le youth--condemned him,
because he had spoken respectfully of Thomas More; because he said
this great and noble man did right to die, rather than be false to his
convictions. Ah, nowadays, it requires such a trifle to condemn a man to
death! a couple of thoughtless words are sufficient! And this miserable,
lick-spittle Parliament, in its dastardliness and worthlessness, always
condemns and sentences, because it knows that the king is always thirsty
for blood, and always wants the fires of the stake to keep him warm. So
they had condemned my son likewise, and they would have executed him,
but for you. But you, whom God has sent as an angel of reconciliation on
this regal throne reeking with blood; you who daily risk your life
and your crown to save the life of some one of those unfortunates whom
fanaticism and thirst for blood have sentenced, and to procure their
pardon, you have save my son also."

"How! that young man who was to be burned yesterday, was your son?"

"Yes, he was my son."

"And you did not tell the king so? and you did not intercede for him?"

"Had I done so, he would have been irretrievably lost! For you well
know the king is so proud of his impartiality and his virtue! Oh, had
he known that Thomas is my son he would have condemned him to death, to
show the people that Henry the Eighth everywhere strikes the guilty
and punishes the sinner, whatever name he may bear, and whoever may
intercede for him. Ah, even your supplication would not have softened
him, for the high-priest of the English Church could never have pardoned
this young man for not being the legitimate son of his father, for not
having the right to bear his name, because his mother was the spouse of
another man whom Thomas must call father."

"Poor Heywood! Yes, now I understand. The king would, indeed, never have
forgiven this; and had he known it, your son would have inevitably been
condemned to the stake."

"You saved him, queen! Do you not believe now that I shall be forever
thankful to you?"

"I do believe it," said the queen, with a pleasant smile, as she
extended her hand for him to kiss. "I believe you, and I accept your
service."

"And you will need it, queen, for a tempest is gathering over your head,
and soon the lightning will flash and the thunders roll."

"Oh, I fear not! I have strong nerves!" said Catharine, smiling. "When
a storm comes, it is but a refreshing of nature, and I have always seen
that after a storm