But, in this very moment of his opportunity, Gardiner faltered. Even the blackness of his hatred could not make him bold.
'That he should make me amends in public for the foul words that knave uttered. That they should both sue to me for pardon: that it should be showed to the world what manner of man it is that they have dared to flout.'
'Why, goodman Bishop, it shall be done,' the King said, and Katharine groaned aloud. A clock with two quarter boys beside the large fireplace chimed the hour of four.
'Aye!' the King commented to Katharine. 'I thought to have had a pleasanter hour of it. Now you see what manner of life is mine: I must go to a plaguing council!'
'An I were your Highness,' Katharine cried, 'I would be avenged on them that marred my pleasures.'
He touched her benevolently upon the cheek.
'Sweetheart,' he said, 'an thou wert me thou'dst do great things.' He rolled towards the door, heavy and mountainous: with the latch in his hand, he cried over his shoulder: 'But thou shalt yet hear me argue!'
'What a morning you have made of this!' Katharine threw at the bishop. The Lady Mary shrugged her shoulders to her ears and turned away. Gardiner said:
'Anan?'
'Oh, well your Holiness knows,' Katharine said. 'You might have come within an ace of having Cromwell down.'