"
"Let a party of men go in search of Hagthorne to-night" replied Henry;
"and while Mabel is brought to the castle to-morrow, do you arrest old
Tristram, and keep him in custody till I have leisure to examine him."
"It shall be done as you desire, my liege," replied Bouchier, bowing and
departing.
Shortly after this Henry, accompanied by Anne Boleyn, proceeded with
his attendants to Saint George's Chapel, and heard vespers performed.
Just as he was about to return, an usher advanced towards him, and
making a profound reverence, said that a masked dame, whose
habiliments proclaimed her of the highest rank, craved a moment's
audience of him.
"Where is she? "demanded Henry.
"In the north aisle, an't please your majesty," replied the usher, "near
the Urswick Chapel. I told her that this was not the place for an
audience of your majesty, nor the time; but she would not be said nay,
and therefore, at the risk of incurring your sovereign displeasure, I have
ventured to proffer her request."
The usher omitted to state that his chief inducement to incur the risk
was a valuable ring, given him by the lady.
"Well, I will go to her," said the king. " I pray you, excuse me for a short
space, fair mistress," he added to Anne Boleyn.
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