"Do you know what crime I am accused of ?" The priest cast down his eyes, and muttered a few unintelligible words.
With a haughty movement of the head, Henry Howard turned from the priest to the lieutenant of the Tower.
"Do you know my crime, my lord ?" said he.
But the lord lieutenant also dropped his eyes, and remained silent.
Henry Howard smiled.

"Well, now, I will tell you.

I have, as it becomes me, my father's son, borne the arms of our house on my shield and over the entrance of my palace, and it has been discovered that the king bears the same arms that we do.

That is my high treason! I have said that the king is deceived in many of his servants, and often promotes his favorites to high honors which they do not deserve.

That is my offence against his majesty; and it is that for which I shall lay my head upon the block.