THAT, this dreadful paper shrieked in her ear; but she durst not allow herself to be stunned by it.

She must act; she must warn the queen.
She hid the paper in her bosom, and light as a zephyr she floated away again out of the chamber.
With flashing eyes and cheeks reddened by her rapid race Elizabeth entered the queen's chamber; with passionate vehemence she clasped her in her arms and tenderly kissed her.
"Catharine, my queen, and my mother," said she, "we have sworn to stand by and protect each other when danger threatens us.

Fate is gracious to me, for it has given into my hand the means of making good my oath this very day.

Take that paper and read! It is an order for your imprisonment, made out by the king himself.

When you have read it, then let us consider what is to be done, and how we can avert the danger from you." "An order of imprisonment!" said Catharine, with a shudder, as she read it.