g feelings which were working within. She could allow her
hatred and her resentment, her rage and her despair, to pour forth in
words and gestures, in tears and imprecations, in sobs and sighs. She
could fall on her knees and beseech God for grace and mercy, and call on
the devil for revenge and destruction.

When she had so done, she arose, and her demeanor resumed its wonted
cold and calm expression. Only her cheeks were still paler; only a still
gloomier fire darted from her eyes, and a scornful smile played about
her thin, compressed lips.

She traversed the rooms and corridors, and now she entered the king's
anteroom. As she observed Gardiner, who was standing alone and separated
from the rest in the embrasure of the window, she went up to him; and
John Heywood, who was still hidden behind the curtain, shuddered at the
frightful and scornful expression of her features.

She offered the bishop her hand, and tried to smile. "It is done" said
she, almost inaudibly.

"What! The queen wears the rosette?" asked Gardiner vivaciously.

"She wears the rosette, and will give it to him."

"And the note is in it?"

"It is concealed under the diamond clasp."

"Oh, then she is lost!" muttered Gardiner. "If the king finds this
paper, Catharine's death-warrant is signed."

"Hush!" said Lady Jane. "See! Lord Hertford is coming toward us. Let us
go to meet him."

They both left the window and walked out into the hall.

John Heywood immediately slipped from behind the curtain, and, softly
gliding along by the wall, left the hall perceived by no one.

Outside, he stopped and reflected.

"I must see this conspiracy to the bottom," said he to himself. "I must
find out through whom and by what they wish to destroy her; and I must
have sure and undeniable proof in my hands, in order to be able to
convict them, and successfully accuse them to the king. Therefore it is
necessary to be cautious and prudent. So let us consider what to do. The
simplest thing would be to beg the queen not to wear the rosette. But
that is only to demolish the web for this time, without, however, being
able to kill the spider that wove it. So she must wear the rosette; for
besides, without that I should never be able either to find out to whom
she is to give it. But the paper that is concealed in the rosette--that
I must have--that must not be in it. 'If the king finds this paper.
Catharine's death-warrant is signed.' Now, my reverend priest of the