im joy Henry thought only how terrible was to be his punishment for
Henry Howard and also for Catharine.

Now that Earl Douglas had brought him hither, the king no longer had any
doubts at all of the queen's guilt. It was no longer an accusation--it
was proof. For never in the world would Earl Douglas have dared to bring
him, the king, hither, if he were not certain that he would give him
here infallible proofs.

The king, therefore, no longer doubted; at last Henry Howard was in his
power, and he could no more escape him. So he was certain of being able
to bring these two hated enemies to the block, and of feeling his sleep
no longed disturbed by thoughts of his two powerful rivals.

The Duke of Norfolk had already passed the gates of the Tower, and his
son must soon follow him thither.

At this thought the king felt an ecstasy so savage and bloodthirsty,
that he wholly forgot that the same sword that was to strike Henry
Howard's head was drawn on his queen also.

They were now standing in the green-room, and the king leaned panting
and moaning on Earl Douglas's arm.

The large wide room, with its antique furniture and its faded glory, was
only gloomily and scantily lighted in the middle by the two wax candles
of the candelabrum that Earl Douglas had brought with him; while further
away it was enveloped in deep gloom, and seemed to the eye through this
gloom to stretch out to an interminable length.

"Through the door over there comes the queen," said Douglas; and he
himself shrank at the loud sound of his voice, which in the large,
desolate room became of awful fulness. "And that, there, is Henry
Howard's entrance. Oh, he knows that path very thoroughly; for he has
often enough already travelled it in the dark night, and his foot no
longer stumbles on any stone of offence!"

"But he will perchance stumble on the headsman's block!" muttered the
king, with a cruel laugh.

"I now take the liberty of asking one question more," said Douglas;
and the king did not suspect how stormily the earl's heart beat at this
question. "Is your majesty satisfied to see the earl and the queen
make their appearance at this meeting? Or, do you desire to listen to a
little of the earl's tender protestations?"

"I will hear not a little, but all!" said the king. "Ah, let us allow
the earl yet to sing his swan-like song before he plunges into the sea
of blood!"

"Then," said Earl Douglas, "then we must put out this light, and you