The sight stung him almost to madness, and he had great difficulty in
repressing his choler. But if this slight action, heightened to
importance, as it was, by the looks of the parties, roused his ire, it was
nothing to what followed. Instead of restoring it to the queen, Norris,
unconscious of the danger in which he stood, pressed the handkerchief
fervently to his lips.
"I am hitherto the victor of the jousts," he said; "may I keep this as the
prize?"
Anne smiled assent.
"It is the proudest I ever obtained," pursued Norris. And he placed it
within his helmet.
Does your majesty see that?" cried the tall monk, who still remained
standing near the king
"Death of my life!" exclaimed Henry, "it is the very handkerchief I gave
her before our union! I can contain myself no longer, and must perforce
precipitate matters. What ho!" he cried, riding up to that part of the
gallery where the Duke of Suffolk was seated -" let the jousts be
stopped!"
"Wherefore, my dear liege?" said Suffolk. "The Earl of Surrey and Sir
Thomas Wyat are about to run a course."
"Let them he stopped I say!" roared Henry, in a tone that admitted of no
dispute. And wheeling round his charger, he dashed into the middle of
the barriers, shouting in loud, authoritative accents, "The jousts are at
an end! Disperse!"
The utmost consternation was occasioned by the announcement.
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