and mysterious irrt, vi en a

helm upon its head, sauding one te

"It is the g t manerEL PRETT whispered to this figuz. *2 in 1 ST watch him.

And they staticced themes
Meanwhile, a co

1

he observed to his companion, Vemur zor 23 1 our journey. Nigg ELLE LEVE ITA 152 11 traverse across the forest"

"I would say vie I am,' monet Ear bench near the fire serve me a lei di van

"You had better rest here, w' aut Kan there are robbers and evil spurt à te has.'

"I have no fear of any such ever' min Zy have a strong arm to defend mynd, aut si a my ten Brandon. And as to evil gi i isim your PWELL shield me from all ill.”

in Guildford, and I doubt if the king hath such in Windsor. What say you, Charles Brandon ?"

"It were treason to agree with you, Harry Le Roy," replied Brandon, laughing; "for they say the king visits with the halter all those who disparage the charms of the lady Anne Boleyn. But certes, this damsel is very fair.”

"You will discompose her, my masters, if you praise her thus to her face," said Tristram, somewhat testily. "Here, Mabel, bring forth all my scanty larder affords, and put some rashers of bacon on the fire."

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"Cold meat and bread will suffice for us," said Harry; we will not trouble the damsel to play the cook for us."

With this, Mabel, who appeared greatly embarrassed by the presence of the strangers, spread a cloth of snow-white linen on the little table, and placed the remains of the pie and a large loaf before them. The new comers sate down, and ate heartily of the humble viands, he who had been named Harry frequently stopping, in the course of his repast, to compliment his fair attendant. "By our lady, I have never been so waited on before," he added, rising, and removing his stool towards the fire, while his companion took up a position, with his back against the wall, near the fire-place. "And now, my pretty Mabel, have you never a cup of ale to wash down the pie ?"

"I can offer you a draught of right good mead, sir,” said Tristram; " and that is the only liquor my cottage can furnish." "Nothing can be better," replied Harry. "Let us have it." While Mabel went to draw the liquor, Tristram fixed his eyes on Harry, whose features were now fully revealed by the light of the fire.

"Why do you look at me so hard, friend?" demanded Harry, somewhat sternly.

"I have seen some one very like you, master," replied Tristram; " and one it is no light honour to resemble." "You mean the king," returned Harry, laughing. not the first person who has thought me like him.”

"You are

"You are vain of the likeness, I see, master," replied Tristram, joining in the laugh. "How say you, Mab?" he added to his granddaughter, who at that moment returned with a jug and a couple of drinking-horns. "Whom does this gentleman resemble ?""

"The king," returned Mabel, without raising her eyes.

Nay, look me full in the face while you say so, sweetheart," rejoined Harry. "Marry, if I were the royal Henry instead of what I am, a plain Guildford merchant, I should prefer you to Anne Boleyn.

"Is that said in good sooth, sir?" asked Mabel, slightly raising her eyes, and instantly dropping them before the ardent gaze of the self-styled merchant.

"In good sooth, and sober truth," replied Harry, rounding his arm, and placing his hand on his lusty thigh, in true royal fashion. "Were you the royal Henry instead of him you are, I should not care for your preference," said Mabel, more confidently.

My grandsire says the king changes his love as often as the moon changes, and oftener."

"God's death!-your grandsire is a false knave to say so!" cried Harry.

"Heaven help us! you swear the king's oaths," said Mabel. "And wherefore not, sweetheart ?" said Harry, checking himself. "It is enough to make one swear, and in royal style, too, to hear one's liege lord unjustly accused. I have ever heard the king styled a mirror of constancy. How say you, Charles Brandon ?-can you not give him a good character?" "Oh! an excellent character," said Brandon. stancy itself-while the fit lasts," he added, aside.

"He is con

"You hear what my friend says, sweetheart," observed Harry; "and I assure you he has the best opportunities of judging. But I'll be sworn you did not believe your grandfather when he thus maligned the king."

"She contradicted me flatly," said Tristram; "but pour out the mead, girl. Our guests are waiting for it."

While Mabel, in compliance with her grandsire's injunctions, filled the horn, the door of the cottage was noiselessly opened by Morgan Fenwolf, who stepped in, followed by his hound, Bawsey. He started on beholding the strangers, but both were so much occupied by the damsel that he remained unnoticed. A sign from the old forester told him he had better retire. Jealous curiosity, however, detained him; and he tarried till Harry had received the cup from Mabel, and drained it to her health. He then drew back, closed the door, and joined a dark and mysterious figure, with hideous lineaments and an antlered helm upon its head, standing outside the cottage.

"It is the king, and unattended, except by one person," he whispered to this figure. "His life is in our hands. Let us watch him."

And they stationed themselves at the window.

Meanwhile, a cup of mead having been handed to Brandon, he observed to his companion, "We must now be setting forth on our journey. Night is advancing, and we have five long miles to traverse across the forest."

"I would stay where I am," rejoined Harry, "and make a bench near the fire serve me in lieu of a couch, but that business requires our presence at the castle to-night. There is a mark in payment of our meal, friend," he added to Tristram, "and as we shall probably return to-morrow night, we will call and have another supper with you. Provide us a capon, and some fish from the lake."

"You had better rest here, sir," said Mabel. there are robbers and evil spirits in the forest."

"They say

"I have no fear of any such, sweetheart," replied Harry; "I have a strong arm to defend myself, and so has my friend Charles Brandon. And as to evil spirits, a kiss from your sweet lips will shield me from all ill."

And as he spoke, he drew her towards him, and clasping her in his arms imprinted a score of rapid kisses on her lips.

"Hold! hold, master!" cried Tristram, rising angrily; "this may not be. 'Tis an arrant abuse of hospitality."

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. I

Nay, be not angry, good friend," replied Harry, laughing, am on the look-out for a wife, and I know not but I may take your grand-daughter with me to Guildford."

"She is not to be so lightly won," cried Tristram, " for though I am but a poor forester, I rate her as highly as the haughtiest noble can rate his child."

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"And with reason," said Harry. "Good night, sweetheart!" By my crown! Suffolk," he exclaimed to his companion, as he quitted the cottage," she is an angel, and shall be mine."

"Not if my arm serves me truly," muttered Fenwolf, who overheard the exclamation. "And now to intercept them before they reach their horses."

IV.

HOW HERNE THE HUNTER SHEWED THE EARL OF SURREY THE FAIR
GERALDINE IN A VISION.

ON the third day after Surrey's imprisonment in the keep, he was removed to the Norman Tower. The chamber allotted him

was square, tolerably lofty, and had two narrow pointed windows, looking towards the middle ward. Not only was he permitted to pass a

portion of his time on the battlements of the Round Tower, the magnificent prospect from which always recreated him; but he was allowed to take exercise in the dry moat surrounding the keep.

The fair Geraldine, he was informed, had been sent to the palace at Greenwich; but her ab sence occasioned him no disquietude, because he knew, if she had been suffered to remain at Windsor, he could not have seen her.

About the time of Surrey's removal to the Norman Tower, the Duke of Richmond quitted the castle without assign

ing any motive for his departure, or even taking leave of his friend. At first, some jealous mistrust that he might be gone to renew his suit to the fair Geraldine troubled the earl; but he strongly combated the feeling, as calculated, if indulged, to destroy his tranquillity, and by fixing his thoughts sedulously on other subjects, he succeeded in overcoming it.

One night, while occupied in translating the Æneid of Virgil, which he had commenced, he remained at his task to a late hour. The midnight bell had tolled, when, looking up, he was startled by perceiving a tall dark figure standing silent and motionless beside him.

Independently of the difficulty of accounting for its presence, the appearance of the figure was, in itself, sufficiently appalling. Above the ordinary stature, it was enveloped in a long black cloak, while a tall, conical black cap, which added to its height, and increased the hideousness of its features, crowned its head.