"Thomas Seymour ?" cried she, in a menacing tone.

"What! do you dare love Thomas Seymour ?" "And why should I not dare ?" asked the young girl in astonishment.

"Why should I not give him my heart, since, thanks to your intercession, I am no longer bound to choose a husband of equal birth?
Is not Thomas Seymour one of the first of this land?
Does not all England look on him with pride and tenderness?
Does not every woman to whom he deigns a look, feel herself honored?
Does not the king himself smile and feel more pleased at heart, when Thomas Seymour, that young, bold, and spirited hero, stands by his side ?" "You are right!" said Catharine, whose heart every one of these enthusiastic words, lacerated like the stab of a dagger--"yes, you are right.

He is worthy of being loved by you--and you could hit upon no better choice.

It was only the first surprise that made me see things otherwise than they are.