th."

"It is too late to retract now," he replied; "besides, there was no
help for it. I sacrificed myself to preserve you."

"But will the sacrifice preserve me?" she cried. "I fear not. I have
just been told that the king is preparing some terrible measure against
me--that he meditates removing me, to make way for Jane Seymour."

"You have heard the truth, madam," replied Norris, "he will try to bring
you to the block."

"And with him, to try is to achieve," said Anne. "Oh, Norris! it is a
fearful thing to contemplate such a death!"

"But why contemplate it, madam?" said Norris; "why, if you are satisfied
that the king has such designs against you--why, if you feel that he
will succeed, tarry for the fatal blow? Fly with me--fly with one who
loves you, and will devote his whole life to you--who regards you,
not as the queen, but as Anne Boleyn. Relinquish this false and hollow
grandeur, and fly with me to happiness and peace."

"And relinquish my throne to Jane Seymour?" rejoined Anne "Never! I feel
that all you assert is true--that my present position is hazardous--that
Jane Seymour is in the ascendant, while I am on the decline, if not
wholly sunk--that you love me entirely, and would devote your life
to me--still, with all these motives for dread, I cannot prevail upon
myself voluntarily to give up my title, and to abandon my post to a
rival."

"You do not love me, then, as I love you, Anne," said Norris. "If I were
a king, I would abandon my throne for you."

"You think so now, Norris, because you are not king," she replied. "But
I am queen, and will remain so, till I am forced to abandon my dignity."

"I understand, madam," rejoined Norris gloomily. "But oh I bethink
you to what risks you expose yourself. You know the king's terrible
determination--his vindictiveness, his ferocity."

"Full well," she replied--"full well; but I will rather die a queen than
live disgrace and ruined. In wedding Henry the Eighth, I laid my account
to certain risks, and those I must brave."

Before Norris could urge anything further, the door was suddenly opened,
and a tall dark figure entered the chamber, and said hastily--"The king
is at hand."

"One word more, and it is my last," said Norris to Anne. "Will you fly
with me to-night?--all shall be ready."

"I cannot," replied Anne.

"Away!" cried Herne, dragging Norris forcibly behind the tapestry.

Scarcely had they disappeared when Henry entered the chamber. He wa