two o'clock, in Lady Willoughby's arms; but with the secret of her earlier bridals locked within her breast. In the excitement of his duties, her Spanish physician let the moment pass, and, to the great regret of Chapuys, her spirit was allowed to part unquestioned and in peace.

CHAPTER V.

GREENWICH.

1536.

1. DEBASED by power and brutalised by passion as Henry had become, he read the last proud words of Kate-his brave old Kate-with agonising tears. For some weeks he had scarcely seen his wife, whose health required the utmost care. Her project for a Gospel League had failed. The German princes, feeling no confidence in Henry, had refused to place their fortunes in his charge. Nor would the Duke of Saxony allow Melancthon to visit London. Henry was piqued, his consort in disgrace. The King was angry with the Queen,' said Alesse, on account of the failure of that embassy to Germany, which he had sent at her request. He was exceedingly indignant that the German princes doubted the soundness of his faith.'

2. The note from Catharine touched his heart. For days, he talked of nothing but his 'brave old Kate,' and when the news of her decease arrived, he turned with a devouring passion to the details of her obsequies.

A royal sepulchre and royal

pageant should be hers. Ladies of rank, and many of them, should attend her to the grave. Catharine had expressed a wish to sleep in one of the chapels of her Order; but the chapels of that Order had been swept away. Amends, however, should be made. Peterborough, the most splendid shrine within a ride of thirty miles from Kimbolton, should be her resting-place. Orders were issued on the wardrobe for such mourning as the women in attendance might require, and Henry told the ladies who had been her friends he should erect to her memory as grand a monument as any in the Christian world.

3. Charles heard of Catharine's end with an unruffled brow. We grieve,' he said, 'to hear this news, and pity our cousin Mary's lowly state; but we submit ourselves to Heaven; for France is pressing us very hard, and we must make up our affairs with Henry. Yea, for Mary's sake, and as a curb on French ambition, we must settle our affairs.'

4. While Henry was engaging every one to honour his repudiated wife, the Queen was seeking to prevent a young gentleman of his chamber, Frank Weston, from adopting his too easy code of morals. Madge Shelton, one of her maids of honour, and her cousin of the Boleyn blood, was causing her some trouble by her love-affairs; for Madge's pretty face and saucy smile were being courted by Frank, though Frank was married, much as Jane Seymour's personal charms were complimented by the King.

Young Weston was near of kin to both the Queen and Madge. Anne liked him, and had pushed his fortunes; having chosen him for knighthood on her coronation day. Being several years his senior, she thought herself entitled, both as Queen and cousin, to give him good advice. He meant no harm. In fact, though spoiled by his adoring relatives, he was a gallant fellow, worthy to have lived a longer and a happier life. But Anne perceived that in his vanity and folly he was driving an honest and worthy suitor from the feet of Madge.

5. A suitor such as Anne desired for Madge was Henry Norreys, who had lately lost his first wife, Mary, daughter of Lord Dacres of the South. Left with two young children-that Mary Norreys who was afterwards Lady Champernoon, and that Harry Norreys who was subsequently ennobled by Elizabeth for his father's sake-he wished to find a mother for these orphans, and was proud to seek her in the Queen's family. Madge Shelton suited him in point of birth and connexion. Her mother Lady Shelton was with the young princesses, and her kindred were entrenched about the court. Her cousin Anne was Queen. Her uncle Wiltshire was Lord Privy Seal. Her aunt Lady Bryan was ladymistress to the heiress-presumptive. Norreys proposed to Madge, and with the Queen's assent, they were engaged. Yet Norreys, after his engagement, seemed to pause in the affair. Anne spoke to him of Madge. 'Why do you not go on with your mar

riage?' Norreys put her off, by saying he would wait a little while.

6. Thinking the mischief lay with Frank, the Queen inquired of her madcap cousin why he was dangling after Madge, instead of staying at home and loving his own wife? Ha!' cried the saucy fellow, 'there is some one in your house whom I love more than both.' 'Why, who can that be?' asked the Queen. To which he answered, still more saucily, 'It is yourself!' Anne took the matter gravely, and 'defied him;' that is to say, she told him, after such a speech, she would have no more to do with him. The lad was stung, and in his petulance he answered her that Norreys came into her chamber more for her sake than for that of cousin Madge! Poor madcap, he retired to his apartments in a huff, not dreaming how these saucy speeches were to be atoned.