She was of imposing beauty; her large eyes blazed and glowed like a
volcano; her lofty brow seemed in all respects designed to wear a
crown. And, indeed, it was a ducal coronet that sparkled on her
black hair, which in long ringlets curled down to her full,
voluptuous shoulders. Her tall and majestic form was clad in a white
satin dress, richly trimmed with ermine and pearls; two clasps of
costly brilliants held fast to her shoulders the small mantilla of
crimson velvet, faced with ermine, which covered her back and fell
down to her waist.
Thus appeared the Duchess of Richmond, the widow of King Henry's
natural son, Henry Richmond; the sister of Lord Henry Howard, Earl
of Surrey; and the daughter of the noble Duke of Norfolk.
Since her husband had died and left her a widow at twenty, she
resided in her brother's palace, and had placed herself under his
protection, and in the world they were known as "the affectionate
brother and sister."
Ah, how little knew the world, which is ever wont to judge from
appearances, of the hatred and the love of these two; how little
suspicion had it of the real sentiments of this brother and sister!
Henry Howard had offered his sister his palace as her residence,
because he hoped by his presence to lay on her impulsive and
voluptuous disposition a restraint which should compel her not to
overstep the bounds of custom and decency. Lady Richmond had
accepted this offer of his palace because she was obliged to;
inasmuch as the avaracious and parsimonious king gave his son's
widow only a meagre income, and her own means she had squandered and
lavishly thrown away upon her lovers.
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