Now that Earl Douglas had brought him hither, the king no longer had
any doubts at all of the queen's guilt. It was no longer an
accusation--it was proof. For never in the world would Earl Douglas
have dared to bring him, the king, hither, if he were not certain
that he would give him here infallible proofs.
The king, therefore, no longer doubted; at last Henry Howard was in
his power, and he could no more escape him. So he was certain of
being able to bring these two hated enemies to the block, and of
feeling his sleep no longed disturbed by thoughts of his two
powerful rivals.
The Duke of Norfolk had already passed the gates of the Tower, and
his son must soon follow him thither.
At this thought the king felt an ecstasy so savage and bloodthirsty,
that be wholly forgot that the same sword that was to strike Henry
Howard's head was drawn on his queen also.
They were now standing in the green-room, and the king leaned
panting and moaning on Earl Douglas's arm.
The large wide room, with its antique furniture and its faded glory,
was only gloomily and scantily lighted in the middle by the two wax
candles of the candelabrum that Earl Douglas had brought with him;
while further away it was enveloped in deep gloom, and seemed to the
eye through this gloom to stretch out to an interminable length.
"Through the door over there comes the queen," said Douglas; and he
himself shrank at the loud sound of his voice, which in the large,
desolate room became of awful fulness.
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