Now, when the king was near his death--now he loved her only--he loved but Catharine.

His ambition had decided his heart.

Death had become the judge over Seymour's double affection and divided heart, and with King Henry's death Elizabeth's star had also paled.
Catharine was the widow of a king; and without doubt this tender husband had appointed his young and adored wife Regent during the minority of the Prince of Wales.

Catharine then would have still five years of unlimited sway, of royal authority and sovereign power.

If Catharine were his wife, then would he, Thomas Seymour, share this power; and the purple robes of royalty, which rested on her shoulders, would cover him also; and he would help her bear that crown which doubtless might sometimes press heavily on her tender brow.