“Must I, then, go by water?” asked Anne.
“Such are the king's commands,” replied Suffolk.
“It is no matter,” she rejoined; “I shall be ready when you will, for I shall not retire to rest during the night.”
Upon this Suffolk and the others slowly withdrew, and Anne again retired to the oratory.
She remained alone, brooding, in a state of indescribable anguish, upon the probable fate awaiting her, when all at once, raising her eyes, she beheld a tall dark figure near the arras.
Even in the gloom she recognised Herne the Hunter, and with difficulty repressed a scream.
“Be silent!” cried Herne, with an emphatic gesture. “I am come to deliver you.”
Anne could not repress a joyful cry.
“Not so loud,” rejoined Herne, “or you will alarm your attendants. I will set you free on certain conditions.”
“Ah! conditions!” exclaimed Anne, recoiling; “if they are such as will affect my eternal welfare, I cannot accept them.”