He was startled that she had so instantly understood, and could not, for the moment, speak.
"I thank my God," continued the Queen, "that I have had this in my thoughts from the first. And there is nothing to be done. Search for a little escritoire in my cabinet and give it to the King. That is the end of earthly matters."
She closed her eyes and gave a little sigh.
"Will it please Your Majesty receive the Sacrament?" asked the Archbishop.
"Yes," she said at once. "Yes."
He left her, and she turned her head languidly and gazed before her at the window.
Lady Temple came forward lovingly, and looked down at her with sorrowful eyes.
"Before you light the candles," whispered Mary, "will you draw the curtains a little that I may see the sky?"
Lady Portland crossed the floor delicately and pulled back the heavy gold thread and scarlet damask from the December twilight.
A pale glow of colourless light fell across the glittering bed, the wan face of the Queen, and the motionless kneeling figure of her husband.