away! Indeed, the matter is urgent and
grave. If, when you return, you will ask for Mary Burton, knowing your
task fulfilled, she may make clear for you what now must rest in
mystery."

"You say well," he replied. "Give me your message, and count fully on
Will Shakespeare to carry it with all despatch and secrecy."

Phoebe's face grew grave as she thought of all that depended on her
messenger. She stepped closer to her companion and glanced to right and
left to make sure they were still alone. Then, drawing from her finger a
plain gold ring, she offered it to her companion, who took it as she
spoke.

"If you will show this to Sir Guy," she said, "he will know that the
case is serious. It beareth writing within the circle--'Sois fidele'--do
you see?"

"Be faithful--ay."

"'Twill be an admonition for you both," said Phoebe, with a faint
smile. "Tell him to be in the lane behind the Peacock garden at sunset
to-morrow even with two good horses, one for himself and one for me.
Tell him to come alone and to travel by back ways. Bid him in my
name--in God's name--close till then, trusting in me that there is need.
Tell him to obey now, that later he may have the right to command."

"Good!" said Shakespeare. "And now good-by until we meet again."

A parting pressure of the hand, and he turned to go to the stables. She
stood by the fountain musing, her eyes fixed on the entrance gate of the
garden until at length a horseman galloped past. He rose in his stirrups
and waved his hand. She ran forward, swept by a sudden dread of his
loss, waving her hands in a passionate adieu.

When she reached the gate no one was in sight.

CHAPTER XIII

HOW THE FAT KNIGHT DID HOMAGE

On Rebecca's arrival with the royal attendants at Greenwich Palace, the
Queen had ordered that she be given a splendid suite of apartments for
her own use, and that she be constantly attended by a number of young
gentlewomen assigned to her establishment. The news soon spread through
the palace that an American princess or empress had arrived, and she was
treated in every way on the footing of a sort of inferior royalty.
Elizabeth invited her to share every meal with her, and took delight in
her accounts of the manners and customs of the American aborigines.

As for Rebecca, she finally yielded to the conviction that Elizabeth was
not Victoria, and found it expedient to study her companions with a view
to avoiding gross breaches of etiquette. O