Come, then, and follow us--follow your queen, who has the right to order her subject.

Follow the friend, who has sworn that he will watch over you and protect you as a father!" "Father in heaven, protect me!" exclaimed Anne Askew, falling on her knees and stretching her hands upward.

"Father in heaven! they would tear away Thy child, and alienate my heart from Thee! They are leading me into temptation and alluring me with their words.

Protect me, my Father; make my ear deaf, that I may not hear them! Give me a sign that I am Thine; that no one has any longer power over me, save Thou alone! A sign, that Thou, Father, callest me!" And as if God had really heard her prayer, a loud knocking was now perceived at the outer door, and a voice cried: "Anne Askew, awake! and hold yourself ready! The high chancellor and the Bishop of Winchester come to fetch you away!" "Ah, the rack!" groaned Catharine, as with a shudder she buried her face in her hands.
"Yes, the rack!" said Anne, with a blissful smile.

"God calls me!" John Heywood had approached the queen and impetuously seized her hand.
"You see it is in vain," said he, urgently.