. "'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
pass she will repent her of her injustice."

The nobleman 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