"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