, sire, I dare affirm that."

"Now, by the Mother of God, I will tread the serpent under my feet, as
I did his sister!" exclaimed Henry, fiercely. "The Howards are an
ambitious, dangerous, and hypocritical race."

"A race that never forgets that a daughter of their house has sat on
your throne."

"But they shall forget it," cried the king, "and I must wash these proud
and haughty thoughts out of their brain with their own blood. They
have not then learned, from the example of their sister, how I punish
disloyalty. This insolent race needs another fresh example. Well, they
shall have it. Only put the means in my hand, Douglas, only a little
hook that I can strike into the flesh of these Howards, and I tell you,
with that little hook I will drag them to the scaffold. Give me proof of
the earl's criminal love, and I promise you that for this I will grant
you what you ask."

"Sire, I will give you this proof."

"When?"

"In four days, sire! At the great contest of the poets, which you have
ordered to take place on the queen's birthday."

"I thank you, Douglas, I thank you," said the king with an expression
almost of joy. "In four days you will have rid me of the troublesome race
of Howards."

"But, sire, if I cannot give the proof you demand without accusing one
other person?"

The king, who was just about to pass the door of his cabinet, stood
still, and looked steadily into the earl's eyes. "Then," said he, in a
tone peculiarly awful, "you mean the queen? Well, if she is guilty, I
will punish her. God has placed the sword in my hand that I may bear it
to His honor and to the terror of mankind. If the queen has sinned, she
will be punished. Furnish me the proof of Howard's guilt, and do not
trouble yourself if we thereby discover the guilt of others. We shall
not timidly shrink back, but let justice take its course."

CHAPTER XIV. THE QUEEN'S FRIEND.

Earl Douglas, Gardiner, and Wriothesley, had accompanied the king into
his cabinet.

At last the great blow was to be struck, and the plan of the three
enemies of the queen, so long matured and well-considered, was to be at
length put in execution. Therefore, as they followed the king, who with
unwonted activity preceded them, they exchanged with each other one more
look of mutual understanding.

By that look Earl Douglas said, "The hour has come. Be ready!"

And the looks of his friends responded, "We are ready!"

John Heywood, who, hidden behind