more probable, you have again seen Herne the Hunter. Confess now,
you have been in the forest."

"I will confess anything you please," replied Surrey evasively.

"And what have you seen?--a stranger vision than the first?" rejoined
the Fair Geraldine.

"Since your ladyship answers for me, there is no need for explanation
on my part," rejoined Surrey, with a faint laugh. "And know you not,
that those who encounter super natural beings are generally bound to
profound secrecy?"

"Such, I hope, is not your case, Henry?" cried the Lady Mary Howard, in
alarm;--" nor yours, my lord?" she added to the Duke of Richmond.

"I am bound equally with Surrey," returned the duke mysteriously

"You pique my curiosity, my lords," said the Fair Geraldine; "and since
there is no other way of gratifying it, if the Lady Mary Howard will
accompany me, we will ourselves venture into the forest, and try
whether we cannot have a meeting with this wild huntsman. Shall we
go to-night?

"Not for worlds," replied the Lady Mary, shuddering; "were I to see
Herne, I should die of fright."

"Your alarm is groundless," observed Richmond gallantly. "The
presence of two beings, fair and pure as yourself and the Lady
Elizabeth Fitzgerald, would scare away aught of evil."