“May this sickness be the forerunner of his death!” muttered the bishop, devoutly folding his hands.
“It will be so, your highness; God will destroy His enemies and bless us. Cranmer is accused, and the king will judge him without mercy.”
“And the queen?”
Earl Douglas was a moment silent, and then said, in a low whisper: “Wait but a few hours more, and she will be queen no longer. Instead of returning from the throne-room to her apartments, we shall accompany her to the Tower.”
John Heywood, completely enveloped in the folds of the curtain, held his breath and listened.
“And you are, then, perfectly sure of our victory?” asked Gardiner. “Can no accident, no unforeseen circumstance, snatch it from us?”
“If the queen gives him the rosette—no! For then the king will find Geraldine’s love-letter in the silver knot, and she is condemned. So all depends on the queen’s wearing the rosette, and not discovering its contents. But see, your highness, there is the Duchess of Richmond approaching us. She makes a sign to me. Now pray for us, your highness, for I am going with her to the king, and she will accuse this hated Catharine Parr! I tell you, bishop, it is an accusation involving life and death; and if Catharine escape one danger, she will run into another. Wait here for me, your highness; I will return soon and tell you the result of our scheme. Lady Jane, also, will soon bring us news here.”
He left the window and followed the duchess, who crossed the hall, and with her disappeared through the door that led to the king’s apartments.
The ladies and lords of the court laughed and chatted away.
John Heywood stood, with throbbing heart and in breathless anxiety, behind the curtain, close by Gardiner, who had folded his hands and was praying.