It entitles you to wear the queen's colors; it lays you under obligation to be the knight of all women!" She loosened the rosette from her shoulder, and handed it to the earl.
He had sunk on one knee before her, and already extended his hand to receive this precious and coveted pledge.
But at this moment the king arose, and, with an imperious gesture, held back the queen's hand.
"Allow me, my lady," said he, in a voice quivering with rage--"allow me first to examine this rosette, and convince myself that it is worth enough to be presented to the noble earl as his sole reward.

Let me see this rosette." Catharine looked with astonishment into that face convulsed with passion and fury, but without hesitation she handed him the rosette.
"We are lost!" murmured Earl Surrey, while Earl Douglas and Gardiner exchanged with each other looks of triumph; and Jane Douglas murmured in her trembling heart prayers of anxiety and dread, scarcely hearing the malicious and exultant words which the Duchess of Richmond was whispering in her ear.
The king held the rosette in his hand and examined it.

But his hands trembled so much that he was unable to unfasten the clasp which held it together.
He, therefore, handed it to John Heywood.

"These diamonds are poor," said he, in a curt, dry tone.

"Unfasten the clasp, fool; we will replace it with this pin here.