"You would by that insinuate that I have made her queen. But I
assure your highness, that here also, as in so many other matters
which relate to myself, you are falsely informed."

"Possibly!" said Gardiner, coldly. "At any rate, it is certain that
the young queen is an ardent advocate of the abominable new doctrine
which, like the plague, has spread itself from Germany over all
Europe and scattered mischief and ruin through all Christendom. Yes,
Catharine Parr, the present queen, leans to that heretic against
whom the Holy Father at Rome has hurled his crushing anathema. She
is an adherent of the Reformation."

"You forget," said Cranmer, with an arch smile, "that this anathema
was hurled against the head of our king also, and that it has shown
itself equally ineffectual against Henry the Eighth as against
Luther. Besides, I might remind you that we no longer call the Pope
of Rome, 'Holy Father,' and that you yourself have recognized the
king as the head of our church."

Gardiner turned away his face in order to conceal the vexation and
rage which distorted his features. He felt that he had gone too far,
that he had betrayed too much of the secret thoughts of his soul.
But he could not always control his violent and passionate nature;
and however much a man of the world and diplomatist he might be,
still there were moments when the fanatical priest got the better of
the man of the world, and the diplomat was forced to give way to the
minister of the church.

Cranmer pitied Gardiner's confusion, and, following the native