But his physician has confided it to me.

His vital forces are consumed, and death stands already before his door to throttle him." "And when he is dead," said Earl Douglas, shrugging his shoulders, "his son Edward will be king, and those heretical Seymours will control the helm of state! Call you that hope, your highness ?" "I call it so." "Do you not know that Edward, young as he is, is nevertheless a fanatical adherent of the heretical doctrine, and at the same time a furious opponent of the Church in which alone is salvation ?" "I know it, but I know also that Edward is a feeble boy; and there is current in our Church a holy prophecy which predicts that his reign is only of short duration.

God only knows what his death will be, but the Church has often before seen her enemies die a sudden death.

Death has been often before this the most effective ally of our holy mother the Church.

Believe me, then, my son and hope, for I tell you Edward's rule will be of short duration.