– Let us hope so. Amen! – Brigid whispered fervently and touched her cross lovingly.

– Amen," Alienor said.

But she was lying: the last thing she wanted was for Catherine and Henry to be at peace again. She despised the Queen, her iron patience, and the dignity with which she bore the insults and mocking giggles of her own ladies-in-waiting behind her back. If Alienor had been Queen, she would have instantly silenced the mockers and envious, but it seems that the daughter of the great Isabella could not defend herself even from the barking in her direction of the little court dogs that her husband loved so much. Did such a woman, such a Queen deserve respect and love? "No", thought the persistent and self-confident Miss Norton. Catherine would fall, and that fall she would deserve.

Although Brigid felt better after three days, she had to stay in bed for a week: her mother had insisted, fearing that a draught might cause another attack. When people almost lose their favourite creature, they become overzealous in protecting it. But Miss Guise was not bored, for her dear friend was at her side and spent almost all her time at her bedside. Alienor, who was as anxious for Brigid's health and life as the latter's parents, felt a certain guilt: it was she who had insisted on that ill-fated walk in the field. But could she have foreseen that the light white clouds would be replaced by black storm clouds? After all, she does not possess the gift of foresight, so could she have known that it would rain in a way that would make the frail Brigid sick?

– I'm sorry, my dear, but it seems your favourite hood is lost forever. I looked for it after that storm, and then again, with a couple of maids… But don't be sad: I will give you a new and even more beautiful one," Alienor said affectionately to her friend as the girls strolled through the garden.

Miss Guise was allowed to leave her chambers and the castle, but not for long, so they did not go further than the large, well-tended garden behind the castle. The girls held tightly to their hands, and behind them, silent as a shadow and true as a dog, walked a boy-parlour carrying a small basket of candied fruit. This little procession was closed by two armed servants, who had been ordered to guard the life and peace of Miss Norton and her friend.

– 'You are so kind,' smiled Brigid. – 'I shall be glad of such a gift! I only hope your father will not scold you for such a waste?

– Ah, he will do anything I ask," Alienor waved her hand. She knew her father as well as anyone. And she spoke the truth: he never refused her anything. Whatever the price, whatever his daughter asked of Sir Norton was bought without argument. – But tell me, was your mother angry with you? For that poor hood was a gift from her?

– I confessed my loss to her, but she only smiled and said it was a small payment for the Lord not taking me away from her," replied Brigid, and at this recollection a warmth sprang into her bosom. A happy smile touched her lips, and she whispered in her friend's ear: "She has changed so much! This illness must have been God's blessing to me! My mother was never so caring and caring… She even took pity on me and my foolish love for William… "He is not worthy of you," she said!

– And your father?

– He, too, has suddenly become caring and even kind to me… Of course, he doesn't express it as openly as my mother does, but this morning he said that he would find me a worthy suitor, more intelligent and richer than William… – Brigid frowned: even though she had accepted her shame and the fact that her dream would never come true, the girl still suffered at the thought that she was not destined to marry for love.

After all, who would marry her? Who would want a fresh, beautiful rose when her family was in disgrace and barely making ends meet? To marry Brigid Guise would be to fall into the king's disfavour, for along with her beauty her husband would have a stain on his name.

– I will ask my father to find you the handsomest and bravest knight in all England," Alienor said hastily, as if she had read her friend's thoughts, and she laughed merrily as she patted Brigid's cheek. "And William will eat his own sword when he hears that you have been married to an earl or even a duke's heir!

– That will never happen. I might be beautiful, but…" Brigid sank her head sullenly.

– Might be? How modest you are! – Alienor exclaimed and kissed her friend on the cheek. – There is no girl in England more beautiful than you! Not even the King's favourite can match you! Have you seen her? Bland as a rotten fish!

– And yet she manages to keep Henry tied to her," Brigid said grudgingly. – Do you find Anne Boleyn bland? I thought you liked her.

– She can be bland and I like her at the same time! – not at all ladylike, Alienor giggled. – Her face is plain, really, but her eyes… Such eyes! They enchant, envelope, invite… If I were a man, I would definitely fall into her net!

– If I were a man, I would be happy to have a woman like Catherine of Aragon as a wife! – said Brigid firmly, displeased at her best friend's sympathy for the horrid, vile woman who broke the heart of the Queen of England. – Ah, Alienor, how can you like that lecherous woman? They say all she does is party, dance and get gifts from the King!

– That's exactly what I like about her! She's not boring, which is more than I can say for your favourite Catherine," said Alienor. – I like to live and be merry, and to spend the whole day in the prayer room, like the Queen and her ladies in honour, would make me dull with boredom… Oh, my dear, don't be sad," she added affectionately, seeing the sadness on Brigid's face. – The king will not marry her. As long as Catherine lives…

– I pray to God that the Queen will live long and happy years, – bitterly whispered Brigid and shook her head. – But I don't want to hear any more about all this. The only thing I wish for is William Tury, but it is time for me to tear him from my heart. He wanted to marry you, Alienor. – A flame of envy flickered in the girl's eyes, but it was not black or evil. – He asked for your hand in marriage.