Katharine looked at him with a soft glance and said pitifully:
'Nevertheless, what shall it profit thee if I take a tale of thy treasons to the King's Highness?'
Throckmorton sprang from the table and clapped his heels together on the floor.
'It shall get me made an earl,' he said. 'The King will do that much for the man that shall rid him of his minister.' He reflected foxily and for a quick moment. 'Before God!' he said,'take this tale to the King, for it is the true tale: That the Duke of Cleves seeks, in France, to have done with his alliance. He will no more cleave to his brother-in-law, but will make submission to the Emperor and to Rome!'
He paused, and then finished:
'For that news the King shall love you much more than before. But God help me! it takes thee the more out of my reach!'
As they left the room to go to the audience with Cromwell, Katharine, squaring the frills of her hood behind her back, could hear Margot Poins grumbling to the magister:
'After these long days ye ha' time for five minutes to hold my hand,' and the magister, perturbed and fumbling in his bosom, muttered:
'Nay, I have no minutes now. I must write much in Latin ere thy mistress return.'