sire, for the Earl of Surrey has confessed to me myself that it is the
queen whom he loves, and that Geraldine is only a melodious appellation
for Catharine."

"He has confessed it to you yourself?" inquired the king, with gasping
breath. "Ah, he dares love his king's wife? Woe to him, woe!"

He raised his clenched fist threateningly to heaven, and his eyes darted
lightning. "But how!" said he, after a pause--"has he not recently read
before us a poem to his Geraldine, in which he thanks her for her love,
and acknowledges himself eternally her debtor for the kiss she gave
him?"

"He has read before your majesty such a poem to Geraldine."

The king uttered a low cry, and raised himself in his seat. "Proofs,"
said he, in a hoarse, hollow voice--"proofs--or, I tell you, your own
head shall atone for this accusation!"

"This proof, your majesty, I will give you!" said Earl Douglas,
solemnly. "It pleases your majesty, in the fulness of your gentleness
and mercy, to want to doubt the accusation of the noble duchess. Well,
now, I will furnish you infallible proof that Henry Howard, Earl of
Surrey, really loves the queen, and that he really dares to extol and
adore the king's wife as his Geraldine. You shall with your own ears,
sire, hear how Earl Surrey swears his love to the queen."

The scream which the king now uttered was so frightful, and gave
evidence of so much inward agony and rage, that it struck the earl dumb,
and made the cheeks of the ladies turn pale.

"Douglas, Douglas, beware how you rouse the lion!" gasped the king. "The
lion might rend you yourself in pieces!"

"This very night I will give you the proof that you demand, sire. This
very night you shall hear how Earl Surrey, sitting at the feet of his
Geraldine, swears to her his love."

"It is well!" said the king. "This night, then! Woe to you, Douglas, if
you cannot redeem your word!"

"I will do so, your majesty. For this, it is only necessary that you
will be graciously pleased to swear to me that you will not, by a sigh
or a breath, betray yourself. The earl is suspicious; and the fear of
an evil conscience has sharpened his ear. He would recognize you by your
sigh, and his lips would not speak those words and avowals which you
desire to hear."

"I swear to you that I will not by any sigh or breath betray my
presence!" said the king, solemnly. "I swear this to you by the
holy mother of God! But now let that suffice. Air--air--I suffocate!
Eve