"
"They will shine to-morrow as to-night, if my lord and husband is
still as gracious to me to-morrow as to-day," said Catharine, with
perfect artlessness and without embarrassment, as she gave her hand
to the king. Henry cast on her a suspicious, searching look, and a
peculiar, malicious expression was manifested in his face.
"Do you believe then, Kate, that we can ever be ungracious to you?"
asked he.
"As to that, I think," said she, with a smile, "that even the sun
does not always shine; and that a gloomy night always succeeds his
splendor."
The king did not reply. He looked her steadily in the face, and his
features suddenly assumed a gentler expression.
Perhaps he had compassion on his young wife. Perhaps he felt pity
for her youth and her enchanting smile, which had so often revived
and refreshed his heart.
Earl Douglas at least feared so.
"Sire," said he, "it is late. The hour of midnight is drawing nigh."
"Then let us go," exclaimed the king, with a sigh. "Yes once again,
good-night, Kate! Nay, do not accompany me! I will leave the hall
quite unobserved; and I shall be pleased, if my guests will still
prolong the fairfeast till morning. All of you remain here! No one
but Douglas accompanies me."
"And your brother, the fool!" said John Heywood, who long before had
come out of his hiding-place and was now standing by the king. "Yes,
come, brother Henry; let us quit this feast. It is not becoming for
wise men of our sort to grant our presence still longer to the feast
of fools.
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