Page:The Queens of England.djvu/336

 296 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. correcting the evil qualities which rendered her so distasteful to her husband, resented with bitter hate the indifference he could not conceal. The affection between the brother and sis- ter — an affection in which only a base and depraved mind could dream of evil — excited a rage and jealousy in her breast which only required an opportunity to blaze forth into a de- structive flame. This bad woman, in right of her connection with the queen, was suffered to be near her at court, as was also the Lady Edward Boleyn, the wife of her uncle, although both these ladies had always been peculiarly disagreeable to Anne. Whatever might have been the levity and love of pleasure attributed to Anne previously to her ascending the throne, it was allowed by all who approached her afterward that her bearing and manners had become as dignified and decorous as could be wished, although free from any assumption of undue pride, which would only have reminded her subjects that she had not always been so dignified. Anne's successful interference with the king to protect Lati- mer drew on her the ill-will of all opposed to the reform, among whom he had once been a zealous advocate against in- novation, and who, consequently, became his bitterest enemies when he adopted the new faith. Latimer's counsels helped to establish the change that had already taken place in Anne's sentiments ; she had soon found how far short fell the reality of gratified pride and ambition from the notions she had formed of them, and felt how little happiness their possession could confer. She became grave and thoughtful, and the alter- ation well accorded with her new position: her charities were extensive and judicious, yet so unostentatious that their amount surprised many when, long after, the truth was made known. Although most desirous of a son, Henry bore the disappoint- ment of his hopes better than could have been anticipated, and welcomed the infant Elizabeth with fatherly affection, if not with joy, acknowledging her to be presumptive heiress to the crown and as such to be treated. With so much cause for satisfaction, much existed to remind Anne that happiness is not long a guest on earth. Circumstances occasionally occurred which pained and mortified her, and from which not even the power of the sovereign could protect her. The impudence of Elizabeth Barton, the nun of Bocking, furnished an occasion