s a pure invention of their own, intended to
produce (as it has produced) a general belief in the insanity of the
Queen.

Note 5. This sketch in words, given by Foxe, is one of the most graphic
descriptions ever written.

Note 6. King Juan the Second of Castilla conferred this title on his
heir in 1389, in imitation of that of the Prince of Wales, which he
greatly admired.

Note 7. This well-known feature came into the House of Austria with the
Massovian Princess Cimburgha, a strong-minded woman, who used to hammer
the nails which confined her fruit-trees to the garden wall with her
knuckles. She was the wife of Duke Ernest the Iron-handed, and
apparently might have shared his epithet.

Note 8. In working the tapestry so much in vogue during the Middle
Ages, certain persons were indicated by hair or complexion of a
particular tint. To Cain was given a sallow complexion, not unlike
Naples yellow, which was therefore known as Cain-colour; and Judas
Iscariot being always represented with red hair, this came to be called
Judas-colour.

Note 9. The English Jews, being Sephardim, spoke Spanish mostly among
themselves at this time.

CHAPTER TEN.

THE DARKEST HOUR OF THE NIGHT.

"I falter where I firmly trod;
And falling with my weight of cares
Upon the world's great altar-stairs
That slope through darkness up to God,
I stretch lame hands of faith."

Tennyson.

Twenty-two hours of the year 1555 had passed away. John Avery, Robin,
and Esther had gone to the service held in Mr Sheerson's house. The
children had been put to bed before they went; Thekla was up-stairs with
her mother, who had begged her to remain at home. Mrs Rose could give
no reason for her request, except that she felt low and nervous, and had
a fancy or a foreboding, which it might be, that it would be better for
Thekla to absent herself. Dr Thorpe and Isoult sat alone in the little
chamber of the Lamb. It was past ten o'clock--in the middle of the
night, to their apprehension--but there could be no going to bed until
they knew of the safety of the absent ones. At last, half-an-hour at
least after they had expected it, John Avery's hand was heard on the
latch. He came in alone.

"Thou art very late, Jack," said Isoult, when he entered. "Where
leftest Robin and Esther?"

John, who had turned his back as soon as he came in, was very busy
hanging up his cloak, which Isoult thought took longer than his wont.
At last