expectant and curious countenances of the courtiers standing with
their heads crowded close together in the space before the doors;
and opposite to them, through the open door leading to the balcony,
was seen the fiery, blazing sky, and heard the clanging of the bells
and the rolling of the drama, the piercing shrieks and the yells of
the people.

A deep silence ensued, and when the king spoke, the tone of his
voice was so hard and cold, that an involuntary shudder ran through
all present.

"My Lord Bishops of Winchester and Canterbury," said the king. "we
have called you that you may, by the might of your prayers and the
wisdom of your words, rid this young girl here from the devil, who,
without doubt, has the mastery over her, since she dares charge her
king and master with cruelty and injustice."

The two bishops drew nearer to the kneeling girl; each laid a hand
upon her shoulder, and bent over her, but the one with an expression
of countenance wholly different from that of the other.

Cranmer's look was gentle and serious, and at the same time a
compassionate and encouraging smile played about his thin lips.

Gardiner's features on the contrary bore the expression of cruel,
cold-hearted irony; and the smile which rested on his thick,
protruding lips was the joyful and merciless smile of a priest ready
to sacrifice a victim to his idol.

"Courage, my daughter, courage and prudence!" whispered Cranmer.