John Heywood, still crouching behind the king's throne, observed
everything and heard every word of this softly whispered
conversation.
"Sire," said Earl Douglas, "it is late and the hour of midnight is
drawing nigh. Will your majesty be pleased to conclude the feast?
For you well know that at mid-night we must be over there in the
green summer-house, and it is a long way there."
"Yes, yes, at midnight!" muttered the king. "At midnight the
carnival is at an end; and we shall tear off our mask, and show our
wrathful countenance to the criminals! At midnight we must be over
in the green summer-house. Yes, Douglas, we must make haste; for it
would be cruel to let the tender Surrey wait still longer. So we
will give his Geraldine liberty to leave the feast; and we ourselves
must begin our journey. Ah, Douglas, it is a hard path that we have
to tread, and the furies and gods of vengeance bear our torches. To
work, then--to work!"
The king arose from his seat, and stepped to the queen, to whom he
presented his hand with a tender smile.
"My lady, it is late," said he; "and we, who are king of so many
subjects--we are, nevertheless, in turn, the subject of a king. This
is the physician, and we must obey him. He has ordered me to seek my
couch before midnight, and, as a loyal subject must do, I obey. We
wish you, therefore, a good-night, Kate; and may your beautiful eyes
on the morrow also shine as starlike as they do to-night.
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