The woman has wept before you, but the queen is aware that she has a task to accomplish as difficult as it is noble, and I give you my word for it, she will accomplish it.

The new light which has risen on the world shall no more be dimmed by blood and tears, and no more in this unhappy land shall men of sense and piety be condemned as insurgents and traitors! This is the task which God has set me, and I swear that I will accomplish it! Will you help me in this, too, Jane ?" Lady Jane responded faintly in a few words, which Catharine did not understand, and as she looked up to her, she noticed, with astonishment, the corpse-like pallor which had suddenly overspread the countenance of her maid of honor.
Catharine gave a start, and fixed on her face a surprised and searching look.
Lady Jane cast down her eyes before that searching and flashing glance.
Her fanaticism had for the moment got the better of her, and much as she was wont at other times to hide her thoughts and feelings, it had, at that moment, carried her away and betrayed her to the keen eye of her friend.
"It is now a long while since we saw each other," said Catharine, sadly.
"Three years! It is a long time for a young girl's heart! And you were those three years with your father in Dublin, at that rigidly popish court.

I did not consider that! But however much your opinions may have changed, your heart, I know, still remains the same, and you will ever be the proud, high-minded Jane of former days, who could never stoop to tell a lie--no, not even if this lie would procure her profit and glory.
I ask you then, Jane, what is your religion?
Do you believe in the Pope of Rome, and the Church of Rome as the only channel of salvation?
or do you follow the new teaching which Luther and Calvin have promulgated ?" Lady Jane smiled.

"Would I have risked appearing before you, if I still reckoned myself of the Roman Catholic Church?
Catharine Parr is hailed by the Protestants of England as the new patroness of the persecuted doctrine, and already the Romish priests hurl their anathemas against you, and execrate you and your dangerous presence here.

And you ask me, whether I am an adherent of that church which maligns and damns you?
You ask me whether I believe in the pope, who has laid the king under an interdict--the king, who is not only my lord and master, but also the husband of my precious and noble Catharine?
Oh, queen, you love me not when you can address such a question to me." And as if overcome by painful emotion, Lady Jane sank down at Catharine's feet, and hid her head in the folds of the queen's robe.
Catharine bent down to raise her and take her to her heart.