"Nay, if that be so," cried Norris, "and your majesty should be placed
in peril on my account, I will banish myself from the court, and from
your presence, whatever the effort cost me."

"No," replied Anne, "I will not tax you so hardly. I do not think," she
added tenderly, "deserted as I am by the king, that I could spare you."

"You confess, then, that I have inspired you with some regard?" he cried
rapturously.

"Do not indulge in these transports, Norris," said Anne mournfully.
"Your passion will only lead to your destruction--perchance to mine. Let
the certainty that I do love, content you, and seek not to tempt your
fate further."

"Oh, madam! you make me the happiest of men by the avowal," he cried. "I
envy not now the king, for I feel raised above him by your love."

"You must join the revel, Norris," said Anne; "your absence from it will
be observed."

And extending her hand to him, he knelt down and pressed it passionately
to his lips.

"Ah! we are observed," she cried suddenly, and almost with a shriek.
"Rise, sir!"

Norris instantly sprang to his feet, and, to his inexpressible dismay,
saw the figure of a tall monk gliding away. Throwing a meaning look at
the almost sinking queen, he followed the mysterious observer into
the great hall, determined to rid himself of him in some way before he
should have time to make any revelations.

Avoiding the brilliant throng, the monk entered the adjoining corridor,
and descending the great staircase, passed into the upper quadrangle.
From thence he proceeded towards the cloisters near St. George's Chapel,
where he was overtaken by Norris, who had followed him closely.

"What would you with me, Sir Henry Norris?" cried the monk, halting.

"You may guess," said Norris, sternly and drawing his sword. "There are
secrets which are dangerous to the possessor. Unless you swear never to
betray what you have seen and heard, you die."

The tall monk laughed derisively.

"You know that your life is in my power," he said, "and therefore you
threaten mine. Well, e'en take it, if you can."

As he spoke, he drew a sword from beneath his robe, and stood upon his
defence. After a few passes, Norris's weapon was beaten from his grasp.

"You are now completely at my mercy," said the monk, "and I have nothing
to do but to call the guard, and declare all I have heard to the king."

"I would rather you plunged your sword into my heart," said Norris.

"There is one way--an