Jane Seymour drew back with a flush of mingled embarrassment and indignation. “’Tis but a gift, madam,” she said, faltering under Anne’s searching glance; “’tis naught of importance. I--” The blush, the stammering tone were alike fatal to an attempt at evasion; the queen snatched at the jewel and tore it from her rival’s throat with such vehemence that she cut her hand upon the clasp and the blood dropped on her dress. She took the ornament, and looking on the reverse side, found a curiously contrived spring, which opened to reveal a beautifully painted portrait of the king. For one moment she stood transfixed, such an expression on her haggard face that her attendants shrank back and the fair Seymour was covered with confusion. Then the furious nature of Anne Boleyn roused her from her womanly dismay; she turned upon the maid of honor like a lioness at bay, her wrath bringing a terrible beauty to her face and her eyes blazing with fury. She hurled the bauble at Jane Seymour with such force that it fell shattered at her feet. “Go!” cried the queen, pointing to the door, “get from my sight, you accursed traitress, and take the image of your paramour away with you!” “Madam, I pray you--” began Jane. “Begone!” said Anne, her impassioned voice ringing through the room; “doubtless the king awaits thee. Lie not to me! let me not see thy face again!” In her resistless fury the queen towered like an avenging spirit, and Jane Seymour could only gather up the fragments of her sovereign’s love token and retreat in deep confusion. Anne Boleyn watched her until the door closed behind her, her own pose full of queenly dignity and injured womanhood; but when the rival beauty had withdrawn, a great change swept over Anne’s features; she turned, and seeing her favorite friend near her with a face full of sympathy and indignation, she fell weeping on her neck. “Oh, Mary, I have sinned!” she cried in a voice of anguish; “oh, my God! is my punishment to be administered in like measure with my sin?” CHAPTER XIX THE JOUSTS AT GREENWICH