The queen, by my mouth, commands you to do so!" Henry Howard looked at her astonished and surprised; but he let his hand slip from the hilt of his sword, and again looked toward the queen.
She had repeated her demand; she had once more demanded of the king--who, speechless and completely overcome with anger, had fallen back into his seat--to name the crime of which she was accused.
"Now, then, my queen, you demand it, and you shall hear it," cried he.
"You want to know the crime of which you are accused?
Answer me then, my lady! They accuse you of not always staying at night in your sleeping-room.

It is alleged that you sometimes leave it for many hours; and that none of your women accompanied you when you glided through the corridors and up the secret stairs to the lonely tower, in which, was waiting for you your lover, who at the same time entered the tower through the small street door." "He knows all!" muttered Henry Howard; and again he laid his hand on his sword, and was about to approach the queen.
Lady Jane held him back.

"Wait for the issue," said she.

"There is still time to die!" "He knows all!" thought the queen also; and now she felt within herself the daring courage to risk all, that at least she might not stand there a traitoress in the eyes of her lover.
"He shall not believe that I have been untrue to him," thought she.

"I will tell all--confess all, that he may know why I went and whither." "Now answer, my Lady Catharine!" thundered the king.