but lightly."

"Let the Fair Geraldine lay hers upon me, and she shall not have to
reproach me with disobedience," rejoined the earl.

I must interpose to prevent their utterance," cried Richmond, with a
somewhat jealous look at his friend, "for I have determined to know
more of this mystery, and shall require the earl's assistance to unravel
it. I think I remember Morgan Fenwolf, the keeper, and will send for him
to the castle, and question him. But in any case, I and Surrey will visit
Herne's Oak to-night."

The remonstrances of both ladies were interrupted by the sudden
appearance of Will Sommers.

"What ho! my lords--to your places! to your places!" cried the jester, in a
shrill angry voice. "See ye not we are close upon Datchet Bridge? Ye
can converse with these fair dames at a more fitting season; but it is
the king's pleasure that the cavalcade should make a goodly show. To
your places, I say!"

Laughing at the jester's peremptory injunction, the two young nobles
nevertheless obeyed it, and, bending almost to the saddle-bow to the
ladies, resumed their posts.

The concourse assembled on Datchet Bridge welcomed Anne Boleyn's
arrival with loud acclamations, while joyous strains proceeded from
sackbut and psaltery, and echoing blasts from the trumpets. Caps
were flung into the air, and a piece of ordnance was fired from the
barge, which was presently afterwards answered by the castle guns.