ed her countenance, which beamed with cheerfulness. As
she passed the pillar behind which John Heywood was standing, she was
talking in unrestrained gayety with her second maid of honor; and a
clear and lively laugh rang from her lips, which disclosed both rows
of her dazzling white teeth. Her eyes sparkled; her checks were flushed
with a rich red; bright as stars glittered the diamonds in the diadem
that encircled her lofty brow; like liquid gold shone her dress of gold
brocade, the long trail of which, trimmed with black ermine, was borne
by two lovely pages.

Arrived at the door of her bed-chamber, the queen dismissed her pages
and lackeys, and permitted only the maid of honor to cross the threshold
of her chamber with her.

In harmless gossip the pages glided down the corridor and the staircase.
Then came the lackeys who bore the candelabra. They also left the
corridor.

Now all was quiet again. Still John Heywood stood and listened, firmly
resolved to speak to the queen yet that night, even should he be obliged
to wake her from sleep. Only he wanted to wait till the maid of honor
also had left the queen's room.

Now the door opened, and the maid of honor came out. She crossed the
corridor to that side where her own apartments were situated. John
Heywood heard her open the door and then slide the bolt on the inside.

"Now but a brief time longer, and I will go to the queen," muttered John
Heywood.

He was just going to leave his lurking-place, when he perceived a noise
as if a door were slowly and cautiously opened.

John Heywood cowered again close behind the pillar, and held his breath
to listen.

A bright light fell over the corridor. A dress came rustling nearer and
nearer.

John Heywood gazed astounded and amazed at the figure, which just
brushed past without seeing him.

That figure was Lady Jane Douglas--Lady Jane, who, on account of
indisposition, had retired from the feast in order to betake herself
to rest. Now, when all rested, she watched--when all laid aside their
festive garments, she had adorned herself with the same. Like the queen,
she wore a dress of gold brocade, trimmed with ermine, and, like her, a
diadem of diamonds adorned Lady Jane's brow.

Now she stood before the queen's door and listened. Then a fierce sneer
flitted across her deathly pale face, and her dark eyes flashed still
more.

"She sleeps," muttered she. "Only sleep, queen--sleep till we shall come
to wake you! Slee