'And is it not a shameful thing you bid me do, to bid me speak pleasant words to him that slew my mother and called me bastard?'
The Queen answered that she asked it in the name of Christ, His pitiful sake, and for the good of this suffering land.
'None the less, Queen, thou askest it in the darkness that thy face may not be seen. And what more askest thou?'
'That when the Duke of Orleans his ambassadors come asking your hand in marriage, you do show them a pleasant and acquiescent countenance.'
The sacredness of that dark place kept Mary from laughing aloud.
'That, too, you dare not ask in the light of day, Queen,' she said. 'Ask on!'
'That when the Emperor's ambassadors shall ask for your hand you shall profess yourself glad indeed.'
'Well, here is more shame, that I should be prayed to feign this gladness. I think the angels do laugh that hear you. Ask even more.'
Katharine said patiently—
'That, having in reward of these favours, been set again on high, having honours shown you and a Court appointed round you, you shall gladly play the part of a princess royal to these realms, never gibing, nor sneering upon this King your father, nor calling upon the memory of the wronged Queen your mother.'