"
"I disbelieve you, tempter!" cried Surrey indignantly. "Wyat is too good a
Christian, and too worthy a knight, to league with a demon."
Again Herne laughed bitterly.
Sir Thomas Wyat told you he would seek me out," said the demon. "He
did so, and gave himself to me for Anne Boleyn."
"But you have no power over her, demon?" cried Surrey, shuddering.
"You will learn whether I have or not, in due time," replied Herne. "Do
you refuse to go with me?"
I refuse to deliver myself to perdition," rejoined the earl.
"An idle fear," rejoined Herne. " I care not for your soul--you will destroy
it without my aid. I have need of you. You shall be back again in this
chamber before the officer visits it in the morning, and no one shall be
aware of your absence. Come, or I will bear you hence."
"You dare not touch me," replied Surrey, placing his hand upon his
breast; "I am armed with a holy relic."
"I know it," said Herne; "and I feel its power, or I would not have trifled
with you thus long. But it cannot shield you from a rival. You believe
the Fair Geraldine constant--ha?"
"I know her to he so," said Surrey.
A derisive laugh broke from Herne.
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