"
"I know whom you mean" said Mabel. "And is it possible he can be my
father?"
"It is as I have told you," replied Herne. "You now know my resolve. To-
morrow at midnight our nuptials shall take place."
"Nuptials!" echoed Mabel.
"Ay, at that altar," he cried, pointing to the Druid pile of stones; "there
you shall vow yourself to me and I to you, before terrible witnesses. I
shall have no fear that you will break your oath. Reflect upon what I
have said."
With this he placed the bugle to his lips, blew a low call upon it, and
Fenwolf and Tristram immediately answering the summons, he
whispered some instructions to the former, and disappeared down one
of the side passages.
Fenwolf's, deportment was now more sullen than before. In vain did
Mabel inquire from him what Herne was about to do with Sir Thomas
Wyat. He returned no answer, and at last, wearied by her importunity,
desired her to hold her peace. Just then, Tristram quitted the cavern
for a moment, when he instantly changed his manner, and 'said to her
quickly, " I overheard what passed between you and Herne. Consent to
be mine, and I will deliver you from him."
"That were to exchange one evil for another," she replied, "If you would
serve me, deliver Sir Thomas Wyat.
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