One morning, when she was alone within her chamber, her father, who
was now Earl of Wiltshire, obtained admittance to her
"You have a troubled look, my dear lord," she said, as she motioned him
to a seat.
"And with good reason," he replied. "Oh, Anne! words cannot express
my anxiety at the present state of things."
"It will speedily pass by, my lord," she replied; "the king will soon be
tired of his new idol."
"Not before he has overthrown the old one, I fear," rejoined the earl.
"Jane Seymour's charms have usurped entire sovereignty over him.
With all her air of ingenuousness and simplicity, the minion is artful and
dangerous She has a high mark, I am persuaded--no less than the
throne."
"But Henry cannot wed her--he cannot divorce me," said Anne.
"So thought Catherine of Arragon," replied her father; "and yet she was
divorced. Anne, I am convinced a plot is hatching against you."
"You do not fear for my life, father? "she cried, trembling.
"I trust there are no grounds for charges against you by which it might
be brought in jeopardy," replied the earl gravely.
"None, father--none!" she exclaimed.
"I am glad of it," rejoined the earl; "for I have heard that the king said to
one who suggested another divorce to him, ' No, if the queen comes
within the scope of the divorce, she also comes within the pale of the
scaffold.
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