He laughed melodiously, with a great anger.
'But I am the man that knoweth best how to use my knowledge. Therefore you shall do my will.'
Katharine Howard laughed back at him:
'Where your lordship's will marches with mine I will do it,' she said. 'But I am main weary of your lordship's threats. You know the words of Artemidorus?'
Gardiner contained his rage.
'You will write the letter we have asked you to write?'
She laughed again, and faced him, radiant, fair and flushed in the cheeks.
'In so far as you beg me to write a letter praying the King of France and the Emperor to abstain from war upon this land, I will write the letter. But, in so far as that helps forward the plotting of you and a knave called Throckmorton, I am main sorry that I must write it.'
The bishop drew back, and uttered:
'Madam Howard, ye are forward.'