Catharine gave a start, and fixed on her face a surprised and
searching look.
Lady Jane cast down her eyes before that searching and flashing
glance. Her fanaticism had for the moment got the better of her, and
much as she was wont at other times to hide her thoughts and
feelings, it had, at that moment, carried her away and betrayed her
to the keen eye of her friend.
"It is now a long while since we saw each other," said Catharine,
sadly. "Three years! It is a long time for a young girl's heart! And
you were those three years with your father in Dublin, at that
rigidly popish court. I did not consider that! But however much your
opinions may have changed, your heart, I know, still remains the
same, and you will ever be the proud, high-minded Jane of former
days, who could never stoop to tell a lie--no, not even if this lie
would procure her profit and glory. I ask you then, Jane, what is
your religion? Do you believe in the Pope of Rome, and the Church of
Rome as the only channel of salvation? or do you follow the new
teaching which Luther and Calvin have promulgated?"
Lady Jane smiled. "Would I have risked appearing before you, if I
still reckoned myself of the Roman Catholic Church? Catharine Parr
is hailed by the Protestants of England as the new patroness of the
persecuted doctrine, and already the Romish priests hurl their
anathemas against you, and execrate you and your dangerous presence
here. And you ask me, whether I am an adherent of that church which
maligns and damns you? You ask me whether I believe in the pope, who
has laid the king under an interdict--the king, who is not only my
lord and master, but also the husband of my precious and noble
Catharine? Oh, queen, you love me not when you can address such a
question to me.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43