women, thank the Earl of Surrey for the assistance that he has been
desirous to render to a woman, I unite my prayer with his, because
it shall not be said that we women are always cowardly and timid,
and never venture to hasten to the help of the distressed. I,
therefore, ask mercy, sire, mercy for Anne Askew!"

"And I," said the queen, as she again approached the king, "I add my
prayers to hers, sire. To-day is the feast of love, my festival,
sire! To-day, then, let love and mercy prevail."

She looked at the king with so charming a smile, her eyes had an
expression so radiant and happy, that the king could not withstand
her.

He was, therefore, in the depths of his heart, ready to let the
royal clemency prevail for this time; but he wanted a pretext for
this, some way of bringing it about. He had solemnly vowed to pardon
no heretic, and he might not break his word merely because the queen
prayed for mercy.

"Well, then," said he, after a pause, "I will comply with your
request. I will pardon Anne Askew, provided she will retract, and
solemnly abjure all that she has said. Are you satisfied with that,
Catharine?"

"I am satisfied," said she, sadly.

"And you, Lady Jane Douglas, and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey?"

"We are satisfied."