But the
surprise of the good canon was nothing to that exhibited as Henry and
Catherine entered the royal lodgings, and the king ordered his own
apartments to be instantly prepared for her majesty's reception.
XI. How Tristram Lyndwood and Mabel were liberated.
Intelligence of the queen's return was instantly conveyed to Anne
Boleyn, and filled her with indescribable alarm. All her visions of power
and splendour seemed to melt away at once. She sent for her father,
Lord Rochford, who hurried to her in a state of the utmost anxiety, and
closely questioned her whether the extraordinary change had not been
occasioned by some imprudence of her own. But she positively denied
the charge, alleging that she had parted with the king scarcely an hour
before on terms of the most perfect amity, and with the full conviction
that she had accomplished the cardinal's ruin.
"You should not have put forth your hand against him till you were sure
of striking the blow," said Rochford. "There is no telling what secret
influence he has over the king; and there may yet be a hard battle to
fight. But not a moment must be lost in counteracting his operations.
Luckily, Suffolk is here, and his enmity to the cardinal will make him a
sure friend to us.
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