"May my earthly sufferings," she cried, "avail me here--after, and may
my blood wash out my guilt. I feel the enormity of my offence, and
acknowledge the justice of my punishment. Pardon me, O injured
Catherine--pardon me, I implore thee! Thou seest in me the most abject
pitiable woman in the whole realm! Overthrown, neglected, despised--
about to die a shameful death--what worse can befall me? Thine
anguish was great, but it was never sharpened by remorse like mine.
Oh! that I could live my life over again. I would resist all the dazzling
temptations I have yielded to--above all, I would not injure thee. Oh!
that I had resisted Henry's love--his false vows--his fatal lures! But it is
useless to repine. I have acted wrongfully and must pay the penalty of
my crime. May my tears, my penitence, my blood operate as an
atonement, and procure me pardon from the merciful Judge before
whom I shall shortly appear."
In such prayers and lamentations she passed more than an hour, when
her attendants entered to inform her that the Duke of Suffolk and the
Lords Audley and Cromwell were without, and desired to see her. She
immediately went forth to them.
"We are come to acquaint you, madam," said Suffolk, that you will be
removed at an early hour tomorrow morning, to the Tower, there to
abide during the king's pleasure.
Pages:
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530