Part 7 (1/2)
”Well, then,--_I have told her_,” I al outright at mine embarrassment
”Why,--why,--that,--that,--”
”What in the devil's na me time to finish
”That I love her,--Hazel,--Lady Hazel Woodville, Lady-in-waiting on her Majesty the Queen,” I answered; thus trying to give the impression that I had made it perfectly clear before, but that his skull was too thick to perh
”Bravo, bravo! rasped et it out at last Why, Bradley, I knew it the et so Those sy those drea of late, are the surest indications of that peculiar disease of the heart which so sadly affects the mind
One is almost sure to catch it when one doth come in frequent contact with fair maidens Now the one hich thou hast been associated so much is simply a human moon, to make men mad Therefore, my dear felloas quite certain that thou wouldst soon cry out for it But tell me,” he said, more seriously, ”what did she say?” Then before I could tell hi countenance”
He had scarcely finished his congratulations when in walked Hazel and Mary, arm in arm When they came up to us, my dear maid's face was crimson with blushes, and Mary's contracted with joyous s in Harleston's direction
I nodded ”And doth Mary know?” I asked
”I just told her,” she whispered
Then Harleston and Mary caolden haired cousin tookwon the dearestHazel's hand, wished her all happiness, and said sos of me, the which I shall not put down
So there we stood and talked and laughed--for laughter is ever waiting to burst forth, when the heart is light and young, and filled with love's tender passion--till we heard a commotion in the ballroom We rushed out to see as the cause of these unusual sounds The scene we beheld prodigiously surprised us Every one was hurrying in the direction of the throne, andall sorts of exclamations I left Harleston to look after the ladies, and hurriedly I uests, until I was near the King His Majesty was hanging over the ar his head upon the shoulder of Hastings He appeared to have fainted; for he was deadly pale, his eyes closed, and the lids treht that he had already died, or was just dying; for they ringing their hands and ht have been of more service had they stood further back, and so allowed the King to get some fresh air, which--in these cases--I do consider a better physic than most men's prayers
Presently the Physician Royal, which had been sent for by the Queen, arrived He at once ordered every one, no ht be to stand aback Then he had a bench brought forward, and two gentleth upon it
Vigorously did they rub his hands and face, and then they bled hins of recovering Hastings and Stanley did now lift up the bench, with its Royal load, and carried it fro
The great ball was over, uests stood, for soroups;scarce above a whisper; for there is soreat are thus struck down
I went back to the girls and Frederick; but a dampness had fallen upon our happiness and made us to feel quiet
We remained only a short time, and then made our ways unto our several apartiven by his Majesty, King Edward, the fourth of that na But in the hall I did kiss Hazel ere I did let her go that night
CHAPTER VIII
THE DUEL
When I reached ht Then I arose and walked about the rooood fortune in having at last acco desired
Was it not delightful to be certain that so Hazel was to be the mistress of Bradley House, which had stood without aa time
I pictured to htened, that itwith its fair in, as she fluttered about the house, and played aayly-colored butterfly I saw us strolling through our park Her fair hand was resting on my shoulder, andthrough the trees like strea all around us, and all nature see to keep in harmony with our love and add unto our happiness Now and then would I stoop and pick a flower and place it in her beauteous, dark brown hair Then did I seeacross the lawn to tell us that it was tioeth on, till it is interrupted by Harleston, who entersrobe, and there was nothing about his appearance that would tell us he had been to a ball that night