en conscious of baseness that we fear to have our
lives searched. Thou hast done nothing wrong; therefore fear nothing."

"My lord," said Francis touched by his faith, "you honor me too much.
Pray Heaven that you may never have cause to repent your words."

"Tut, child! why should I repent them? Now be advised by me, and take
advantage of the humor of the queen. A good husbandman, as thou knowest,
improves the sunshine to make hay. We must do likewise. It is the queen's
habit to repair to her closet to play each day upon the virginals. This
she doeth for the most part privately, but, as she plays markedly well,
she is not ill pleased to have others hear her. Especially is this true
if it transpires accidentally. Now do you place yourself in the gallery
behind the arras. When the queen plays seem to be drawn into her presence
by the sweetness of her music, even as Orpheus drew Eurydice from among
the demons. Then excuse thy intrusion with some well-timed phrase.
Elizabeth is great, but she hath a weakness for judicious flattery the
which, in truth, doth not ill accord with her femininity. Then, if she
receive thee graciously, throw thyself upon her mercy and confess all."

"But, my lord, doth it not savor too much of guile?" objected Francis,
her spirit revolting at the manner of the transaction.

"It doth, Francis, but what would you? 'Tis the manner of all courts, and
the queen is not deceived thereby. Such things the rather appeal to her
if the fashion of them be adroit. What boots the method then if the end
is accomplished, and the queen pleased. No harm is done."

"My lord, I like not the style of it. It seemeth to me that nothing is
ever done in a straightforward manner any more. Is life full of naught
but crookedness and devious windings and turnings? Let me go to the queen
openly, I beseech you."

"Nay; 'twill avail thee nothing. Subdue thy pride for once, and be guided
by one to whom all the ways of the court are as an open book. Thou dost
hold thyself with too much of spirit. Set not thyself above those who are
older and of superior wisdom."

Francis felt the rebuke so sharply spoken, and answered in a conciliatory
manner.

"My lord, I intend not to hold my judgment higher than thine for thou art
of superior wisdom and age. I am willing to be guided by thee, but I
would that the end could be gained by other ways than those of
crookedness."

"'Tis for thy parents' sake as well as thine," observed the ot