inst some fearful monster. Then would this friend, the face of whom
I could not see, stretch forth a mighty arm and brush the awful
creature from my chest, where he was perched, crushing out my life.

At last even the cords of sleep, with which I had been so securely
bound, could bear the strain no longer; so I awoke to find myself
completely worn out, from my struggles with these phantom foes.

It was still too early for the inmates of the Palace to be stirring.

"'Tis well that I awoke when I did," thought I; "for a double reason.
First, had I slept much longer I had surely been strangled by those
accursed monsters; and second, I now may leave the Palace, and proceed
to the Sanctuary, without fear of arousing suspicion, and therefore, of
being followed." For truly, my dears, I began to fear that I might
soon find myself in the Tower, were I to be seen having any relations
with the Queen; and I felt sure that Catesby would give his right hand
to see my headless corpse.

I hastily dressed myself and repaired unto my friend's quarters. I had
some difficulty in arousing him without disturbing those in the
adjoining apartments; for Harleston admitted that naught but the sound
of the last trump could ever awaken him until he had finished basking
in the sunny smiles of the Goddess of Sleep. As this speech of his
came to my mind I could not help but shudder as I thought of the
treatment that faithfully-worshipped Goddess had bestowed upon me.
Instead of smiling, how cruelly had she frowned.

At length I succeeded in drawing forth a lazy enquiry as to who I was
and what was my business.

"Come, Harleston, bestir thyself, for the love of Heaven. Sleeping at
this time of the day? 'Tis absurd," called I, gently, through the
keyhole.

"Ah! Walter, it is thou," said Harleston, as he opened the door.
"Heigh-ho! why, art thou completely dressed already? What hour is it?"
he asked, as he made a frantic effort to dislocate his shoulders, neck
and jaw, all at one and the same time.

"'Tis almost sun up, and we must be stirring and proceed unto the
Sanctuary before the others do arise, that we may not be observed."

"Ah! a good idea, Bradley. One moment and I will be with thee," he
said, as he began hastily to dress. He was soon ready, so we crossed
over.

The Queen, her family, and the girls, were at matins when we asked to
be permitted to enter; so we were compelled to walk up and down before
the door, and bide ou