"Sire, it is true I ask you for the head of a person," said
Catharine, in a tender, earnest tone, "but I wish not that head to
fall, but to be lifted up. I beg you for a human life--not to
destroy it, but, on the contrary, to adorn it with happiness and
joy. I wish to drag no one to prison, but to restore to one, dearly
beloved, the freedom, happiness, and splendid position which belong
to her. Sire, you have permitted me to ask a favor. Now, then, I beg
you to call the Princess Elizabeth to court. Let her reside with us
at Whitehall. Allow her to be ever near me, and share my happiness
and glory. Sire, only yesterday the Princess Elizabeth was far above
me in rank and position, but since your all-powerful might and grace
have to-day elevated me above all other women, I may now love the
Princess Elizabeth as my sister and dearest friend. Grant me this,
my king! Let Elizabeth come to us at Whitehall, and enjoy at our
court the honor which is her due." [Footnote: Leti, vol. i. p. 147.
Tytler. p. 410.]

The king did not reply immediately; but in his quiet and smiling air
one could read that his young consort's request had not angered him.
Something like an emotion flitted across his face, and his eyes were
for a moment dimmed with tears. Perhaps just then a pale, soul-
harrowing phantom passed before his mind, and a glance at the past
showed him the beautiful and unfortunate mother [Footnote: Ann
Boleyn] of Elizabeth, whom he had sentenced to a cruel death at the
hands of the public executioner, and whose last word nevertheless
was a blessing and a message of love for him.

He passionately seized Catharine's hand and pressed it to his lips.
"I thank you! You are unselfish and generous. That is a very rare
quality, and I shall always highly esteem you for it. But you are