"There But still this hour was hers, and
she would enjoy it. She clung fast to his breast; she drew him with
irresistible force to her heart, which now trembled no longer for
love, but from a nameless anxiety.
"Let us fly! Let us fly!" repeated she, breathlessly. See! This hour
is yet ours. Let us avail ourselves of it; for who knows whether the
next will still belong to us?"
"No! it is no longer yours," yelled the king, as he sprang like a
roused lion from his seat. "Your hours are numbered, and the next
already belongs to the hangman!"
A piercing shriek burst from Geraldine's lips. Then was heard a dull
fall.
"She has fainted," muttered Earl Douglas.
"Geraldine, Geraldine, my loved one!" cried Henry Howard. "My God,
my God! she is dying! You have killed her! Woe to you!"
"Woe to yourself!" said the king, solemnly. "Here with the light!
Here, you folks!"
The door of the anteroom opened, and in it appeared four soldiers
with torches in their hands.
"Light the candles, and guard the door!" said the king, whose
dazzled eyes were not yet able to bear this bright glare of light
which now suddenly streamed through the room.
The soldiers obeyed his orders. A pause ensued. The king had put his
hand before his eyes, and was struggling for breath and self-
control.
When at length he let his hand glide down, his features had assumed
a perfectly calm, almost a serene expression.
With a hasty glance he surveyed the room.
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