I have to-day done the one, and I
will not neglect to do the other also. Stand up, then, Lady Jane; it
does not become you to lie on your knees before me."
"Oh, let me kneel, my king," said she, passionately; "let me beseech
you for mercy, for pity! Have compassion, King Henry--compassion on
the anxiety and agony which I endure. It is not possible that this
is all a reality! that this juggling is to be changed into such
terrible earnest! Tell me, King Henry--I conjure you by the agonies
which I suffer for your sake--tell me, what will you do with Henry
Howard? Why have you sent him to the Tower?"
"To punish the traitor as he deserves," said the king, as he cast a
dark and angry look across at Douglas, who had also approached his
daughter, and was now standing close by her.
Lady Jane uttered a heartrending cry, and sank down again, senseless
and completely exhausted.
The king frowned. "It is possible," said he--"and I almost believe
it--that I have been deceived in many ways this evening, and that
now again my guilelessness has been played upon in order to impose
upon me a charming story. However, I have given my word to pardon;
and it shall not be said that Henry the Eighth, who calls himself
God's vicegerent, has ever broken his word; nor even that he has
punished those whom he has assured of exemption from punishment. My
Lord Douglas, I will fulfil my promise. I forgive you."
He extended his hand to Douglas, who kissed it fervently.
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