第114章 JANE SEYMOUR(9)

Do not let these false and malignant accusations alarm you, madam,"said Norri."You have nothing to fear.I will die protesting your innocence.""Sir Henry Norris," said the duke coldly, "your own imprudence has brought about this sad result.""I feel it," replied Norris; "and I deserve the worst punishment that can be inflicted upon me for it.But I declare to you as I will declare upon the rack, if I am placed upon it--that the queen is wholly innocent.Let her not suffer for my fault.""You hear what Sir Henry says," cried Anne; "and I call upon you to recollect the testimony he has borne.""I shall not fail to do so, madam," replied Suffolk."Your majesty will have strict justice.""Justice! "echoed Anne, with a laugh of bitter incredulity."Justice from Henry the Eighth?""Beseech you, madam, do not destroy yourself," said Norris, prostrating himself before her."Recollect by whom you are surrounded.My folly and madness have brought you into this strait, and I sincerely implore your pardon for it.""You are not to blame, Norris," said Anne; "it is fate, not you, that has destroyed me.The hand that has dealt this blow is that of a queen within the tomb.""Captain Bouchier," said the Duke of Suffolk, addressing that officer, who stood near him," you will convey Sir Henry Norris to the strong-room in the lower gateway, whence he will be removed to the Tower.""Farewell for ever, Norris!" cried Anne."We shall meet no more on earth.

In what has fallen on me I recognise the hand of retribution.But the same measure which has been meted to me shall be dealt to others.Idenounce Jane Seymour before Heaven! She shall not long retain the crown she is about to snatch from me!""That imprecation had better have been spared, madam," said the duke.

"Be advised, my gracious mistress," cried Norris, "and do not let your grief and distraction place you in the power of your enemies.All may yet go well.""I denounce her!" persisted Anne, wholly disregarding the caution; "and I also denounce the king.No union of his shall be happy, and other blood than mine shall flow.

At a sign from the duke she was here borne, half suffocated with emotion, to an inner apartment, while Norris was conveyed by Bouchier and a company of halberdiers to the lower gateway, and placed within the prison chamber.

VI.What passed between Anne Boleyn and the Duke of Suffolk, and how Herne the Hunter appeared to her in the Oratory.

For some hours Anne Boleyn's attendants were alarmed for her reason, and there seemed good grounds for the apprehension, so wildly and incoherently did she talk, and so violently comport herself--she who was usually so gentle now weeping as if her soul would pass away in tears--now breaking into fearful hysterical laughter.It was a piteous sight, and deeply moved all who witnessed it.But towards evening she became calmer, and desired to be left by herself.Her wish being complied with, she fell upon her knees, and besought Heaven's forgiveness for her manifold offences.

"May my earthly sufferings," she cried, "avail me here--after, and may my blood wash out my guilt.I feel the enormity of my offence, and acknowledge the justice of my punishment.Pardon me, O injured Catherine--pardon me, I implore thee! Thou seest in me the most abject pitiable woman in the whole realm! Overthrown, neglected, despised--about to die a shameful death--what worse can befall me? Thine anguish was great, but it was never sharpened by remorse like mine.

Oh! that I could live my life over again.I would resist all the dazzling temptations I have yielded to--above all, I would not injure thee.Oh!

that I had resisted Henry's love--his false vows--his fatal lures! But it is useless to repine.I have acted wrongfully and must pay the penalty of my crime.May my tears, my penitence, my blood operate as an atonement, and procure me pardon from the merciful Judge before whom I shall shortly appear."In such prayers and lamentations she passed more than an hour, when her attendants entered to inform her that the Duke of Suffolk and the Lords Audley and Cromwell were without, and desired to see her.She immediately went forth to them.

"We are come to acquaint you, madam," said Suffolk, that you will be removed at an early hour tomorrow morning, to the Tower, there to abide during the king's pleasure.""If the king will have it so, my lords," she replied, " I must needs go; but I protest my innocence, and will protest it to the last.I have ever been a faithful and loyal consort to his highness, and though I may not have demeaned myself to him so humbly and gratefully as I ought to have done--seeing how much I owe him- yet I have lacked nothing in affection and duty.I have had jealous fancies and suspicions of him, especially of late, and have troubled him with them; but I pray his forgiveness for my folly, which proceeded from too much regard, and if Iam acquitted of my present charge, I will offend him so no more.""We will report what you say to the king," rejoined Suffolk gravely; "but we are bound to add that his highness does not act on mere suspicion, the proofs of your guilt being strong against you.""There can be no such proofs," cried Anne quickly."Who are my accusers? and what do they state?""You are charged with conspiring against the king's life, and dishonouring his bed," replied Suffolk sternly."Your accusers will appear in due season.""They are base creatures suborned for the purpose!" cried Anne."No loyal.person would so forswear himself.""Time will show you who they are, madam," said Suffolk.

" But having now answered all your questions, I pray you permit us to retire.""Shall I not see the king before I am taken to the Tower?" said Anne, upon whom the terror of her situation rushed with new force.