Boleyn he could not be certain that he
detected the Fair Geraldine; but he readily distinguished the Duke
of Richmond among the nobles, and the sight awakened a pang of bitter
jealousy in his breast.

The day wore away slowly, for he could not fix his attention upon his
books, neither was he allowed to go forth upon the battlements of the
tower. In the evening, however, the officer informed him he might
take exercise within the dry moat if he was so inclined, and he gladly
availed himself of the permission.

After pacing to and fro along the walk for a short time, he entered the
arbour, and was about to throw himself upon the bench, when he observed
a slip of paper lying upon it. He took it up, and found a few lines
traced upon it in hurried characters. They ran thus:--"The Fair
Geraldine arrived this morning in the castle. If the Earl of Surrey
desires to meet her, he will find her within this arbour at midnight."

This billet was read and re-read by the young earl with feelings of
indescribable transport; but a little reflection damped his ardour,
and made him fear it might be a device to ensnare him. There was no
certainty that the note proceeded in any way from the Fair Geraldine,
nor could he even be sure that she was in the castle. Still, despite
these misgivings, the attraction was too powerful to be resisted, and
he turned over the means of getting out of his chamber, but the scheme
seemed wholly impracticable. The window was at a considerable height
above the ramparts of the keep, and even if he could reach them, and
escape the notice of the sentinels, he should have to make a second
descent into the fosse. And supposing all this accomplished how was
he to return? The impossibility of answering this latter mental
interrogation compelled him to give up all idea of the attempt.

On returning to his prison-chamber, he stationed himself at the
embrasure overlooking the ramparts, and listened to the regular tread of
the sentinel below, half resolved, be the consequences what they might,
to descend. As the appointed time approached, his anxiety became almost
intolerable, and quitting the window, he began to pace hurriedly to and
fro within the chamber, which, as has been previously observed, partook
of the circular form of the keep, and was supported in certain places
by great wooden pillars and cross-beams. But instead of dissipating
his agitation, his rapid movements seemed rather to increase it, and at
last, w