angry look, and a dark scowl gathered
on her brow. "You understand well how to control your joy," said she;
"and any one to see you just now would think--"

"That Thomas Seymour is discreet enough not to let even his rapture be
read in his countenance at this dangerous court," interrupted the earl
in a low murmur. "When, princess, may I see you and where?"

"Wait for the message that John Heywood will bring you to-day,"
whispered Elizabeth, as she sprang forward and again drew near the
queen.

"John Heywood, again!" muttered the earl. "The confidant of both, and so
my hangman, if he wishes to be!"

CHAPTER XIII. "LE ROI S'ENNUIT."

King Henry was alone in his study. He had spent a few hours in writing
on a devout and edifying book, which he was preparing for his subjects,
and which, in virtue of his dignity as supreme lord of the Church, he
designed to commend to their reading instead of the Bible.

He now laid down his pen, and, with infinite complacency, looked over
the written sheets, which were to be to his people a new proof of his
paternal love and care, and so convince them that Henry the Eighth was
not only the noblest and most virtuous of kings, but also the wisest.

But this reflection failed to make the king more cheerful to-day;
perhaps because he had already indulged in it too frequently. To be
alone, annoyed and disturbed him--there were in his breast so many
secret and hidden voices, whose whispers he dreaded, and which,
therefore, he sought to drown--there were so many recollections of
blood, which ever and again rose before him, however often he tried to
wash them out in fresh blood, and which the king was afraid of, though
he assumed the appearance of never repenting, never feeling disquietude.

With hasty hand he touched the gold bell standing by him, and his face
brightened as he saw the door open immediately, and Earl Douglas make
his appearance on the threshold.

"Oh, at length!" said the lord, who had very well understood the
expression of Henry's features; "at length, the king condescends to be
gracious to his people."

"I gracious?" asked the king, utterly astonished. "Well, how am I so?"

"By your majesty's resting at length from his exertions, and giving a
little thought to his valuable and needful health. When you remember,
sire, that England's weal depends solely and alone on the weal of
her king, and that you must be and remain healthy, that your people,
likewise may b