by several of the nobility, and being arrived, the King received her very graciously, as did also the Queen, with whom she remained nearly the whole afternoon.  They danced together, and seemed so happy that neither did the new Queen appear to be jealous or afraid that the other had come to raise the siege, as it was rumoured, nor did the said lady of Cleves show any sign of discontent at seeing her rival in her place.  Moreover, Sire, if it please you to hear the end of this farce, that evening, and the next, the two ladies supped at the King’s table together, although the lady of Cleves sat a little backward, in a corner, where the Princess of England, Madame Mary, is wont to be; and the following day, the said lady of Cleves returned with the same escort to Richmond, where she is visited by all the personages of the court, which makes people think she is about to be reinstated in her former position.” *

* De Marillac, Correspondance Politique, p. 258.

Eustace Chapuys, the imperial ambassador, also wrote an account of this strange visit.  He says:—­

“On the 3rd [January 1541], the lady Anne of Cleves sent the King a New Year’s present of two large horses, with violet velvet trappings, and presented herself at Hampton Court, with her suite, accompanied only by Lord William, the Duke of Norfolk’s brother, who happened to meet her on the road to this city.  She was received by the Duchess of Suffolk, the Countess of Hertford, and other ladies, who conducted her to her lodgings and then to the Queen’s apartments.  She insisted on addressing the Queen on her knees, for all the Queen could say, who showed her the utmost kindness.  The King then entered, and after a low bow to Lady Anne, embraced and kissed her.  She occupied a seat near the bottom of the table at supper, but after the King had retired, the Queen and Lady Anne danced together, and next day all three dined together.  At this time the King sent his Queen a present of a ring and two small dogs, which she passed over to Lady Anne.  That day Lady Anne returned to Richmond."*

* Chapuys to the Emperor; Gairdner, Cal. 16, No. 436.

The public rumour of the likelihood of Anne’s restoration arose probably as much from the common talk of the queen’s immoral conduct as from the circumstance of Anne’s appearance at court.  The reports at length reached Katharine’s ears, and it was possibly her accusing conscience that betrayed itself in her visible depression of spirits.

“Some days ago [wrote Chapuys to the Queen of Hungary on 6th May 1541], this Queen being rather sad, the King wished to know the cause, and she said it was owing to a rumour that he was going to take back Anne of Cleves.  The King told her that she was wrong to think such things, and [that] even if he were in a position to marry, he had no mind to take back Anne; which is very probable, as his love never returns for a woman he has once abandoned.  Yet many thought he would be reconciled to her for fear of the King of France making war on him at the solicitation of the Duke of Cleves and the King of Scotland.”