umberland. Percy anticipated no paternal opposition to his suit ; for although in his boyhood he had been contracted by his father to Mary Talbot, a daughter of the Earl of Shrewsbury, the contract had never been ratified on his part, and to the lady he had always expressed strong aversion. Circumstances afforded the lovers the felicity of frequent meetings. Percy attended Cardinal Wohey, in his daily visits to the palace, as one of his pages ; and whilst the Cardinal was closeted with the King, the lovelinked pair met in the Queen's antechamber, and at length reciprocated a promise of marriage. To complete their happiness, only the exercise of caution and concealment seemed necessary ; but, unfortunately, Percy lacked experience, and Anne required discretion. Their secret was discovered, and whispered to the King ; and Henry, in a rage of jealousy, resolved to separate Anne from his unconscious rival before he himself had any distinct idea in what manner he should attach her to his own person. Accordingly, he sent for his great favourite and adviser, Wolscy, and after angrily reverting to the love between Anne and Percy, ordered him to see that the arrangement previously entered into for tbe marriage between Anne and Piers1 Butler was not overturned. Wolsey, not suspecting the real purpose of the King, bowed complaisance ; and, on returning home, sent for Percy, and after upbraiding and rebuking his folly, commanded him, as he valued life and honour, for ever to relinquish the pursuit of Anne Bolcyn. Instead of submitting with deference to the will of the Cardinal, Percy, with the boldness of a sincere lover, answered by justifying his choice. "My father," said he, "cannot reasonably object to my mistress. In birth and accomplishments she is fully my equal ; and though she be but a simple knight's daughter, by her mother's side she is well nigh the Norfolk blood ; and her father is one of the heirsgeneral of the Earl of Ormond." Incensed and alarmed at this opposi tion, the Cardinal rejoined : " I marvel nota little at thy folly and boldness; for in this matter thou bast greatly of fended the King, who, in truth, has already promised the lady to another, with whom he is certain she will be well satisfied." At this astounding intimation, Percy burst into tears, and, in an agony of grief, implored the Cardinal to intercede with the King in his favour, protesting that his conscience would not permit him to withdraw the pledge he had given to his mistress. " Sirrah !" said the Cardinal, in tones of anger, " the King's purpose is fixed, You must submit to his will, or incur his severest displeasure." " Sir," exclaimed Percy, " I have no help ; and, therefore, discharge my conscience of this weighty matter, and, with due deference, submit the case to tne King and yourself." "Well then," replied the Cardinal, " I will instantly summon your father from the north, and advise with him on the subject. And, mark, I charge ye, as ye W'ould avoid the King's indignation, not to see Anne Boleyn in the meantime." He then left tbe crest-fallen lover toweep over his disappointment ; and, retiring to his chamber, instantly dispatched a special messenger to the north, with a positive order to make all speed, and not return without the Earl of Northumber land. On reaching London, the no less proud than mean old Earl went to Wolsey's residence, where, after holding a private conference with tbe Cardinal, be took his seat on a bench at the end of the gallery, and calling to him his son, who, hat in hand, approached with dutiful submission, in the presence of the pages and the other attendants, publicly reprehended his late conduct, in the following severe language : " Son," quoth he, " even as thou art proud, and always hast been a proud, licentious, disdainful, and a very unthrifty master, so hast thou now declared thyself. Wherefore, what joy, what comfort, what pleasure or solace shall I conceive of thee, that thus, without discretion, hast misused thyself, having neither regard to thy natural father nor unto thy natural sovereign lord, to