admiration for this noble and unfortunate
woman that I needs must kneel at her feet and kiss the hem of her gown.

"Arise, Sir Walter," said her Majesty, tenderly; "I do not deserve such
homage. This trouble is but God's punishment for so neglecting his
commands, when I was in a position of power. Ah, my friend, sorrow
doth tame the haughty spirit and maketh us to realize that we must live
for other purposes than the fulfilment of our ambitious dreams.

"Thou mayest think it strange in me to thus take thee into my
confidence and tell thee of my troubles. But this, I tell thee, Sir
Walter, is the reason. Thy father was ever a faithful servant and
friend of my dear husband's house; and had King Edward lived thou hadst
been raised to considerable power. Thou hast proven thy loyalty to me,
even in my trouble, when those which have received, at my hand, the
greatest honours have deserted, what seems to them, a sinking ship.
Besides all this, my soul must needs pour out its grief on some
sympathetic ear. Therefore I tell thee this story of the troubles of a
Queen which, whilst her husband lived, had scarce to express a wish,
and the policy of an empire changed as does the wind. To-day she seeks
safety for herself and family within the precincts of a Sanctuary, than
which place, where is safer? And even it is not."

"Come, madam, thou must not yet despair," said Dorset, tenderly, as he
saw tears rushing unto his mother's eyes. "Surely Gloucester dare not
do harm to the little Duke."

"Ah, my son," replied the Queen, "well do I know that thou dost speak
thus to lighten my heart with hopes of safety for my little Prince.

"But Sir Walter has not yet heard all of my conversation with the
Churchmen. When I had finished my declaration that Gloucester should
not have my son, so long as Westminster would protect me," continued
the Queen, as she again took her seat, "the Cardinal, with a look of
great sorrow, which methinks was feigned--for well do I believe him to
be of Gloucester's party--again spoke:--'Then, your Majesty,' said he,
'it is only left for me to deliver the rest of the Protector's message.
Believe me, madam, I would rather have my tongue torn from my throat
than be the bearer of such a message unto your Majesty.'

"'Come, cease thy snivelling, and deliver thy message,' said I. 'Thou
art but a lackey messenger, and therefore thou art not responsible for
aught that thy master doth say, of insult though it