John Heywood could see everything and hear everything going on in the vicinity of the king. He could observe every one who approached the queen.
He saw Lady Jane likewise, who was standing by the queen’s seat. He saw how Earl Douglas drew near his daughter, and how she turned deadly pale as he stepped up to her.
John Heywood held his breath and listened.
Earl Douglas stood near his daughter, and nodded to her with a peculiar smile. “Go, now, Jane, go and change your dress. It is time. Only see how impatiently and longingly Henry Howard is already looking this way, and with what languishing and enamored glances he seems to give a hint to the queen. Go then, Jane, and think of your promise.”
“And will you, my father, also think of your promise?” inquired Lady Jane, with trembling lips. “Will no danger threaten him?”
“I will, Jane. But now make haste, my daughter, and be prudent and adroit.”
Lady Jane bowed, and murmured a few unintelligible words. Then she approached the queen, and begged permission to retire from the feast, because a severe indisposition had suddenly overtaken her.
Lady Jane’s countenance was so pale and deathlike, that the queen might well believe in the indisposition of her first maid of honor, and she allowed her to retire. Lady Jane left the hall. The queen continued the conversation with Lord Hertford, who was standing by her. It was a very lively and warm conversation, and the queen therefore did not heed what was passing around her; and she heard nothing of the conversation between the king and Earl Douglas.
John Heywood, still crouching behind the king’s throne, observed everything and heard every word of this softly whispered conversation.
“Sire,” said Earl Douglas, “it is late and the hour of midnight is drawing nigh. Will your majesty be pleased to conclude the feast? For you well know that at mid-night we must be over there in the green summer-house, and it is a long way there.”