But what noise was that which all at once drew nigh; which suddenly, like a wild billow, came roaring on, and filled the anterooms and the halls?
What were these affrighted, shrieking voices calling?
What were they screaming to the queen, and the physicians, and the priest?
Elizabeth stopped amazed, and listened.

Thomas Seymour and Catharine, arm linked in arm, stood near her.

They scarcely heard what was taking place; they looked at each other and smiled, and dreamed of love and death and an eternity of happiness.
Now the door flew open; there was seen John Heywood's pale face: there were the maids of honor and the court officials.

And all shrieked and all wailed: "The king is dying! He is struck with apoplexy! The king is at the point of death!" "The king calls you! The king desires to die in the arms of his wife!" said John Heywood, and, as he quietly pushed Elizabeth aside and away from the door as she was pressing violently forward, he added: "The king will see nobody but his wife and the priest; and he has authorized me to call the queen!" He opened the door; and through the lines of weeping and wailing court officials and servants, Catharine moved on, to go to the death-bed of her royal husband..