y said: "Earl Thomas Seymour, you have often begged
us for a private conversation; we now grant it to you. Speak, then! what
matter of importance have you to bring before us?"

And with an air of gravity she stepped to an easy-chair, on which she
seated herself slowly and solemnly like a queen, who gives audience to
her vassals.

Poor, innocent child, that in her unconscious trepidation wished to
intrench herself behind her grandeur, as behind a shield, which might
conceal her maidenly fear and girlish anxiety!

Thomas Seymour, however, divined her thoughts; and his proud and cold
heart revolted against this child's attempt to defy him.

He wanted to humble her; he wished to compel her to bow before him, and
implore his love as a gracious gift.

He therefore bowed low to the princess, and respectfully said: "Your
highness, it is true I have often besought you for an audience; but
you have so long refused me, that at last I could no longer summon up
courage to solicit it; and I let my wish be silent and my heart dumb.
Therefore seek not now, when these pains have been subdued, to excite
them again. My heart should remain dead, my lips mute. You have so
willed; and I have submitted to your will. Farewell, then, princess,
and may your days be happier and more serene than those of poor Thomas
Seymour!"

He bowed low before her, and then went slowly to the door. He had
already opened it and was about to step out, when a hand was suddenly
laid on his shoulder and drew him with vehement impetuosity back into
the room.

"Do you want to go?" asked Elizabeth, with fluttering breath and
trembling voice. "You want to leave me, and, flouting me, you want now,
it may be, to go to the Duchess of Richmond, your mistress, and
relate to her with a sneer that the Princess Elizabeth granted you an
interview, and that you have flouted her?"

"The Duchess of Richmond is not my mistress," said the earl, earnestly.

"No, not your mistress; but she will very soon be your wife!"

"She will never be my wife!"

"And why not?"

"Because I do not love her, princess."

A beam of delight passed over Elizabeth's pale, agitated face. "Why do
you call me princess?" asked she.

"Because you have come as a princess to favor your poor servant with an
audience. But, ah, it would be greatly abusing your princely grace did
I want to protract this audience still further. I therefore retire,
princess."

And again he approached the door. But E