Oh, Elizabeth, but what a martyrdom it was! To smile and jest, whilst my heart trembled with dread and horror; to appear innocent and unembarrassed, whilst it seemed to me as if I heard already the whiz of the axe that was about to strike my neck! Oh, my God, I passed through the agonies and the dread of a whole lifetime in that one hour! My soul has been harassed till it is wearied to death, and my strength is exhausted.

I could weep, weep continually over this wretched, deceitful world, in which to wish right and to do good avail nothing; but in which you must dissemble and lie, deceive and disguise yourself, if you do not want to fall a victim to wickedness and mischief.

But ah, Elizabeth, even my tears I dare shed only in secret, for a queen has no right to be melancholy.

She must seem ever cheerful, ever happy and contented; and only God and the still, silent night know her sighs and her tears." "And you may let me also see them, queen," said Elizabeth, heartily; "for you well know you may trust and rely on me." Catharine kissed her fervently.

"You have done me a great service to-day, and I have come," said she, "to thank you, not with sounding words only, but by deeds.