seen the arrow. Thou wert not there."

"I was, Edward," returned Francis. "I am in truth Francis Stafford, but I
am the daughter instead of the son of my father."

"Thou!--A girl!" The youth drew back in astonishment. "And I struck thee
with my sword? O chivalry! I am undone! I am undone!"

"Nay; take it not so to heart. The blame is not thine. How couldst thou
know that I was other than I seemed?"

"But I struck thee!" The boy seemed almost stunned. "Would Sidney have
been guilty of such an act? Would the basest hind in the field have
lifted a sword against a woman? Fair mistress," he cried in distress
offering his sword to her, "do one last favor for Edward Devereaux. Bury
that sword in the breast of him who is unworthy to bear it."

"In the name of St. George, what means this?" cried Lord Shrope as he and
Lord Hunsdon ran out from among the trees.

"By my faith, my lord," cried the chamberlain bursting into a laugh. "If
there has not been a duel!"

"Art hurt, Francis?" and Lord Shrope bent over the girl with solicitude.

"My lord, methought just now that I was dying, but the weakness that
overcame me hath departed," and the girl staggered to her feet with his
assistance.

"But thou art wounded? Girl, girl, what doth it mean?" Lord Shrope caught
hold of the sleeve that dangled from her bared arm.

"Edward," said the lord chamberlain sternly, "I am surprised at thee. Is
this thy honor? Thou wert to treat this girl with gentleness. I had thy
word. Thou knowest also that no brawling is permitted near the person of
the queen. It shall go hard with thee for this. Francis Stafford might
not know the law, albeit ignorance excuses none, but thou didst. Besides,
in the name of chivalry, what cause had you to draw your sword against a
maiden?"

"My lord," said Devereaux who had received the rebuke with bowed head,
"deal with me as you list. There is no penalty too severe to be visited
upon me. There is naught that can restore self-esteem to Edward
Devereaux. But, I beseech you, believe me when I say that I knew not
until now that yon maiden was a boy only in attire. My lord, believe
this, and you may do with me as you will."

"'Tis true," corroborated Francis. "He is no more at fault for the
encounter than I, my lord. And he knew not that I was not a boy, until,
thinking that my end was near, I told him. I know not why I felt so
weak."

"Thou didst swoon, child," said Lord Shrope. "'Tis a matter that is of
fre