to the scaffold. That is our plan, and, God permitting, we
will carry it out."

"But it will be a difficult undertaking," said Lady Jane, with a sigh.
"The queen is a pure, transparent soul; she has a shrewd head and a
clear glance. She is, moreover, guileless in her thoughts, and recoils
with true maidenly timidity from every sin."

"We must cure her of this timidity, and that is your task, Jane. You
must despoil her of these strict notions about virtue. With flattering
voice you must ensnare her heart, and entice it to sin."

"Oh, that is an infernal plot!" said Lady Jane, turning pale. "That,
my father, would be a crime, for that would be not only destroying her
earthly happiness, but also imperilling her soul. I must entice her to a
crime; that is your dishonorable demand! But I will not obey you! It is
true, I hate her, for she stands in the way of my ambition. It is true
I will destroy her, for she wears the crown which I wish to possess;
but never will I be so base as to pour into her very heart the poison
by which she shall fall. Let her seek the poison for herself; I will not
hold back her hand; I will not warn her. Let her seek the ways of sin
herself: I will not tell her that she has erred; but I will, from afar,
dog her, and watch each step, and listen for every word and sigh, and
when she has committed a crime, then I will betray her, and deliver her
up to her judges. That is what I can and will do. I will be the demon to
drive her from paradise in God's name, but not the serpent to entice her
in the devil's name to sin."

She paused, and, panting for breath, sunk back upon the cushion; but
her father's hand was laid upon her shoulder with a convulsive grip, and
pale with rage and with eyes flashing with anger, he stared at her.

A cry of terror burst from Lady Jane. She, who never had seen her father
but smiling and full of kindness, scarcely recognized that countenance,
distorted with rage. She could scarcely convince herself that this man,
with eyes darting fire, scowling eyebrows and lips quivering with rage,
was really her father.

"You will not?" exclaimed he, with a hollow, threatening voice. "You
dare rebel against the holy commands of the Church? Have you, then,
forgotten what you promised to the Holy Fathers, whose pupil you are?
Have you forgotten that the brothers and sisters of the Holy League are
permitted to have no other will than that of their masters! Have you
forgotten the sublime