Francis followed Lord Hunsdon through several lofty halls and chambers.
Finally the official caught sight of a youth who stood idly by a pillar.
"Devereaux," he called. "I would speak with thee."
"I am here, my lord." The boy was at his side instantly. "Command me, I pray you. How can I serve you?"
"Take this lad, and make him thy pupil, Edward. He hath been sent here to be taught manners. There be none so well versed in such things as thou art. Therefore do I give him into thy charge."
The youth raised his head and gave a keen searching glance at Francis.
The recognition was instantaneous. Francis gave a slight exclamation for the boy was he with whom she had contested the slaying of the deer.
Beyond a slight sparkle of his eye the lad betrayed no sign of ever having seen her before.
"And, Edward, I know the custom that prevails amongst the pages of treating with undue harshness such as come among ye for the first time. I charge you, as you wish to curry favor with me, that this lad shall meet with naught but gentleness. Dost hear, Edward?"
"Ay, my lord. It shall be as thou sayst. He shall be treated with gentleness. With exceeding great gentleness, I promise you."
The boy"s manner was very deferential, but the ears of Francis caught the sinister meaning that lurked beneath his words.
"My lord," she said boldly, "is there none other to whom I may be consigned except this youth? I like not his appearance."
"Like not Edward?" exclaimed Lord Hunsdon in surprise. "Why, what caprice is this? He is a proper lad, and there is no other of the pages so trustworthy. Thou shouldst deem thyself fortunate to be put into his hands."
"Marry, sir," remarked Edward Devereaux with a sorrowful air, ""tis pity that my visage is so unattractive. If the boy is afeared," with a slight emphasis on the word, "you would best place him with another. Fear makes cowards of us all, and breeds distrust of the most worthy."
"Gramercy," cried the girl hotly, "dost thou think that I fear thee, sirrah? Nay; my lord, I will take none other for my mentor than he.
Mayhap while he imparts to me the nice customs of the court, he will in turn learn of me something he wots not of. Marry! we each have much to learn."
"Tut! is this the way to begin?" said his lordship impatiently. "Edward, I shall look to thee for a good report of thy charge."
"It shall be well, sir," returned Edward Devereaux bowing profoundly. The chamberlain left the two, and the boy faced the girl. "So," he said, "we are come to learn manners, are we? By my faith, "tis time. Thou dost discover too much heat, Master Stafford, and that, thou shouldst know, is not permitted at court. Take that for thy first lesson."
"I will take naught for my lesson from thee," said Francis quickly. "Who art thou to teach manners to me?"
"Hast never heard of Edward Devereaux?" queried the lad. "Much hast thou missed for he is before you," and he bowed mockingly. "Know, Francis Stafford, that thou and I have a feud of long standing. Hast heard thy father speak of Sir Thomas Devereaux of Kent? I am his son, cousin german to Robert Devereaux, Earl of Ess.e.x. Surely, even if thou dost reside far from the court, thou dost know that there hath always been enmity between the Devereaux and the Staffords?"
"Ay! I know of it," a.s.sented Francis. "And that is why thou didst claim, the deer which was slain by my hand in the park?"
"So thou dost still claim the deer? Mark you, Francis Stafford! We of the court think it not honorable to claim that which doth not belong to us.
Thou hadst no shadow of hand in the deed. It lies between thy sister and me. Yet still thou sayst,--"I slew it." Hark ye! if ye so choose we can settle the matter in the great park some eventide. But for the sake of truth say no more that you slew it. It is between thy sister and myself."
"My sister," murmured Francis, and then remembering herself: "My sister be it."
"And thou and I will meet and decide the business once for all," went on Devereaux. "Come! what say you to the third night from this? There are duties that forbid the undertaking sooner."
"But, but," stammered Francis. "I----"
"Ah! thou dost fear." Edward Devereaux looked his scorn. "We will drop the matter. But thou must fight, or concede that I slew the deer."
"I fear nothing," cried the girl. "I will meet thee when and where thou wilt."
"Then on the third night from this, thou and I will meet in the park close by the wicket of the western gate. I will show thee this day where it lieth. And now we must to duty."
CHAPTER XIV
A STRANGE DUEL
Now, Francis Stafford knew but little of the n.o.ble art of fencing. Once or twice her father had given her the foils and shown her some of the att.i.tudes and thrusts, but beyond that her knowledge did not extend. It was with considerable trepidation, therefore, that she thought of the approaching combat.
"Marry!" she mused. "Were it not that Master Devereaux would impute it to fear I would not engage in such contest. It is not befitting my maiden dignity, and I know my mother would not approve. Yet there have been maiden warriors, why should there not be maiden duelists. I doubt not, were the truth known, that there have been many. But howsoe"er that may be, my father, I know, would not like me to submit to the implication of fear; albeit I would not harm the lad even though he be the son of my father"s enemy."
Through the watches of the night the question of swordsmanship troubled her, and when the morning came she had reached no solution of the difficulty.
"I dare not appeal to any who know my s.e.x," she thought as she took her place among the pages that swarmed one of the ante-chambers. "I would that I knew of one that would teach me to thrust and to parry."
While she was thus musing a courtier approached her. He was gorgeously arrayed. Jewels to a fabulous amount adorned his person. Even upon his pantoufles or shoes were large pearls instead of the roses beloved of the gallants. His beard was pointed, his eyes set close together; his manner, when he chose, was irresistible, and his smile very winning. There was a pipe of the new found tobacco in his mouth,--a weed that had just been imported from the new world.
"My fair lad," said the courtier removing his pipe, and speaking in the broad soft accent of Devonshire, "I have not marked thy face before. Art new to the court?"
"Yes, my lord," answered Francis noting with delight the accent. "I am Francis Stafford from Hampshire, but newly arrived at the court. But thou, thou art from Devon, I am sure. It is my mother"s native heath."
"True, boy; I am from Devon. Sayst thou that thy mother is from that shire? Then thou and I should be good friends. Bethink you! Could you play Hermes for me to one of the maids of honor?"
"I could, my lord. But prithee tell me whom I serve?" and the girl looked eagerly into his face.
"I am Walter Raleigh," answered he. "This weed hath given me somewhat of fame."
"Nay;" said Francis quickly. "Not the weed but thine own achievements."
"By my faith, thou art as silvery tongued as Orpheus with his lute," said Sir Walter with a smile. "Mark me, boy! I would not that any should know of this message, least of all the queen. "Tis not that there is aught of harm in it, lad. As thou art new to the court thou mayest not know that it is not permitted to any to deem any fair save the queen, and so we are sometimes forced to send tokens sub rosa."
"I know, Sir Walter," said Francis sadly. ""Tis for that very self-same cause that I am here."
"Then, lad, we understand each other. Know you Mistress Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the queen"s maids?"
"Nay; "tis but my second day in the palace," replied Francis.
"Then must I show her to thee," said Sir Walter. "As Her Majesty goes to take the air upon the river to-day I will linger a little behind. When the maids of honor come forth, mark well my action. As they pa.s.s I will drop my glove at the feet of her who is Elizabeth Throckmorton."
"I will note thy action, Sir Walter, and give to the lady thy token in such manner that none save the fair one herself shall be the wiser."
"Good, my lad! Thou art a true Hermes. As gracious in thy service as was ever that messenger of the G.o.ds. Thou wilt make me thy debtor a thousandfold. What guerdon dost thou wish?"
"Nay, Sir Walter; I want nothing. "Tis pleasing to me to be of service to thee."