[Footnote: The
queen's own words, as they have been given by all historical writers.
See on this point Burnet, vol. I, p. 84; Tytler, p. 413; Larrey's
"Histoire d'Angleterre," vol. II, p. 201; Leti, vol. I, p. 154,
(death-sign) Historical. The king's own words.] "What a sweet little
flatterer you are, Kate!" said the king, with a smile; "and with what a
charming voice you want to conceal the truth from us! The truth is, that
you yourself are a very learned little body, who has no need at all
to learn anything from others, but who would be well able to instruct
others."

"Oh, if it is so, as you say," cried Catharine, "well, then would I
teach the whole world to love my king as I do, and to be subject to him
in humility, faithfulness, and obedience, as I am."

And as she thus spoke, she threw both her arms about the king's neck,
and leaned her head with a languishing expression upon his breast.

The king kissed her, and pressed her fast to his heart. He thought no
longer of the danger that was hovering over Catharine's head; he thought
only that he loved her, and that life would be very desolate, very
tedious and sad without her.

"And now, my husband," said Catharine, gently disengaging herself from
him--"now, since I have confessed to you and received absolution from
you--now let us go down into the garden, so that God's bright sun may
shine into our hearts fresh and glad. Come, my husband, your chair is
ready; and the bees and the butterflies, the gnats and the flies, have
already practised a hymn, with which they are going to greet you, my
husband."

Laughing and jesting, she drew him along to the adjoining room, where
the courtiers and the rolling-chair were standing ready; and the king
mounted his triumphal car, and allowed himself to be rolled through
the carpeted corridors, and down the staircases, transformed into broad
inclined planes of marble, into the garden.

The air had the freshness of winter and the warmth of spring. The grass
like a diligent weaver was already beginning to weave a carpet over the
black level of the square; and already here and there a tiny blossom,
curious and bashful, was peeping out and appeared to be smiling in
astonishment at its own premature existence. The sun seemed so warm and
bright; the heavens were so blue!

At the king's side went Catharine, with such rosy cheeks and sparkling
eyes. Those eyes were always directed to her husband; and her charming
prattle was to the