He became moody and discontented; took little share in the
amusement and pastimes going forward; and from being the blithest
cavalier at court, became the saddest. The change in his demeanour
did not escape the notice of Anne Boleyn, who easily divined the cause,
and she essayed by raillery and other arts to wean him from his grief.
But all was for some time of no avail. The earl continued inconsolable.
At last, however, by the instrumentality of the queen and his father, he
was contracted to the Lady Frances Vere, daughter of the Earl of
Oxford, and was married to her in 1535.
Long before this the Duke of Richmond had been wedded to the Lady
Mary Howard.
For some time previous to the present era of this chronicle, Anne
Boleyn had observed a growing coolness towards her on the part of the
king, and latterly it had become evident that his passion for her was
fast subsiding, if indeed it had not altogether expired.
Though Anne had never truly loved her royal consort, and though at
that very time she was secretly encouraging the regards of another,
she felt troubled by this change, and watched all the king's movements
with jealous anxiety, to ascertain if any one had supplanted her in his
affections.
Pages:
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494