my heart as my
own?'"

"Unhappy man, if you ever venture that, you doom us both to death!"

"Be it so, then! In death you will at least be mine, and no one would
longer dare separate us, and your eyes would no longer look so cold and
strangely upon me, as they often now do. Oh, I conjure you, gaze not
upon me at all, if you cannot do it otherwise than with those cold,
proud looks, that benumb my heart. Turn away your eyes, and speak to me
with averted face."

"Then, men will say that I hate you, Henry."

"It is more agreeable to me for them to say you abhor me than for them
to see that I am wholly indifferent to you; that I am to you nothing
more than the Earl of Surrey, your lord chamberlain."

"No, no, Henry. They shall see that you are more to me than merely that.
Before the whole assembled court I will give you a token of my love.
Will you then believe, you dear, foolish enthusiast, that I love you,
and that it is no demon that rests here in your arms and swears that she
loves nothing but you? Say, will you then believe me?"

"I will believe you! But no, there is no need of any sign, or any
assurance. Nay, I know it; I feel indeed the sweet reality that cuddles
to my side, warm, and filling me with happiness; and it is only the
excess of happiness that makes me incredulous."

"I will convince you thoroughly; and you shall doubt no more, not even
in the intoxication of happiness. Listen, then. The king, as you know,
is about to hold a great tournament and festival of the poets, and it
will take place in a few days. Now, then, at this fete I will publicly,
in the presence of the king and his court, give you a rosette that I
wear on my shoulder, and in the silver fringe of which you will find a
note from me. Will that satisfy you, my Henry?"

"And do you still question it, my dear? Do you question it, when you
will make me proud and happy above all others of your court?"

He pressed her closely to his heart and kissed her. But suddenly she
writhed in his arms, and started up in wild alarm.

"Day is breaking, day is breaking! See there! a red streak is spreading
over the clouds. The sun is coming; day is coming, and already begins to
dawn."

He endeavored to detain her still; but she tore herself passionately
away, and again enveloped her head in her veil.

"Yes," said he, "day is breaking and it is growing light! Let me then,
for a moment at least, see your face. My soul thirsts for it as the
parched ea