Cranmer, for he is your surest and most invariable
supporter, and should he sink, your fall would inevitably follow.
Therefore, not only rely on him, but also protect him, and look upon him
as your brother; for what you do for him, you do for yourself."

"Yes, you are right," said Catharine, thoughtfully. "Cranmer is a noble
and staunch friend; and often enough already he has protected me, in the
king's presence, against those little pin-prickings of my enemies, which
do not indeed kill, but which make the whole body sore and faint."

"Protect him, and thus protect yourself."

"Well, and the other friends?"

"I have given Cranmer the precedence; but now, queen, I name myself as
the second of your friends. If Cranmer is your staff, I will be your
dog; and, believe me, so long as you have such a staff and so faithful
a dog, you are safe. Cranmer will warn you of every stone that lies in
your way, and I will bite and drive off the enemies, who, hidden behind
the thicket, lurk in the way to fall upon you from behind."

"I thank you! Really, I thank you!" said Catharine, heartily. "Well, and
what more?"

"More?" inquired Heywood with a sad smile.

"Mention a few more of my friends."

"Queen, it is a great deal, if one in a lifetime has found two friends
upon whom he can rely, and whose fidelity is not guided by selfishness.
You are perhaps the only crowned head that can boast of such friends."

"I am a woman," said Catharine, thoughtfully, "and many women surround
me and daily swear to me unchanging faithfulness and attachment. How!
are all these unworthy the title of friends? Is even Lady Jane Douglas
unworthy; she, whom I have called my friend these many long years, and
whom I trust as a sister? Tell me, John Heywood, you who, as it is said,
know everything, and search out everything that takes place at court,
tell me, is not Lady Jane Douglas my friend?"

John Heywood suddenly became serious and gloomy, and looked on the
ground, absorbed in reflection. Then he swept his large, bright eyes all
around the room, in a scrutinizing manner, as if he wished to convince
himself that no listener was really concealed there, and stepping close
up to the queen, he whispered: "Trust her not; she is a papist, and
Gardiner is her friend."

"Ah, I suspected it," whispered Catharine, sadly.

"But listen, queen; give no expression to this suspicion by look, or
words, or by the slightest indication. Lull this viper into the bel