was yet young and handsome, and King Henry's sister was not yet
married to the King of Scotland, and we loved each other so dearly.
Ah, I could relate to you wonderful stories of those happy days. I
could--"

"But, my dear father," interrupted Lady Jane, secretly trembling at
the terrible prospect of being forced to listen yet again to the
story of his youthful love, which she had already heard times
without number, "but, my dear father, doubtless you have not come
hither so late at night in order to relate to me what I--forgive me,
my lord--what I long since knew. You will rather communicate to me
what your keen and unerring glance has discovered here."

"It is true," said Lord Douglas, sadly. "I now sometimes become
loquacious--a sure sign that I am growing old. I have, by no means,
come here to speak of the past, but of the present. Let us, then,
speak of it. Ah, I have to-day perceived much, seen much, observed
much, and the result of my observations is, you will be King Henry's
seventh wife."

"Impossible, my lord!" exclaimed Lady Jane, whose countenance, in
spite of her will, assumed an expression of delight.

Her father remarked it. "My child," said he, "I observe that you
have not yet your features entirely under your control. You aimed
just now, for example, to play the coy and humble, and yet your face
had the expression of proud satisfaction. But this by the way! The
principal thing is, you will be King Henry's seventh wife! But in
order to become so, there is need for great heedfulness, a complete
knowledge of present relations, constant observation of all persons,