With a sigh the queen raised her head from the earl's shoulder.
The dream was at an end; the angel came with flaming sword to drive
her from paradise.
For she was no longer worthy of paradise. The fatal word had been
spoken, and while it brought her love, it had perjured her.
Henry's wife, his by her vow taken before the altar, had betrothed
herself to another, and given him the love that she owed her
husband.
"It is passed," said he, mournfully. "These sounds call me back to
my slavery. We must both resume our roles. I must become queen
again."
"But first swear to me that you will never forget this hour; that
you will ever think upon the oaths which we have mutually sworn."
She looked at him almost astounded. "My God! can truth and love be
forgotten?"
"You will remain ever true, Catharine?"
She smiled. "See, now, my jealous lord, do I address such questions
to you?"
"Oh, queen, you well know that you possess the charm that binds
forever."
"Who knows?" said she dreamily, as she raised her enthusiastic look
to heaven, and seemed to follow the bright silvery clouds which were
sailing slowly across the blue ether.
Then her eyes fell on her beloved, and laying her hand softly upon
his shoulder, she said: "Love is like God--eternal, primeval, and
ever present! But you must believe in it to feel its presence; you
must trust it to be worthy of its blessing!"
But the hallooing and the clangor of the horns came nearer and
nearer.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164