"In the presence chamber," was the reply.
"Then let us hie thither," spoke my lord, and Francis hurried after him, confused and embarra.s.sed, as she encountered the curious gaze of the courtiers and ladies. They pa.s.sed through the lofty halls and ante-chambers of the palace until at length they stood in the long gallery at the upper end of which were the folding doors that gave entrance to the presence chamber.
"Go not in, my lord," pleaded the usher of the black rod in charge of the door. "Something hath gone amiss with Her Highness, and the moment is not favorable."
"I thank you, Master Usher, but the queen bade me seek her instantly upon my return," said Lord Shrope. "I needs must go to her now. Come, Francis."
So saying he boldly entered the chamber. It was hung with magnificent tapestries toward which Francis cast not so much as a single glance, so intent was she upon the form which seemed to dominate the room. At one end of the apartment was a dais upon which the queen sat under a royal canopy, surrounded by her ministers and some courtiers. They stood about with dismayed countenances for the queen was in a rage. She looked up as the two entered, and stared for a moment as if seeking to know the meaning of their entrance.
"My liege sovereign," cried Lord Shrope without waiting for the Lord Chamberlain to announce him, "I have come. Behold here is the lad for whom you sent me."
"Out of my sight," cried the queen angrily. ""Ods death! is there none to keep the door that every minion that lists may enter? Out of my sight, and plague me not with a sight of that boy. Away, varlet!"
With crestfallen visage Lord Shrope arose, bowed profoundly and hurried Francis out of the chamber.
"I should have heeded thy warning, sir," he said to the usher. "Now I cannot seek the queen until she bids me to her."
"What shall I do?" asked the girl almost in tears. "Whither shall I go?"
"Thou shalt come with me, my child. My lady wife will look to thy comfort. There shalt thou abide until it shall be safe to approach Elizabeth. Thy star is not in the ascendant."
"And I have involved thee too in Her Grace"s displeasure," said Francis with contrition.
"Nay; Elizabeth is too just to harbor ill toward me who hath but wrought her pleasure. Though verily the humors of princes like their favors are uncertain. But come!"
CHAPTER XIII
A FAMILIAR FACE AND A CHALLENGE
Lady Shrope received the girl with kindness but her anxiety, when her husband recounted the manner of his reception by the queen, was great.
"Thou hast no cause for fear," remarked Lord Shrope. "Elizabeth is the very muster of justice and honor. When she hath suffered a few hours to pa.s.s she will repent her of her injustice."
The n.o.bleman was right. At an early hour the next day he was summoned to the presence of the queen, and bade to bring his charge with him.
"I cry your pardon, my lord," said Elizabeth extending her hand to him graciously. "Thine entrance yester e"en was ill-timed. We had received tidings that ruffled our royal dignity and permitted us to treat thee with undue rigor. Dost forgive thy queen, my lord?"
"There is naught I would not forgive Elizabeth," returned he with earnestness. "Had I known I would have delayed seeking an audience but methought it was your wish that I should come to you upon my first arrival. Forgive me that I did misinterpret your desire."
"If thou hast forgiven me then do I forgive thee," said the queen. "Rise, my lord, and I will speak of this boy, and then to other matters.
Business of state awaits the morning hours."
"He is here, my liege, to speak for himself," answered he, and beckoned Francis to come forward.
She did so diffidently and kneeled before the queen.
"Nay; I wish not to speak with him, my lord," and Francis noted with dismay that she did not extend her hand to her. "Let him take his place with the pages. They will soon let him into the manners of the court, I trow. When he shall have rubbed off some of the rustic mayhap I will have something to say to him."
"My liege," ventured the n.o.bleman, "will you listen to something concerning the lad which "tis best that you should know?"
"Now, by my faith, my lord! thou dost try our patience," said Elizabeth sharply. "Said we not that affairs of state awaited us. We go at once to the council chamber. My lord chamberlain," turning to that official whose white staff indicated his office, "place this lad where his manners will meet with the most improvement."
She swept out of the room followed by her ministers, while the courtiers and ladies dispersed according to their fancy.
Francis had remained in a kneeling posture all this time scarcely able to control her tears. A tap on the shoulder aroused her, and looking up she saw the kindly face of Lord Hunsdon, the lord chamberlain, bending over her.
"Be not disheartened, boy," he said compa.s.sionately. "The tide will turn, and thou wilt soon be swept upon the flood into the sunshine of Her Majesty"s regard. Come, and I will show thee those who are to be thy fellow companions."
"My lord chamberlain," said Lord Shrope hurriedly, "out of the goodness of your heart, permit me one word. The lad is unacquainted with the court, and unused to the society of pages whom as thou knowest, albeit their outward "havior conforms to custom, yet still are ofttimes unmannerly in their demeanor to each other. For that reason, and for the love which once I did bear his father, I entreat you, let the lad remain with me. I will see to"t that his deportment is all that could be asked."
"My lord, I dare not," was the chamberlain"s reply. "Thou knowest that where the queen commands she exacts obedience to her behests. He must go with the pages."
"My lord, a word in your ear. The lad is not as he seems." And Lord Shrope rapidly explained the matter.
"Ha! sayst thou so?" explained Lord Hunsdon regarding Francis earnestly.
"By my halidom, my lord, there is none who would take her to be other than she appears. Somewhat delicate looking, forsooth, but there are many lads as maiden-like. If the matter be given to the queen in proper manner she will regard it with lenient eyes, but if not, she may treat it as deceit practised upon herself. That she would not forgive."
"True;" a.s.sented Lord Shrope. ""Tis that aspect of the affair that troubles me. Thou seest that for this cause I would that the girl might remain with my lady wife."
"It may not be," said the chamberlain. "Let the girl be in attendance with the pages in accordance with the queen"s command until she learns of the child"s s.e.x, which, for the damsel"s sake, I would discover soon."
"I thank you, my lord, for your kindness," returned Lord Shrope. "It is my desire also that the queen should learn of the affair at an early season. But the time must be propitious."
"Yes; the time must be propitious." The lord chamberlain turned to Francis who had listened to the above conversation with blushing cheeks.
"It seems best, my child, to carry out the queen"s command at least in part. Canst thou so bear thyself that none will be the wiser of thy s.e.x?
The discipline of the palace is strict and the pages observe punctiliously the outward forms of respect. Still the minions do ofttimes o"erstep the bounds and indulge in rare pranks. Methinks "twould be wise for them to know naught of thy disguise. The knaves are as full of mischief as sprites."
"I fear them not," said Francis spiritedly. "I fear naught but the queen"s displeasure. For any other, I care not who he be, woe to him who dares touch Francis Stafford." She touched the poniard that dangled from her belt significantly as she spoke.
"Child," cried the old lord in delight, "thou wearest the proper garb.
Thou wast never meant for a girl. Zounds! what spirit! And so thou fearest naught in all England but the displeasure of the queen. Gramercy!
the air of the court is beginning to tell upon thee for those are the words of a courtier. Come! I no longer fear for thee so long as thou dost continue to bear thyself in so fearless a manner."
"I bid you farewell, my lord," said Francis to Lord Shrope.
"Farewell for a season, my child. Return to my lady when thy duties are ended," said her friend. "Lighter will my heart be when thou art once more in thy father"s house. Marry! I would that I had not advised bringing thee thither. Now I know not what may befall."
"Chide not thyself, my lord," returned Francis who had recovered her natural courage now that the interview with the queen was over. "All will be well in a few days, I doubt not. Meantime, it suits me well that I am to see somewhat of the court."
"Marry! it suits not me," returned his lordship bluntly. "I like not to see a wild bird caged. The linnet is never so sweet as in its own woodland."
"But the hawk flies as high for its keeper as when seeking its own quarry," said Francis as she moved away. "Again, my lord, farewell until the eventide."
"Farewell. Be discreet, child."