The Constable of the Tower by W. Harrison Ainsworth

Making a profound obeisance, the earl moved towards the bottom of the chamber, and the arras screening a door in this quarter being drawn aside at his approach by the gentlemen ushers in attendance, he disappeared, but returned the next moment leading the Princess Mary by the hand, while the Princess Elizabeth was conducted into the chamber in like manner by Sir Thomas Seymour. The two princesses were followed at a respectful distance by the Countess of Hertford and Lady Herbert.

Mary looked very grave, and seemed to have some difficulty in controlling her emotion, as her quivering lip betokened. Elizabeth had evidently been weeping, for tears were still in her eyes. Both were richly attired; but the elder sister had more of ornament about her dress—perhaps, because she needed it most—than the other. Mary’s head-gear, of the angular form then in vogue, was of rich goldsmith’s work, bordered with jewels, and was completed by a long couvre-chef of satin worked with gold. Her stomacher was fastened by two brooches of agates set with emeralds, from the lower of which a large orient pearl depended. Her slender waist was encircled by a girdle of goldsmith’s work, with roses of rubies, having friar’s knots, and hanging down in front. Her dress was of gold bawdkin, and fitting tight to the body, betrayed her extreme thinness, and gave her a very rigid look. Her dark auburn locks—for we care not to call them red—were gathered becomingly enough beneath her head-gear. Mary had few charms of person. She was thin to meagreness, and her features possessed little beauty; but they were intelligent in expression. To compensate, however, for these defects, she had great dignity of manner, and much grace; and there were some—and not a few—who, dazzled by her high rank, held her very blemishes to be beauties.

Mary was more than double the age of her sister, being thirty-two, while Elizabeth was only just thirteen. The younger princess, however, was a very well-grown girl, quite as tall as her sister, and infinitely more attractive in personal appearance. Elizabeth’s charms indeed were almost precocious. Few who beheld her would have deemed her so young as she was in reality, but would have given her a year or two in advance. She had a finely-formed figure, already well developed, a complexion of dazzling whiteness, bright golden locks of great abundance, charming features, eyes blue and tender, and teeth like pearls. Her hands were of remarkable beauty, with taper fingers and rosy nails. Her profuse locks were confined by a band of gold and a net of gold wire, scarcely distinguishable from the bright tresses it restrained; a long white satin couvre-chef fell behind her neck, and a dress of black taffeta displayed her figure to advantage, and at the same time set off the lovely whiteness of her skin.

As Mary approached the king, Cranmer slowly advanced to meet her, thus addressing her, in a voice of much solemnity: “Right high, right noble, and right excellent princess, the king, your august father, feeling that it may please Almighty God to call him hence suddenly, hath sent for you, and the right noble princess your sister, to give you wholesome counsel, to bestow his blessing on you, and to take, it may be”—here the archbishop’s voice slightly faltered—”though Heaven grant it maybe otherwise!—a last leave of you both. Nothing doubting that you will keep his counsels ever in your heart, and that you will have the glorious example set by his majesty constantly before you, I pray your highnesses to kneel down before your royal father, and in that reverent posture give heed to what he shall say to you.”

“I need no schooling in my duty from you, my Lord of Canterbury,” replied Mary, who hated Cranmer. “Not a word shall fall from my royal father’s lips but it will dwell forever in my breast.”

Elizabeth attempted to speak, but words failed her, and she burst into tears.

Meanwhile, cushions of crimson velvet were placed near the chair occupied by the ailing monarch, and on these both princesses knelt down. Aided by Sir John Gage and Lord Lisle, Henry slightly raised himself, and this office performed, the assistants immediately retired.