ation, and lastly, above all things, a very intimate and
profound knowledge of the king, of the history of his reign, and of his
character. Do you possess this knowledge? Know you what it is to wish
to become King Henry's seventh wife, and how you must begin in order to
attain this? Have you studied Henry's character?"

"A little, perhaps, but certainly not sufficiently. For, as you know, my
lord, worldly matters have lain upon my heart less than the holy Church,
to whose service I have consecrated myself, and to which I would have
presented my whole being, my whole soul, my whole heart, as a sacrifice,
had not you yourself determined otherwise concerning me. Ah, my father,
had I been allowed to follow my inclination, I would have retired into a
convent in Scotland in order to spend my life in quiet contemplation and
pious penances, and close my soul and ear to every profane sound. But
my wishes have not been regarded; and, by the mouth of His venerable and
holy priests, God has commanded me to remain in the world, and take upon
myself the yoke of greatness and regal splendor. If I then struggle
and strive to become queen, this is done, not because the vain pomp and
glory allure me, but solely because through me the Church, out of which
is no salvation, may find a fulcrum to operate on this weak and fickle
king, and because I am to bring him back again to the only true faith."

"Very well played!" cried her father, who had stared her steadily in the
face while she was speaking. "On my word, very well played. Everything
was in perfect harmony, the gesticulation, the play of the eyes, and the
voice. My daughter, I withdraw my censure. You have perfect control over
yourself. But let us speak of King Henry. We will now subject him to a
thorough analysis, and no fibre of his heart, no atom of his brain
shall remain unnoticed by us. We will observe him in his domestic, his
political, and his religious life, and get a perfectly clear view of
every peculiarity of his character, in order that we may deal with him
accordingly. Let us, then, speak first of his wives. Their lives and
deaths afford you excellent finger-posts; for I do not deny that it is
an extremely difficult and dangerous undertaking to be Henry's
consort. There is needed for it much personal courage and very great
self-control. Know you which, of all his wives, possessed these in
the highest degree? It was his first consort, Catharine of Aragon! By
Heaven, she wa