iner, in a low voice.

"With God's gracious assistance, we shall annihilate all our enemies
to-day. The sword already hangs over their heads, and soon it will fall
and deliver us from them," said Earl Douglas, solemnly.

"Are you, then, certain of it?" asked Gardiner, and an expression of
cruel delight flitted across his malicious, ashy face. "But tell me, how
comes it that Archbishop Cranmer is not here?"

"He is sick, and so had to remain at Lambeth."

"May this sickness be the forerunner of his death!" muttered the bishop,
devoutly folding his hands.

"It will be so, your highness; God will destroy His enemies and bless
us. Cranmer is accused, and the king will judge him without mercy."

"And the queen?"

Earl Douglas was a moment silent, and then said, in a low whisper:
"Wait but a few hours more, and she will be queen no longer. Instead of
returning from the throne-room to her apartments, we shall accompany her
to the Tower."

John Heywood, completely enveloped in the folds of the curtain, held his
breath and listened.

"And you are, then, perfectly sure of our victory?" asked Gardiner. "Can
no accident, no unforeseen circumstance, snatch it from us?"

"If the queen gives him the rosette--no! For then the king will find
Geraldine's love-letter in the silver knot, and she is condemned. So
all depends on the queen's wearing the rosette, and not discovering
its contents. But see, your highness, there is the Duchess of Richmond
approaching us. She makes a sign to me. Now pray for us, your highness,
for I am going with her to the king, and she will accuse this hated
Catharine Parr! I tell you, bishop, it is an accusation involving
life and death; and if Catharine escape one danger, she will run into
another. Wait here for me, your highness; I will return soon and tell
you the result of our scheme. Lady Jane, also, will soon bring us news
here."

He left the window and followed the duchess, who crossed the hall, and
with her disappeared through the door that led to the king's apartments.

The ladies and lords of the court laughed and chatted away.

John Heywood stood, with throbbing heart and in breathless anxiety,
behind the curtain, close by Gardiner, who had folded his hands and was
praying.

While Gardiner prayed, and Douglas accused and calumniated, the queen,
suspecting nothing of these plots they were framing against her, was in
her toilet-room and being adorned by her women.

She was to-day ver