The
Duke of Suffolk instantly quitted his seat, and pressed through the
crowd to the king, who whispered a few hasty words in his ear. Henry
then called to the Earl of Surrey, the Marquis of Dorset, the Lord
Clifford, Wyat, and some others, and bidding them attend him, prepared
to quit the court. As he passed the royal gallery, Anne called to him in
an agonised voice- "Oh, Henry! what is the matter?--what have I done?"
But without paying the slightest attention to her, he dashed through the
Norman Gate, galloped down the lower quadrangle, and quitted the
castle.
The confusion that ensued may be imagined. All saw that something
extraordinary and terrible had taken place, though few knew precisely
what it was. Dismay sat in every countenance, and the general anxiety
was heightened by the agitation of the queen, who, uttering a piercing
scream, fell back, and was borne off in a state of insensibility by her
attendants.
Unable to control himself at the sight, Norris burst through the guard,
and rushing up the great staircase, soon gained the apartment to which
the queen had been conveyed. Owing to the timely aid afforded her,
she was speedily restored, and the first person her eyes fell upon was
her lover.
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