Catharine wanted to allow herself for once the triumph of having beaten her husband.

She fought him man to man; she irritated him by the ever-approaching danger.

The king, who at the beginning had been cheerful, and laughed when Catharine took up one of his pieces--the king now no longer laughed.

It was no more a game.

It was a serious struggle; and he contended with his consort for the victory with impassioned eagerness.