my lord; yet what would it avail? The queen is not disposed to be
lenient now since the design upon her life was so nearly successful. She
would grant the maiden proper attire, I trow, but no more."

"I do not wish other garb than this," interposed the girl. "None shall
give it me save my father."

"Then must the matter drop," said Walsingham. "Damsel, I will speak to
the lieutenant of the Tower, and thou shalt have other lodgings but more
clemency thou must not expect."

"I crave none, sir," answered Francis.

"My lord, will you come with me, or go with the girl?" queried the
secretary.

"With you, Sir Francis. I dare not stay," whispered Lord Shrope. "Later,
if I may, I will see thee, child. It would not do now."

And with a friendly pressure of her hands he followed after the minister
while Francis was conducted back to her prison.

CHAPTER XXV

A GREAT SORROW BEFALLS FRANCIS

And now began a weary time for Francis Stafford. Some hope had crept into
her heart after she had seen Lord Shrope, but as the days went by and she
heard nothing from him she felt once more friendless and hopeless.

At first her jailer would have nothing to say to her and brought her food
and drink, maintaining the strictest silence. As the girl became pale and
worn from her confinement he softened visibly. So much so that Francis
began anew her pleadings with him to give her some tidings of her
mother.

"It is forbid to talk much with prisoners," said the man gruffly, yet not
unkindly, "but I see no harm in telling thee that thy mother hath been
moved nearer to thee."

"Nearer?" cried Francis joyfully. "Oh, good warder, pray you, where?"

"She hath been taken to the Bell Tower which lieth directly south of this
tower," answered the keeper.

"So near?" murmured Francis. "That is welcome tidings, good jailer.
Prithee tell me but one thing more. How bears she the confinement?"

"Nay, master; that I cannot answer. I am not her keeper, and therefore
know naught of her condition." This he said compassionately for it was
known to the warder and other officials of the Tower that Lady Stafford
was failing fast under her imprisonment which was the reason of her
removal to other quarters.

Not being aware of this fact Francis felt happier at the near proximity
of her mother, and applied herself earnestly to the books which the
jailer had brought at her solicitation.

"How Hugh Greville would rejoice could he but know what pl