We shall never forget what great service you
have to-day rendered us."
He nodded to them in a friendly manner, whilst, with a majestic wave
of the hand, he dismissed them, and concluded the audience.
"And now, Douglas," exclaimed the king, vehemently, as soon as the
ladies had retired--"now I have had enough of this dreadful torture!
Oh, you say I am to punish the traitors--these Surreys--and you
inflict on me the most frightful pains of the rack!"
"Sire, there was no other means of delivering up this Surrey to you.
You were wishing that he were a criminal; and I shall prove to you
that he is so."
"Oh, I shall then be able at least to tread his hated head under my
feet" said the king, grinding his teeth. "I shall no more tremble
before this malicious enemy, who goes about among my people with his
hypocritical tongue, while I, tortured with pain, sit in the dungeon
of my sickroom. Yes, yes, I thank you, Douglas, that you will hand
him over to my arm of vengeance; and my soul is full of joy and
serenity at it. Ah, why were you obliged to cloud this fair, this
sublime hour? Why was it necessary to weave the queen into this
gloomy web of guilt and crime? Her cheerful smile and her radiant
looks have ever been an enjoyment so dear to my eyes."
"Sire, I do not by any means say that the queen is guilty. Only
there was no other means to prove to you Earl Surrey's guilt than
that you should hear for yourself his confession of love to the
queen.
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