“I grieve to hear it,” replied Pole. “Yet I trust they will not be severely dealt with.” “They will be dealt with as they deserve—they will be burnt at the stake,” rejoined Gardiner. “But not without time allowed them for reflection, I trust, my lord,” said the Cardinal. “Undue severity will injure our cause rather than serve it. These men will be accounted martyrs, and held up as an example to others. Policy, therefore, would dictate milder measures.” “Mild measures have been tried, and have proved ineffectual,” rejoined Gardiner. “We must now make a terrible example of these obstinate and dangerous heretics.” Again the usher entered, and this time to inform the Cardinal that their Majesties had arrived at the palace, and were already in the courtyard. Hereupon Pole instantly arose, and followed by Priuli, repaired to the ante-chamber. Scarcely had he entered it, when the royal pair, preceded by Sir John Gage, and attended by several officers of the court, appeared at the outer door. The Cardinal immediately hurried forward to bid them welcome, and thank them for the distinguished honour conferred upon him by the visit. “Had I been aware of your coming, gracious Madam,” he said to the Queen, “I would have been at the gate to receive you.” “It is not a visit of ceremony,” replied Mary, “therefore we did not deem it necessary to send intimation of our design. If your Eminence is at leisure, the King and myself will gladly pass an hour in your society, and profit by your counsels.” “I am entirely at your Majesty’s disposal,” replied the Cardinal, bowing. “I pray you enter. And you, too, Sire,” he added, conducting them to the inner room. Mary looked ill and languid, and moved slowly and with difficulty, requiring the King’s support. But her illness being attributed to her condition, occasioned no alarm. On reaching the inner room, the Queen seated herself on a high, carved oak chair proffered her by the Cardinal, while Philip occupied a fauteuil on her left. As their Majesties would not allow the Cardinal to remain standing, he took a seat on the other side of the Queen. At a little distance from the royal pair stood Gardiner, Priuli, and Sir John Gage. All the other attendants withdrew. “I did not expect to find you here, my lord,” the Queen observed to Gardiner, after bowing to him and Priuli. “I was sent for, gracious Madam,” replied the Lord Chancellor. “The Cardinal desired to confer with me on an important matter connected with the maintenance of the Established Church, in which his Eminence and myself differ in opinion. In most matters I should readily defer to his Eminence’s better judgment. But I cannot do so in this instance. I am glad your Majesty has come, as I feel certain you will support my views.” “Whence arises this difference of opinion?” demanded Mary. “I should have thought your lordship and the Cardinal must infallibly agree on all points touching the welfare of the Church.”