"Remove the torch!" thundered the demon to those behind. "Now
summon your false love, Sir Thomas Wyat," he added, as his orders
were obeyed, and the light was taken into one of the side passages, so
that its gleam no longer fell upon the water.
"Appear, Anne Boleyn!" cried Wyat.
Upon this a shadowy resemblance of her he had invoked flitted over the
surface of the water, with hands outstretched towards him. So moved
was Wyat by the vision, that he would have flung himself into the pool
to grasp it if he had not been forcibly detained by the demon. During
the struggle the figure vanished, and all was buried in darkness.
"I have said she shall be yours," cried Herne; "but time is required for
the accomplishment of my purpose. I have only power over her when
evil is predominant in her heart. But such moments are not
unfrequent," he added, with a bitter laugh. "And now to the chase. I
promise you it will be a wilder and more exciting ride than you ever
enjoyed in the king's company. To the chase!--to the chase, I say!"
Sounding a call upon his horn, the light instantly reappeared. All was
stir and confusion amid the impish troop--and presently afterwards a
number of coal-black horses, and hounds of the same hue, leashed in
couples, were brought out of one of the side passages.
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