t to you either that I intercede for mercy, but
to the king; and I tell you, sir bishop, it would be better for you, and
more worthy of a priest of Christian love, if you united your prayers
with mine, instead of wanting to dispose the king's noble heart to
severity. You are a priest; and you have learned in your own life that
there are many paths that lead to God, and that we, one and all, doubt
and are perplexed which of them is right."

"How!" screamed the king, as he rose from his seat and gazed at
Catharine with angry looks. "You mean, then, that the heretics also may
find themselves on a path that leads to God?"

"I mean," cried she, passionately, "that Jesus Christ, too, was called
an atheist, and executed. I mean that Stephen was stoned by Paul, and
that, nevertheless, both are now honored as saints and prayed to as
such. I mean, that Socrates was not damned because he lived before
Christ, and so could not be acquainted with his religion; and that
Horace and Julius Caesar, Phidias and Plato, must yet be called great
and noble spirits, even though they were heathen. Yes, my lord and
husband, I mean that it behooves us well to exercise gentleness in
matters of religion, and that faith is not to be obtruded on men by main
force as a burden, but is to be bestowed upon them as a benefit through
their own conviction."

"So you do not hold these eight accused to be criminals worthy of
death?" asked Henry with studied calmness, and a composure maintained
with difficulty.

"No, my husband! I hold that they are poor, erring mortals, who seek the
right path, and would willingly travel it; and who, therefore, ask in
doubt all along, 'Is this the right way?'"

"It is enough!" said the king, as he beckoned Gardiner to him, and,
leaning on his arm, took a few steps across the room. "We will speak no
more of these matters. They are too grave for us to wish to decide them
in the presence of our gay young queen. The heart of woman is always
inclined to gentleness and forgiveness. You should have borne that in
mind, Gardiner, and not have spoken of these matters in the queen's
presence."

"Sire, it was, however, the hour that you appointed for consultation on
these matters."

"Was it the hour!" exclaimed the king, quickly. "Well, then we did
wrong to devote it to anything else than grave employments; and you
will pardon me, queen, if I beg you to leave me alone with the bishop.
Affairs of state must not be postponed."