How the Fair Geraldine bestowed a Relic upon her Lover—How
Surrey and Richmond rode in the Forest at Midnight—And
where they found the Body of Mark Fytton, the Butcher.
Surrey and Richmond agreed to say nothing for the present of their mysterious adventure in the forest; but their haggard looks, as they presented themselves to the Lady Anne Boleyn in the reception-chamber on the following morning, proclaimed that something had happened, and they had to undergo much questioning from the Fair Geraldine and the Lady Mary Howard.
“I never saw you so out of spirits, my lord,” remarked the Fair Geraldine to Surrey; “you must have spent the whole night in study—or what is more probable, you have again seen Herne the Hunter. Confess now, you have been in the forest.”
“I will confess anything you please,” replied Surrey evasively.
“And what have you seen?—a stranger vision than the first?” rejoined the Fair Geraldine.
“Since your ladyship answers for me, there is no need for explanation on my part,” rejoined Surrey, with a faint laugh. “And know you not, that those who encounter super natural beings are generally bound to profound secrecy?”
“Such, I hope, is not your case, Henry?” cried the Lady Mary Howard, in alarm;—“nor yours, my lord?” she added to the Duke of Richmond.
“I am bound equally with Surrey,” returned the duke mysteriously
“You pique my curiosity, my lords,” said the Fair Geraldine; “and since there is no other way of gratifying it, if the Lady Mary Howard will accompany me, we will ourselves venture into the forest, and try whether we cannot have a meeting with this wild huntsman. Shall we go to-night?
“Not for worlds,” replied the Lady Mary, shuddering; “were I to see Herne, I should die of fright.”