Heraisedhisclenchedfistthreateninglytoheaven，andhiseyesdartedlightning。"Buthow！"saidhe，afterapause——"hashenotrecentlyreadbeforeusapoemtohisGeraldine，inwhichhethanksherforherlove，andacknowledgeshimselfeternallyherdebtorforthekissshegavehim？"
"HehasreadbeforeyourmajestysuchapoemtoGeraldine。"
Thekingutteredalowcry，andraisedhimselfinhisseat。
"Proofs，"saidhe，inahoarse，hollowvoice——"proofs——or，Itellyou，yourownheadshallatoneforthisaccusation！"
"Thisproof，yourmajesty，Iwillgiveyou！"saidEarlDouglas，solemnly。"Itpleasesyourmajesty，inthefulnessofyourgentlenessandmercy，towanttodoubttheaccusationofthenobleduchess。Well，now，IwillfurnishyouinfallibleproofthatHenryHoward，EarlofSurrey，reallylovesthequeen，andthathereallydarestoextolandadoretheking'swifeashisGeraldine。Youshallwithyourownears，sire，hearhowEarlSurreyswearshislovetothequeen。"
Thescreamwhichthekingnowutteredwassofrightful，andgaveevidenceofsomuchinwardagonyandrage，thatitstrucktheearldumb，andmadethecheeksoftheladiesturnpale。
"Douglas，Douglas，bewarehowyourousethelion！"gaspedtheking。
"Thelionmightrendyouyourselfinpieces！"
"ThisverynightIwillgiveyoutheproofthatyoudemand，sire。
ThisverynightyoushallhearhowEarlSurrey，sittingatthefeetofhisGeraldine，swearstoherhislove。"
"Itiswell！"saidtheking。"Thisnight，then！Woetoyou，Douglas，ifyoucannotredeemyourword！"
"Iwilldoso，yourmajesty。Forthis，itisonlynecessarythatyouwillbegraciouslypleasedtosweartomethatyouwillnot，byasighorabreath，betrayyourself。Theearlissuspicious；andthefearofanevilconsciencehassharpenedhisear。Hewouldrecognizeyoubyyoursigh，andhislipswouldnotspeakthosewordsandavowalswhichyoudesiretohear。"
"IsweartoyouthatIwillnotbyanysighorbreathbetraymypresence！"saidtheking，solemnly。"IswearthistoyoubytheholymotherofGod！Butnowletthatsuffice。Air——air——Isuffocate！
Everythingswimsbeforemyeyes。Openthewindow，thatalittleairmayflowin！Ah！thatisgood！Thisairatleastispure，andnotinfectedwithsinandslander！"
AndthekinghadEarlDouglasrollhimtotheopenedwindow，andinspiredinlongdraughtsthatpurefreshair。Thenheturnedtotheladieswithanagreeablesmile。
"Myladies，"saidhe，"Ithankyou！Youhaveto-dayshownyourselvesmytrueanddevotedfriends！Ishalleverrememberit，andIbegofyou，ifatanytimeyouneedafriendandprotector，toapplytouswithallconfidence。Weshallneverforgetwhatgreatserviceyouhaveto-dayrenderedus。"
Henoddedtotheminafriendlymanner，whilst，withamajesticwaveofthehand，hedismissedthem，andconcludedtheaudience。
"Andnow，Douglas，"exclaimedtheking，vehemently，assoonastheladieshadretired——"nowIhavehadenoughofthisdreadfultorture！
Oh，yousayIamtopunishthetraitors——theseSurreys——andyouinflictonmethemostfrightfulpainsoftherack！"
"Sire，therewasnoothermeansofdeliveringupthisSurreytoyou。
Youwerewishingthathewereacriminal；andIshallprovetoyouthatheisso。"
"Oh，Ishallthenbeableatleasttotreadhishatedheadundermyfeet"saidtheking，grindinghisteeth。"Ishallnomoretremblebeforethismaliciousenemy，whogoesaboutamongmypeoplewithhishypocriticaltongue，whileI，torturedwithpain，sitinthedungeonofmysickroom。Yes，yes，Ithankyou，Douglas，thatyouwillhandhimovertomyarmofvengeance；andmysoulisfullofjoyandserenityatit。Ah，whywereyouobligedtocloudthisfair，thissublimehour？Whywasitnecessarytoweavethequeenintothisgloomywebofguiltandcrime？Hercheerfulsmileandherradiantlookshaveeverbeenanenjoymentsodeartomyeyes。"
"Sire，Idonotbyanymeanssaythatthequeenisguilty。OnlytherewasnoothermeanstoprovetoyouEarlSurrey'sguiltthanthatyoushouldhearforyourselfhisconfessionoflovetothequeen。"
"AndIwillhearit！"criedtheking，whohadnowalreadyovercomethesentimentalemotionofhisheart。
"Yes，IwillhavefullconvictionofSurrey'sguilt；andwoetothequeen，shouldIfindheralsoguilty！Thisnight，then，earl！Buttillthen，silenceandsecrecy！Wewillhavefatherandsonseizedandimprisonedatthesamehour；forotherwisetheimprisonmentoftheonemighteasilyserveasawarningtotheother，andhemightescapemyjustwrath。Ah，theyaresosly——theseHowards——andtheirheartsaresofullofcunningandmalice！Butnowtheyshallescapemenomore；nowtheyareours！Howitdoesmegoodtothinkthat！
Andhowbrisklyandlightlymyheartleaps！Itisasthoughastreamofnewlifewererushingthroughmyveins，andanewpowerwereinfusedintomyblood。Oh，itwastheseHowardsthatmademesick。I
shallbewellagainwhenIknowthattheyareintheTower。Yes，yes，myheartleapswithjoy，andthisistobeahappyandblessedday。Callthequeenhithertome，thatImayoncemoreenjoyherrosyfacebeforeImakeitturnpalewithterror。Yes，letthequeencome，andletheradornherself；Iwanttoseeheroncemoreinthefullsplendorofheryouthandherroyalty，beforeherstargoesoutindarkness。IwilloncemoredelightmyselfwithherbeforeImakeherweep。Ah，knowyou，Douglas，thatthereisnoenjoymentkeener，moredevilish，andmoreheavenly，thantoseesuchapersonwhosmilesandsuspectsnothing，whilesheisalreadycondemned；whostilladornsherheadwithroses，whiletheexecutionerisalreadysharpeningtheaxethatistolaythatheadlow；whostillhashopesofthefuture，andofjoyandhappiness，whileherhouroflifehasalreadyrunout；whileIhavealreadybiddenherstopanddescendintothegrave！So，callthequeentome；andtellherthatweareinamerrymood，andwanttojestandlaughwithher！Callalltheladiesandlordsofourcourt；andhavetheroyalsaloonsopened；
andletthemberadiantwiththebrilliancyofthelights；andletushavemusic——loud，crashingmusic——forwewantatleasttomakethisamerrydayforussinceitseemsasthoughweshouldhaveasadandunhappynight。Yes，yes，amerrydaywewillhave；andafterthat，letcomewhatcomemay！Thesaloonsshallresoundwithlaughterandjoyfulness；andnaughtbutrejoicingandfunshallbeheardinthegreatroyalsaloons。AndinvitealsotheDukeofNorfolk，mynoblecousin，whoshareswithmemyroyalcoat-of-arms。
Yes，invitehim，thatImayenjoyoncemorehishaughtyandimposingbeautyandgrandeurbeforethisaugustsunisextinguishedandleavesusagaininnightanddarkness。TheninvitealsoWriothesley，thehighchancellor，andlethimbringwithhimafewgallantandbravesoldiersofourbody-guard。Theyaretobethenobleduke'ssuite，whenhewishestoleaveourfeastandgohomeward——homeward——
ifnottohispalace，yettotheTower，andtothegrave。Go，go，Douglas，andattendtoallthisforme！Andsendmeheredirectlymymerryfool，JohnHeywood。Hemustpassawaythetimeformetillthefeastbegins。Hemustmakemelaughandbegay。"
"Iwillgoandfulfilyourorders，sire，"saidEarlDouglas。"Iwillorderthefeast，andimpartyourcommandstothequeenandyourcourt。Andfirstofall，IwillsendJohnHeywoodtoyou。Butpardonme，yourmajesty，ifIventuretoremindyouthatyouhavegivenmeyourroyalwordnottobetrayoursecretbyasinglesyllable，orevenbyasigh。"
"Igavemyword，andIwillkeepit！"saidtheking。"Gonow，EarlDouglas，anddowhatIhavebiddenyou！"
Whollyexhaustedbythisparoxysmofcrueldelight，thekingsankbackinhisseat，andmoaningandgroaningherubbedhisleg，thepiercingpainsofwhichhehadforamomentforgotten，butwhichnowremindedhimoftheirpresencewithsomuchthemorecruelfury。
"Ah，ah！"moanedtheking。"Heboastsofbeingabletosleepwhenhepleases。Well，thistimewewillbetheonetolullthishaughtyearltosleep。Butitwillbeasleepoutofwhichheisnevertoawakeagain！"
Whilethekingthuswailedandsuffered，EarlDouglashastenedwithquick，firmstepthroughthesuiteofroyalapartments。Aproud，triumphantsmileplayedabouthislips，andajoyfulexpressionofvictoryflashedfromhiseyes。
"Triumph！triumph！weshallconquer！"saidhe，ashenowenteredhisdaughter'schamberandextendedhishandtoLadyJane。"Jane，wehaveatlastreachedthegoal，andyouwillsoonbeKingHenry'sseventhwife！"
ArosyshimmerflittedforamomentoverLadyJane'spale，colorlesscheeks，andasmileplayedaboutherlips——asmile，however，whichwasmoresadthanloudsobscouldhavebeen。
"Ah，"saidsheinalowtone，"Ifearonlythatmypoorheadwillbetooweaktoweararoyalcrown。"
"Courage，courage，Jane，liftupyourhead，andbeagainmystrong，prouddaughter！"
"But，Isuffersomuch，myfather，"sighedshe。"Itishellthatburnswithinme！"
"Butsoon，Jane，soonyoushallfeelagaintheblissofheaven！I
hadforbiddenyoutograntHenryHowardameeting，becauseitmightbringusdanger。Well，then，nowyourtenderheartshallbesatisfied。To-nightyoushallembraceyourloveragain！"
"Oh，"murmuredshe，"hewillagaincallmehisGeraldine，anditwillnotbeI，butthequeen，thathekissesinmyarms！"
"Yes，to-day，itwillstillbeso，Jane；butIsweartoyouthatto-
dayisthelasttimethatyouareobligedtoreceivehimthus。"
"ThelasttimethatIseehim？"askedJane，withanexpressionofalarm。
"No，Jane，onlythelasttimethatHenryHowardlovesinyouthequeen，andnotyouyourself。"
"Oh，hewillneverloveme！"murmuredshe，sadly。
"Hewillloveyou，foryouitwillbethatwillsavehislife。
Hasten，then。Jane，haste！Writehimquicklyoneofthosetendernotesthatyouinditewithsomasterlyahand。Invitehimtoameetingto-nightattheusualtimeandplace。"
"Oh，Ishallatlasthavehimagain！"whisperedLadyJane；andshesteppedtothewriting-tableandwithtremblinghandbegantowrite。
Butsuddenlyshestopped，andlookedatherfathersharplyandsuspiciously。
"Yousweartome，myfather，thatnodangerthreatenshimifhecomes？"
"Isweartoyou，Jane，thatyoushallbetheonetosavehislife！I
sweartoyou，Jane，thatyoushalltakevengeanceonthequeen——
vengeanceforalltheagony，thehumiliationanddespairthatyouhavesufferedbyher。To-daysheisyetQueenofEngland！To-morrowshewillbenothingmorethanacriminal，whosighsintheconfinementoftheTowerforthehourofherexecution。AndyouwillbeHenry'sseventhqueen。Write，then，mydaughter，write！Andmaylovedictatetoyoutheproperwords！"
CHAPTERXXX。
THEFEASTOFDEATH。
Foralongtimethekinghadnotappearedinsuchgoodspiritsasonthisfestiveevening。Foralongtimehehadnotbeensocompletelythetenderhusband，thegood-naturedcompanion，thecheerfulbon-
vivant。
Thepainsofhislegseemedtohavedisappeared，andeventheweightofhisbodyseemedtobelessburdensomethanusual，formorethanonceherosefromhischair，andwalkedafewstepsthroughthebrilliantlylightedsaloon，inwhichtheladiesandlordsofhiscourt，infestiveattire，weremovinggentlytoandfro；inwhichmusicandlaughterresounded。Howtenderheshowedhimselftowardthequeento-day；withwhatextraordinarykindnesshemettheDukeofNorfolk；withwhatsmilingattention，helistenedtotheEarlofSurrey，ashe，attheking'sdesire，recitedsomenewsonnetstoGeraldine！
ThismarkedpreferenceforthenobleHowardsenrapturedtheRomanCatholicpartyatcourt，andfilleditwithnewhopesandnewconfidence。
ButonetherewaswhodidnotallowhimselftobedeceivedbythismaskwhichKingHenryhadto-dayputonoverhiswrathfulface。
JohnHeywoodhadfaithneitherintheking'scheerfulnessnorinhistenderness。Heknewtheking；hewasawarethatthosetowhomhewasmostfriendlyoftenhadthemosttofearfromhim。Therefore，hewatchedhim；andhesaw，beneaththismaskoffriendliness，theking'srealangrycountenancesometimesflashoutinaquick，hastylook。
TheresoundingmusicandthemadrejoicingnomoredeceivedJohnHeywood。HebeheldDeathstandingbehindthisdazzlinglife；hesmeltthereekofcorruptionconcealedbeneaththeperfumeofthesebrilliantflowers。
JohnHeywoodnolongerlaughedandnolongerchatted。Hewatched。
Forthefirsttimeinalongwhilethekingdidnotneedto-daytheexcitingjestandthestingingwitofhisfoolinordertobecheerfulandingoodhumor。
Sothefoolhadtimeandleisuretobeareasonableandobservantman；andheimprovedthetime。
HesawthelooksofmutualunderstandingandsecuretriumphthatEarlDouglasexchangedwithGardiner，anditmadehimmistrustfultonoticethatthefavoritesoftheking，atothertimessojealous，didnotseemtobeatalldisturbedbytheextraordinarymarksoffavorwhichtheHowardswereenjoyingthisevening。
OnceheheardhowGardineraskedWriothesley，ashepassedby，"AndthesoldiersoftheTower？"andhowherepliedjustaslaconically，"Theystandnearthecoach，andwait。"
Itwas，therefore，perfectlyclearthatsomebodywouldbecommittedtoprisonthisveryday。Therewas，therefore，amongthelaughing，richly-attired，andjestingguestsofthiscourt，onewhothisverynight，whenheleftthesehallsradiantwithsplendorandpleasure，wastobeholdthedarkandgloomychambersoftheTower。
Theonlyquestionwas，whothatonewasforwhomthebrilliantcomedyofthiseveningwastobechangedtososadadrama。
JohnHeywoodfelthisheartoppressedwithanunaccountableapprehension，andtheking'sextraordinarytendernesstowardthequeenterrifiedhim。
AsnowhesmiledonCatharine，ashenowstrokedhercheeks，sohadthekingsmiledonAnneBoleyninthesamehourthatheorderedherarrest；sohadhestrokedBuckingham'scheekonthesamedaythathesignedhisdeath-warrant。
Thefoolwasalarmedatthisbrilliantfeast，resoundingmusic，andthemadmerrimentoftheking。Hewashorrifiedatthelaughingfacesandfrivolousjests，whichcamestreamingfromallthosemirthfullips。
OHeaven！theylaughed，anddeathwasinthemidstofthem；theylaughed，andthegatesoftheTowerwerealreadyopenedtoadmitoneofthosemerryguestsofthekingintothathousewhichnooneinthosedaysofHenrytheEighthleftagain，savetogotothestakeortoascendthescaffold！
Whowasthecondemned？Forwhomwerethesoldiersbelowatthecarriagewaiting？JohnHeywoodinvainrackedhisbrainwiththisquestion。
Nowherecouldhespyatracethatmightleadhimontherighttrack；
nowhereaclewthatmightconducthimthroughthislabyrinthofhorrors。
"Whenyouareafraidofthedevil，youdowelltoputyourselfunderhisimmediateprotection，"mutteredJohnHeywood；andsadanddespondentatheart，hecreptbehindtheking'sthroneandcroucheddownbyitontheground。
JohnHeywoodhadsuchalittle，diminutiveform，andtheking'sthronewassolargeandbroad，thatitaltogetherconcealedthelittlecrouchingfool。
NoonehadnoticedthatJohnHeywoodwasconcealedtherebehindtheking。Nobodysawhislarge，keeneyespeepingoutfrombehindthethroneandsurveyingandwatchingthewholehall。
JohnHeywoodcouldseeeverythingandheareverythinggoingoninthevicinityoftheking。Hecouldobserveeveryonewhoapproachedthequeen。
HesawLadyJanelikewise，whowasstandingbythequeen'sseat。HesawhowEarlDouglasdrewnearhisdaughter，andhowsheturneddeadlypaleashesteppeduptoher。
JohnHeywoodheldhisbreathandlistened。
EarlDouglasstoodnearhisdaughter，andnoddedtoherwithapeculiarsmile。"Go，now，Jane，goandchangeyourdress。Itistime。OnlyseehowimpatientlyandlonginglyHenryHowardisalreadylookingthisway，andwithwhatlanguishingandenamoredglancesheseemstogiveahinttothequeen。Gothen，Jane，andthinkofyourpromise。"
"Andwillyou，myfather，alsothinkofyourpromise？"inquiredLadyJane，withtremblinglips。"Willnodangerthreatenhim？"
"Iwill，Jane。Butnowmakehaste，mydaughter，andbeprudentandadroit。"
LadyJanebowed，andmurmuredafewunintelligiblewords。Thensheapproachedthequeen，andbeggedpermissiontoretirefromthefeast，becauseasevereindispositionhadsuddenlyovertakenher。
LadyJane'scountenancewassopaleanddeathlike，thatthequeenmightwellbelieveintheindispositionofherfirstmaidofhonor，andsheallowedhertoretire。LadyJaneleftthehall。ThequeencontinuedtheconversationwithLordHertford，whowasstandingbyher。Itwasaverylivelyandwarmconversation，andthequeenthereforedidnotheedwhatwaspassingaroundher；andsheheardnothingoftheconversationbetweenthekingandEarlDouglas。
JohnHeywood，stillcrouchingbehindtheking'sthrone，observedeverythingandheardeverywordofthissoftlywhisperedconversation。
"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，"itislateandthehourofmidnightisdrawingnigh。Willyourmajestybepleasedtoconcludethefeast？
Foryouwellknowthatatmid-nightwemustbeoverthereinthegreensummer-house，anditisalongwaythere。"
"Yes，yes，atmidnight！"mutteredtheking。"Atmidnightthecarnivalisatanend；andweshalltearoffourmask，andshowourwrathfulcountenancetothecriminals！Atmidnightwemustbeoverinthegreensummer-house。Yes，Douglas，wemustmakehaste；foritwouldbecrueltoletthetenderSurreywaitstilllonger。SowewillgivehisGeraldinelibertytoleavethefeast；andweourselvesmustbeginourjourney。Ah，Douglas，itisahardpaththatwehavetotread，andthefuriesandgodsofvengeancebearourtorches。Towork，then——towork！"
Thekingarosefromhisseat，andsteppedtothequeen，towhomhepresentedhishandwithatendersmile。
"Mylady，itislate，"saidhe；"andwe，whoarekingofsomanysubjects——weare，nevertheless，inturn，thesubjectofaking。Thisisthephysician，andwemustobeyhim。Hehasorderedmetoseekmycouchbeforemidnight，and，asaloyalsubjectmustdo，Iobey。Wewishyou，therefore，agood-night，Kate；andmayyourbeautifuleyesonthemorrowalsoshineasstarlikeastheydoto-night。"
"Theywillshineto-morrowasto-night，ifmylordandhusbandisstillasgracioustometo-morrowasto-day，"saidCatharine，withperfectartlessnessandwithoutembarrassment，asshegaveherhandtotheking。Henrycastonherasuspicious，searchinglook，andapeculiar，maliciousexpressionwasmanifestedinhisface。
"Doyoubelievethen，Kate，thatwecaneverbeungracioustoyou？"
askedhe。
"Astothat，Ithink，"saidshe，withasmile，"thateventhesundoesnotalwaysshine；andthatagloomynightalwayssucceedshissplendor。"
Thekingdidnotreply。Helookedhersteadilyintheface，andhisfeaturessuddenlyassumedagentlerexpression。
Perhapshehadcompassiononhisyoungwife。Perhapshefeltpityforheryouthandherenchantingsmile，whichhadsooftenrevivedandrefreshedhisheart。
EarlDouglasatleastfearedso。
"Sire，"saidhe，"itislate。Thehourofmidnightisdrawingnigh。"
"Thenletusgo，"exclaimedtheking，withasigh。"Yesonceagain，good-night，Kate！Nay，donotaccompanyme！Iwillleavethehallquiteunobserved；andIshallbepleased，ifmyguestswillstillprolongthefairfeasttillmorning。Allofyouremainhere！NoonebutDouglasaccompaniesme。"
"Andyourbrother，thefool！"saidJohnHeywood，wholongbeforehadcomeoutofhishiding-placeandwasnowstandingbytheking。"Yes，come，brotherHenry；letusquitthisfeast。Itisnotbecomingforwisemenofoursorttograntourpresencestilllongertothefeastoffools。Cometoyourcouch，king，andIwilllullyoureartosleepwiththesayingsofmywisdom，andenlivenyoursoulwiththemannaofmylearning。"
WhileJohnHeywoodthusspoke，itdidnotescapehimthatthefeaturesoftheearlsuddenlycloudedandadarkfrownsettledonhisbrow。
"Spareyourwisdomforto-day，John，"saidtheking；"foryouwouldindeedbepreachingonlytodeafears。Iamtired，andIrequirenotyourerudition，butsleep。Good-night，John。"
Thekingleftthehall，leaningonEarlDouglas'sarm。
"EarlDouglasdoesnotwishmetoaccompanytheking，"whisperedJohnHeywood。"Heisafraidthekingmightblabouttomealittleofthatdiabolicalworkwhichtheywillcommenceatmidnight。Well，Icallthedevil，aswellastheking，mybrother，andwithhishelpItoowillbeinthegreen-roomatmidnight。Ah，thequeenisretiring；andthereistheDukeofNorfolkleavingthehall。Ihaveaslightlongingtoseewhetherthedukegoeshenceluckilyandwithoutdanger，orifthesoldierswhostandnearthecoach，asWriothesleysays，willperchancebetheduke'sbodyguardforthisnight。"
Slippingoutofthehallwiththequicknessofacat，JohnHeywoodpassedthedukeintheanteroomandhurriedontotheoutergateway，beforewhichthecarriagesweredrawnup。
JohnHeywoodleanedagainstapillarandwatched。Afewminutes，andtheduke'stallandproudformappearedintheentrance-hall；andthefootman，hurryingforward，calledhiscarriage。
Thecarriagerolledup；thedoorwasopened。
Twomenwrappedinblackmantlessatbythecoachman；twoothersstoodbehindasfootmen，whileafifthwasbytheopendoorofthecarriage。
Thedukefirstnoticedhimashisfoothadalreadytouchedthestepofthecarriage。
"Thisisnotmyequipage！Thesearenotmypeople！"saidhe；andhetriedtostepback。Butthepretendedservantforcedhimviolentlyintothecarriageandshutthedoor。"Forward！"orderedhe。Thecarriagerolledon。Amomentstill，JohnHeywoodsawtheduke'spalefaceappearattheopencarriagewindow，anditseemedtohimasthoughhewerestretchingouthisarms，callingforhelp——thenthecarriagedisappearedinthenight。"Poorduke！"murmuredJohnHeywood。"ThegatesoftheTowerareheavy，andyourarmwillnotbestrongenoughtoopenthemagain，whentheyhaveonceclosedbehindyou。Butitavailsnothingtothinkmoreabouthimnow。Thequeenisalsoindanger。Away，then，tothequeen！"
WithfleetfootJohnHeywoodhastenedbackintothecastle。Throughpassagesandcorridorsheslippedhurriedlyalong。
Nowhestoodinthecorridorwhichledtotheapartmentsofthequeen。
"Iwillconstituteherguardto-night，"mutteredJohnHeywood，ashehidhimselfinoneofthenichesinthecorridor。"Thefoolbyhisprayerswillkeepfarfromthedoorofhissaintthetricksofthedevil，andprotectherfromthesnareswhichthepiousBishopGardinerandthecraftycourtierDouglaswanttolayforherfeet。
Myqueenshallnotfallandberuined。Thefoolyetlivestoprotecther。"
CHAPTERXXXI。
THEQUEEN
FromthenicheinwhichJohnHeywoodhadhidhimselfhecouldsurveytheentirecorridorandallthedoorsopeningintoit——couldseeeverythingandheareverythingwithoutbeinghimselfseen，fortheprojectingpilastercompletelyshadedhim。
SoJohnHeywoodstoodandlistened。Allwasquietinthecorridor。
Inthedistancewasnowandthenheardthedeadenedsoundofthemusic；andtheconfusedhumofmanyvoicesfromthefestivehallsforceditswaytothelistener'sear。
ThiswastheonlythingthatJohnHeywoodperceived。Allelsewasstill。Butthisstillnessdidnotlastlong。Thecorridorwaslightedup，andthesoundofrapidlyapproachingfootstepswasheard。
Itwasthegold-lacedlackeys，whoborethelargesilvercandelabratolightthequeen，who，withhertrainofladies，waspassingthroughthecorridor。
Shelookedwondrouslybeautiful。Theglareofthecandlesbornebeforeherilluminedhercountenance，whichbeamedwithcheerfulness。AsshepassedthepillarbehindwhichJohnHeywoodwasstanding，shewastalkinginunrestrainedgayetywithhersecondmaidofhonor；andaclearandlivelylaughrangfromherlips，whichdisclosedbothrowsofherdazzlingwhiteteeth。Hereyessparkled；hercheckswereflushedwitharichred；brightasstarsglitteredthediamondsinthediademthatencircledherloftybrow；
likeliquidgoldshoneherdressofgoldbrocade，thelongtrailofwhich，trimmedwithblackermine，wasbornebytwolovelypages。
Arrivedatthedoorofherbed-chamber，thequeendismissedherpagesandlackeys，andpermittedonlythemaidofhonortocrossthethresholdofherchamberwithher。
Inharmlessgossipthepagesglideddownthecorridorandthestaircase。Thencamethelackeyswhoborethecandelabra。Theyalsoleftthecorridor。
Nowallwasquietagain。StillJohnHeywoodstoodandlistened，firmlyresolvedtospeaktothequeenyetthatnight，evenshouldhebeobligedtowakeherfromsleep。Onlyhewantedtowaittillthemaidofhonoralsohadleftthequeen'sroom。
Nowthedooropened，andthemaidofhonorcameout。Shecrossedthecorridortothatsidewhereherownapartmentsweresituated。JohnHeywoodheardheropenthedoorandthenslidetheboltontheinside。
"Nowbutabrieftimelonger，andIwillgotothequeen，"mutteredJohnHeywood。
Hewasjustgoingtoleavehislurking-place，whenheperceivedanoiseasifadoorwereslowlyandcautiouslyopened。
JohnHeywoodcoweredagainclosebehindthepillar，andheldhisbreathtolisten。
Abrightlightfelloverthecorridor。Adresscamerustlingnearerandnearer。
JohnHeywoodgazedastoundedandamazedatthefigure，whichjustbrushedpastwithoutseeinghim。
ThatfigurewasLadyJaneDouglas——LadyJane，who，onaccountofindisposition，hadretiredfromthefeastinordertobetakeherselftorest。Now，whenallrested，shewatched——whenalllaidasidetheirfestivegarments，shehadadornedherselfwiththesame。Likethequeen，sheworeadressofgoldbrocade，trimmedwithermine，and，likeher，adiademofdiamondsadornedLadyJane'sbrow。
Nowshestoodbeforethequeen'sdoorandlistened。Thenafiercesneerflittedacrossherdeathlypaleface，andherdarkeyesflashedstillmore。
"Shesleeps，"mutteredshe。"Onlysleep，queen——sleeptillweshallcometowakeyou！Sleep，sothatIcanwakeforyou。"
Sheraisedherarmthreateninglytowardthedoor，andwildlyshookherhead。Herlongblackringletsencircledanddancedaroundhersullenbrowlikethesnakesofthefuries；andpaleandcolorless，andwithdemon-likebeauty，sheresembledaltogetherthegoddessofvengeance，inscornfultriumphpreparingtotreadhervictimbeneathherfeet。
Withalowlaughshenowglidedadownthecorridor，butnottothatstaircaseyonder，butfartherdowntotheend，whereonthewallhungalife-sizepictureofHenrytheSixth。Shepressedonaspring；thepictureflewopen，andthroughthedoorconcealedbehinditLadyJaneleftthecorridor。
"Sheisgoingtothegreen-roomtoameetingwithHenryHoward！"
whisperedJohnHeywood，whonowsteppedforthfrombehindthepillar。"Oh，nowIcomprehenditall；nowthewholeofthisdevilishplotiscleartome；LadyJaneisEarlSurrey'slady-love，andtheywanttomakethekingbelievethatitisthequeen。DoubtlessthisSurreyiswiththemintheconspiracy，andperhapshewillcallJaneDouglasbythenameofthequeen。Theywillletthekingseeherbutamoment。Shewearsagoldbrocadedressandadiamonddiademlikethequeen；andtherebytheyhopetodeceiveHenry。Shehasthequeen'sformprecisely；andeverybodyknowstheastonishingsimilarityandlikenessofLadyJane'svoicetothatofthequeen。
Oh，oh，itisatolerablycunningplot！Butneverthelessyoushallnotsucceed，andyoushallnotyetgainthevictory。Patience，onlypatience！Welikewisewillbeinthegreen-room，andfacetofacewiththisroyalcounterfeitwewillplacethegenuinequeen！"
WithhurriedstepJohnHeywoodalsoleftthecorridor，whichwasnowlonelyandstill，forthequeenhadgonetorest。
Yes，thequeenslept，andyetoveryonderinthegreen-roomeverythingwaspreparedforherreception。
Itwastobeaverybrilliantandextraordinaryreception；fortheking，inhisownperson，hadbetakenhimselftothatwingofthecastle，andthechiefmasterofceremonies，EarlDouglas，hadaccompaniedhim。
Totheking，thisexcursion，whichhehadtomakeonfoot，hadbeenverytroublesome；andthisinconveniencehadmadehimonlystillmorefuriousandexcited，andthelasttraceofcompassionforhisqueenhaddisappearedfromtheking'sbreast，foronCatharine'saccounthehadbeenobligedtomakethislongjourneytothegreen-
room；andwithagrimjoyHenrythoughtonlyhowterriblewastobehispunishmentforHenryHowardandalsoforCatharine。
NowthatEarlDouglashadbroughthimhither，thekingnolongerhadanydoubtsatallofthequeen'sguilt。Itwasnolongeranaccusation——itwasproof。ForneverintheworldwouldEarlDouglashavedaredtobringhim，theking，hither，ifhewerenotcertainthathewouldgivehimhereinfallibleproofs。
Theking，therefore，nolongerdoubted；atlastHenryHowardwasinhispower，andhecouldnomoreescapehim。Sohewascertainofbeingabletobringthesetwohatedenemiestotheblock，andoffeelinghissleepnolongeddisturbedbythoughtsofhistwopowerfulrivals。
TheDukeofNorfolkhadalreadypassedthegatesoftheTower，andhissonmustsoonfollowhimthither。
Atthisthoughtthekingfeltanecstasysosavageandbloodthirsty，thatbewhollyforgotthatthesameswordthatwastostrikeHenryHoward'sheadwasdrawnonhisqueenalso。
Theywerenowstandinginthegreen-room，andthekingleanedpantingandmoaningonEarlDouglas'sarm。
Thelargewideroom，withitsantiquefurnitureanditsfadedglory，wasonlygloomilyandscantilylightedinthemiddlebythetwowaxcandlesofthecandelabrumthatEarlDouglashadbroughtwithhim；
whilefurtherawayitwasenvelopedindeepgloom，andseemedtotheeyethroughthisgloomtostretchouttoaninterminablelength。
"Throughthedoorovertherecomesthequeen，"saidDouglas；andhehimselfshrankattheloudsoundofhisvoice，whichinthelarge，desolateroombecameofawfulfulness。"Andthat，there，isHenryHoward'sentrance。Oh，heknowsthatpathverythoroughly；forhehasoftenenoughalreadytravelleditinthedarknight，andhisfootnolongerstumblesonanystoneofoffence！"
"Buthewillperchancestumbleontheheadsman'sblock！"mutteredtheking，withacruellaugh。
"Inowtakethelibertyofaskingonequestionmore，"saidDouglas；
andthekingdidnotsuspecthowstormilytheearl'sheartbeatatthisquestion。"Isyourmajestysatisfiedtoseetheearlandthequeenmaketheirappearanceatthismeeting？Or，doyoudesiretolistentoalittleoftheearl'stenderprotestations？"
"Iwillhearnotalittle，butall！"saidtheking。"Ah，letusallowtheearlyettosinghisswan-likesongbeforeheplungesintotheseaofblood！"
"Then，"saidEarlDouglas，"thenwemustputoutthislight，andyourmajestymustbecontentmerelytoheartheguiltyones，andnottoseethemalso。Wewillthenbetakeourselvestotheboudoirhere，whichIhaveopenedforthispurpose，andinwhichisaneasy-chairforyourmajesty。Wewillplacethischairneartheopendoor，andthenyourmajestywillbeabletoheareverywordoftheirtenderwhisperings。"
"Buthowshallwe，ifweextinguishthisouronlylight，atlastattaintoasightofthisdearlovingpair，andbeabletoaffordthemthedramaticsurpriseofourpresence？"
"Sire，assoonastheEarlofSurreyenters，twentymenoftheking'sbodyguardwilloccupytheanteroomthroughwhichtheearlmustpass；anditneedsbutacallfromyoutohavethementerthehallwiththeirtorches。Ihavetakencarealsothatbeforetheprivatebackgateofthepalacetwocoachesstandready，thedriversofwhichknowverywellthestreetthatleadstotheTower！"
"Twocoaches？"saidtheking，laughing。"Ah，ah，Douglas，howcruelwearetoseparatethetender，lovingpaironthisjourneywhichisyettobetheirlast！Well，perhapswecancompensatethemforit，andallowtheseturtledovestomakethelasttrip——thetriptothestake——together。No，no，wewillnotseparatethemindeath。
Togethertheymaylaytheirheadsontheblock。"
Thekinglaughed，quitedelightedwithhisjest，while，leaningontheearl'sarm，hecrossedtothelittleboudoirontheotherside，andtookhisplaceinthearmchairsetnearthedoor。
"Nowwemustextinguishthelight；andmayitpleaseyourmajestytoawaitinsilencethethingsthataretocome。"
Theearlextinguishedthelight，anddeepdarknessandagrave-likestillnessnowfollowed。
Butthisdidnotlastlong。Nowwasheardquitedistinctlythesoundoffootsteps。Theycamenearerandnearer——nowadoorwasheardtoopenandshutagain，anditwasasthoughsomeonewerecreepingsoftlyalongonhistoesinthehall。
"HenryHoward！"whisperedDouglas。
Thekingcouldscarcelyrestrainthecryofsavage，maliciousdelightthatforceditswaytohislips。
Thehatedenemywastheninhispower；hewasconvictedofthecrime；hewasinevitablylost。
"Geraldine！"whisperedavoice，"Geraldine！"
Andasifhislowcallhadalreadybeensufficienttodrawhitherthelovedone，thesecretdoorherequiteclosetotheboudoiropened。Therustlingofadresswasverydistinctlyheard，andthesoundoffootsteps。
"Geraldine！"repeatedEarlSurrey。
"HereIam，myHenry！"
Withanexclamationofdelight，thewomanrushedforwardtowardthesoundofthelovedvoice。
"Thequeen！"mutteredHenry；andinspiteofhimselfhefelthisheartseizedwithbittergrief。
Hesawwithhisinwardeyehowtheyheldeachotherintheirembrace。Heheardtheirkissesandthelowwhisperoftheirtendervows，andalltheagoniesofjealousyandwrathfilledhissoul。Butyetthekingprevaileduponhimselftobesilentandswallowdownhisrage。Hewantedtoheareverything，toknoweverything。
Heclenchedhishandsconvulsively，andpressedhislipsfirmlytogethertoholdinhispantingbreath。Hewantedtohear。
Howhappytheybothwere！Henryhadwhollyforgottenthathehadcometoreproachherforherlongsilence；shedidnotthinkaboutthisbeingthelasttimeshemightseeherlover。
Theywerewitheachother，andthishourwastheirs。Whatdidthewholeworldmattertothem？Whatcaredtheywhetherornotmischiefandruinthreatenedthemhereafter？
Theysatbyeachotheronthedivan，quiteneartheboudoir。Theyjestedandlaughed；andHenryHowardkissedawaythetearsthatthehappinessofthepresentcausedhisGeraldinetoshed。
Hesworetohereternalandunchanginglove。Inblissfulsilenceshedrankinthemusicofhiswords；andthenshereiterated，withjubilantjoy，hisvowsoflove。
Thekingcouldscarcelyrestrainhisfury。
TheheartofEarlDouglasleapedwithsatisfactionandgratification。"AluckythingthatJanehasnosuspicionofourpresence，"thoughthe——"otherwiseshewouldhavebeenlessunrestrainedandardent，andtheking'searwouldhaveimbibedlesspoison。"
LadyJanethoughtnotatallofherfather；shescarcelyrememberedthatthisverynightwoulddestroyherhatedrivalthequeen。
HenryHowardhadcalledherhisGeraldineonly。Janehadentirelyforgotthatitwasnotshetowhomherloverhadgiventhisname。
Buthehimselffinallyremindedherofit。
"Doyouknow，Geraldine，"saidEarlSurrey——andhisvoice，whichhadbeenhithertosocheerfulandsprightly，wasnowsad——"doyouknow，Geraldine，thatIhavehaddoubtsofyou？Oh，thosewerefrightful，horriblehours；andintheagonyofmyheartIcameatlasttotheresolutionofgoingtothekingandaccusingmyselfofthislovethatwasconsumingmyheart。Oh，fearnaught！Iwouldnothaveaccusedyou。Iwouldhaveevendeniedthatlovewhichyouhavesooftenandwithsuchtransportingrealitysworntome。IwouldhavedoneitinordertoseewhethermyGeraldinecouldatlastgaincourageandstrengthtolover。Hesawhowhepressedherhandstohislips；howheputhishandtoherheadtoraiseitfromthefloor。
Thekingwasspeechlesswithrage。Hecouldonlylifthisarmtobeckonthesoldierstoapproach；topointtoHenryHoward，whohadnotyetsucceededinraisingthequeen'sheadfromthefloor。
"Arresthim！"saidEarlDouglas，lendingwordstotheking'smutesign。"Intheking'snamearresthim，andconducthimtotheTower！"
"Yes，arresthim！"saidtheking；and，aswithyouthfulspeedhewalkeduptoHenryHowardandputhishandheavilyonhisshoulder，hewithterriblecalmnesscontinued:"HenryHoward，yourwishshallbefulfilled；youshallmountthescaffoldforwhichyouhavesomuchlonged！"
Theearl'snoblecountenanceremainedcalmandunmoved；hisbrightbeamingeyefearlesslyencounteredtheeyeofthekingflashingwithwrath。
"Sire，"saidhe，"mylifeisinyourhand，andIverywellknowthatyouwillnotspareit。Idonotevenaskyoutodoso。Butsparethisnobleandbeautifulwoman，whoseonlycrimeisthatshehasfollowedthevoiceofherheart。Sire，Ialoneamtheguiltyone。
Punishme，then——tortureme，ifyoulike——butbemercifultoher。"
Thekingbrokeoutintoaloudlaugh。"Ah，hebegsforher！"saidhe。"ThislittleEarlSurreypresumestothinkthathissentimentallove-plaintcanexerciseaninfluenceontheheartofhisjudge！No，no，HenryHoward；youknowmebetter。Yousay，indeed，thatIamacruelman，andthatbloodcleavestomycrown。Well，now，itisourpleasuretosetinourcrownanewblood-redruby；andifwewanttotakeitfromGeraldine'sheart'sblood，yoursonnetswillnothinderusfromdoingso，mygoodlittleearl。ThatisallthereplyIhavetomaketoyou；andIthinkitwillbethelasttimethatweshallmeetonearth！"
"Thereaboveweshallseeeachotheragain，KingHenryofEngland！"
saidEarlSurrey，solemnly。"ThereButstillthishourwashers，andshewouldenjoyit。Sheclungfasttohisbreast；shedrewhimwithirresistibleforcetoherheart，whichnowtremblednolongerforlove，butfromanamelessanxiety。
"Letusfly！Letusfly！"repeatedshe，breathlessly。See！Thishourisyetours。Letusavailourselvesofit；forwhoknowswhetherthenextwillstillbelongtous？"
"No！itisnolongeryours，"yelledtheking，ashespranglikearousedlionfromhisseat。"Yourhoursarenumbered，andthenextalreadybelongstothehangman！"
ApiercingshriekburstfromGeraldine'slips。Thenwasheardadullfall。
"Shehasfainted，"mutteredEarlDouglas。
"Geraldine，Geraldine，mylovedone！"criedHenryHoward。"MyGod，myGod！sheisdying！Youhavekilledher！Woetoyou！"
"Woetoyourself！"saidtheking，solemnly。"Herewiththelight！
Here，youfolks！"
Thedooroftheanteroomopened，andinitappearedfoursoldierswithtorchesintheirhands。
"Lightthecandles，andguardthedoor！"saidtheking，whosedazzledeyeswerenotyetabletobearthisbrightglareoflightwhichnowsuddenlystreamedthroughtheroom。
Thesoldiersobeyedhisorders。Apauseensued。Thekinghadputhishandbeforehiseyes，andwasstrugglingforbreathandself-
control。
Whenatlengthhelethishandglidedown，hisfeatureshadassumedaperfectlycalm，almostasereneexpression。
Withahastyglancehesurveyedtheroom。Hesawthequeeninherdressglisteningwithgold；hesawhowshelayonthefloor，stretchedatfulllength，herfaceturnedtotheground，motionlessandrigid。
HesawHenryHoward，whokneltbyhisbelovedandwasbusyaboutherwithalltheanxietyandagonyofaacknowledgeherloveopenlyandfrankly；whetherherhearthadthepowertoburstthatironbandwhichthedeceitfulrulesoftheworldhadplacedaroundit；whethershewouldacknowledgeherloverwhenhewaswillingtodieforher。
Yes，Geraldine，Iwantedtodoit，thatImightfinallyknowwhichfeelingisstrongerinyou——loveorpride——andwhetheryoucouldthenstillpreservethemaskofindifference，whendeathwashoveringoveryourlover'shead。Oh，Geraldine，Ishoulddeemitafairerfatetodieunitedwithyou，thantobeobligedtostilllongerendurethislifeofconstraintandhatefuletiquette。"
"No，no，"saidshe，trembling，"wewillnotdie。MyGod，lifeisindeedsobeautifulwhenyouarebymyside！Andwhoknowswhetherafelicitousandblissfulfuturemaynotstillawaitus？"
"Oh，shouldwedie，thenshouldwebecertainofthisblissfulfuture，myGeraldine。There，above，thereisnomoreseparation——nomorerenunciationforus。Thereabove，youaremine，andthebloodyimageofyourhusbandnolongerstandsbetweenus。"
"Itshallnolongerdoso，evenhereonearth，"whisperedGeraldine。
"Come，mybeloved；letusflyfar，farhence，wherenooneknowsus——
wherewecancastfromusallthishatedsplendor，toliveforeachotherandforlove。"
Shethrewherarmsaboutherlover，andintheecstasyofherloveshehadwhollyforgottenthatshecouldneverindeedthinktofleewithhim，thathebelongedtoheronlysolongashesawhernot。
Aninexplicableanxietyoverpoweredherheart；andinthisanxietysheforgoteverything——eventhequeenandthevengeanceshehadvowed。
Shenowrememberedherfather'swords，andshetrembledforherlover'slife。
Ifnowherfatherhadnottoldherthetruth——ifnowhehadnotwithstandingsacrificedHenryHowardinordertoruinthequeen——
ifshewasnotabletosavehim，andthroughherfaultheweretoperishonthescaffold——aboveHenrytheEighthwillnomorebethejudge，butthecondemnedcriminal；andyourbloodyandaccurseddeedswillwitnessagainstyou！"
Thekinglaughed。"Youavailyourselfofyouradvantage，"saidhe。
"Becauseyouhavenothingmoretoloseandthescaffoldissureofyou，youdonotstickatheapingupthemeasureofyoursinsalittlemore，andyourevileyourlegitimate，God-appointedking！Butyoushouldbearinmind，earl，thatbeforethescaffoldthereisyettherack，andthatitisverypossibleindeedthatapainfulquestionmighttherebeputtothenobleEarlSurrey，towhichhisagoniesmightpreventhimfromreturningananswer。Now，awaywithyou！Wehavenothingmoretosaytoeachotheronearth！"
Hemotionedtothesoldiers，whoapproachedtheEarlofSurrey。Astheyreachedtheirhandstowardhim，heturnedonthemalooksoproudandcommandingthattheyinvoluntarilyrecoiledastep。
"Followme！"saidHenryHoward，calmly；and，withoutevendeigningthekingasinglelookmore，withheadproudlyerect，hewalkedtothedoor。
Geraldinestilllayontheground——herfaceturnedtothefloor。Shestirrednot。Sheseemedtohavefallenintoadeepswoon。
OnlyasthedoorwithasullensoundclosedbehindEarlSurrey，alowwailandmoanwasperceived——suchasiswonttostruggleforthatthelasthourfromthebreastofthedying。
Thekingdidnotheedit。Hestillgazed，witheyessternandflashingwithanger，towardthedoorthroughwhichEarlSurreyhadpassed。
"Heisunyielding，"mutteredhe。"Noteventherackaffrightshim；
andinhisblasphemoushaughtinesshemovesalonginthemidstofthesoldiers，notasaprisoner，butasacommander。Oh，theseHowardsaredestinedtotormentme；andeventheirdeathwillscarcelybeafullsatisfactiontome。"
"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，whohadobservedthekingwithakeen，penetratingeye，andknewthathehadnowreachedtheheightofhiswrath，atwhichheshrankfromnodeedofviolenceandnocruelty——
"sire，youhavesentEarlSurreytotheTower。Butwhatshallbedonewiththequeen，wholiesthereonthefloorinaswoon？"
Thekingrousedhimselffromhisreverie；andhisbloodshoteyeswerefixedonGeraldine'smotionlessformwithsodarkanexpressionofhateandrage，thatEarlDouglasexultinglysaidtohimself:"Thequeenislost！Hewillbeinexorable！"
"Ah，thequeen！"criedHenry，withasavagelaugh。"Yea，verily，I
forgotthequeen。IdidnotthinkofthischarmingGeraldine！Butyouareright，Douglas；wemustthinkofherandoccupyourselvesalittlewithher！Didyounotsaythatasecondcoachwasready？
Well，then，wewillnothinderGeraldinefromaccompanyingherbeloved。Sheshallbewhereheis——intheTower，andonthescaffold！Wewillthereforewakethissentimentalladyandshowherthelastdutyofacavalierbyconductinghertohercarriage！"
Hewasabouttoapproachthefigureofthequeenlyingonthefloor。
EarlDouglasheldhimback。
"Sire，"saidhe，"itismyduty——asyourfaithfulsubject，wholovesyouandtremblesforyourwelfare——itismydutytoimploreyoutospareyourselfandpreserveyourpreciousandadoredpersonfromthevenomousstingofangerandgrief。Iconjureyou，therefore，donotdeigntolookagainonthiswoman，whohassodeeplyinjuredyou。
Givemeyourorders——whatamItodowithher——andallowmefirstofalltoaccompanyyoutoyourapartments。"
"Youareright，"saidtheking，"sheisnotworthyofhavingmyeyesrestonheragain；andsheiseventoocontemptibleformyanger！Wewillcallthesoldiersthattheymayconductthistraitoressandadulteresstothetower，astheyhavedoneherparamour。"
"Yetforthatthereisneededstillaformality。ThequeenwillnotbeadmittedintotheTowerwithouttheking'swrittenandsealedorder。"
"ThenIwilldrawupthatorder。"
"Sire，inthatcabinetyondermaybefoundthenecessarywriting-
materials，ifitpleaseyourmajesty。"
Thekingleanedinsilenceontheearl'sarm，andallowedhimselftobeledagainintothecabinet。
WithofficioushasteEarlDouglasmadethenecessaryarrangements。
Herolledthewriting-tableuptotheking；heplacedthelargesheetofwhitepaperinorder，andslippedthepenintotheking'shand。
"WhatshallIwrite？"askedtheking，who，bytheexertionofhisnight'sexcursion，andofhisangerandvexation，beganatlengthtobeexhausted。
"Anorderforthequeen'simprisonment，sire。"
Thekingwrote。EarlDouglasstoodbehindhim，witheagerattention，inbreathlessexpectation，hislooksteadilyfixedonthepaperoverwhichtheking'shand，white，fleshy，andsparklingwithdiamonds，glidedalonginhastycharacters。
Hehadatlengthreachedhisgoal。Whenatlastheshouldholdinhishandthepaperwhichthekingwasthenwriting——whenhehadinducedHenrytoreturntohisapartmentsbeforetheimprisonmentofthequeenhadtakenplace——thenwashevictorious。Notthatwomantherewouldhethenimprison；but，withthewarrantinhishand，hewouldgototherealqueen，andtakehertotheTower。
OnceintheTower，thequeencouldnolongerdefendherself；forthekingwouldseehernomore；andifbeforetheParliamentsheprotestedherinnocenceineversosacredoaths，stilltheking'stestimonymustconvicther；forhehadhimselfsurprisedherwithherparamour。
No，therewasnoescapeforthequeen。Shehadoncesucceededinclearingherselfofanaccusation，andprovingherinnocence，byarebuttingalibi。Butthistimeshewasirretrievablylost，andnoalibicoulddeliverher。
Thekingcompletedhisworkandarose，whilstDouglas，athiscommand，wasemployedinsettingtheking'ssealtothefatalpaper。
Fromthehallwasheardaslightnoise，asthoughsomepersonwerecautiouslymovingaboutthere。
EarlDouglasdidnotnoticeit；hewasjustintheactofpressingthesignethardonthemeltedsealing-wax。
Thekingheardit，andsupposedthatitwasGeraldine，andthatshewasjustwakingfromherswoonandrising。
Hesteppedtothedoorofthehall，andlookedtowardtheplacewhereshewaslying。Butno——shehadnotyetrisen；shestilllaystretchedatfulllengthonthefloor。
"Shehascometo；butshestillpretendstobeinaswoon，"thoughttheking；andheturnedtoDouglas。
"Wearedone，"saidhe；"thewarrantforimprisonmentisprepared，andthesentenceoftheadulterousqueenisspoken。Wehavedonewithherforever；andnevershallsheagainbeholdourface，oragainhearourvoice。Sheissentencedanddamned，andtheroyalmercyhasnothingmoretodowiththissinner。Acurseontheadulteress！Acurseontheshamelesswomanwhodeceivedherhusband，andgaveherselfuptoatraitorousparamour！Woetoher，andmayshameanddisgraceforevermarkhername，which——"
Suddenlythekingstoppedandlistened。Thenoisethathehadheardjust，beforewasnowrepeatedlouderandquicker；itcamenearerandnearer。
Andnowthedooropenedandafigureentered——afigurewhichmadethekingstarewithastonishmentandadmiration。Itcamenearerandnearer，light，graceful，andwiththefreshnessofyouth；agold-
brocadedressenvelopedit；adiademofdiamondssparkledonthebrow；andbrighteryetthanthediamondsbeamedtheeyes。
"No，thekingwasnotmistaken。Itwasthequeen，Shewasstandingbeforehim——andyetshestilllaymotionlessandstiffupontheflooryonder。
Thekingutteredacry，and，turningpale，reeledastepbackward。
"Thequeen！"exclaimedDouglas，interror；andhetrembledsoviolentlythatthepaperinhishandrattledandfluttered。
"Yes，thequeen！"saidCatharine，withahaughtysmile。"Thequeen，whocomestoscoldherhusband，that，contrarytohisphysician'sorders，hestillrefrainsfromhisslumbersatsolateanhourofthenight。"
"Andthefool！"saidJohnHeywood，aswithhumorouspathoshesteppedforwardfrombehindthequeen——"thefool，whocomestoaskEarlDouglashowhedareddepriveJohnHeywoodofhisoffice，andusurptheplaceofking'sfooltoHenry，anddeceivehismostgraciousmajestywithallmannerofsillypranksandcarnivaltricks。"
"Andwho"——askedtheking，inavoicequiveringwithrage，fasteninghisflashinglooksonDouglaswithanannihilatingexpression——"
who，then，isthatwomanthere？Whohasdaredwithsuchcursedmummerytodeceivetheking，andcalumniatethequeen？"
"Sire，"saidEarlDouglas，whoverywellknewthathisfutureandthatofhisdaughterdependedonthepresentmoment，andwhomthisconsciousnesshadspeedilyrestoredtohisself-possessionandcalmness——"sire，Ibeseechyourmajestyforamomentofprivateexplanation；andIshallbeentirelysuccessfulinvindicatingmyself。"
"Donotgrantithim，brotherHenry，"saidJohnHeywood；"heisadangerousjuggler；andwhoknowswhetherhemaynotyet，inhisprivateconversation，convinceyouthatheisking，andyounothingmorethanhislickspittle，fawning，hypocriticalservantEarlArchibaldDouglas。"
"Mylordandhusband，Ibegyoutoheartheearl'sjustification，"
saidCatharine，assheextendedherhandtothekingwithabewitchingsmile。"Itwouldbecrueltocondemnhimunheard，Iwillhearhim，butitshallbedoneinyourpresence，Kate，andyouyourselfshalldecidewhetherornothisjustificationissufficient。"
"Noindeed，myhusband；letmeremainanentirestrangertothisnight'sconspiracy，sothatspiteandangermaynotfillmyheartandrobmeofthesupremeconfidencewhichIneed，tobeabletowalkonatyoursidehappyandsmilinginthemidstofmyenemies。"
"Youareright，Kate，"saidtheking，thoughtfully。"Youhavemanyenemiesatourcourt；andwehavetoaccuseourselvesthatwehavenotalwayssucceededinstoppingoureartotheirmaliciouswhisperings，andinkeepingourselvespurefromthepoisonousbreathoftheircalumny。Ourheartisstilltooartless，andwecannotevenyetcomprehendthatmenareadisgusting，corruptrace，whichoneshouldtreadbeneathhisfeet，butnevertaketohisheart。Come，EarlDouglas，Iwillhearyou；butwoetoyou，ifyouareunabletojustifyyourself！"
Heretiredtotheembrasureofthelargewindowoftheboudoir。EarlDouglasfollowedhimthither，andlettheheavyvelvetcurtaindropbehindthem。
"Sire，"saidhe，hardilyandresolutely，"thequestionnowisthis:
Whoseheadwouldyourathergiveovertotheexecutioner，mineortheEarlofSurrey's？Youhavethechoicebetweenthetwo。YouareawarethatIhaveventuredforamomenttodeceiveyou。Well，sendmetotheTowerthen，andsetfreethenobleHenryHoward，thathemayhenceforthdisturbyoursleepandpoisonyourdays；thathemayfurthercourttheloveofthepeople，andperhapssomedayrobyoursonofthethronethatbelongstohim。Hereismyhead，sire；itisforfeitedtotheheadsman'saxe，andEarlSurreyisfree！"
"No，heisnotfree，andnevershallbe！"saidtheking，grindinghisteeth。
"Then，myking，Iamjustified；andinsteadofbeingangrywithme，youwillthankme？ItistrueIhaveplayedahazardousgame，butI
didsointheserviceofmyking。IdiditbecauseIlovedhim，andbecauseIreadonyourloftycloudedbrowthethoughtsthatbegirtwithdarknessmymaster'ssoul，anddisturbedthesleepofhisnights。YouwantedtohaveHenryHowardinyourpower；andthiscraftyandhypocriticalearlknewhowtoconcealhisguiltsosecurelyunderthemaskofvirtueandloftinessofsoul！ButIknewhim，andbehindthismaskIhadseenhisfacedistortedwithpassionandcrime。Iwantedtounmaskhim；butforthis，itwasnecessarythatIshoulddeceivefirsthim，andthenforthehourevenyourself。Iknewthatheburnedwithanadulterousloveforthequeen，andIwantedtoavailmyselfofthemadnessofthispassion，inordertobringhimsurelyandunavoidablytoarichly-deservedpunishment。ButIwouldnotdrawthepureandexaltedpersonofthequeenintothisnetwithwhichwewantedtosurroundEarlSurrey。I
wasobliged，then，toseekasubstituteforher；andIdidso。Therewasatyourcourtawomanwhosewholeheartbelongs，afterGod，tothekingalone；andwhosomuchadoreshim，thatshewouldbereadyatanyhourgladlytosacrificeforthekingherheart'sblood，herwholebeing——ay，ifneedbe，evenherhonoritself——awoman，sire，wholivesbyyoursmile，andworshipsyouasherredeemerandsavior——awomanwhomyoumight，asyoupleased，makeasaintorastrumpet；andwho，topleaseyou，wouldbeashamelessPhyrneorachasteveilednun。"
"Tellmehername，Douglas，"saidtheking，"tellmeit！Itisarareandpreciousstrokeoffortunetobesoloved；anditwouldbeasinnottowanttoenjoythisgoodfortune。"
"Sire，Iwilltellyouhernamewhenyouhavefirstforgivenme，"
saidDouglas，whoseheartleapedforjoy，andwhowellunderstoodthattheking'sangerwasalreadymollifiedandthedangernowalmostovercome。"Isaidtothiswoman:'Youaretodothekingagreatservice；youaretodeliverhimfromapowerfulanddangerousfoe！YouaretosavehimfromHenryHoward！''TellmewhatImustdo！'criedshe，herlooksbeamingwithjoy。'HenryHowardlovesthequeen。Youmustbethequeentohim。Youmustreceivehisletters，andanswertheminthequeen'sname。Youmustgranthiminterviewsbynight，and，favoredbythedarknessofthenight，makehimbelievethatitisthequeenwhomheholdsinhisarms。Hemustbeconvincedthatthequeenishislady-love；andinhisthoughts，asinhisdeeds，hemustbeplacedbeforethekingasatraitorandcriminalwhoseheadisforfeitedtotheheadsman'saxe。OnedaywewillletthekingbeawitnessofameetingthatHenryHowardbelieveshehaswiththequeen；itwillthenbeinhispowertopunishhisenemyforhiscriminalpassion，whichisworthyofdeath！'AndasIthusspoketothewoman，sire，shesaidwithasadsmile:'Itisadisgracefulanddishonorablepartthatyouassignme；butIundertakeit，foryousayImaytherebyrenderaservicetotheking。Ishalldisgracemyselfforhim；buthewillperhapsbestowuponmeinreturnagracioussmile；andthenIshallbeabundantlyrewarded。'"
"Butthiswomanisanangel！"criedtheking，ardently——"anangelwhomweshouldkneeltoandadore。Tellmehername，Douglas！"
"Sire，assoonasyouhaveforgivenme！Youknownowallmyguiltandallmycrime。For，asIbadethatnoblewoman，soitcametopass，andHenryHowardhasgonetotheTowerinthefirmbeliefthatitwasthequeenwhomhejustnowheldinhisarms。"
"Butwhydidyouleavemeinthisbelief，Douglas？Whydidyoufillmyheartwithwrathagainstthenobleandvirtuousqueenalso？"
"Sire，IdarednotrevealthedeceptiontoyoubeforeyouhadsentencedSurrey，foryournobleandjustmoralsensewouldhavebeenreluctanttopunishhimonaccountofacrimethathehadnotcommitted；andinyourfirstwrathyouwouldalsohaveblamedthisnoblewomanwhohassacrificedherselfforherking。"
"Itistrue，"saidtheking，"Ishouldhavemisjudgedthisnoblewoman，and，insteadofthankingher，Ishouldhavedestroyedher。"
"Therefore，myking，Iquietlyallowedyoutomakeoutanorderforthequeen'sincarceration。Butyourememberwell，sire，Ibeggedyoutoreturntoyourapartmentsbeforethequeenwasarrested。Well，now，thereIshouldhavedisclosedtoyouthewholesecret，whichI
couldnottellyouinthepresenceofthatwoman。Forshewoulddieofshameifshesuspectedthatyouknewofherlovefortheking，sopureandself-sacrificing，andcherishedinsuchheroicsilence。"
"Sheshallneverknowit，Douglas！Butnowatlengthsatisfymydesire。Tellmehername。"
"Sire，youhaveforgivenme，then？YouarenolongerangrywithmethatIdaredtodeceiveyou？"
"Iamnolongerangrywithyou，Douglas；foryouhaveactedrightly。
Theplan，whichyouhavecontrivedandcarriedoutwithsuchhappyresults，wasascraftyasitwasdaring。"
"Ithankyou，sire；andIwillnowtellyouthename。Thatwoman，sire，whoatmywishgaveherselfupasacrificetothisadulterousearl，whoenduredhiskisses，hisembraces，hisvowsoflove，inordertorenderaservicetoherking——thatwomanwasmydaughter，LadyJaneDouglas！"
"LadyJane！"criedtheking。"No，no，thisisanewdeception。Thathaughty，chaste，andunapproachableLadyJane——thatwonderfullybeautifulmarblestatuereallyhasthenaheartinherbreast，andthatheartbelongstome？LadyJane，thepureandchastevirgin，hasmadeformethisprodigioussacrifice，ofreceivingthishatedSurreyasherlover，inorder，likeasecondDelilah，todeliverhimintomyhand？No，Douglas，youarelyingtome。LadyJanehasnotdonethat！"
"Mayitpleaseyourmajestytogoyourselfandtakealookatthatfaintingwoman，whowastoHenryHowardthequeen。"
Thekingdidnotreplytohim；buthedrewbackthecurtainandreenteredthecabinet，inwhichthequeenwaswaitingwithJohnHeywood。
Henrydidnotnoticethem。Withyouthfulprecipitationhecrossedthecabinetandthehall。NowhestoodbythefigureofGeraldinestilllyingonthefloor。
Shewasnolongerinaswoon。Shehadlongsinceregainedherconsciousness；andterribleweretheagoniesandtorturesthatrentherheart。HenryHowardhadincurredthepenaltyoftheheadsman'saxe，anditwasshethathadbetrayedhim。
Butherfatherhadsworntoherthatsheshouldsaveherlover。
Shedurstnotdiethen。ShemustlivetodeliverHenryHoward。
Therewereburning，asitwere，thefiresofhellinherpoorheart；
butshewasnotatlibertytoheedthesepains。Shecouldnotthinkofherself——onlyofhim——ofHenryHoward，whomshemustdeliver，whomshemustsavefromanignominiousdeath。
ForhimshesentupherferventprayerstoGod；forhimherhearttrembledwithanxietyandagony，asthekingnowadvancedtoher，and，bendingdown，gazedintohereyeswithastrangeexpression，atoncescrutinizingandsmiling。
"LadyJane，"saidhethen，ashepresentedherhishand，"arisefromthegroundandallowyourkingtoexpresstoyouhisthanksforyoursublimeandwonderfulsacrifice！Verily，itisafairlottobeaking；forthenonehasatleastthepowerofpunishingtraitors，andofrewardingthosethatserveus。Ihaveto-daydonetheone，andI
willnotneglecttodotheotheralso。Standup，then，LadyJane；itdoesnotbecomeyoutolieonyourkneesbeforeme。"
"Oh，letmekneel，myking，"saidshe，passionately；"letmebeseechyouformercy，forpity！Havecompassion，KingHenry——compassionontheanxietyandagonywhichIendure。Itisnotpossiblethatthisisallareality！thatthisjugglingistobechangedintosuchterribleearnest！Tellme，KingHenry——IconjureyoubytheagonieswhichIsufferforyoursake——tellme，whatwillyoudowithHenryHoward？WhyhaveyousenthimtotheTower？"
"Topunishthetraitorashedeserves，"saidtheking，ashecastadarkandangrylookacrossatDouglas，whohadalsoapproachedhisdaughter，andwasnowstandingclosebyher。
LadyJaneutteredaheartrendingcry，andsankdownagain，senselessandcompletelyexhausted。
Thekingfrowned。"Itispossible，"saidhe——"andIalmostbelieveit——thatIhavebeendeceivedinmanywaysthisevening，andthatnowagainmyguilelessnesshasbeenplayeduponinordertoimposeuponmeacharmingstory。However，Ihavegivenmywordtopardon；
anditshallnotbesaidthatHenrytheEighth，whocallshimselfGod'svicegerent，haseverbrokenhisword；noreventhathehaspunishedthosewhomhehasassuredofexemptionfrompunishment。MyLordDouglas，Iwillfulfilmypromise。Iforgiveyou。"
HeextendedhishandtoDouglas，whokisseditfervently。Thekingbentdownclosertohim。"Douglas，"whisperedhe，"youareascunningasaserpent；andInowseethroughyourartfully-wovenweb！