"How did you contrive this meeting? " she cried, after their first
greetings had passed. "And how did you learn I was in the castle, for
the strictest instructions were given that the tidings should not reach
you."
The only response made by Surrey was to press her lily hand devotedly
to his lips.
"I should not have ventured hither," pursued the Fair Geraldine, "unless
you had sent me the relic as a token. I knew you would never part with
it, and I therefore felt sure there was no deception."
"But how did you get here? " inquired Surrey.
"Your messenger provided a rope-ladder, by which I descended into the
moat," she replied.
Surrey was stupefied.
"You seem astonished at my resolution," she continued; "and, indeed, I
am surprised at it myself; but I could not overcome my desire to see
you, especially as this meeting may be our last. The king, through the
Lady Anne Boleyn, has positively enjoined me to think no more of you
and has given your father, the Duke of Norfolk, to understand that your
marriage without the royal assent will be attended by the loss of all the
favour he now enjoys."
"And think you I will submit to such tyranny?" cried Surrey.
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