"You admit, then, that it was an error," cried Catherine. "Well, that is
something. Oh! that you had paused before you began this evil work--
before you had raised a storm which will destroy me and yourself. Your
quarrel with my nephew the Emperor Charles has cost me dear, but it
will cost you yet more dearly."
"I deserve all your reproaches, madam," said Wolsey, with feigned
meekness; "and I will bear them without a murmur. But you have sent
for me for some specific object, I presume?"
"I sent for you to give me aid, as much for your own sake as mine,"
replied the queen, "for you are in equal danger. Prevent this divorce--
foil Anne--and you retain the king's favour. Our interests are so far
leagued together, that you must serve me to serve yourself. My object
is to gain time to enable my friends to act. Your colleague is secretly
favourable to me. Pronounce no sentence here, but let the cause be
removed to Rome. My nephew the emperor will prevail upon the Pope
to decide in my favour."
"I dare not thus brave the king's displeasure, madam;" replied Wolsey.
"Dissembler!" exclaimed Catherine. "I now perceive the insincerity of
your professions.
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