tone. "I
may well be allowed to ask what has made my maid of honor, who left the
festive hall sick, now all at once so well that she goes roaming about
the castle in the night time, and in a dress which seems likely to be
mistaken for mine? Sire, was this dress perchance a craftily-devised
stratagem, in order to really confound us with one another? You are
silent, my lord and king. It is true, then, they have wanted to carry
out a terrible plot against me; and, without the assistance of my
faithful and honest friend, John Heywood, who brought me here, I should
without doubt be now condemned and lost, as the Earl of Surrey is."

"Ah, John, it was you then that brought a little light into this
darkness?" cried the king, with a cheerful laugh, as he laid his hand on
Heywood's shoulder. "Now, verily, what the wise and prudent did not see,
that the fool has seen through!"

"King Henry of England," said John Heywood, solemnly, "many call
themselves wise, and yet they are fools; and many assume the mask of
folly, because fools are allowed to be wise."

"Kate," said the king, "you are right; this was a bad night for you, but
God and the fool have saved you and me. We will both be thankful for
it. But it is well if you do as you before wished, and ask and inquire
nothing more concerning the mysteries of this night. It was brave in you
to come here, and I will be mindful of it. Come, my little queen, give
me your arm and conduct me to my apartments. I tell you, child, it gives
me joy to be able to lean on your arm, and see your dear sprightly face
blanched by no fear or terrors of conscience. Come, Kate, you alone
shall lead me, and to you alone will I trust myself."

"Sire, you are too heavy for the queen," said the fool, as he put his
neck under the other arm. "Let me share with her the burden of royalty."

"But before we go," said Catharine, "I have, my husband, one request.
Will you grant it?"

"I will grant you everything that you may ask, provided you will not
require me to send you to the Tower."

"Sire, I wish to dismiss my maid of honor, Lady Jane Douglas, from
my service--that is all," said the queen, as her eyes glanced with an
expression of contempt, and yet at the same time of pain, at the form of
her friend of other days, prostrate on the floor.

"She is dismissed!" said the king. "You will choose another maid of
honor to-morrow. Come, Kate!"

And the king, supported by his consort and John Heywood, left