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And with a friendly pressure of her hands he followed after the minister while Francis was conducted back to her prison. And now began a weary time for Francis Stafford. Some hope had crept into her heart after she had seen Lord Shrope, but as the days went by and she heard nothing from him she felt once more friendless and hopeless.
"Nay; 'twas cruel to expect it even though I were in truth my father's son." "Yet still it hath been done," answered the secretary. "Perchance thou wilt be more fortunate than I in informing Her Majesty of the matter," suggested Lord Shrope. "Thou hast her ear." "True, my lord; yet what would it avail?
If the matter be given to the queen in proper manner she will regard it with lenient eyes, but if not, she may treat it as deceit practised upon herself. That she would not forgive." "True;" assented Lord Shrope. "'Tis that aspect of the affair that troubles me. Thou seest that for this cause I would that the girl might remain with my lady wife." "It may not be," said the chamberlain.
"Upon mine honor, Stafford," said Lord Shrope going to Lord Stafford who had bowed his head upon his hands, "even as I have two lady birds of daughters of mine own, so will I look after thine. Take heart, old friend. I believe that all will be well else I would not advise this step. Courage!"
"Now a murrain on thee, Shrope, for mentioning that name," cried Elizabeth her humor changing instantly. "We, too, have somewhat to say of Francis Stafford, but the time is not yet ripe. When it is, then will I hear what thou hast to say. Until then we would not be plagued with the matter. Hearest thou?" "I do, my sovereign mistress," answered Lord Shrope humbly.
"Thou art welcome to all that I have done," said Lord Shrope brusquely to hide his feelings for he was filled with pity for the forlorn state of the girl. "Troublesome thou hast not been, but full of courage until now. How now? Wilt thou play the girl when thou dost wear that garb? Command thyself, I pray, for we draw near the palace."
Come, and I will show thee those who are to be thy fellow companions." "My lord chamberlain," said Lord Shrope hurriedly, "out of the goodness of your heart, permit me one word. The lad is unacquainted with the court, and unused to the society of pages whom as thou knowest, albeit their outward 'havior conforms to custom, yet still are ofttimes unmannerly in their demeanor to each other.
"Damsel, I will speak to the lieutenant of the Tower, and thou shalt have other lodgings but more clemency thou must not expect." "I crave none, sir," answered Francis. "My lord, will you come with me, or go with the girl?" queried the secretary. "With you, Sir Francis. I dare not stay," whispered Lord Shrope. "Later, if I may, I will see thee, child. It would not do now."
"Thou didst swoon, child," said Lord Shrope. "'Tis a matter that is of frequent occurrence among thy sex. Didst never experience it before?" "Never," replied Francis with a light laugh. Save for the sting and smart of the wound she was fully herself. "And I like it not. I' faith, were I to have them often, there would be few sins of Francis Stafford's that would be unknown."
But hasten! The last rays of yon setting sun must see us at the palace." Francis remounted her palfrey, and without further incident they came to the wharf. Leaving their horses in the charge of some of the servitors of Lord Shrope they descended the stairs that led through one of the numerous water gates to the river, and entered one of the wherries that lay clustered about waiting for fares.
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