FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79  
80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   >>   >|  
. 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 nobleman, "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 compassionately. "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;" assented Lord Shrope. "'Tis that aspect of the affair that troubles
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79  
80   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

chamberlain

 

Shrope

 

explained

 
matter
 
knowest
 

regard

 
Hunsdon
 

Francis

 

manners

 

demeanor


father
 

entreat

 

ofttimes

 

unmannerly

 

reason

 
deceit
 

practised

 

outward

 

unused

 
society

affair

 
aspect
 

unacquainted

 

permit

 

troubles

 

forgive

 

conforms

 
custom
 

havior

 

remain


assented

 

albeit

 

maiden

 

rapidly

 

Somewhat

 

appears

 

delicate

 

forsooth

 

earnestly

 

halidom


deportment

 

behests

 

proper

 

manner

 

obedience

 

lenient

 
commands
 

exacts

 

awaited

 

council