'No! no!' like a beast that is stabbed to the heart; but with cold eyes
the Queen looked back at him.
'If you will have it adultery before marriage, it shall be so. If it be
to be falseness to my Lord's bed, it shall be so; if it be both, in the
name of God, be it both, and where you will and how. If you will have
it spoken, here I speak it. If you will have it written, I will write
out such words as you shall bid me write. I pray you leave my poor women
be, especially them that be sick, for there are none that do not love
me, and I do think that my death is all that you need.'
She paused; there was no sound in the hall but the strenuous panting of
the King.
'But whether,' she said, 'you shall believe this confession of mine, I
leave to you that very well do know my conversation and my manner of
life.'