s my faith; like her I will say: 'God alone is Lord of
his Church,' God--"

There was a movement without; a key was heard to turn in the lock.

"Queen, I conjure you," besought John Heywood, "by all that is holy to
you, by your love, come, come!"

"No, no!" cried she, vehemently.

But now Anne seized her hand, and stretching the other arm toward
heaven, she said in a loud, commanding voice: "In the name of God, I
order you to leave me!"

While Catharine drew back wholly involuntarily, John Heywood pushed her
to the secret door, and urging her out almost with violence, he drew the
door to behind them both.

Just as the secret door had closed, the other on the opposite side
opened. "With whom were you speaking?" asked Gardiner, peering around
the room with a sharp look.

"With the tempter, that wished to alienate me from God," said she--"with
the tempter, who at the approach of your footsteps wanted to fool my
heart with fear, and persuade me to recant!"

"You are, then, firmly resolved? you do not retract?" asked Gardiner;
and a savage joy shone in his pale, hard countenance.

"No, I do not recant!" said she, with a face beaming with smiles.

"Then, in the name of God and of the king, I take you into the
torture-chamber!" cried Chancellor Wriothesley, as he advanced and laid
his heavy hand on Anne's shoulder. "You would not hear the voice of love
warning you and calling you, so we will now try to arouse you from
your madness by the voice of wrath and damnation." He beckoned to the
attendants on the rack, who stood behind him in the open door, and
ordered them to seize her and carry her to the torture-chamber.

Anne, smiling, turned them back. "Nay, not so!" said she. "The Saviour
went on foot, and bore His cross to the place of execution. I will tread
His path. Show me the way, I follow you. But let no one dare touch me. I
will show you that not by constraint, but gladly and freely, I tread the
path of suffering, which I shall endure for the sake of my God. Rejoice,
oh my soul!--sing, my lips! for the bridegroom is near, and the feast is
about to begin."

And in exultant tones Anne Askew began to sing a hymn, that had not died
away when she entered the torture-chamber.

CHAPTER XXI. PRINCESS ELIZABETH.

The king sleeps. Let him sleep! He is old and infirm, and God
has severely punished the restless tyrant with a vacillating,
ever-disquieted, never-satisfied spirit, while He bound his body and
ma