I thought to meet a
queen, proud, happy, and radiant with joy; and I was anxious and
fearful lest the queen might have ceased to be my friend. Wherefore
I urged my father, as soon as your command reached us, to leave
Dublin and hasten with me hither. Oh, my God! I wished to see you in
your happiness and in your greatness."
Catharine removed her hands from her face, and looked down at her
friend with a sorrowful smile. "Well," said she, "are you not
satisfied with what you have seen? Have I not the whole day
displayed to you the smiling queen, worn a dress embroidered with
gold? did not my neck glitter with diamonds? did not the royal
diadem shine in my hair? and sat not the king by my side? Let that,
then, be sufficient for the present. You have seen the queen all day
long. Allow me now for one brief, happy moment to be again the
feeling, sensitive woman, who can pour into the bosom of her friend
all her complaint and her wretchedness. Ah, Jane, if you knew how I
have longed for this hour, how I have sighed after you as the only
balm for my poor smitten heart, smitten even to death, how I have
implored Heaven for this day, for this one thing--'Give me back my
Jane, so that she can weep with me, so that I may have one being at
my side who understands me, and does not allow herself to be imposed
upon by the wretched splendor of this outward display!'"
"Poor Catharine!" whispered Lady Jane, "poor queen!"
Catharine started and laid her hand, sparkling with brilliants, on
Jane's lips.
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