quent occurrence among thy sex. Didst never experience it before?"

"Never," replied Francis with a light laugh. Save for the sting and smart
of the wound she was fully herself. "And I like it not. I' faith, were I
to have them often, there would be few sins of Francis Stafford's that
would be unknown."

"Didst confess to Edward?" laughed Lord Shrope. "You two should be great
friends anent this."

"No;" said Francis. "I confessed that he killed the deer, and that its
horns were justly his. I will not retract that, but still do I count him
mine enemy, even as his father and mine are at feud."

"So be it," said Edward Devereaux mournfully. "Thou canst not, maiden,
hate me more than I loathe myself."

"Come, Francis," said Lord Shrope, "we must to my lady. We were filled
with alarm when thou didst not come at the usual hour, and my lord and I
have sought for thee everywhere. It was lucky chance that brought us this
way. Child, child, I would that thy father had thee with him, or else
were here. I would also that the queen were not so obdurate in her mind
against thee. But she will not have thy name broached to her. Something
lies underneath it all. Hadst thou been concerned in treasonous
undertakings the matter would be plain. As it is--but why think of it?
That wound of thine which to a man would be a mere scratch must with thee
be looked to. Let us away."

The inconvenience caused by the hurt was short, but, before the girl
resumed her place among the pages, Lord Shrope again ventured to speak of
her to the queen.

"My liege," he said one morning when the queen had been particularly
gracious to him, "I would that you would let me speak of Francis
Stafford. There is somewhat----"

"Now a murrain on thee, Shrope, for mentioning that name," cried
Elizabeth her humor changing instantly. "We, too, have somewhat to say of
Francis Stafford, but the time is not yet ripe. When it is, then will I
hear what thou hast to say. Until then we would not be plagued with the
matter. Hearest thou?"

"I do, my sovereign mistress," answered Lord Shrope humbly. "I hear and
will heed thy commands. Only take not from me thy divine favor."

"Hadst thou ever been connected with any enterprise against her," he said
to Francis as he reported the result of the interview, "I could
understand it. As it is, her mood toward thee gives me great concern."

"Trouble not thyself, my good friend," answered Francis, though she
herself was more di