ands by my mouth. Obey them,
not because I am your father, but because I am the general to whom you
have sworn obedience and fidelity unto your life's end."

"Then kill me, my father!" said she, feebly. "Let this life end, which
is but a torture, a protracted martyrdom. Punish me for my disobedience
by plunging your dagger deep into my breast. Punish me, and grudge me
not the repose of the grave."

"Poor enthusiast!" said the father; "suppose you, we would be foolish
enough to subject you to so light a punishment! No, no, if you dare, in
insolent disobedience, rebel against my commands, your penance shall be
a terrible one, and your punishment without end. I will not kill you,
but him whom you love; it will be his head that falls; and you will be
his murderess. He shall die on the scaffold and you--you shall live in
disgrace."

"Oh, horrible!" groaned Jane, as she buried her face in her hands.

Her father continued: "Silly, short-sighted child, who thought she could
play with the sword, and did not see that she herself might feel the
stroke of this double-edged blade! You wanted to be the servant of the
Church, that you might thereby become mistress of the world. You would
acquire glory, but this glory must not singe your head with its fiery
rays. Silly child! he who plays with fire will be consumed. But we
penetrated your thoughts and the wish of which you yourself were
unconscious. We looked into the depths of your being, and when we found
love there, we made use of love for our own purposes and your salvation.
What do you bewail, then, and why do you weep? Have we not allowed you
to love? Have we not authorized you to give yourself entirely up to this
love? Do you not call yourself Earl Surrey's wife, though you cannot
name to me the priest that married you? Lady Jane, obey, and we envy you
not the happiness of your love; dare to rebel against us, and disgrace
and shame overtake you, and you shall stand before all the world
disowned and scoffed at; you the strumpet, that--"

"Stop, my father!" cried Jane, as she sprang vehemently from the floor.
"Desist from your terrible words if you do not wish me to die of shame.
Nay, I submit, I obey! You are right, I cannot draw back."

"And why would you either? Is it not a life pleasant and full of
enjoyment? Is it not rare good fortune to see our sins transfigured to
virtue; to be able to account earthly enjoyment the service of Heaven?
And what do you bewail then? That