f driving away ennui.

Not for her sake did he regret what he had done, but only on his own
account. From selfishness alone, he repented having issued that order
for the queen's imprisonment. Catharine observed him. Her glance,
sharpened by inward fear, read his thoughts on his brow, and understood
the sigh which involuntarily arose from his breast.

She again seized courage; she might succeed in turning away by a smile
the sword that hung over her head.

"Come, my lord and husband," said she, cheerfully, "the sun beckons to
us, and the trees shake their heads indignantly because we are not yet
there."

"Yes, come, Kate," said the king, rousing himself with an effort from
his brown study; "come, we will go down into God's free air. Perhaps
He is nearer to us there, and may illuminate us with good thoughts and
wholesome resolutions. Come, Kate."

The queen gave him her arm, and, supported on it, the king advanced a
few steps. But suddenly Catharine stood still; and as the king fastened
on her his inquiring look, she blushed and cast down her eyes.

"Well!" asked the king, "why do you linger?"

"Sire, I was considering your words; and what you say about the sun and
wholesome resolutions has touched my heart and startled my conscience.
My husband, you are right; God is there without, and I dare not venture
to behold the sun, which is God's eye, before I have made my confession
and received absolution. Sire, I am a great sinner, and my conscience
gives me no rest. Will you be my confessor, and listen to me?"

The king sighed. "Ah," thought he, "she is hurrying to destruction, and
by her own confession of guilt she will make it impossible for me to
hold her guiltless!"

"Speak!" said he aloud.

"First," said she, with downcast eyes--"first, I must confess to you
that I have to-day deceived you, my lord and king. Vanity and sinful
pride enticed me to this; and childish anger made me consummate what
vanity whispered to me. But I repent, my king; I repent from the bottom
of my soul, and I swear to you, my husband--yes, I swear to you by all
that is sacred to me, that it is the first and only time that I have
deceived you. And never will I venture to do it again, for it is a
dismal and awful feeling to stand before you with a guilty conscience."

"And in what have you deceived us, Kate?" asked the king; and his voice
trembled.

Catharine drew from her dress a small roll of paper, and, humbly bowing,
handed it to t