He then stretched himself on the velvet
sod, and dropped into a tranquil slumber which lasted to a late hour in
the evening.
He was roused from it by a hand laid on his shoulder, while a deep voice
thundered in his ear-- "Up, up, Sir Thomas, and follow me, and I will
place the king in your hands!"
VIII. How the King and the Duke of Suffolk were assailed by Herne's
Band--And what followed the Attack.
Henry and Suffolk, on leaving the forester's hut, took their way for a
sort space along the side of the lake, and then turned into a path
leading through the trees up the eminence on the left. The king was in
a joyous mood, and made no attempt to conceal the passion with which
the fair damsel had inspired him.
"I' faith!" he cried, "the cardinal has a quick eye for a pretty wench. I
have heard that he loves one in secret, and I am therefore the more
beholden to him for discovering Mabel to me."
"You forget, my liege, that it is his object to withdraw your regards from
the Lady Anne Boleyn," remarked Suffolk.
" I care not what his motive may be, as long as the result is so
satisfactory," returned Henry. "Confess now, Suffolk, you never beheld
a figure so perfect, a complexion so blooming, or eyes so bright.
Pages:
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215