he polished oak floor, he heard voices in one of the recesses, and
distinguished the tones of Henry and Anne Boleyn.

Henry was clasping the snowy fingers of his favourite, and gazing
passionately at her, as the cardinal approached.

"Your majesty shall not detain my hand," said Anne, "unless you swear to
me, by your crown, that you will not again be jealous without cause."

"I swear it," replied Henry.

"Were your majesty as devoted to me as you would have me believe, you
would soon bring this matter of the divorce to an issue," said Anne.

"I would fain do so, sweetheart," rejoined Henry; "but these cardinals
perplex me sorely."

"I am told by one who overheard him, that Wolsey has declared the
divorce shall not be settled these two years," said Anne; "in which case
it had better not be settled at all; for I care not to avow I cannot
brook so much delay. The warmth of my affection will grow icy cold by
that time."

"It were enough to try the patience of the most forbearing," rejoined
the king, smiling--"but it shall not be so--by this lily hand it shall
not! And now, sweetheart, are we entirely reconciled?

"Not yet," replied Anne. "I shall claim a boon from your majesty before
I accord my entire forgiveness."

"Name it," said the king, still clasping her hand tenderly, and
intoxicated by the witchery of her glance.

"I ask an important favour," said Anne, "but as it is one which will
benefit your majesty as much as myself, I have the less scruple in
requesting it. I ask the dismissal of one who has abused your favour,
who, by his extortion and rapacity, has in some degree alienated the
affections of your subjects from you, and who solely opposes your
divorce from Catherine of Arragon because he fears my influence may be
prejudicial to him."

"You cannot mean Wolsey?" said Henry uneasily.

"Your majesty has guessed aright," replied Anne.

"Wolsey has incurred my displeasure oft of late," said Henry; "and yet
his fidelity--"

"Be not deceived, my liege," said Anne; "he is faithful to you only so
far as serves his turn. He thinks he rules you."

Before Henry could reply, the cardinal stepped forward.

"I bring your majesty a despatch, just received from the queen," he
said.

"And you have been listening to our discourse?" rejoined Henry sternly.
"You have overheard--"

"Enough to convince me, if I had previously doubted it, that the Lady
Anne Boleyn is my mortal foe," replied Wolsey.

"Foe thoug