She
answered in the affirmative, and the king motioned his henchmen to
bring forward the steeds.
In doing this, he caught sight of Mabel, who was standing with her
grandsire among the keepers, at a little distance from the stand, and,
struck with her extraordinary beauty, he regarded her for a moment
intently, and then called to Gabriel Lapp, who chanced to be near him,
and demanded her name.
"It is Mabel Lyndwood, an't please your majesty," replied Gabriel. "She
is granddaughter to old Tristram Lyndwood, who dwells at Black Nest,
near the lake, at the farther extremity of Windsor Forest, and who was
forester to your royal father, King Henry the Seventh, of blessed
memory."
" Ha! is it so? " cried Henry.
But he was prevented from further remark by Anne Boleyn, who,
perceiving how his attention was attracted, suddenly interposed.
"Your majesty spoke of the chase," she said impatiently. But perhaps
you have found other pastime more diverting?"
"Not so--not so, sweetheart," he replied hastily.
"There is a hart royal in the haye," said Gabriel Lapp. "Is it your
majesty's pleasure that I set him free?
"It is, good fellow--it is," replied the king.
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