But to-day they were willing to give him a light; to-day they were willing to allow him everything that he might still desire.

The life which he must leave in a few hours was to be once more adorned for him with all charms and enjoyments which he might ask for.

Henry Howard had but to wish, and the jailer was ready to furnish him everything.
But Henry Howard wished for nothing; he demanded nothing, save that they would leave him alone-save that they would remove from his prison this light which dazzled him, and which opposed to his enrapturing dreams the disenchanting reality.
The king, who had wanted to impose a special punishment in condemning him to darkness--the king had, contrary to his intention, become thereby his benefactor.

For with darkness came dreams and fantasies.

With the darkness came Geraldine.
When night and silence were all around him, then there was light within; and an enchanting whisper and a sweet, enticing voice resounded within him.