of short duration. And after him she +will ascend the throne, the noble and devout Mary, the rigid +Catholic, who hates heretics as much as Edward loves them. Oh, +friend, when Mary ascends the throne, we shall rise from our +humiliation, and the dominion will be ours. Then will all England +become, as it were, a single great temple, and the fagot-piles about +the stake are the altars on which we will consume the heretics, and +their shrieks of agony are the holy psalms which we will make them +strike up to the honor of God and His holy Church. Hope for this +time, for I tell you it will soon come." + +"If you say so, your highness, then it will come to pass," said +Douglas, significantly. "I will then hope and wait. I will save +myself from evil days in Scotland, and wait for the good." + +"And I go, as this king by the wrath of God has commanded, to my +episcopal seat. The wrath of God will soon call Henry hence. May his +dying hour be full of torment, and may the Holy Father's curse be +realized and fulfilled in him! Farewell! We go with palms of peace +forced on us; but we will return with the naming sword, and our +hands will be dripping with heretic blood." + +They once more shook hands and silently departed, and before evening +came on they had both left London. [Footnote: Gardiner's prophecy +was soon fulfilled. A few days after Gardiner had fallen into +disgrace Henry, the Eighth died, and his son Edward, yet a minor, +ascended the throne. But his rule was of brief duration. After a +reign of scarcely six years, he died a youth of the age of sixteen +years, and his sister Mary, called the Catholic, ascended the +throne. Her first act was to release Gardiner, who under Edward's +reign had been confined as a prisoner in the Tower, and to appoint +him her minister, and later, to the place of lord chancellor. He was +one of the most furious persecutors of the Reformers. Once he said +at a council in the presence of the bigoted queen; "These heretics +have a soul so black that it can be washed clean only in their own +blood." He it was, too, who urged the queen to such severe and +odious measures against the Princess Elizabeth, and caused her to be +a second time declared a bastard and unworthy of succeeding to the +throne. When Mary died, Gardiner performed, in Westminster Abbey, +where she was entombed, the service for the dead in the presence of +her successor, Queen Elizabeth. Gardiner's discourse was an +enthusiastic eulogium of the deceased queen, and he set forth, as +her special merit, that she hated the heretics so ardently and had +so many of them executed. He closed with an invective against the +Protestants, in which he so little spared the young queen, and spoke +of her in such injurious terms, that he was that very day committed +to prison.--Leti. vol. I, p. 314.] A short time after this eventful +walk in the garden of Whitehall, the queen entered the apartments of +the Princess Elizabeth, who hastened to meet her with a burst of +joy, and clasped her wildly in her arms. + +"Saved!" whispered she. "The danger is overcome, and again you are +the mighty queen, the adored wife!" + +"And I have you to thank that I am so, princess! Without that +warrant of arrest which you brought me, I was lost. Oh, Elizabeth, +but what a martyrdom it was! To smile and jest, whilst my heart +trembled with dread and horror; to appear innocent and +unembarrassed, whilst it seemed to me as if I heard already the whiz +of the axe that was about to strike my neck! Oh, my God, I passed +through the agonies and the dread of a whole lifetime in that one +hour! My soul has been harassed till it is wearied to death, and my +strength is exhausted. I could weep, weep continually over this +wretched, deceitful world, in which to wish right and to do good +avail nothing; but in which you must dissemble and lie, deceive and +disguise yourself, if you do not want to fall a victim to wickedness +and mischief. But ah, Elizabeth, even my tears I dare shed only in +secret, for a queen has no right to be melancholy. She must seem +ever cheerful, ever happy and contented; and only God and the still, +silent night know her sighs and her tears." + +"And you may let me also see them, queen," said Elizabeth, heartily; +"for you well know you may trust and rely on me." + +Catharine kissed her fervently. "You have done me a great service +to-day, and I have come," said she, "to thank you, not with sounding +words only, but by deeds. Elizabeth, your wish will be fulfilled. +The king will repeal the law which was to compel you to give your +hand only to a husband of equal birth." + +"Oh," cried Elizabeth, with flashing eyes, "then I shall, perhaps, +some day be able to make him whom I love a king." Catharine smiled. +"You have a proud and ambitious heart," said she. "God has endowed +you with extraordinary ability. Cultivate it and seek to increase +it; for my prophetic heart tells me that you are destined to become, +one day, Queen of England. [Footnote: Catharine's own words.--See +Leti, vol. I, p. 172.] But who knows whether then you will still +wish to elevate him whom you now love, to be your husband? A queen, +as you will be, sees with other eyes than those of a young, +inexperienced maiden. Perchance I may not have done right in moving +the king to alter this law; for I am not acquainted with the man +that you love; and who knows whether he is worthy that you should +bestow on him your heart, so innocent and pure?" + +Elizabeth threw both her arms about Catharine's neck, and clung +tenderly to her. "Oh," said she, "he would be worthy to be loved +even by you, Catharine; for he is the noblest and handsomest +cavalier in the whole world; and though he is no king, yet he is a +king's brother-in-law, and will some day be a king's uncle." + +Catharine felt her heart, as it were, convulsed, and a slight tremor +ran through her frame. "And am I not to learn his name?" asked she. + +"Yes, I will tell you it now; for now there is no longer danger in +knowing it. The name of him whom I love, queen, is Thomas Seymour." + +Catharine uttered a scream, and pushed Elizabeth passionately away +from her heart. "Thomas Seymour?" cried she, in a menacing tone. +"What! do you dare love Thomas Seymour?" + +"And why should I not dare?" asked the young girl in astonishment. +"Why should I not give him my heart, since, thanks to your +intercession, I am no longer bound to choose a husband of equal +birth? Is not Thomas Seymour one of the first of this land? Does not +all England look on him with pride and tenderness? Does not every +woman to whom he deigns a look, feel herself honored? Does not the +king himself smile and feel more pleased at heart, when Thomas +Seymour, that young, bold, and spirited hero, stands by his side?" + +"You are right!" said Catharine, whose heart every one of these +enthusiastic words, lacerated like the stab of a dagger--"yes, you +are right. He is worthy of being loved by you--and you could hit +upon no better choice. It was only the first surprise that made me +see things otherwise than they are. Thomas Seymour is the brother of +a queen: why then should he not also be the husband of a royal +princess?" + +With a bashful blush, Elizabeth hid her smiling face in Catharine's +bosom. She did not see with what an expression of alarm and agony +the queen observed her; how her lips were convulsively compressed, +and her cheeks covered with a death-like pallor. + +"And he?" asked she, in a low tone. "Does Thomas Seymour love you?" + +Elizabeth raised her head and looked at the questioner in amazement +"How!" said she. "Is it possible, then, to love, if you are not +loved?" + +"You are right," sighed Catharine. "One must be very humble and +silly to be able to do that." + +"My God! how pale you are, queen!" cried Elizabeth, who just now +noticed Catharine's pale face. "Your features are distorted; your +lips tremble. My God! what does this mean?" + +"It is nothing!" said Catharine, with a smile full of agony. "The +excitement and alarm of to-day have exhausted my strength. That is +all. Besides, a new grief threatens us, of which you as yet know +nothing. The king is ill. A sudden dizziness seized him, and made +him fall almost lifeless at my side. I came to bring you the king's +message; now duty calls me to my husband's sickbed. Farewell, +Elizabeth." + +She waved a good-by to her with her hand, and with hurried step left +the room. She summoned up courage to conceal the agonies of her +soul, and to pass proud and stately through the halls. To the +courtiers bowing before her, she would still be the queen, and no +one should suspect what agony was torturing her within like flames +of fire. But at last arrived at her boudoir--at last sure of being +overheard and observed by no one--she was no longer the queen, but +only the agonized, passionate woman. + +She sank on her knees, and cried, with a heart-rending wail of +anguish: "My God, my God, grant that I may become mad, so that I may +no longer know that he has forsaken me!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +THE CATASTROPHE. + + +After days of secret torture and hidden tears, after nights of +sobbing anguish and wailing sorrow, Catharine had at last attained +to inward peace; she had at last taken a firm and decisive +resolution. + +The king was sick unto death; and however much she had suffered and +endured from him, still he was her husband; and she would not stand +by his deathbed as a perjured and deceitful woman; she would not be +constrained to cast down her eyes before the failing gaze of the +dying king. She would renounce her love--that love, which, however, +had been as pure and chaste as a maiden's prayer--that love, which +was as unapproachably distant as the blush of morn, and yet had +stood above her so vast and brilliant, and had irradiated the gloomy +pathway of her life with celestial light. + +She would make the greatest of sacrifices; she would give her lover +to another. Elizabeth loved him. Catharine would not investigate and +thoroughly examine the point, whether Thomas Seymour returned her +love, and whether the oath he had taken to her, the queen, was +really nothing more than a fancy of the brain, or a falsehood. No, +she did not believe it; she did not believe that Thomas Seymour was +capable of treachery, of double-dealing. But Elizabeth loved him; +and she was young and beautiful, and a great future lay before her. +Catharine loved Thomas Seymour strongly enough not to want to +deprive him of this future, but gladly to present herself a +sacrifice to the happiness of her lover. What was she--the woman +matured in grief and suffering--in comparison with this youthful and +fresh blossom, Elizabeth? What had she to offer her beloved further +than a life of retirement, of love, and of quiet happiness? When +once the king is dead and sets her free, Edward the Sixth ascends +the throne; and Catharine then is nothing more than the forgotten +and disregarded widow of a king; while Elizabeth, the king's sister, +may perhaps bring a crown as her dower to him whom she loves. + +Thomas Seymour was ambitious. Catharine knew that. A day might come +when he would repent of having chosen the widow of a king instead of +the heiress to a throne. + +Catharine would anticipate that day. She would of her own free-will +resign her lover to Princess Elizabeth. She had by a struggle +brought her mind to this sacrifice; she had pressed her hands firmly +on her heart, so as not to hear how it wailed and wept. + +She went to Elizabeth, and said to her with a sweet smile: "To-day I +will bring your lover to you, princess. The king has fulfilled his +promise. He has to-day with his last dying strength signed this act, +which gives you liberty to choose your husband, not from the ranks +of princes alone, but to follow your own heart in your choice. I +will give this act to your lover, and assure him of my assistance +and aid. The king is suffering very much to-day, and his +consciousness fails more and more. But be certain, if he is in a +condition to hear me, I will spend all my powers of persuasion in +inclining him to your wish, and in moving him to give his consent to +your marriage with Earl Sudley. I now go to receive the earl. So +tarry in your room, princess, for Seymour will soon come to bring +you the act." + +Whilst she thus spoke, it seemed to her as though her heart were +pierced by red-hot daggers; as though a two-edged sword were +cleaving her breast. But Catharine had a strong and courageous soul. +She had sworn to herself to endure this torture to the end; and she +endured it. No writhing of her lips, no sigh, no outcry, betrayed +the pain that she was suffering. And if, indeed, her cheeks were +pale, and her eye dim, they were so because she had spent nights +watching by her husband's sick-bed, and because she was mourning for +the dying king. + +She had the heroism to embrace tenderly this young maiden to whom +she was just going to present her love as a sacrifice, and to listen +with a smile to the enthusiastic words of gratitude, of rapture and +expectant happiness which Elizabeth addressed to her. + +With tearless eyes and firm step she returned to her own apartments; +and her voice did not at all tremble, as she bade the chamberlain in +attendance to summon to her the master of horse, Earl Sudley. Only +she had a feeling as though her heart was broken and crushed; and +quite softly, quite humbly, she whispered: "I shall die when he is +gone. But so long as he is here, I will live; and he shall not have +a suspicion of what I suffer!" + +And while Catharine suffered so dreadfully, Elizabeth was jubilant +with delight and rapture; for at last she stood at the goal of her +wishes, and this very day she was to become the betrothed of her +lover. Oh, how slow and sluggish crept those minutes along! How many +eternities had she still to wait before he would come--he, her +lover, and soon her husband! Was he already with the queen? Could +she expect him already? She stood as if spellbound at the window, +and looked down into the courtyard. Through that great gateway over +there he must come; through that door yonder he must go, in order to +reach the queen's apartments. + +She uttered an exclamation, and a glowing blush flitted across her +face. There, there, he was. Yonder drew up his equipage; his gold- +laced lackeys opened the door and he alighted. How handsome he was, +and how magnificent to look upon! How noble and proud his tall +figure! How regularly beautiful his fresh, youthful face! How saucy +the haughty smile about his mouth; and how his eyes flamed and +flashed and shone in wantonness and youthful happiness. His look +glanced for a moment at Elizabeth's window. He saluted her, and then +entered the door leading to the wing of the palace of Whitehall +occupied by the queen. Elizabeth's heart beat so violently that she +felt almost suffocated. Now he must have reached the great +staircase--now he was above it--now he was entering the queen's +apartments--he traverses the first, the second, the third chamber. +In the fourth Catharine was waiting for him. + +Elizabeth would have given a year of her life to hear what Catharine +would say to him, and what reply he would make to the surprising +intelligence--a year of her life to be able to see his rapture, his +astonishment, and his delight. He was so handsome when he smiled, so +bewitching when his eyes blazed with love and pleasure. + +Elizabeth was a young, impulsive child. She had a feeling as if she +must suffocate in the agony of expectation; her heart leaped into +her mouth; her breath was stifled in her breast, she was so +impatient for happiness. + +"Oh, if he does not come soon I shall die!" murmured she. "Oh, if I +could only at least see him, or only hear him!" All at once she +stopped; her eyes flashed up, and a bewitching smile flitted across +her features. "Yes," said she, "I will see him, and I will hear him. +I can do it, and I will do it. I have the key which the queen gave +me, and which opens the door that separates my rooms from hers. With +that key I may reach her bed-chamber, and next to the bed-chamber is +her boudoir, in which, without doubt, she will receive the earl. I +will enter quite softly, and, hiding myself behind the hanging which +separates the bed-chamber from the boudoir, I shall be able to see +him, and hear everything that he says!" + +She laughed out loud and merrily, like a child, and sprang for the +key, which lay on her writing-table. Like a trophy of victory she +swung it high above her on her hand and cried, "I will see him!" +Then light, joyful, and with beaming eye, she left the room. + +She had conjectured rightly. Catharine received the earl in her +boudoir. She sat on the divan standing opposite the door which led +into the reception-room. That door was open, and so Catharine had a +perfect view of the whole of that large space. She could see the +earl as he traversed it. She could once more enjoy, with a rapture +painfully sweet, his proud beauty, and let her looks rest on him +with love and adoration. But at length he crossed the threshold of +the boudoir; and now there was an end of her happiness, of her sweet +dream, and of her hopes and her rapture. She was nothing more than +the queen, the wife of a dying king; no longer Earl Seymour's +beloved, no longer his future and his happiness. + +She had courage to greet him with a smile; and her voice did not +tremble when she bade him shut the door leading into the hall, and +drop the hanging. He did so, gazing at her with looks of surprise. +He did not comprehend that she dared give him an interview; for the +king was still alive, and even with his tongue faltering in death he +might destroy them both. + +Why did she not wait till the morrow? On the morrow the king might +be already dead; and then they could see each other without +constraint and without danger. Then was she his, and naught could +longer stand in the way between them and happiness. Now, when the +king was near his death--now he loved her only--he loved but +Catharine. His ambition had decided his heart. Death had become the +judge over Seymour's double affection and divided heart, and with +King Henry's death Elizabeth's star had also paled. + +Catharine was the widow of a king; and without doubt this tender +husband had appointed his young and adored wife Regent during the +minority of the Prince of Wales. Catharine then would have still +five years of unlimited sway, of royal authority and sovereign +power. If Catharine were his wife, then would he, Thomas Seymour, +share this power; and the purple robes of royalty, which rested on +her shoulders, would cover him also; and he would help her bear that +crown which doubtless might sometimes press heavily on her tender +brow. He would, in reality, be the regent, and Catharine would be so +only in name. She, the Queen of England, and he, king of this queen. +What a proud, intoxicating thought was that! And what plans, what +hopes might not be twined with it! Five years of sway--was not that +a time long enough to undermine the throne of the royal boy and to +sap his authority? Who could conjecture whether the people, once +accustomed to the regency of the queen, might not prefer to remain +under her sceptre, instead of committing themselves to this feeble +youth? The people must be constrained so to think, and to make +Catharine, Thomas Seymour's wife, their reigning queen. + +The king was sick unto death, and Catharine was, without doubt, the +regent--perchance some day the sovereign queen. + +Princess Elizabeth was only a poor princess, entirely without a +prospect of the throne; for before her came Catharine, came Edward, +and finally Mary, Elizabeth's eldest sister. Elizabeth had not the +least prospect of the throne, and Catharine the nearest and best +founded. + +Thomas Seymour pondered this as he traversed the apartments of the +queen; and when he entered her presence, he had convinced himself +that he loved the queen only, and that it was she alone whom he had +always loved. Elizabeth was forgotten and despised. She had no +prospect of the throne--why, then, should he love her? + +The queen, as we have said, ordered him to shut the door of the +boudoir and to drop the hanging. At the same moment that he did +this, the hanging of the opposite door, leading into the sleeping +apartment, moved--perhaps only the draught of the closing door had +done it. Neither the queen nor Seymour noticed it. They were both +too much occupied with themselves. They saw not how the hanging +again and again gently shook and trembled. They saw not how it was +gently opened a little in the middle; nor did they see the sparkling +eyes which suddenly peeped through the opening in the hanging; nor +suspected they that it was the Princess Elizabeth who had stepped +behind the curtain, the better to see and hear what was taking place +in the boudoir. + +The queen had arisen and advanced a few steps to meet the earl. As +she now stood before him--as their eyes met, she felt her courage +sink and her heart fail. + +She was compelled to look down at the floor to prevent him from +seeing the tears which involuntarily came into her eyes. With a +silent salutation she offered him her hand. Thomas Seymour pressed +it impulsively to his lips, and looked with passionate tenderness +into her face. She struggled to collect all her strength, that her +heart might not betray itself. With a hurried movement she withdrew +her hand from him, and took from the table a roll of paper +containing the new act of succession signed by the king. + +"My lord," said she, "I have called you hither, because I would like +to intrust a commission to you. I beg you to carry this parchment to +the Princess Elizabeth, and be pleased to deliver it to her. But +before you do that, I will make you acquainted with its contents. +This parchment contains a new law relative to the succession, which +has already received the sanction of the king. By virtue of this, +the royal princesses are no longer under the necessity of uniting +themselves with a husband who is a sovereign prince, if they wish to +preserve their hereditary claim on the throne unimpaired. The king +gives the princesses the right to follow their own hearts; and their +claim to the succession is not to suffer thereby, if the husband +chosen is neither a king nor a prince. That, my lord, is the +contents of this parchment which you are to carry to the princess, +and without doubt you will thank me for making you the messenger of +these glad tidings." + +"And why," asked he, in astonishment--"why does your majesty believe +that this intelligence should fill me with special thankfulness?" + +She collected all her powers; she prayed to her own heart for +strength and self-control. + +"Because the princess has made me the confidante of her love, and +because I am consequently aware of the tender tie which binds you to +her," said she, gently; and she felt that all the blood had fled +from her cheeks. + +The earl looked into her face in mute astonishment. Then his +inquiring and searching glance swept all around the room. + +"We are overheard, then?" asked he, in a low voice. + +"We are not alone?" + +"We are alone," said Catharine, aloud. "Nobody can hear us, and God +alone is witness of our conversation." + +Elizabeth, who stood behind the hanging, felt her cheeks glow with +shame, and she began to repent what she had done. But she was +nevertheless, as it were, spellbound to that spot. It was certainly +mean and unworthy of a princess to eavesdrop, but she was at that +time but a young girl who loved, and who wanted to observe her +lover. So she stayed; she laid her hand on her anxiously-throbbing +heart, and murmured to herself: "What will he say? What means this +anxious dread that comes over me?" + +"Well," said Thomas Seymour, in an entirely altered tone, "if we are +alone, then this mask which hides my face may fall; then the cuirass +which binds my heart may he loosened. Hail, Catharine, my star and +my hope! No one, you say, hears us, save God alone; and God knows +our love, and He knows with what longing, and what ecstasy, I have +sighed for this hour--for this hour, which at length again unites me +to you. My God, it is an eternity since I have seen you, Catharine; +and my heart thirsted for you as a famishing man for a refreshing +draught. Catharine, my beloved, blessed be you, that you have at +last called me to you!" + +He opened his arms for her, but she repulsed him sharply. "You are +mistaken in the name, earl," said she, bitterly. "You say Catharine, +and mean Elizabeth! It is the princess that you love: to Elizabeth +belongs your heart, and she has devoted her heart to you. Oh, earl, +I will favor this love, and be certain I will not cease from prayer +and supplication till I have inclined the king to your wishes, till +he has given his consent to your marriage with the Princess +Elizabeth." + +Thomas Seymour laughed. "This is a masquerade, Catharine; and you +still wear a mask over your beautiful and charming face. (Oh, away +with that mask, queen! I want to behold you as you are. I want to +see again your own beautiful self; I want to see the woman who +belongs to me, and who has sworn to be mine, and who has, with a +thousand sacred oaths, vowed to love me, to be true to me, and to +follow me as her husband and her lord. Or how, Catharine! Can you +have forgotten your oath? Can you have become untrue to your own +heart? Do you want to cast me away, and throw me, like a ball of +which you are tired, to another?" + +"Oh," said she, quite unconsciously, "I--I can never forget and +never be untrue." + +"Well, then, my Catharine, the bride and wife of my future, what +then are you speaking to me of Elizabeth?--of this little princess, +who sighs for love as the flower-bud for the sun, and takes the +first man whom she finds in her way for the sun after which she +pines? What care we for Elizabeth, my Catharine? And what have we to +do with that child in this hour of long-wished-for reunion?" + +"Oh, he calls me a child!" murmured Elizabeth. "I am nothing but a +child to him!" And she pressed her hands on her mouth in order to +repress her cry of anger and anguish, and to prevent them from +hearing her teeth, which were chattering as though she were in a +chill. + +With irresistible force Thomas Seymour drew Catharine into his arms. +"Avoid me no longer," said he, in tender entreaty. "The hour has +come which is finally to determine our destiny! The king is at the +point of death, and my Catharine will at length be free--free to +follow her own heart. At this hour I remind you of your oath! Do you +remember still that day when you referred me to this hour? Do you +still know, Catharine, how you vowed to be my wife and to receive me +as the lord of your future? Oh, my beloved, that crown which weighed +down your head will soon be taken away. Now I yet stand before you +as your subject, but in a few hours it will be your lord and your +husband that stands before you; and he will ask: 'Catharine, my +wife, have you kept with me the faith you swore to me? Have you been +guiltless of perjury in respect of your vows and your love? Have you +preserved my honor, which is your honor also, clear from every spot; +and can you, free from guilt, look me in the eye?" + +He gazed at her with proud, flashing eyes, and before his commanding +look her firmness and her pride melted away like ice before the +sunshine. Again he was the master, whose right it was to rule her +heart; and she again the lowly handmaid, whose sweetest happiness it +was to submit and bow to the will of her lover. + +"I can look you frankly in the eye," murmured she, "and no guilt +burdens my conscience. I have loved naught but you, and my God only +dwells near you in my heart." Wholly overcome, wholly intoxicated +with happiness, she leaned her head upon his shoulder, and as he +clasped her in his arms, as he covered with kisses her now +unresisting lips, she felt only that she loved him unutterably, and +that there was no happiness for her except with him. + +It was a sweet dream, a moment of most exquisite ecstasy. But it was +only a moment. A hand was laid violently on her shoulder, a hoarse +angry voice called her name; and as she looked up, she encountered +the wild glance of Elizabeth, who stood before her with deathly pale +cheeks, with trembling lips, with expanded nostrils, and eyes +darting flashes of wrath and hatred. + +"This, then, is the friendly service which you swore to me?" said +she, gnashing her teeth. "Did you steal into my confidence, and with +scoffing mouth spy out the secrets of my heart, in order to go away +and betray them to your paramour? That you might in his arms +ridicule this pitiable maiden, who allowed herself for the moment to +be betrayed by her heart, and took a felon for an honorable man! +Woe, woe to you, Catharine, for I tell you I will have no compassion +on the adulteress, who mocks at me, and betrays my father!" + +She was raving; completely beside herself with anger, she dashed +away the hand which Catharine laid on her shoulder, and sprang back +from the touch of her enemy like an irritated lioness. + +Her father's blood fumed and raged within her, and, a true daughter +of Henry the Eighth, she concealed in her heart only bloodthirsty +and revengeful thoughts. + +She cast on Thomas Seymour a look of dark wrath, and a contemptuous +smile played about her lips. "My lord," said she, "you have called +me a child who allows herself to be easily deceived, because she +longs so much for the sun and for happiness. You are right: I was a +child; and I was foolish enough to take a miserable liar for a +noble-man, who was worthy of the proud fortune of being loved by a +king's daughter. Yes, you are right; that was a childish dream. +Thanks to you, I have now awoke from it; and you have matured the +child into a woman, who laughs at the folly of her youth, and +despises to-day what she adored yesterday. I have nothing to do with +you; and you are even too insignificant and too contemptible for my +anger. But I tell you, you have played a hazardous game, and you +will lose. You courted a queen and a princess, and you will gain +neither of them: not the one, for she despises you; not the other, +for she ascends the scaffold!" + +With a wild laugh she was hurrying to the door, but Catharine with a +strong hand held her back and compelled her to remain. "What are you +going to do?" asked she, with perfect calmness and composure. + +"What am I going to do?" asked Elizabeth, her eyes flashing like +those of a lioness. "You ask me what I will do? I will go to my +father, and tell him what I have here witnessed! He will listen to +me; and his tongue will still have strength enough to pronounce your +sentence of death! Oh, my mother died on the scaffold, and yet she +was innocent. We will see, forsooth, whether you will escape the +scaffold--you, who are guilty!" + +"Well, then, go to your father," said Catharine; "go and accuse me. +But first you shall hear me. This man whom I loved, I wanted to +renounce, in order to give him to you. By the confession of your +love, you had crushed my happiness and my future. But I was not +angry with you. I understood you heart, for Thomas Seymour is worthy +of being loved. But you are right; for the king's wife it was a +sinful love, however innocent and pure I may have been. On that +account I wanted to renounce it; on that account I wanted, on the +first confession from you, to silently sacrifice myself. You +yourself have now made it an impossibility. Go, then, and accuse us +to your father, and fear not that I will belie my heart. Now, that +the crisis has come, it shall find me prepared; and on the scaffold +I will still account myself blest, for Thomas Seymour loves me!" + +"Ay, he loves you, Catharine!" cried he, completely overcome and +enchanted by her noble, majestic bearing. + +"He loves you so warmly and ardently, that death with you seems to +him an enviable lot; and he would not exchange it for any throne nor +for any crown." + +And as he thus spoke, he put his arms around Catharine's neck, and +impetuously drew her to his heart. + +Elizabeth uttered a fierce scream, and sprang to the door. But what +noise was that which all at once drew nigh; which suddenly, like a +wild billow, came roaring on, and filled the anterooms and the +halls? What were these affrighted, shrieking voices calling? What +were they screaming to the queen, and the physicians, and the +priest? + +Elizabeth stopped amazed, and listened. Thomas Seymour and +Catharine, arm linked in arm, stood near her. They scarcely heard +what was taking place; they looked at each other and smiled, and +dreamed of love and death and an eternity of happiness. + +Now the door flew open; there was seen John Heywood's pale face: +there were the maids of honor and the court officials. And all +shrieked and all wailed: "The king is dying! He is struck with +apoplexy! The king is at the point of death!" + +"The king calls you! The king desires to die in the arms of his +wife!" said John Heywood, and, as he quietly pushed Elizabeth aside +and away from the door as she was pressing violently forward, he +added: "The king will see nobody but his wife and the priest; and he +has authorized me to call the queen!" + +He opened the door; and through the lines of weeping and wailing +court officials and servants, Catharine moved on, to go to the +death-bed of her royal husband. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +"LE ROI EST MORT--VIVE LA REINE!" + + +King Henry lay a-dying. That life full of sin, full of blood and +crime, full of treachery and cunning, full of hypocrisy and +sanctimonious cruelty--that life was at last lived out. That hand, +which had signed so many death-warrants, was now clutched in the +throes of death. It had stiffened at the very moment when the king +was going to sign the Duke of Norfolk's death-warrant. [Footnote: +historical. The king's own words.--Leti, vol. I, p. 16.] And the +king was dying with the gnawing consciousness that he had no longer +the power to throttle that enemy whom he hated. The mighty king was +now nothing more than a feeble, dying old man, who was no longer +able to hold the pen and sign this death-warrant for which he had so +long hankered and hoped. Now it lay before him, and he no longer had +the power to use it. God, in His wisdom and His justice, had decreed +against him the most grievous and horrible of punishments; He had +left him his consciousness; He had not crippled him in mind, but in +body only. And that motionless and rigid mass which, growing chill +in death, lay there on the couch of purple trimmed with gold--that +was the king--a king whom agony of conscience did not permit to die, +and who now shuddered and was horrified in view of death, to which +he had, with relentless cruelty, hunted so many of his subjects. + +Catharine and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the noble Cranmer, stood +at his bedside: and whilst in convulsive agony he grasped +Catharine's hands, he listened to the devout prayers which Cranmer +was saying over him. + +Once he asked with mumbling tongue: "My lord, what kind of a world +then is that where those who condemn others to die, are condemned to +die themselves?" + +And as the pious Cranmer, touched by the agonies and tortures of +conscience which he read in the king's looks, and full of pity for +the dying tyrant, sought to comfort him, and spoke to him of the +mercy of God which has compassion on every sinner, the king groaned +out: "No, no! No mercy for him who knew no mercy!" + +At length this awful struggle of death with life was ended; and +death had vanquished life. The king had closed his eyes to earth, to +open them again there above, as a guilt-laden sinner in the presence +of God. + +For three days his death was kept a secret. They wanted first to +have everything arranged, and to fill up the void which his death +must make. They wanted, when they spoke to the people of the dead +king, to show them also at the same time the living king. And since +they knew that the people would not weep for the dead, they were to +rejoice for the living; since they would sing no funeral psalms, +they were to let their hymns of joy resound. + +On the third day the gates of Whitehall were thrown open, and a +gloomy funeral train moved through the streets of London. In dead +silence the populace saw borne past them the coffin of the king, +before whom they had trembled so much, and for whom they now had not +a word of mourning or of pity--no tears for the dead who for seven- +and-thirty years had been their king. + +They were bearing the coffin to Westminster Abbey to the splendid +monument which Wolsey had built there for his royal master. But the +way was long, and the panting horses with black housings, which drew +the hearse, had often to stop and rest. And all of a sudden, as the +carriage stood still on one of the large open squares, blood was +seen to issue from the king's coffin. It streamed down in crimson +currents and flowed over the stones of the streets. The people with +a shudder stood around and saw the king's blood flowing, and thought +how much blood he had spilt on that same spot, for the coffin was +standing on the square where the executions were wont to take place, +and where the scaffolds were erected and the stakes set. As the +people stood gazing at the blood which flowed from the king's +coffin, two dogs sprang forth from the crowd and, with greedy +tongue, licked the blood of King Henry the Eighth. But the people, +shuddering and horror-stricken, fled in all directions, and talked +among themselves of the poor priest who a few weeks before was +executed here on this very spot, because he would not recognize the +king as the supreme lord of the Church and God's vicegerent; of that +unfortunate man who cursed the king, and on the scaffold said: "May +the dogs one day drink the blood of this king who has shed so much +innocent blood!" And now the curse of the dying man had found its +fulfilment, and the dogs had drunk the king's blood. [Footnote: +Historical.--See Tytler, p. 481.] + +When the gloomy funeral train had left the palace of Whitehall, when +the king's corpse no longer infected the halls with its awful stench +of corruption, and the court was preparing to do homage to the boy +Edward as the new king, Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley, entered the +room of the young royal widow. He came in a magnificent mourning +suit, and his elder brother, Edward Seymour, and Cranmer, archbishop +of Canterbury, walked by his side. + +With a blush and a sweet smile, Catharine bade them welcome. + +"Queen," said Thomas Seymour with solemn air, "I come to-day to +claim of you the fulfilment of your vow! Oh, do not cast down your +eyes, nor blush for shame. The noble archbishop knows your heart, +and he knows that it is as pure as the heart of a maiden, and that +an unchaste thought has never sullied your pure soul. And my brother +would not be here, had he not faith in and respect for a love which +has preserved itself so faithful and constant amidst storms and +dangers. I have selected these two noble friends as my suitors, and +in their presence I will ask you: 'Queen Catharine, the king is +dead, and no fetters longer bind your heart; will you not give it me +as my own? Will you accept me as your husband, and sacrifice for me +your royal title and your exalted position?'" + +With a bewitching smile she gave him her hand. "You well know," +whispered she, "that I sacrifice nothing for you, but receive from +you all of happiness and love that I hope for." + +"Will you then, in the presence of these two friends, accept me as +your future husband, and plight me your vow of truth and love?" + +Catharine trembled and cast down her eyes with the bashfulness of a +young girl. "Alas!" whispered she, "do you not then see my mourning +dress? Is it becoming to think of happiness, while the funeral +lamentations have scarcely died away?" + +"Queen Catharine," said Archbishop Cranmer, "let the dead bury their +dead! Life also has its rights; and man should not give up his claim +on happiness, for it is a most holy possession. You have endured +much and suffered much, queen, but your heart is pure and without +guilt; therefore you may now, with a clear conscience, bid welcome +to happiness also. Do not delay about it. In God's name I have come +to bless your love, and give to your happiness a holy consecration." + +"And I," said Edward Seymour, "I have begged of my brother the honor +of being allowed to accompany him in order to say to your majesty +that I know how to duly appreciate the high honor which you show our +family, and that, as your brother-in-law, I shall ever be mindful +that you were once my queen and I your subject." + +"But I," cried Thomas Seymour, "I would not delay coming to you, in +order that I might show you that love only brings me to you, and +that no other consideration could induce me. The king's will is not +yet opened, and I know not its contents. But however it may +determine with respect to all of us, it cannot diminish or increase +my happiness in possessing you. Whatever you may be, you will ever +be to me only the adored woman, the ardently loved wife; and only to +assure you of this, I have come this very day." + +Catharine extended her hand to him with a bewitching smile. "I have +never doubted of you, Seymour," whispered she, "and never did I love +you more ardently than when I wanted to renounce you." + +She bowed her head on her lover's shoulder, and tears of purest joy +bedewed her cheeks. The Archbishop of Canterbury joined their hands, +and blessed them as betrothed lovers; and the elder Seymour, Earl +Hertford, bowed and greeted them as a betrothed couple. + +On that very same day the king's will was opened. In the large +gilded hall, in which King Henry's merry laughter and thundering +voice of wrath had so often resounded, were now read his last +commands. The whole court was assembled, as it was wont to be for a +joyous festival; and Catharine once more sat on the royal throne. +But the dreaded tyrant, the bloodthirsty King Henry the Eighth, was +no longer at her side; but the poor pale boy, Edward, who had +inherited from his father neither energy nor genius, but only his +thirst for blood and his canting hypocrisy. At his side stood his +sisters, the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. Both were pale and of a +sad countenance; but with both, it was not for their father that +they were grieving. + +Mary, the bigoted Roman Catholic, saw with horror and bitter anguish +the days of adversity which were about to befall her church; for +Edward was a fanatical opponent of the Roman Catholic religion, and +she knew that he would shed the blood of the papists with relentless +cruelty. On this account it was that she mourned. + +But Elizabeth, that young girl of ardent heart--she thought neither +of her father nor of the dangers threatening the Church; she thought +only of her love, she felt only that she had been deprived of a +hope, of an illusion--that she had awoke from a sweet and enchanting +dream to the rude and barren reality. She had given up her first +love, but her heart bled and the wound still smarted. + +The will was read. Elizabeth looked toward Thomas Seymour during +this solemn and portentous reading. She wanted to read in his +countenance the impression made on him by these grave words, so +pregnant with the future; she wanted to search the depths of his +soul, and to penetrate the secret thoughts of his heart. She saw how +he turned pale when, not Queen Catharine, but his brother, Earl +Hertford, was appointed regent during Edward's minority; she saw the +sinister, almost angry look which he threw at the queen; and with a +cruel smile she murmured: + +"I am revenged! He loves her no longer!" + +John Heywood, who was standing behind the queen's throne, had also +observed the look of Thomas Seymour, yet not like Elizabeth, with a +rejoicing, but with a sorrowful heart, and he dropped his head upon +his breast and murmured: "Poor Catharine! He will hate her, and she +will be very unhappy." + +But she was still happy. Her eye beamed with pure delight when she +perceived that her lover was, by the king's will, appointed High +Admiral of England and guardian of the young king. She thought not +of herself, but only of him, of her lover; and it filled her with +the proudest satisfaction to see him invested with places of such +high honor and dignity. + +Poor Catharine! Her eye did not see the sullen cloud which still +rested on the brow of her beloved. She was so happy and so innocent, +and so little ambitious! For her this only was happiness, to be her +lover's, to be the wife of Thomas Seymour. + +And this happiness was to be hers. Thirty days after the death of +King Henry the Eighth she became the wife of the high admiral, +Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley. Archbishop Cranmer solemnized their +union in the chapel at Whitehall, and the lord protector, now Duke +of Somerset, formerly Earl of Hertford, the brother of Thomas +Seymour, was the witness of this marriage, which was, however, still +kept a secret, and of which there were to be no other witnesses. +When, however, they resorted to the chapel for the marriage, +Princess Elizabeth came forward to meet the queen, and offered her +hand. + +It was the first time they had met since the dreadful day on which +they confronted each other as enemies--the first time that they had +again seen each other eye to eye. + +Elizabeth had wrung this sacrifice from her heart. Her proud soul +revolted at the thought that Thomas Seymour might imagine that she +was still grieving for him, that she still loved him. She would show +him that her heart was entirely recovered from that first dream of +her youth--that she had not the least regret or pain. + +She accosted him with a haughty, cold smile, and presented Catharine +her hand. "Queen," said she, "you have so long been a kind and +faithful mother to me, that I may well once more claim the right of +being your daughter. Let me, therefore, as your daughter, be present +at the solemn transaction in which you are about to engage; and +allow me to stand at your side and pray for you, whilst the +archbishop performs the sacred service, and transforms the queen +into the Countess of Sudley. May God bless you, Catharine, and give +you all the happiness that you deserve!" + +And Princess Elizabeth knelt at Catharine's side, as the archbishop +blest this new marriage tie. And while she prayed her eye again +glided over toward Thomas Seymour, who was standing there by his +young wife. Catharine's countenance beamed with beauty and +happiness, but upon Thomas Seymour's brow still lay the cloud that +had settled there on that day when the king's will was opened--that +will which did not make Queen Catharine regent, and which thereby +destroyed Thomas Seymour's proud and ambitious schemes. + +And that cloud remained on Thomas Seymour's brow. It sank down lower +and still lower. It soon overshadowed the happiness of Catharine's +love, and awakened her from her short dream of bliss. + +What she suffered, how much of secret agony and silent woe she +endured, who can wish to know or conjecture? Catharine had a proud +and a chaste soul. She concealed from the world her pain and her +grief, as bashfully as she had once done her love. Nobody suspected +what she suffered and how she struggled with her crushed heart. + +She never complained; she saw bloom after bloom fall from her life; +she saw the smile disappear from her husband's countenance; she +heard his voice, at first so tender, gradually harden to harsher +tones; she felt his heart growing colder and colder, and his love +changing into indifference, perhaps even into hate. + +She had devoted her whole heart to love, but she felt day by day, +and hour by hour, that her husband's heart was cooling more and +more. She felt, with dreadful heartrending certainty, she was his +with all her love. + +But he was no longer hers. + +And she tormented her heart to find out why he no longer loved her-- +what she had been guilty of, that he turned away from her. Seymour +had not the delicacy and magnanimity to conceal from her his inward +thoughts; and at last she comprehended why he neglected her. + +He had hoped that Catharine would be Regent of England, that he then +would be consort of the regent. Because it had not happened so his +love had died. + +Catharine felt this, and she died of it. But not suddenly, not at +once, did death release her from her sorrows and racking tortures. +Six months she had to suffer and struggle with them. After six +months she died. + +Strange rumors were spread at her death; and John Heywood never +passed by Earl Seymour without gazing at him with an angry look, and +saying: "You have murdered the beautiful queen! Deny it, if you +can!" + +Thomas Seymour laughed, and did not consider it worth his while to +defend himself against the accusations of the fool. He laughed, +notwithstanding he had not yet put off the mourning he wore for +Catharine. + +In these mourning garments he ventured to approach the Princess +Elizabeth, to swear to her his ardent love, and sue for her hand. +But Elizabeth repelled him with coldness and haughty contempt; and, +like the fool, the princess also said: "You have murdered Catharine! +I cannot be the wife of a murderer!" + +And God's justice punished the murderer of the innocent and noble +Catharine; and scarcely three months after the death of his wife, +the high admiral had to ascend the scaffold, and was executed as a +traitor. + +By Catharine's wish, her books and papers were given to her true +friend John Heywood, and he undertook with the greatest care an +examination of the same. He found among her papers many leaves +written by herself, many verses and poems, which breathed forth the +sorrowfulness of her spirit. Catharine herself had collected them +into a book, and with her own hand she had given to the book this +title: "Lamentations of a Sinner." + +Catharine had wept much as she penned these "Lamentations"; for in +many places the manuscript was illegible, and her tears had +obliterated the characters. + +John Heywood kissed the spots where the traces of her tears +remained, and whispered: "The sinner has by her suffering been +glorified into a saint; and these poems are the cross and the +monument which she has prepared for her own grave. I will set up +this cross, that the good may take comfort, and the wicked flee from +it." And he did so. He had the "Lamentations of a Sinner" printed; +and this book was the fairest monument of Catharine. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Etext Henry VIII And His Court, by Louise Muhlbach + diff --git a/old/h8ahc10.zip b/old/h8ahc10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ffd1d33 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/h8ahc10.zip |