If I were a vain silly girl (as my uncle persists in thinking) which, thank God, I am not, I should have my head turned by the flattery of the court from everyone to Johnny in the yard to Archbishop Gardiner. Everyone tells me that I am the best wife that the king ever had, and the wonder of it all is that this is almost certainly true. Everyone tells me I am the most beautiful queen in the world—and this is probably true too—though no great claim when I cast my eye around Christendom. Everyone tells me that the king has never loved anyone as much as he loves me; and this is true, for he tells me so himself. Everyone tells me that all the court is in love with me, and this is certainly true, for I walk everywhere in a small hail of love-notes and requests, and promises. The young noblemen that I used to eye when I was just a maid in waiting, and hope for assignations and flirtation, are now my own court; they have to adore me from a distance, which is really the most delicious thing. Thomas Culpepper is sent to me by the king himself in the morning and the evening to exchange greetings, and I know, I just know that he has fallen completely in love with me. I tease him and laugh at him and see his eyes follow me and it is all utterly delightful. Everywhere I go, I am attended by the finest young men in the land, they joust for my amusement, they dance with me, they dress up and entertain me, they hunt with me, they sail with me, they walk with me, they play games and sports for my praise, they do everything but sit up on their hind legs and beg for my favour. And the king, bless him, says to me, ‘Run along, pretty girl, go and dance!’ and then sits back and watches me as one handsome—oh, so handsome—young man after another dances with me and the king smiles and smiles like a kindly old uncle, and when I come back and sit at his side he whispers: ‘Pretty girl, the fairest girl of the court, they all want you; but you are mine.’

It is like my dreams. I have never been happier in my life. I did not know I could be so happy. It is like the childhood I never had, to be surrounded by handsome playmates, my old friends from the days at Lambeth, with all the money in the world to spend, a circle of young men all desperate for my attention, and watched overall by a tender, loving man like a kindly father who never lets anyone say an unkind word to me and plans amusements and gifts for me every day of my life. I must be the happiest girl in England. I tell the king this and he smiles and chucks me under the chin and tells me that I deserve it, for without doubt, I am the best girl in England.