“Oh! unsay your words, Catherine,” he exclaimed. “Recall that dreadful accusation.”
But it was out of her power to recall it. The fierce light that burnt for a moment in her eyes became suddenly extinct—the hue of her features changed to that of death, and with a groan she sank backwards. The unhappy queen’s troubles were over.
With a loud cry Seymour flung himself on his knees beside her, and, clasping her hand, cried in a lamentable voice, “Look down upon me, Catherine, and forgive me!”
His grief was real. His nature was not all evil, and the good within was for the moment touched. A prey to keenest self-reproach, if it had been in his power to recall his unhappy wife to existence, at that moment he would have done so.
So overpowered was he by anguish and remorse that he was unconscious of the entrance of the physician, accompanied by Lady Tyrwhyt, and others of the queen’s women. Instantly perceiving that all was over, Doctor Hewke communicated the sad intelligence to Lady Tyrwhyt and the rest, praying them not to give loud expression to their grief. But they were too strongly attached to their royal mistress to be able thus to control themselves, and the chamber resounded with doleful cries.
At last Hewke approached the admiral, and said, “If your Highness will be governed by me you will withdraw for a while to your own chamber, and leave the care of what was the queen to her women.”
“I will obey you, good master Hewke,” replied Seymour, rising.
“Her Grace, I trust, had an easy ending?” said Lady Tyrwhyt, speaking through her tears.
“A very easy ending,” replied Seymour. “Heaven have mercy upon her soul!”
“As Heaven assuredly will,” replied Lady Tyrwhyt. “A worthier lady never trod the earth.”
“You are right,” rejoined Seymour. “I discern her merits more clearly since I have lost her. I commit her to your charge.”
With this he withdrew to his own chamber and shut himself within it for some time. At last Ugo ventured to present himself, and inquired whether he could do anything for him. Seymour sternly replied in the negative.
“Hath your Highness no directions to give me?” pursued Ugo.
“None whatever,” replied Seymour.
“Hum! I expected to see your Highness in a different frame of mind now that you are freed from your fetters.”
“Out of my sight, caitiff!” exclaimed Seymour, fiercely.
“Is this all the return I am to get for serving you?” demanded Ugo.
“Thy reward ought to be the gallows,” rejoined the admiral. “Begone! and come near me no more.”
On this Ugo withdrew, muttering as he went away, “He will be in a different mood to-morrow.”
Whether the admiral really felt the profound affliction he continued to display may be doubted, But, at all events, he imposed upon his attendants, who believed that he sincerely deplored the consort he had lost.
The remains of the unhappy queen were interred with much ceremony within the beautiful chapel appertaining to the castle, and many a tear was shed upon the marble slab covering her grave. The pretty babe she had left was most carefully tended; but though the little creature survived its father, it was nipped in the bud.
The admiral remained at Sudley Castle in retirement for a month, at the expiration of which term he returned, to Seymour House, accompanied by Ugo, who by this time was fully restored to favor.
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Chapter IV
HOW THE ADMIRAL PROPOSED A SECRET MARRIAGE TO THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH
Edward had been much grieved by the death of Queen Catherine, to whom he was sincerely attached, and immediately after his uncle’s return to Seymour House he called to condole with him upon his loss. The lord protector likewise paid his brother a similar visit, as did all the principal nobility. Unfeigned regret indeed was felt by the whole court, as well as by the public at large, for the queen, who was greatly beloved and respected.
The whole of the admiral’s large household was put into mourning, and he himself appeared clad in habiliments of deepest woe. But whatever external symbols of grief he might assume, and however much he might profess to regret the queen, it is quite certain that by this time his chief anxiety was to provide himself with another bride, and that his thoughts turned towards the Princess Elizabeth.