door.

"Enter," he said to Surrey, "and do not forget the debt you owe to Herne
the Hunter."

And as the earl stepped into the chamber, the door was locked behind
him.

II.

How Sir Thomas Wyat found Mabel in the Sandstone Cave, and
what happened to him there

A week after the foregoing occurrence, the Earl of Surrey was set free.
But his joy at regaining his liberty was damped by learning that the
Fair Geraldine had departed for Ireland. She had left the tenderest
messages for him with his sister, the Lady Mary Howard, accompanied with
assurances of unalterable attachment.

But other changes had taken place, which were calculated to afford him
some consolation. Ever since the night on which he had been told the
Lady Mary was not indifferent to him, Richmond had devoted himself
entirely to her; and matters had already proceeded so far, that he had
asked her in marriage of the Duke of Norfolk, who, after ascertaining
the king's pleasure on the subject, had gladly given his consent, and
the youthful pair were affianced to each other. Surrey and Richmond now
became closer friends than ever; and if, amid the thousand distractions
of Henry's gay and festive court, the young earl did not forget the
Fair Geraldine, he did not, at least, find the time hang heavily on his
hands.

About a week after Wolsey's dismissal, while the court was still
sojourning at Windsor, Surrey proposed to Richmond to ride one morning
with him in the great park. The Duke willingly assented, and mounting
their steeds, they galloped towards Snow Hill, wholly unattended. While
mounting this charming ascent at a more leisurely pace, the earl said
to his companion, "I will now tell you why I proposed this ride to you,
Richmond. I have long determined to follow up the adventure of Herne the
Hunter, and I wish to confer with you about it, and ascertain whether
you are disposed to join me."

"I know not what to say, Surrey," replied the duke gravely, and speaking
in a low tone. "The king, my father, failed in his endeavours to expel
the demon, who still lords it in the forest."

"The greater glory to us if we succeed," said Surrey.

"I will take counsel with Lady Mary on the subject before I give an
answer," rejoined Richmond.

"Then there is little doubt what your grace's decision will be," laughed
Surrey. "To speak truth, it was the fear of your consulting her that
made me bring you here. What say you to a ride in the fores