'The Lady Mary is in the right,' he ventured.
The King, who was thinking out a speech to Katharine, said, 'Anan?' and Gardiner ventured further:
'I hold it for true that this man held his peace, because Cromwell so commanded it. He is Cromwell's creature, and Cromwell is minded to escape from the business with a whole skin.'
The King bent him an attentive ear.
'It is to me, in the end, that Privy Seal owes amends,' Gardiner said rancorously. 'Since it was at me that this man, by Cromwell's orders, did hurl his foul words at Paul's Cross.'
The King said:
'Why, it is true that thou art more sound in doctrine than is Privy Seal. What wouldst thou have?'
Gardiner made an immense gesture, as if he would have embraced the whole world.
Katharine Howard trembled. Here they were, all the three of them Cromwell's enemies. They were all alone with the King in a favouring mood, and she was on the point of crying out:
'Give us Privy Seal's head.'