Oh, my God! I wished to see you in your happiness and in your greatness." Catharine removed her hands from her face, and looked down at her friend with a sorrowful smile.

"Well," said she, "are you not satisfied with what you have seen?
Have I not the whole day displayed to you the smiling queen, worn a dress embroidered with gold?
did not my neck glitter with diamonds?
did not the royal diadem shine in my hair?
and sat not the king by my side?
Let that, then, be sufficient for the present.

You have seen the queen all day long.

Allow me now for one brief, happy moment to be again the feeling, sensitive woman, who can pour into the bosom of her friend all her complaint and her wretchedness.

Ah, Jane, if you knew how I have longed for this hour, how I have sighed after you as the only balm for my poor smitten heart, smitten even to death, how I have implored Heaven for this day, for this one thing--'Give me back my Jane, so that she can weep with me, so that I may have one being at my side who understands me, and does not allow herself to be imposed upon by the wretched splendor of this outward display!'" "Poor Catharine!" whispered Lady Jane, "poor queen!" Catharine started and laid her hand, sparkling with brilliants, on Jane's lips.