that sultry, ominous stillness
which is wont to precede the bursting of a tempest; when Nature stops a
moment in breathless stillness, to gather strength for the uproar of the
storm.

It was a significant, an awful pause; but only a few understood its
meaning.

Lady Jane leaned against the wall, completely shattered and breathless.
She felt that the sword was hanging over their heads, and that it would
destroy her if it struck her beloved.

Earl Douglas and the Bishop of Winchester had involuntarily drawn
near each other, and stood there hand in hand, united for this unholy
struggle; while John Heywood had crept behind the king's throne, and in
his sarcastic manner whispered in his ear some epigrams, that made the
king smile in spite of himself.

But now the queen arose from her seat, and beckoned Henry Howard nearer
to her.

"My lord," said she, almost with solemnity, "as a queen and as a woman
I thank you for the noble and sublime lyrics which you have composed in
honor of a woman! And for that the grace of my king has exalted me to be
the first woman in England, it becomes me, in the name of all women, to
return to you my thanks. To the poet is due a reward other than that of
the warrior. To the victor on the battlefield is awarded a laurel crown.
But you have gained a victory not less glorious, for you have conquered
hearts! We acknowledge ourselves vanquished, and in the name of all
these noble women, I proclaim you their knight! In token of which,
accept this rosette, my lord. It entitles you to wear the queen's
colors; it lays you under obligation to be the knight of all women!"

She loosened the rosette from her shoulder, and handed it to the earl.

He had sunk on one knee before her, and already extended his hand to
receive this precious and coveted pledge.

But at this moment the king arose, and, with an imperious gesture, held
back the queen's hand.

"Allow me, my lady," said he, in a voice quivering with rage--"allow
me first to examine this rosette, and convince myself that it is worth
enough to be presented to the noble earl as his sole reward. Let me see
this rosette."

Catharine looked with astonishment into that face convulsed with passion
and fury, but without hesitation she handed him the rosette.

"We are lost!" murmured Earl Surrey, while Earl Douglas and Gardiner
exchanged with each other looks of triumph; and Jane Douglas murmured in
her trembling heart prayers of anxiety and dread,