, 1858-07-09

0 new sensation"
81 can think Of nothing but yourself" was the
answer; "but know you not, sweetheart, that il
is St Valentines dayH Will you be mine, and
wear the token that l bringf"
Anna made no reply: but her small fingers
remained clasped in the Kings, who stood watch.
ing the downcast face, that had never seemed
more lovely show did your grace come herei'
asked Arid putting the question for want Of
something to say.
"There Is q subterranean passage into the
room below; like true knight, passed through
darkness, to sun myself in my lady's eyes But,
tell me, sweet, will you wear my token, and be
my true and faithful ValentineI"
| Again Anna remained silent; but the silence
was sufficient assent and Henry sealed the pro.
mise on her lip. He then produced red velvet
casket from whence he took carkanet Of pre-
ciOus stones, fastened by rubies, in the shape Of
true-lOver's knot which formed their united
ciphers. The maiden's eyes flashed with plea
sure as she gazed on the splendid offering; but
the genius of fattery, which is the element Of a
court, did not desert her.
"They are magnificent" whispered she, "but
I cannot prize them more than should do sim.
pie flower coming from you"
81 believe it my beauty" exclaimed the
King. swat but a little while, and all England
shall attest the love bear to her who will then
be its mistress But will not 60 hence without
token in return. VIII you give me this little
ringS" and he took up the one which Lord Percy
had once placed on the hand that now lay pas.
sive in another's
"That ringl" exclaimed Anna, vainly strug.
Cling with Ter confusion: ait Is not worth your
grace's acceptance"
Henrys brow darkened, and he examined the
ring closely. ''ohl see,n said he, in one Of
those cold, harsh tones he could sometimes as
sumo, ait is love token. should be sorry to
interfere with any tender recollechons," !" and he
allowed her hand to drop from his own.
Anna saw 1t was dangerous ground; but she
had now recovered her selEpossessiOn. aThe
ring" said she, "was my mothers; Iwould not
part with it, but to your grace; my whole heart
goes with It !" and taking his hand sho placed the
ring upon it.
"I take the gift sweet Onel" replied the king,
all traces Of displeasure utterly passed away.
~ shall never look upon IT. but to think how
truly and tenderly l am beloved But 1t is late
l-gOOd night my fair valcntinel shall sec you
tomorrow"
Anna remained, for some minutes, standing
where he left her, leaning against the oak table.
The widest dream Of her ambition was on the
eve Of being realized; her faith was plighted to
the King Of England-yet Il was not Of him she
thought A low pleading voice was in her ear,
and Lord Percy's dark sad eyes seemed to re-
proaeh her falsehood. Mechanically she looked
to the place where she had last seen his ring; il
was gone, and in its place lay the glittering car
kanet II was feckered with drops Of blood; as
she had leaned on the table, its bright sharp
points had cut her arm. Anna was inssnsble to
the pain-she thought only Of the omcni
i
It was again evening, and Anna was again
seated in lonely chamber, but far different to
her former apartment in the turret A few, q
very few years had passed since then, and her
face was still lovely as ever, but the character Of
its loveliness was changed. The eyes were rest
less, and the lashes had the brightness Of unshed
tears. A hectic color seemed to burn the cheek
on which 1t rested and the once full lip was pale
and thin. She was leaning back in cumbrous
arm chair; and her black dress gave gloom to
her whole appearance which in accorded with her
slender and airy figure, and q face whose native
viyacity neither sorrow nor suffering could quite
subdue. The young queen was lost in deep
reverie Her gay and careless girldhood at the
French court passed wildly before her. Again
Ehe triumphed in being the chosen Of 50 accom-
plished cavalier as Lord Percy. The Seine
seemed to spread far away in the silver moon
light, as bright as her then unbrOken spirits.
81 have paid dearly, Percy" muttered she, for
the vanity that broke faith with love" Never
till in that moment Of its utter want had Anna
Boleyn felt the value Of affection Her fancy
coljured up q happy home, where she was cher
ished, far from the world. She started from her
dream, to know that she was prisoner
condemned-on whom even now rested the
shadow Of the scaffold. "It Is not possiblsl"
exclaimed she, starting from her seat, and wiring
ing her hands in paroxysm Of anguish; "he
is fierce-he is cruel-but he cannot see that
head 60 down in blood to the dust which has so
often lain upon his own hearti bound one
round the letter which I sent him this morning"
Again she sank into silence; but this time her
musings took q sadder tone. al am innocent to
him, ," murmured she, but not so, my God, be-
fore thee. Untrue to Percy-false TO my royal