He could observe every one who approached
the queen.
He saw Lady Jane likewise, who was standing by the queen's seat. He
saw how Earl Douglas drew near his daughter, and how she turned
deadly pale as he stepped up to her.
John Heywood held his breath and listened.
Earl Douglas stood near his daughter, and nodded to her with a
peculiar smile. "Go, now, Jane, go and change your dress. It is
time. Only see how impatiently and longingly Henry Howard is already
looking this way, and with what languishing and enamored glances he
seems to give a hint to the queen. Go then, Jane, and think of your
promise."
"And will you, my father, also think of your promise?" inquired Lady
Jane, with trembling lips. "Will no danger threaten him?"
"I will, Jane. But now make haste, my daughter, and be prudent and
adroit."
Lady Jane bowed, and murmured a few unintelligible words. Then she
approached the queen, and begged permission to retire from the
feast, because a severe indisposition had suddenly overtaken her.
Lady Jane's countenance was so pale and deathlike, that the queen
might well believe in the indisposition of her first maid of honor,
and she allowed her to retire. Lady Jane left the hall. The queen
continued the conversation with Lord Hertford, who was standing by
her. It was a very lively and warm conversation, and the queen
therefore did not heed what was passing around her; and she heard
nothing of the conversation between the king and Earl Douglas.
Pages:
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402