ed deeply. Better than the queen herself
perhaps, he had read the depths of her heart, and knew its deep wound.
But he also had sympathy with her pain, and wished to mitigate it a
little.

"I recollect," said he, gently and mournfully--"yes, I recollect, you
have yet a third friend at this court."

"Ah, a third friend!" exclaimed Catharine, and again her voice sounded
cheery and joyous. "Name him to me, name him! For you see clearly I am
burning with impatience to hear his name."

John Heywood looked into Catharine's glowing countenance with a strange
expression, at once searching and mournful, and for a moment dropped his
head upon his breast and sighed.

"Now, John, give me the name of this third friend."

"Do you not know him, queen?" asked Heywood, as he again stared steadily
in her face. "Do you not know him? It is Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley."

There passed as it were a sunbeam over Catharine's face, and she uttered
a low cry.

John Heywood said, sadly: "Queen, the sun strikes directly in your face.
Take care that it does not blind your bright eyes. Stand in the shade,
your majesty, for, hark! there comes one who might report the sunshine
in your face for a conflagration."

Just then the door opened, and Lady Jane appeared on the threshold. She
threw a quick, searching glance around the room, and an imperceptible
smile passed over her beautiful pale face.

"Your majesty," said she solemnly, "everything is ready. You can begin
your ride when it pleases you. The Princess Elizabeth awaits you in the
anteroom, and your master of horse already holds the stirrup of your
steed."

"And the lord chamberlain?" asked Catharine, blushing, "has he no
message from the king to bring me?"

"Ay!" said the Earl of Surrey as he entered. "His majesty bids me
tell the queen that she may extend her ride as far as she wishes. The
glorious weather is well worth that the Queen of England should enjoy
it, and enter into a contest with the sun."

"Oh, the king is the most gallant of cavaliers," said Catharine, with a
happy smile. "Now come, Jane, let us ride."

"Pardon me, your majesty," said Lady Jane, stepping back. "I cannot
to-day enjoy the privilege of accompanying your majesty. Lady Anne
Ettersville is to-day in attendance."

"Another time, then, Jane! And you, Earl Douglas, you ride with us?"

"The king, your majesty, has ordered me to his cabinet."

"Behold now a queen abandoned by all her friends!" said Catha