Better than the queen herself perhaps, he had read the depths of her heart, and knew its deep wound.
But he also had sympathy with her pain, and wished to mitigate it a little.
"I recollect," said he, gently and mournfully--"yes, I recollect, you have yet a third friend at this court." "Ah, a third friend!" exclaimed Catharine, and again her voice sounded cheery and joyous.

"Name him to me, name him! For you see clearly I am burning with impatience to hear his name." John Heywood looked into Catharine's glowing countenance with a strange expression, at once searching and mournful, and for a moment dropped his head upon his breast and sighed.
"Now, John, give me the name of this third friend." "Do you not know him, queen ?" asked Heywood, as he again stared steadily in her face.

"Do you not know him?
It is Thomas Seymour, Earl of Sudley." There passed as it were a sunbeam over Catharine's face, and she uttered a low cry.
John Heywood said, sadly: "Queen, the sun strikes directly in your face.
Take care that it does not blind your bright eyes.

Stand in the shade, your majesty, for, hark! there comes one who might report the sunshine in your face for a conflagration." Just then the door opened, and Lady Jane appeared on the threshold.

She threw a quick, searching glance around the room, and an imperceptible smile passed over her beautiful pale face.
"Your majesty," said she solemnly, "everything is ready.