use of your authority
in causing divers pardons of the Pope to be suspended until you, by
promise of a yearly pension, chose to revive them; and also by crafty
and untrue tales have sought to create dissention among our nobles."

"That we can all avouch for," cried Suffolk. "It was never merry in
England while there were cardinals among us."

"Of all men in England your grace should be the last to say so,"
rejoined Wolsey; "for if I had not been cardinal, you would not have had
a head upon your shoulders to utter the taunt."

"No more of this!" cried the king. "You have misdemeaned yourself in
our court by keeping up as great state in our absence as if we had been
there in person, and presumptuously have dared to join and imprint your
badge, the cardinal's hat, under our arms, graven on our coins struck at
York. And lastly, whenever in open Parliament allusion hath been made
to heresies and erroneous sects, you have failed to correct and notice
them, to the danger of the whole body of good and Christian people of
this our realm."

"This last charge ought to win me favour in the eyes of one who
professes the Opinions of Luther," said Wolsey to Anne. "But I deny it,
as I do all the rest."

"I will listen to no defence, Wolsey," replied the king. "I will
make you a terrible example to others how they offend us and our laws
hereafter."

"Do not condemn me unheard!" cried the cardinal, prostrating himself.

"I have heard too much, and I will hear no more!" cried the king
fiercely. "I dismiss you from my presence for ever. If you are innocent,
as you aver, justice will be done you.. If you are guilty, as I believe
you to be, look not for leniency from me, for I will show you none."
And, seating himself, he turned to Anne, and said, in a low tone, "Are
you content, sweetheart?"

"I am," she replied. "I shall not now break my vow. False cardinal," she
added aloud, "your reign is at an end."

"Your own may not be much longer, madam," rejoined Wolsey bitterly. "The
shadow of the axe," he added, pointing to the reflection of a partisan
on the floor, "is at your feet. Ere long it may rise to the head."

And, accompanied by Campeggio, he slowly quitted the presence-chamber.

THUS ENDS THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE CHRONICLE OF WINDSOR CASTLE

BOOK V. MABEL LYNDWOOD

I.

How the Earl of Surrey and the Fair Geraldine met in King
James's Bower in the Moat--And how they were surprised by
the Duk