Having paid his homage to Anne Boleyn, the mayor rejoined the
company of bailiffs and burgesses, and the whole cavalcade crossed
the bridge, winding their way slowly along the banks of the river, the
barge, with the minstrels playing in it, accompanying them the while. In
this way they reached Windsor; and as Anne Boleyn gazed up at the
lordly castle above which the royal standard now floated, proud and
aspiring thoughts swelled her heart, and she longed for the hour when
she should approach it as its mistress. Just then her eye chanced on
Sir Thomas Wyat, who was riding behind her amongst the knights, and
she felt, though it might cost her a struggle, that love would yield to
ambition.

Leaving the barge and its occupants to await the king's arrival, the
cavalcade ascended Thames Street, and were welcomed everywhere
with acclamations and rejoicing. Bryan Bowntance, who had stationed
himself on the right of the arch in front of his house, attempted to
address Anne Boleyn, but could not bring forth a word. His failure, how
ever, was more successful than his speech might have been, inasmuch
as it excited abundance of merriment.

Arrived at the area in front of the lower gateway, Anne Boleyn's litter
was drawn up in the midst of it, and the whole of the cavalcade
grouping around her, presented a magnificent sight to the archers and
arquebusiers stationed on the towers and walls.

Just at this moment a signal gun was heard from Datchet Bridge,
announcing that the king had reached it, and the Dukes of Suffolk,
Norfolk, and Richmond, together with the Earl of Surrey, Sir Thomas
Wyat, and a few of their gentle men, rode back to meet him. They had
scarcely, however, reached the foot of the hill when the royal party