ugh her proud form.
Her eyes flashed, and an angry word was already suspended on her lips;
but she still held it back. She violently forced herself to calmness and
self-possession.

"Consider once more, Henry," said she, "do not decide at once. You speak
of our greatness; but you do not bear in mind the power of the Seymours.
I tell you they are powerful enough to tread us in the dust, despite all
our greatness. And they are not only powerful at the present; they will
be so in the future also; for it is well known in what disposition and
what way of thinking the Prince of Wales is trained up. The king is old,
weak, and failing; death lurks behind his throne, and will soon enough
press him in his arms. Then Edward is king. With him, the heresy of
Protestantism triumphs; and however great and numerous our party may be,
yet we shall be powerless and subdued. Yes, we shall be the oppressed
and persecuted."

"We shall then know how to fight, and if it must be so, to die also!"
cried her brother. "It is more honorable to die on the battle-field than
to purchase life and humiliation."

"Yes, it is honorable to die on the field of battle; but, Henry, it is a
disgrace to come to an end upon the scaffold. And that, my brother, may
be your fate, if you do not this time bend your pride; if you do not
grasp the hand that Lord Hertford extends to you in reconciliation, but
mortally offend him. He will take bloody vengeance, when once he comes
into power."

"Let him do it, if he can; my life is in God's hand! My head belongs
to the king, but my heart to myself; and that I will never degrade to
merchandise, which I may barter for a little security and royal favor."

"Brother, I conjure you, consider it!" cried the duchess, no longer able
to restrain her passionate disposition, and all ablaze in her savage
wrath. "Dare not in proud arrogance to destroy my future also! You may
die on the scaffold, if you choose; but I--I will be happy; I will
at last, after so many years of sorrow and disgrace, have my share of
life's joys also. It is my due, and I will not relinquish it; and you
shall not be allowed to tear it from me. Know, then, my brother, I love
Thomas Seymour; all my desire, all my hope is fixed on him; and I will
not tear this love out of my heart; I will not give him up."

"Well, if you love him, marry him, then!" exclaimed her brother. "Become
the wife of this Thomas Seymour! Ask the duke, our father, for his
consent to t