Not one of them but would
lend a helping hand to crush me. Not one but would rejoice in my
downfall. But they have not deceived me. I knew them from the first--
saw through their hollowness and despised them. While power lasts to
me, I will punish some of them. While power lasts!" he repeated. "Have
I any power remaining? I have already given up Hampton and my
treasures to the king; and the work of spoliation once commenced, the
royal plunderer will not be content till he has robbed me of all; while his
minion, Anne Boleyn, has vowed my destruction. Well, I will not yield
tamely, nor fall unavenged."
As these thoughts passed through his mind, Patch, who had waited for
a favourable moment to approach him, delivered him a small billet
carefully sealed, and fastened with a silken thread. Wolsey took it, and
broke it open; and as his eye eagerly scanned its contents, the
expression of his countenance totally changed. A flash of joy and
triumph irradiated his fallen features; and thrusting the note into the
folds of his robe, he inquired of the jester by whom it had been brought,
and how long.
"It was brought by a messenger from Doctor Sampson," replied Patch,
"and was committed to me with special injunctions to deliver it to your
grace immediately on your return, and secretly.
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