Alas, poor Queen!
Disappointed of her fondest hopes, childless and neglected by her husband, who would not pity her?
In the Court to-night she could but see how the young gallants gathered round the rising star—the Lady Elizabeth.
It was mainly by Philip's influence that she had recalled the hope of the Reformation Party to Court, and she saw, with bitter pain, that the Spanish King was strangely attentive to her young rival. Had Stephen Gardiner's advice been followed, Elizabeth would long ere now been swept from her path.
"Ah! had she erred?" thought the Queen in her inmost heart.
For this young and gay Princess was next in succession to the Throne, according to the will of their father, King Henry.
And so all her work might be undone, and the fondest, dearest hopes of her heart frustrated!
As these thoughts darkened her soul she saw Pole approaching her, and his very presence brought new life to her heart.
He knelt and kissed the Queen's hand, and when he rose Mary beckoned him to a seat beside her, and they fell into a close and confidential conversation.
The night was wearing on, the Queen was growing weary, yet she said in reply to a request from him—