"So," muttered Cavendish to himself as Humfrey went up the stairs,
"there _is_ then some secret. I marvel what it bodes! Did not that
crafty villain Langston utter some sort of warning which I spurned,
knowing the Bridgefield trustiness and good faith? This wench hath
been mightily favoured by the lady. I must see to it."

Meantime Humfrey had been admitted to Queen Mary's room, where she sat
as usual at her needlework. "You bring me tidings, my friend," she
said, as he bent his knee before her. "Methought I heard a fresh stir
in the Castle; who is arrived?"

"The Lord Buckhurst, so please your Grace, and Master Beale. They
crave an audience of your Grace in half an hour's time."

"Yea, and I can well guess wherefore," said the Queen. "Well, Fiat
voluntas tua! Buckhurst? he is kinsman of Elizabeth on the Boleyn
side, methinks! She would do me grace, you see, my masters, by sending
me such tidings by her cousin. They cannot hurt me! I am far past
that! So let us have no tears, my lassies, but receive them right
royally, as befits a message from one sovereign to another! Remember,
it is not before my Lord Buckhurst and Master Beale that we sit, but
before all posterities for evermore, who will hear of Mary Stewart and
her wrongs. Tell them I am ready, sir. Nay but, my son," she added,
with a very different tone of the tender woman instead of the outraged
sovereign, "I see thou hast news for me. Is it of the child?"

"Even so, madam. I wot little yet, but what I know is hopeful. She is
with Madame de Salmonnet, wife of one of the suite of the French
Ambassador."

"Ah! that speaketh much," said Mary, smiling, "more than you know,
young man. Salmonnet is sprung of a Scottish archer, Jockie of the
salmon net, whereof they made in France M. de Salmonnet. Chateauneuf
must have owned her, and put her under the protection of the Embassy.
Hast thou had a letter from thy father?"

"I am told that one is among Will Cavendish's mails, madam, and I hope
to have it anon."

"These men have all unawares brought with them that which may well bear
me up through whatever may be coming."

A second message arrived from Lord Buckhurst himself, to say how
grieved he was to be the bearer of heavy tidings, and to say that he
would not presume to intrude on her Majesty's presence until she would
notify to him that she was ready to receive him.

"They have become courteous," said Mary. "But why should we dally? The