adopt
implicitly the sentiments of her husband: and as to herself, it was
doubly her duty, being blest with a husband who was qualified by his
judgment and learning not only to choose principles for his own family,
but for the most wise and knowing of every nation. "Not so! by St.
Mary," replied the king; "you are now become a doctor, Kate, and better
fitted to give than receive instruction." She meekly replied, that she
was sensible how little she was entitled to these praises; that though
she usually declined not any conversation, however sublime, when
proposed by his majesty, she well knew that her conceptions could serve
to no other purpose than to give him a little momentary amusement, that
she found the conversation apt to languish when not revived by some
opposition, and she had ventured sometimes to feign a contrariety of
sentiments, in order to give him the pleasure of refuting her; and that
she also purposed, by this innocent artifice, to engage him into topics,
whence she had observed, by frequent experience, that she reaped profit
and instruction. "And is it so, sweetheart?" replied the king, "then
are we perfect friends again." He embraced her with great affection,
and sent her away with assurances of his protection and kindness. Her
enemies, who knew nothing of this sudden change, prepared next day
to convey her to the Tower, pursuant to the king's warrant. Henry and
Catharine were conversing amicably in the garden, when the chancellor
appeared with forty of the pursuivants. The king spoke to him at some
distance from her; and seemed to expostulate with him in the severest
manner: she even overheard the appellations of "knave," "fool," and
"beast," which he liberally bestowed upon that magistrate; and then
ordered him to depart his presence. She afterwards interposed to
mitigate his anger: he said to her, "Poor soul! you know not how ill
entitled this man is to your good offices." Thenceforth the queen,
having narrowly escaped so great a danger, was careful not to offend
Henry's humor by any contradiction; and Gardiner, whose malice had
endeavored to widen the breach, could never afterwards regain his favor
and good opinion.[*]

* Burnet, vol. i. p. 344. Herbert, p. 560. Speed p. 780.
Fox's Acts and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 58.

But Henry's tyrannical disposition, soured by ill health, burst out soon
after to the destruction of a man who possessed a much superior rank to
that of Gardiner. The duk