"Then you do not believe the charge?" said Sir Miles, after a lengthened pause.
Sir Harry Guildford shook his head. "I should know, if anybody did," he said, sadly.
"Oh, father I hope you will not be drawn into this coil," said Lady Paton, with sudden apprehension, lest her father should be called upon to give evidence in the trial that was sure to follow.
"If I am called upon to speak, I can only say what I know,—that the Queen hath ever been discreet in word and deed, neither light in her behaviour to the gentlemen of the Court, or unduly sour, but treating all as a Queen should, with dignity and courtesy to all."
"And even this may bring ruin upon us, if the King would fain have her found guilty," said Lady Guildford, wringing her hands.
"I cannot help what may follow. I shall let it be known that I am ready to bear witness that I have never seen aught amiss in her behaviour with man or maid, and for the rest we must trust in God, though I doubt not that, if the Queen is found guilty, it will be a sore blow to the Reformation."
"Oh! how can it be? Why does not God prevent such things happening!" exclaimed one of the younger girls; and though no one spoke, she did but express what was in the mind of several besides herself. Perhaps, too, there was the thought, that as the Lady Jane Seymour was now supplanting her royal mistress in the favour of the King, so Queen Anne had not come to the throne with wholly clean hands.
But no one spoke of this just now, and there was silence for some minutes, until Lady Guildford said, "The Archbishop will be sorely grieved over this day's doings."
"Aye, that will he; for Master Cranmer was the first to advise the King that his marriage with his brother's widow was unlawful, according to the Bible, and that this should rule the king's life and faith."
"He hath always had a favourable opinion of the Queen, too," added Sir Miles.