"Have you come to me at such an early morning hour ?" "And should I wait till evening to wish my Elizabeth happiness on her festival?
Should I first let the sun go down on this day, which gave to England so noble and so fair a princess ?" asked Catharine.

"Or you thought, perhaps, I did not know that this was your birthday, and that to-day my Elizabeth advances from the years of childhood, as a proud maiden full of hope ?" "Full of hope ?" said Elizabeth, sadly.

"Anne Boleyn's daughter has no hopes: and when you speak of my birthday, you remind me at the same time of my despised birth!" "It shall be despised no longer!" said Catharine, and, as she put her arm tenderly around Elizabeth's neck, she handed her a roll of parchment.
"Take that, Elizabeth; and may this paper be to you the promise of a joyful and brilliant future! At my request, the king has made this law, and he therefore granted me the pleasure of bringing it to you." Elizabeth opened the parchment and read, and a radiant expression overspread her countenance.
"Acknowledged! I am acknowledged!" cried she.

"The disgrace of my birth is taken away! Elizabeth is no more a bastard--she is a royal princess!" "And she may some day be a queen!" said Catharine, smiling.
"Oh," cried Elizabeth, "it is not that which stirs me with such joy.

But the disgrace of my birth is taken away; and I may freely hold up my head and name my mother's name! Now thou mayst sleep calmly in thy grave, for it is no longer dishonored! Anne Boleyn was no strumpet; she was King Henry's lawful wife, and Elizabeth is the king's legitimate daughter! I thank Thee, my God--I thank Thee!" And the young, passionate girl threw herself on her knees, and raised her hands and her eyes to heaven.
"Spirit of my glorified mother," said she, solemnly, "I call thee! Come to me! Overshadow me with thy smile, and bless me with thy breath! Queen Anne of England, thy daughter is no longer a bastard, and no one dares venture more to insult her.