misfortune to turn his back upon King Northumberland, while the knave
was looking his way. We shall have all the nobles of the realm
accommodated in the Tower afore long."

"Ah me!" said Isoult, with a shiver, "are those dreadful 'headings to
begin again?"

"Most likely so," answered he, sitting down. "And the King's Grace hath
given his manor of Ashridge unto his most dear sister the Lady
Elizabeth. I marvel, by the way, which of those royal ladies shall ride
the first unto Tower Hill. We are getting on, child! How the Devil
must be a-rubbing his hands just now!"

In the midst of these troubles came the Queen Dowager of Scotland, Marie
of Guise, to visit the King; upon which rumours instantly arose that the
King should even yet marry the young Queen of Scots. But Mary Stuart
was never to be the wife of Edward Tudor: and there came days when,
looking back on this day, Isoult Avery marvelled that she could ever
have thought such events troubles at all. The clouds were returning
after the rain.

In came Dr Thorpe from evensong on the Sunday night.

"One bit more of tidings, Isoult!" said he in his caustic style. "'Tis
only my Lord of Arundel--nothing but an Earl--let him be. Who shall be
the next, trow?"

"Mean you," said she, "that my Lord of Arundel is had to the Tower?"

"To the Tower," replied he, "ay; the general meeting-place now o' days."

"I wonder how it is with my Lady of Arundel," said Isoult.

"Why," answered he, "if she would get in likewise after her lord, she
hath but to tell my Lord of Northumberland to his face that he may well
be 'shamed of himself (a truer word was never spoke!) and she shall find
her there under an hour."

During the following month came an invitation to dine at West Ham.
There, beside the party from the Lamb, were Mr and Mrs Underhill and Mr
Holland. The conversation turned on politics. It was the usual topic
of that eventful decade of years.

Mr Rose said,--"I know one Master Ascham, now tutor unto my Lady
Elizabeth's Grace, which hath also learned the Lady Jane Grey, and hath
told me how learned and studious a damsel is she; and can speak and read
with all readiness not only French, and Spanish, and Italian, but also
Latin and Greek: and yet is she only of the age of fourteen years. And
so gentle and lovely a maid to boot, as is scantly to be found in the
three kingdoms of the King's Majesty."

"How had she served for the King?" inquired John.

"Right wel