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