ut hinderance, we will both leave the Tower by ways
known only to him, over secret corridors and staircases, and will go
aboard a boat which is ready to take us to a ship, which lies in the
harbor prepared to sail, and which as soon as we are aboard weighs
anchor and puts to sea with us. Come, Henry, come! Lay your arm in mine,
and let us leave this prison!"

She threw both her arms around his neck, and drew him forward. He
pressed her fast to his heart and whispered: "Yes, come, come, my
beloved! Let us fly! To you belongs my life, you alone!"

He raised her up in his arms, and hastened with her to the door. He
pushed it hastily open with his foot and hurried forward down the
corridor; but having arrived just at the first turn he reeled back in
horror.

Before the door wore standing soldiers with shouldered arms. There
stood also the lieutenant of the Tower, and two servants behind him
with lighted candles. Geraldine gave a scream, and with anxious haste
rearranged the thick veil that had slipped from her head.

Henry Howard also had uttered a cry, but not on account of the soldiers
and the frustrated flight.

His eyes, stretched wide open, stared at this figure at his side, now so
closely veiled.

It seemed to him as though like a spectre a strange face had risen up
close by him--as though it were not the beloved head of the queen that
rested there on his shoulder. He had seen this face only as a vision, as
the fantasy of a dream; but he knew with perfect certainty that it was
not her countenance, not the countenance of his Geraldine.

The lieutenant of the Tower motioned to his servants, and they carried
the lighted candles into the earl's cell.

Then he gave Henry Howard his hand and silently led him back into the
prison.

Henry Howard exhibited no reluctance to follow him; but his hand had
seized Geraldine's arm, and he drew her along with him; his eye rested
on her with a penetrating expression, and seemed to threaten her.

They were now again in the room which they had before left with such
blessed hopes.

The lieutenant of the Tower motioned to the servants to retire, then
turned with solemn earnestness to Earl Surrey.

"My lord," said he, "it is at the king's command that I bring you these
lights. His majesty knows all that has happened here this night. He knew
that a plot was formed to rescue you; and while they believed they were
deceiving him, the plotters themselves were deceived. They had su