Do but believe me, it is
important enough for you to read it quite to the end; for it
contains various arrangements for your future, and settles on you a
suite and a yearly allowance, as is suitable for a royal princess."
"Oh, what care I for these things?" cried Elizabeth, merrily. "That
is my major-domo's concern, and he may attend to it."
"But there is yet another paragraph that will interest you more,"
said Catharine, with a slight smile; "for it is a full and complete
reparation to my proud and ambitious Elizabeth. You recollect the
answer which your father gave to the King of France when he
solicited your hand for the dauphin?"
"Do I recollect it!" cried Elizabeth, her features quickly becoming
gloomy. "King Henry said: 'Anne Boleyn's daughter is not worthy to
accept the hand of a royal prince.'"
"Well, then, Elizabeth, that the reparation made to you may be
complete, the king, while he grants you your lawful title and honor,
has decreed that you are permitted to marry only a husband of equal
birth; to give your hand only to a royal prince, if you would
preserve your right of succeeding to the throne, Oh, certainly,
there could be no more complete recantation of the affront once put
upon you. And that he consented to do this, you owe to the eloquent
intercession of a true and trusty friend; you have John Hey wood to
thank for it."
"John Heywood!" cried Elizabeth, in a bitter tone.
"Oh, I thank you, queen, that it was not you who determined my
father to this decision.
Pages:
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365