.

THE QUEEN.
From the niche in which John Heywood had hid himself he could survey the entire corridor and all the doors opening into it--could see everything and hear everything without being himself seen, for the projecting pilaster completely shaded him.
So John Heywood stood and listened.

All was quiet in the corridor.

In the distance was now and then heard the deadened sound of the music; and the confused hum of many voices from the festive halls forced its way to the listener's ear.
This was the only thing that John Heywood perceived.

All else was still.
But this stillness did not last long.