Oh, how slow and sluggish crept those minutes along! How many eternities had she still to wait before he would come--he, her lover, and soon her husband! Was he already with the queen?
Could she expect him already?
She stood as if spellbound at the window, and looked down into the courtyard.
Through that great gateway over there he must come; through that door yonder he must go, in order to reach the queen's apartments.
She uttered an exclamation, and a glowing blush flitted across her face.

There, there, he was.

Yonder drew up his equipage; his gold-laced lackeys opened the door and he alighted.

How handsome he was, and how magnificent to look upon! How noble and proud his tall figure! How regularly beautiful his fresh, youthful face! How saucy the haughty smile about his mouth; and how his eyes flamed and flashed and shone in wantonness and youthful happiness.

His look glanced for a moment at Elizabeth's window.