CHAPTER II.

FALL OF WOLSEY.

1529.

1. On his arrival at the gates of Grafton, Wolsey was struck by his reception. No great officers of state appeared to hold his bridle and conduct him to his room. A servant waited on Campeggio, as a stranger and a guest; and Wolsey, in a tremor, walked with him to his apartments, after which he turned to seek his own. No room had been provided for his use! Norfolk took care that he should have no lodging near the King. There is no room for you,' said one of the attendants, who at other times would not have dared to speak save on his knees. Wolsey was fit to sink. Was he a stag at bay? Norfolk, he felt, would not have dared so much, unless the King had made some sign. Was he closing on enemies whom he had often vexed in a last bout for power and life? The Cardinal felt faint. Norreys came up, and seeing him in trouble, offered him the use of his closet for retirement. 'Sir,' said Norreys, in a soothing tone, there is

little room in this house; scantily sufficient for the King; therefore I beseech you accept of mine for the season.' Thanking Norreys for his gentle offices, Wolsey went in to rest and change his clothes.

2. Some friends slipt in to warn him how his matter stood, for every one except himself, even traders in the city and the steel-yard, seemed to see

his peril. Henry, they said, was sore; for some

thing had been found in Rome which he must presently explain. These hints sufficed, and Wolsey took his line. As they were speaking, Norreys called him to the presence-chamber, where he found the lords and councillors waiting for the King. All eyes were bent on him as he strode in; a hundred wagers having been staked on Henry waving him aside in fierce disdain. When Henry came, and stood beside his chair of state, the Cardinal, taking off his cap, threw himself at his master's feet in tears, and would not rise till Henry buoyed him up, and held him in his arms. Some councillors' faces fell. Stepping into a bay window, Henry called the Cardinal, and spoke to him alone. Once only those about him caught his words. 'How can that be?' cried Henry, taking out Wolsey's letter from his bosom, is not this your hand?' No one caught the Cardinal's answer, but his speech was long and low; and in the end he seemed to have soothed his master's rage. More faces fell. Coming back into his place, his Highness said aloud, 'My lord Cardinal, go to your dinner; my lords here

will keep you company; after dinner I will resort to you again.'

3. The King retired to dine in Rochford's chamber, where he talked about the scene below. Sir,' said Anne, 'is it not a marvellous thing to consider what debt and danger the Cardinal hath brought you in with all your subjects?' 'How so, sweetheart?' " Forsooth, there is not a man in all your realms worth five pounds but he hath made you his debtor.' Anne referred to a recent loan, which had become a topic of the ballad-mongers. Henry smiled. 'Well, well, as for that, he is not to blame. I know that matter better than you or any other.' 'Nay, Sir,' returned the lady, 'see what things he hath wrought within this realm to your great slander and dishonour! There is never a nobleman within this realm that if he had done but half so much but he were worthy to lose his head. If my lord of Norfolk, my lord of Suffolk, my lord my father, or any other noble person within your realm, had done even much less than he, they should have lost their heads.'

Why then, I per

not the Cardinal's first time Anne had

ceive,' cried Henry, you are friend.' It must have been the spoken out. I have no cause,' she answered, 'nor has any one that loves your grace.' Dinner was over, and the gentlemen in attendance heard no more.

4. No less dramatic was the scene below. Norfolk and Wolsey sat and smiled, like duellists about to close in deadly strife. Each knew it was a duel

to the death, as in the lists when Buckingham had fallen. 'It were well,' said Wolsey, going in appearance with the party of reform, if the King would send his chaplains and bishops to their cures and benefices.' Norfolk rejoined, 'Yea, marry, and so it were for you too.' Wolsey took no heed of the offence. I would be contented therewith very well,' he answered, if it were the King's pleasure to grant me license, with his favour, to go to my benefice of Winchester.' Norfolk was not disposed to let him off. Winchester was in the south. Esher, the Bishop's seat, was close to Hampton Court. He must be banished to a distant shire. 'Nay,' cried Norfolk, 'to your benefice of York.' The Cardinal merely said, 'Even as it shall please the King.' Henry came back into the chamber.

5. Calling the Cardinal aside, he spake with him a long while in the great window, in a voice too low for any one to catch his words. Wolsey appeared to hold his ground, and men who had been betting heavily were shaking in their shoes. The talk became so secret, that the King, not finding the bay window private enough, took Wolsey by the hand into his closet, where he sat with him alone till it was dark. How Wolsey brought the King to listen is unknown; but there were points which such a man as he could urge with great effect. Anne, it was thought, would never marry save on a canonical dispensation from the Pope. No man but Wolsey could procure that dispensation. Sooner or later,

VOL. IV.

K

he might get it, while no other man would have a chance. Some day he might be chosen Pope. Clement was old and weak. Nine months ago, the Pope being reported dead, a majority of the Sacred College would have raised him to the Holy See. Clement might die at any hour, and when he died the business would be done. What service was the

He had no voice in

Duke expected to achieve? Rome. He had no love for Anne, whom he was only treating as a gamester treats his stake. Who were his chosen friends, the guests who shared his cups at Tendring Hall? Not friends of Anne, nor even of the Crown. The Duchess was a Stafford, and, like every member of that fallen house, she nursed a secret grudge against the King. If Norfolk were in place, this woman would obtain more power to do the King and the King's sweetheart injury. Such arguments, delivered in a smooth and servile tone, were sure to reach their mark. Henry sat listening to his servant till the linkmen flashed their torches at his gate. As Wolsey had to ride some miles in search of lodgings, it was needful he should start betimes; so Henry, bidding him good night, desired him to come again next morning and renew their conference. Happy in this gleam of favour, Wolsey mounted his horse in lighter frame. slept that night in Grafton Lodge!

Had he but

6. The instant he was gone, the peers and knights whom his recall might ruin put their heads together. Rochford had no liking for his brother-in