“You must then be my protector to-day if we meet with dangers. But if it be God’s will, we shall encounter no dangers. Let us go.”
They go vigorously forward, silent all the way. At length they come to a place where the passage grows broader, and spreads out into a little open chamber, on the side walls of which a few teats are placed.
“We have now accomplished half of the journey,” said Catharine; “and here we will rest a little.”
She placed the lamp on the small marble table in the middle of the passage, and sat down, pointing to John Heywood to take a seat near her.
“I am not the queen, here,” said she; “and you are not the king’s fool; but I am a poor weak woman, and you are my protector. You may, therefore, well have the right to sit by me.”
But John shook his head with a smile, and sat down at her feet. “St. Catharine, savior of my son, I lie at thy feet, and devoutly return thanks to thee.”
“John, are you acquainted with this subterranean passage?” asked the queen.
John gave a sad smile. “I am acquainted with it, queen.”
“Ah, you know it? I supposed it was a secret of the king and queen.”
“Then you will readily conceive that the fool knows it. For the King of England and the fool are twin brothers. Yes, queen, I know this passage; and I once wended it in anguish and tears.”