hath given your Majesty special graces,
and such strength that the woman in you must obey the sovereign."

Elizabeth sighed. "Thou art right," she said. "Daily have I to beat
the woman in me down, down. 'Tis hard to do it, for the woman will cry
out for what is hers by nature. Canst thou not perceive, Master
Morgan, that the struggle is bitter at times? Yet the woman in me must
succumb; for, did she have her way, England, my England, would suffer."

"Therefore did God give the Queen strength," murmured Johnnie.

Elizabeth arose. "I will see thee again," she said. "Thou hast some
homely mother wisdom, and a truthful tongue. It cheers a Queen's heart
to learn that, far from courts and crowds, she hath valiant and loyal
subjects like to thee. But I must ask thee to consider whether thou
canst not serve us to more advantage than offers on a simple farm.
Thou hast given a little brave blood for England. The world is wide,
and our foes are many. Doth not thy spirit cry out for wings at times?"

"It hath in these last few days, your Majesty."

"Yes?"

"I have been talking with some sailor-men from the Spanish Main, and
the sea sings in mine ears, sleeping and waking."

"Then obey the call."

"I will."

"God prosper you!"

"And bring your Majesty happiness and length of days."

Chapter XXIII.

JOHNNIE SEES MANY SIGHTS.

The Queen left the audience chamber in company with her
maids-of-honour, and Raleigh held the curtains over the doorway aside
for them to pass through. He came back to where Morgan was standing,
and looked him quizzingly up and down.

"Upon my faith as a knight! thou, John Morgan, art the biggest packet
of surprises I have yet brought within the gray walls of Whitehall
Palace. They do say that the air of this place is peculiarly suitable
for the breathing of west-country men. We thrive in it amazingly, to
the chagrin of better men born elsewhere. But thou hast developed from
close bud to full-blown flower in a single afternoon. Who cut the
strings of thy tongue, and took the bands from thy wits? Thou didst
speak like a ten years courtier at the least. I will confess that I
hearkened to thee dumb with sheer amazement."

Johnnie rubbed his chin ruefully.

"I am sore afraid that my tongue hath undone me; yet, for the life of
me, I could put no bridle upon it when once her Majesty had me by the
eyes. She willed the words out of me. Bones o' me! I pray I may
never have