' He who will make his
fortune at court, must first of all mistrust everybody, and consider
everybody his enemy, whom he is to flatter, because he can do him
harm, and whom he is to hug and kiss, until in some happy embrace he
can either plunge a dagger into his breast wholly unobserved, or
pour poison into his mouth. Trust neither men nor walls, Jane, for I
tell you, however smooth and innocent both may appear, still there
may he found an ambuscade behind the smooth exterior. But I will for
the present believe that these walls are innocent, and conceal no
listeners. I will believe it, because I know this room. Those were
fine and charming days in which I became acquainted with it. Then I
was yet young and handsome, and King Henry's sister was not yet
married to the King of Scotland, and we loved each other so dearly.
Ah, I could relate to you wonderful stories of those happy days. I
could--"
"But, my dear father," interrupted Lady Jane, secretly trembling at
the terrible prospect of being forced to listen yet again to the
story of his youthful love, which she had already heard times
without number, "but, my dear father, doubtless you have not come
hither so late at night in order to relate to me what I--forgive me,
my lord--what I long since knew. You will rather communicate to me
what your keen and unerring glance has discovered here."
"It is true," said Lord Douglas, sadly. "I now sometimes become
loquacious--a sure sign that I am growing old.
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