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?"