第23章 Anne Boleyn (22)

A small scroll was stuck upon the breast of the corpse, and, taking it off, Surrey read these words, traced in uncouth characters--"Mark Fytton is now one of the band of Herne the Hunter.""By my fay, this passes all comprehension," said Richmond, after a few moments' silence."This castle and forest seem under the sway of the powers of darkness.Let us return.I have had enough of adventure for to-night."And he rode towards the castle, followed more slowly by the earl.

VII.How the Earl of Surrey and the Fair Geraldine plighted their troth in the Cloisters of Saint George's Chapel.

Barriers were erected on the following day in the upper ward of the castle, and the Lady Anne and her dames assembled in the balcony in front of the royal lodgings, which was decorated with arras, costly carpets, and rich stuffs, to view the spectacle.

Perfect in all manly accomplishments, Henry splintered several lances with his brother-in-law, the Duke of Suffolk, who formed an admirable match for him in point of weight and strength; and at last, though he did not succeed in unhorsing the duke, he struck off his helmet, the clasp of which, it was whispered, was left designedly unfastened; and being thereupon declared the victor, he received the prize--a scarf embroidered by her own hands--from the fair Anne herself.

He then retired from the lists, leaving them free for the younger knights to run a course at the ring.The first to enter the arena was Sir Thomas Wyat; and as he was known to be a skilful jouster, it was expected he would come off triumphantly.But a glance from the royal balcony rendered his arm unsteady, and he missed the mark.

Next came the Duke of Richmond, superbly accoutred.Laughing at Wyat's ill success, he bowed to the Fair Geraldine, and taking a lance from his esquire, placed it in the rest, and rode gallantly forward.But he was equally unsuccessful, and retired, looking deeply chagrined.

The third knight who presented himself was Surrey.Mounted on his favourite black Arabian--a steed which, though of fiery temper, obeyed his slightest movement--his light symmetrical figure was seen to the greatest advantage in his close-fitting habiliments of silk and velvet.

Without venturing a look at the royal balcony, the earl couched his lance, and bounding forward, bore away the ring on its point.

Amid the plaudits of the spectators, he then careered around the arena, and approaching the royal balcony, raised his lance, and proffered the ring to the Fair Geraldine, who blushingly received it.Henry, though by no means pleased with Surrey's success, earned as it was at the expense of his son, complimented him upon his skill, and Anne Boleyn joined warmly in his praises.

The lists were then closed, and the royal party retired to partake of refreshments; after which they proceeded to the butts erected in the broad mead at the north of the castle, where the Duke of Shoreditch and his companions shot a well-contested match with the long-bow.

During these sports, Surrey placed himself as near as he could to the Fair Geraldine, and though but few opportunities occurred of exchanging a syllable with her, his looks spoke a sufficiently intelligible language.At last, just as they were about to return to the palace, he breathed in an imploring tone in her ear--"You will attend vespers at Saint George's Chapel this evening.Return through the cloisters.Grant me a moment's interview alone there."I cannot promise," replied the Fair Geraldine.And she followed in the train of the Lady Anne.

The earl's request had not been unheard.As the royal train proceeded towards the castle, Will Sommers contrived to approach the Duke of Richmond, and said to him, in a jeering tone "You ran but indifferently at the ring to-day, gossip.The galliard Surrey rode better, and carried off the prize.""Pest on thee, scurril knave--be silent!" cried Richmond angrily; "failure is bad enough without thy taunts.""If you had only missed the ring, gossip, I should have thought nothing of it," pursued Will Sommers; "but you lost a golden opportunity of ingratiating yourself with your lady-love.All your hopes are now at an end.A word in your ear--the Fair Geraldine will meet Surrey alone this evening.""Thou liest, knave!" cried the duke fiercely.

"Your grace will find the contrary, if you will be at Wolsey's tomb-house at vesper-time," replied the jester.

"I will be there," replied the duke; "but if I am brought on a bootless errand, not even my royal father shall save thee from chastisement.""I will bear any chastisement your grace may choose to inflict upon me, if I prove not the truth of my assertion," replied Sommers.And he dropped into the rear of the train.

The two friends, as if by mutual consent, avoided each other during the rest of the day--Surrey feeling he could not unburden his heart to Richmond, and Richmond brooding jealously over the intelligence he had received from the jester.

At the appointed hour the duke proceeded to the lower ward, and stationed himself near Wolsey's tomb-house.Just as he arrived there, the vesper hymn arose from the adjoining fane, and its solemn strains somewhat soothed his troubled spirit.But they died away; and as the jester came not, Richmond grew impatient, and began to fear he had been duped by his informant.At length the service concluded, and, losing all patience, he was about to depart, when the jester peered round the lower angle of the tomb-house, and beckoned to him.

Obeying the summons, the duke followed his conductor down the arched passage leading to the cloisters.

"Tread softly, gossip, or you will alarm them," said Sommers, in a low tone.

They turned the corner of the cloisters; and there, near the entrance of the chapel, stood the youthful pair--the Fair Geraldine half reclining upon the earl's breast, while his arm encircled her slender waist.

"There!" whispered the jester, chuckling maliciously "there! did I speak falsely--eh, gossip?

Richmond laid his hand upon his sword.