in it also. There are
dark days before us, Francis."

"My father," and leaning from her horse the girl kissed him. "No matter
what befall thou hast deemed me worthy to share thy danger, and I will
not repine. But I like not to think that they wish to kill the queen."

"Think not on that, Francis," said her father hastily. "On that matter my
heart is heavy, though I trow such attempt will not be made. Anthony but
raves. Such thoughts are not for thy young heart. Dismiss them, I entreat
thee."

"Let us rather think only that we are to carry the tidings to Mary that
an effort will be made to release her. Surely it is right to seek to
relieve her suffering," said the girl sweetly.

"It is in very truth, my child. Thou and I are not concerned in aught but
in bearing good news; therefore will I cheer up, sweet chuck, though I am
greatly troubled."

And by an effort he put aside the dire forebodings that filled his soul,
and tried to enter into the enjoyment of his daughter who, with the
elasticity of youth, had turned to the more cheerful scenes around them.

Frequently he called her attention to some historic spot, or pointed out
the beauties of the sylvan landscape. And thus, sometimes in sweet
converse in which Francis learned to know her father better than she had
ever known him; at others, in long lapses of silence the more eloquent
that there was no conversation, and in stopping for rest and refreshment
at taverns did the days pass without further incident. Yet though nothing
of import transpired, the journey was not without interest to Francis.

Bath, on the right bank of the river Avon, presented a great variety of
beautiful landscape; the old city of Gloucester, city of churches and
beloved of kings; Tewkesbury, site of the battle between Lancastrians and
Yorkists which placed the crown upon the head of Edward the Fourth;
Worcester, with its glorious cathedral, filled her with delight. The
beauty of the diversified scenery, consisting of hill, vale, forest and
river, the numerous remains of Druid, British, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and
Norman to which her father called her attention; all these things
contributed to her pleasure, and served to banish everything from her
mind save the happiness of the moment.

"And now, Francis," said Lord Stafford on the evening of the fourth day,
"yonder lies Stafford, and we are near the end of our travel. Behold, on
yon mount, called 'Castle Hill,' the place where stood a noble ca