xclaimed. "Much obliged to you all. That's certainly
better."

"Dame," said Elizabeth, sternly, "is this the respect you show to them
above you in America?"

"Above me!" said Rebecca, straightening up stiffly. "There ain't anybody
put above me at home, I can tell you. Ef the' was, I'd put 'em down
mighty quick, I guess."

Elizabeth raised her brows and, leaning toward the lord treasurer, who
stood at her side, she said in an undertone:

"This must be some sovereign princess in her own country, my lord. How
comes it I have not had earlier intelligence of her arrival in this
realm?"

Lord Burleigh bowed profoundly and mumbled something about its being
out of his immediate province--he would have investigation made--etc.,
etc.

The Queen cut him short a little impatiently.

"Let it be done, my lord," she said.

Then turning to Rebecca, she continued:

"Our welcome is somewhat tardy, but none the less sincere. England hath
e'er been friendly to the American, and you had been more fittingly
received had our informants been less negligent."

Here the Queen shot a glance at poor Sir Walter Raleigh, who now seemed
the personification of discomfiture.

"By what name are you called?" Elizabeth continued.

"Wise," said Rebecca, very graciously, "Rebecca Wise."

"Lady Rebecca, will you sit nearer?"

Instantly one of the pages sprang forward with a low chair, which, in
obedience to a sign from the Queen, he placed at her right hand.

"Why, I'd be right pleased," said Rebecca. "That is, if the other folks
don't mind," she continued, looking around. "I don't want to spile your
party."

So saying, she advanced and sat beside the Queen, who now turned once
more to the luckless Raleigh.

"Well, Sir Walter," she said, "what say you now? You have the printed
proof. Can you make aught of it? How comes it that in all your fine
travels in the New World you have heard no English spoken?"

"Oh, I dare say 'tain't his fault!" said Rebecca, indulgently. "I'm
told they have a mighty queer way o' talkin' down South, where he's ben.
Comes o' bein' brought up with darkies, ye know."

Elizabeth took up the newspaper once more.

"Was this printed in your realm, Lady Rebecca?" she asked.

"Hey!"

Elizabeth started haughtily, but recollected herself and repeated:

"Was this leaf printed in your country?"

"Oh, yes--yes, indeed! Down to New York. Pretty big paper, ain't it?"

"Not voluminous alone, but right puzzling to pl