The Fair Geraldine, he was informed, had been sent to the royal palace
at Greenwich; but her absence occasioned him little disquietude,
because he knew, if she had remained at Windsor, he would not have
been allowed to see her.
On the same day that Surrey was removed to the Norman Tower, the
Duke of Richmond quitted the castle without assigning any motive for
his departure, or even taking leave of his friend. At first some jealous
mistrust that he might be gone to renew his suit to the Fair Geraldine
troubled the earl; but he strongly combated the feeling, as calculated,if
indulged, to destroy his tranquillity; and by fixing his thoughts
sedulously on other subjects, he speedily succeeded in overcoming it.
On that night, while occupied in a translation of the Aeneid which he
had commenced, he remained at his task till a late hour. The midnight
bell had tolled, when, looking up, he was startled by perceiving a tall
figure standing silent and motionless beside him.
Independently of the difficulty of accounting for its presence, the
appearance of the figure was in itself sufficiently appalling. It was
above the ordinary stature, and was enveloped in a long black cloak,
while a tall, conical black cap, which added to its height, and increased
the hideousness of its features, covered its head.
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