and magnificence was held
within the castle. The whole of the state apartments were thrown open to
the distinguished guests, and universal gaiety prevailed. No restraint
was offered to the festivity by the king, for though he was known to be
present, he did not choose to declare himself.

The queen sat apart on a fauteuil in the deep embrasure of a window; and
as various companies of fantastic characters advanced towards her,
she more than once fancied she detected amongst them the king, but the
voices convinced her of her mistake. As the evening was wearing, a mask
in a blue domino drew near her, and whispered in a devoted and familiar
tone, "My queen!"

"Is it you, Norris?" demanded Anne, under her breath.

"It is," he replied. "Oh, madam! I have been gazing at you the whole
evening, but have not dared to approach you till now."

"I am sorry you have addressed me at all, Norris," she rejoined. "Your
regard for me has been noticed by others, and may reach the king's ears.
You must promise never to address me in the language of passion again."

"If I may not utter my love I shall go mad," replied Norris. "After
raising me to the verge of Paradise, do not thrust me to the depths of
Tartarus."

"I have neither raised you nor do I cast you down," rejoined Anne.
"That I am sensible of your devotion, and grateful for it, I admit, but
nothing more. My love and allegiance are due to the king."

"True," replied Norris bitterly; "they are so, but he is wholly
insensible to your merits. At this very moment he is pouring his
love-vows in the ear of Jane Seymour."

"Ah! is he so?" cried Anne. "Let me have proof of his perfidy, and I may
incline a more favourable ear to you."

"I will instantly obtain you the proof, madam," replied Norris, bowing
and departing.

Scarcely had he quitted the queen, and mixed with the throng of dancers,
than he felt a pressure upon his arm, and turning at the touch, beheld
a tall monk, the lower part of whose face was muffled up, leaving only a
pair of fierce black eyes and a large aquiline nose visible.

"I know what you want, Sir Henry Norris," said the tall monk in a
low deep voice; "you wish to give the queen proof of her royal lord's
inconstancy. It is easily done. Come with me."

"Who are you?" demanded Norris doubtfully.

"What matters it who I am?" rejoined the other; "I am one of the
masquers, and chance to know what is passing around me. I do not inquire
into your motives, and