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.