tred and this one jealousy,
that there is no room in it for any other feeling, for any other hate.
It is true he signs often enough these death-warrants which we lay
before him; but he does it, as the lion, with utter carelessness and
without anger, crushes the little mouse that is by chance under his
paws. But if the lion is to rend in pieces his equal, he must beforehand
be put into a rage. When he is raging, then you must let him have his
prey. The Howards shall be his first prey. But, then, we must exert
ourselves, that when the lion again shakes his mane his wrath may fall
upon Catharine Parr and the Seymours."

"The Lord our God will be with us, and enlighten us, that we may find
the right means to strike His enemies a sure blow!" exclaimed Gardiner,
devoutly folding his hands.

"I believe the right means are already found," said Earl Douglas, with a
smile; "and even before this day descends to its close, the gates of the
Tower will open to receive this haughty and soft-hearted Duke of Norfolk
and this apostate Earl Surrey. Perchance we may even succeed in striking
at one blow the queen together with the Howards. See! an equipage stops
before the grand entrance, and I see the Duchess of Norfolk and her
daughter, the Duchess of Richmond, getting out of the carriage. Only
see! they are making signs to us. I have promised to conduct these two
noble and pious ladies to the king, and I shall do so. Whilst we are
there, pray for us, your highness, that our words, like well-aimed
arrows, may strike the king's heart, and then rebound upon the queen and
the Seymours!"

CHAPTER XXIX. THE ACCUSATION.

In vain had the king hoped to master his pains, or at least to forget
them, while he tried to sleep. Sleep had fled from the king's couch; and
as he now sat in his rolling-chair, sad, weary, and harassed with pain,
he thought, with gloomy spite, that the Duke of Norfolk told him but
yesterday that sleep was a thing under his control, and he could summon
it to him whenever it seemed good to him. This thought made him raving
with anger; and grinding his teeth, he muttered: "He can sleep; and I,
his lord and king--I am a beggar that in vain whines to God above for
a little sleep, a little forgetfulness of his pains! But it is this
traitorous Norfolk that prevents me from sleeping. Thoughts of him keep
me awake and restless. And I cannot crush this traitor with these hands
of mine; I am a king, and yet so powerless and