"
Gardiner nodded in silence, and betook himself to the reception-
hall.
Earl Douglas with his daughter followed him. "Catharine Parr is
lost," whispered he in Lady Jane's ear. "Catharine Parr is lost, and
you shall be the king's seventh wife."
Whilst this was passing in the drawing-room, the young queen was on
her knees before Cranmer, and with him sending up to God fervent
prayers for prosperity and peace. Tears filled her eyes, and her
heart trembled as if before some approaching calamity.
CHAPTER II
THE QUEEN AND HER FRIEND
At last this long day of ceremonies and festivities drew near its
close, and Catharine might soon hope to be, for the time, relieved
from this endless presenting and smiling, from this ever-renewed
homage.
At her husband's side she had shown herself on the balcony to
receive the greetings of the people, and to bow her thanks. Then in
the spacious audience-chamber her newly appointed court had passed
before her in formal procession, and she had exchanged a few
meaningless, friendly words with each of these lords and ladies.
Afterward she had, at her husband's side, given audience to the
deputations from the city and from Parliament. But it was only with
a secret shudder that she had received from their lips the same
congratulations and praises with which the authorities had already
greeted five other wives of the king.
Still she had been able to smile and seem happy, for she well knew
that the king's eye was never off of her, and that all these lords
and ladies who now met her with such deference, and with homage
apparently so sincere, were yet, in truth, all her bitter enemies.
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