g young leaves o'er head?
Still she did not, and her heart felt heavy and weary. Remember, this
was the day after Gloucester's two interviews with the Queen, and she
felt an inspiration which told her that trouble was brewing.

Looking back, she thought how happy her life had been before King
Edward's death had cast a gloom o'er everything. She could not help
thinking that the life at court would now be very different. Instead
of the Queen having her way, the nobles, no longer held in check by the
firm hand of Edward, would have control of everything. Here was the
King scarce buried, and already Hastings had commenced to show his
authority. All the life would be gone from the court, and instead of
the round of amusements that the Queen had kept agoing, every thing
should now be quiet, morose and cold.

How she did wish that I were back. She wondered when I would return,
and if I still intended to remain at court, or would I ask her to
fulfil the promise she had made me, to some day meet me at the altar.
Indeed she wished the time would soon fly past till I should again
return.

With these and kindred thoughts she had been so taken up that she had
not heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Oh! I am so tired of this life at court. I wish I were away from
it," said she, speaking aloud.

"Indeed I agree with thee, Lady Hazel. 'Tis not the life which best
suits thee nor me."

She turned with a start and there, leaning over the back of the bench
upon which she was sitting, stood Catesby. A smile was upon his face
as he noted her startled expression. His right arm he still carried in
a sling, and the sleeve of his doublet hung loose at his side.

"Well, sir, by what right dost thou come aspying upon ladies?" asked
Hazel, as she arose and gazed upon him haughtily, and curled her lip in
scorn.

"'Twas Cupid led me here, fair lady. Deform not that lovely mouth with
such a scornful sneer; those lips of thine were never made for other
purpose than the tender work of kissing." Then, as she turned her back
and started to leave him, he hurried around the bench and stood in
front of her, thus compelling her to stop.

"Stand aside, thou impudent cur, or thou shalt regret thine act," said
Hazel, as she commenced to be frightened.

"Why, thou wilt not kill me with those flashes from thine eyes?" asked
the scoundrel, as he stood and smiled in her face.

"No, but thou shalt answer for it to the one which made