against her
life? 'Tis well to test what is meant for the use of majesty."

Droop whistled low.

"Thet's the wrinkle, eh?" he said. "I don't guess I'd be much tempted to
take a job here as a taster, then! Hello!" he said. "Why, they're takin'
the victuals out o' the room. What's that fer? Did they find p'ison in
'em?"

Sir Percevall did not reply. His attention had been caught by the
arrival of a strangely dressed woman, apparently attended by six maids
of honor.

Turning to a gentleman at his elbow:

"Can you tell me, sir," he said, "who is yonder stranger in outlandish
apparel?"

Following the speaker's eyes, the gentleman stared for a few moments and
then replied:

"Marry, sir, it can but be the American princess with her retinue. They
say that her Majesty much affects this strange new-comer."

It was, indeed, Rebecca who, in response to an invitation brought by a
page in the Queen's livery, was on the way to take supper with
Elizabeth. On her arrival at the anteroom door, an attendant went in
before the Queen to announce her presence; and, while awaiting
admission, Rebecca gazed about her with a curiosity still unsatisfied.

"There, now," she was saying, "'twas suttenly too bad to send you off on
a wild-goose chase, Miss Margaret. Ef you could hev found the man, I'd
hev ben glad, though."

At that very moment, a voice close beside her made her start violently.

"Well--well! I declare! Rebecca Wise, how do you do!"

She turned and saw him of whom she was at that moment speaking, and lo!
to her amazement, it was Copernicus Droop who held out his right hand.

"Copernicus Droop!" she gasped. Then, remembering her adventure of the
previous day, she went on coldly, without noticing the proffered hand:
"Ye seem right glad to see me _now_, Mr. Droop."

Droop was taken aback at her manner and at the sarcastic emphasis laid
upon the word "now."

"Why--why--of course," he stammered. "I thought you was lost."

"Lost!" she cried, indignantly. "Lost! Why, you know right well I chased
you up one street and down the other all the mornin' yesterday. You
tried to lose me, Mr. Droop--and now you find me again, you see. Oh,
yes, you _must_ be glad to see me!"

Droop was at first all astonishment at this accusation, but in a few
moments he guessed the true state of the case. Without delay he
explained the exchange of clothes, and had no difficulty in persuading
Rebecca that it was Francis Bacon whom she had pursued