They saw not how it was gently opened a little in the middle; nor did they see the sparkling eyes which suddenly peeped through the opening in the hanging; nor suspected they that it was the Princess Elizabeth who had stepped behind the curtain, the better to see and hear what was taking place in the boudoir.
The queen had arisen and advanced a few steps to meet the earl.

As she now stood before him--as their eyes met, she felt her courage sink and her heart fail.
She was compelled to look down at the floor to prevent him from seeing the tears which involuntarily came into her eyes.

With a silent salutation she offered him her hand.

Thomas Seymour pressed it impulsively to his lips, and looked with passionate tenderness into her face.

She struggled to collect all her strength, that her heart might not betray itself.