"
"But I cannot go alone," cried Henry.
Mabel, however, slipped past him, and was out of sight in an instant.
Henry looked as if he meant to follow her, but Suffolk ventured to arrest
him.
"Do not tarry here longer, my gracious liege," said the duke. "Danger is
to be apprehended, and the sooner you rejoin your attendants the
better. Return with them, if you please, but do not expose yourself
further now."
Henry yielded, though reluctantly, and they walked on in silence. Ere
long they arrived at the open space described by Mabel, and
immediately perceived the large beech-tree, behind which they found
the path. By this time the moon had arisen, and as they emerged upon
the marsh they easily discovered a track, though not broader than a
sheep-walk, leading along its edge. As they hurried across it, Suffolk
occasionally cast a furtive glance over his shoulder, but he saw nothing
to alarm him. The whole tract of marshy land on the left was hidden
from view by a silvery mist.
In a few minutes the king and his companion gained firmer ground, and
ascending the gentle elevation on the other side of the marsh, made
their way to a little knoll crowned by a huge oak, which commanded a
fine view of the lake winding through the valley beyond.
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