{387}he ran off with it. The next time he went to the King's chapel, with the other courtiers, he took it into his head to read the identical book he had taken from his ladylove, and became so absorbed in it that the service was concluded without his knowing it. The dean of the chapel wondered what George could be reading with so much interest, and asked to have a look at the volume. As soon as he saw what it was he carried it to Cardinal Wolsey. Meantime, Anne had asked for it, and when she heard into whose hands it had fallen, she said: "Well, it shall be the dearest book that ever dean or cardinal detained." Then she went to the king, and not only succeeded in persuading him to get the book back for her, but made him read it. This beautiful favorite continued to hate Cardinal Wolsey more and more, and was determined that Henry should show him no favors if she could help it. Her mind was constantly busy laying plans to keep them apart, and to put the cardinal in an unfavorable light, though she used the most flattering terms both in speaking and writing to him. This deception she continued until he was won over to Queen Katharine's cause, when she declared her hostility openly, and she was a woman who would stop at nothing that would gratify her thirst for revenge. She was constantly poisoning the king's mind against him, yet the old friendship would crop out from time to time, and when the cardinal was seized with the pestilence Dr. Butts, the king's physician, was sent to attend him. "Have you seen yonder man?" asked King Henry of the doctor. "Yes," was the reply; "and if you will have him dead, I warrant you that if he receive not some comfort from you he will be dead within four days." "God forbid!" cried the king, "I would not lose him for twenty thousand pounds. I pray you go to him, and do you care for him." {388}"Then must your grace send him some comfortable message," said Dr. Butts.