The corridor was lighted up, and the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps was heard.
It was the gold-laced lackeys, who bore the large silver candelabra to light the queen, who, with her train of ladies, was passing through the corridor.
She looked wondrously beautiful.

The glare of the candles borne before her illumined her countenance, which beamed with cheerfulness.

As she passed the pillar behind which John Heywood was standing, she was talking in unrestrained gayety with her second maid of honor; and a clear and lively laugh rang from her lips, which disclosed both rows of her dazzling white teeth.

Her eyes sparkled; her checks were flushed with a rich red; bright as stars glittered the diamonds in the diadem that encircled her lofty brow; like liquid gold shone her dress of gold brocade, the long trail of which, trimmed with black ermine, was borne by two lovely pages.
Arrived at the door of her bed-chamber, the queen dismissed her pages and lackeys, and permitted only the maid of honor to cross the threshold of her chamber with her.
In harmless gossip the pages glided down the corridor and the staircase.
Then came the lackeys who bore the candelabra.

They also left the corridor.
Now all was quiet again.