I have taken care also that before the
private backgate of the palace two coaches stand ready, the drivers
of which know very well the street that leads to the Tower!"
"Two coaches?" said the king, laughing. "Ah, ah, Douglas, how cruel
we are to separate the tender, loving pair on this journey which is
yet to be their last! Well, perhaps we can compensate them for it,
and allow these turtledoves to make the last trip--the trip to the
stake--together. No, no, we will not separate them in death.
Together they may lay their heads on the block."
The king laughed, quite delighted with his jest, while, leaning on
the earl's arm, he crossed to the little boudoir on the other side,
and took his place in the armchair set near the door.
"Now we must extinguish the light; and may it please your majesty to
await in silence the things that are to come."
The earl extinguished the light, and deep darkness and a grave-like
stillness now followed.
But this did not last long. Now was heard quite distinctly the sound
of footsteps. They came nearer and nearer--now a door was heard to
open and shut again, and it was as though some one were creeping
softly along on his toes in the hall.
"Henry Howard!" whispered Douglas.
The king could scarcely restrain the cry of savage, malicious
delight that forced its way to his lips.
The hated enemy was then in his power; he was convicted of the
crime; he was inevitably lost.
"Geraldine!" whispered a voice, "Geraldine!"
And as if his low call had already been sufficient to draw hither
the loved one, the secret door here quite close to the boudoir
opened.
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