Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: July 21, 2025
"But I thought that the gifts came from Lord Shrope," said Francis. "And they are from mine enemy." "But they served the self-same purpose, chuck, as if they were in truth from him. Did they not rouse thee from thy depression? I tell thee that I have been long in these grim walls, and I have seen men of high degree forgotten and forsaken by friends.
I no longer fear for thee so long as thou dost continue to bear thyself in so fearless a manner." "I bid you farewell, my lord," said Francis to Lord Shrope. "Farewell for a season, my child. Return to my lady when thy duties are ended," said her friend. "Lighter will my heart be when thou art once more in thy father's house. Marry! I would that I had not advised bringing thee thither.
Marry! whatever betides I shall have seen London!" She sat erect as she spoke, and drank in the scene with appreciative eyes. Lord Shrope looked at Britain's metropolis with pride. The last rays of the setting sun fell lingeringly upon the great city. For great it was though it numbered but one and thirty thousand inhabitants at this time. Paris alone excelled it in numbers.
"But, my lord, if this act be foregone how shall we proceed? Thou knowest well all evidence that can be obtained anent every one implicated with that 'bosom serpent, Mary, should be gotten wil or nil." "My Lord of Burleigh is seeking you," said Lord Shrope. "He reporteth that Babington hath made full confession, and hath thrown himself upon the mercy of the queen." "Say you so?"
"Come, Francis," said Lord Shrope, "we must to my lady. We were filled with alarm when thou didst not come at the usual hour, and my lord and I have sought for thee everywhere. It was lucky chance that brought us this way. Child, child, I would that thy father had thee with him, or else were here. I would also that the queen were not so obdurate in her mind against thee.
I' faith, very good, if Francis be his name," laughed the other. "A proper lad, I trow. The queen hath ever an eye for beauty." "Where is Her Grace?" questioned Lord Shrope. "In the presence chamber," was the reply. "Then let us hie thither," spoke my lord, and Francis hurried after him, confused and embarrassed, as she encountered the curious gaze of the courtiers and ladies.
Seeing her condition, Lord Shrope related the matter hurriedly, concluding with: "I knew that you knew not her sex, Walsingham, so I sought you to inform you anent it. Learning that you had come here, and fearing that this step would be taken, for well do I ken the stubbornness of the girl where her father is concerned, I hastened hither."
"Yes, many;" assented Lord Shrope in answer to the girl's remark, as retinues of barges passed them, filled with many a freight of brave men and beautiful women. "Hearken, how the oarsmen keep time to their oars." Francis listened with delight as the song of the wherrymen swelled in a mighty chorus, for every boatman sang the same thing: "Heave ho! rumbelow!" "And the swans," she cried excitedly.
"She would not betray thee, Stafford, even when threatened with torture," spoke the secretary. "My Lord Shrope can bear witness to the truth of what I speak." With a bound Lord Stafford reached the weeping girl and caught her to him. "My daughter! My daughter!" he cried. "Can you ever forgive me? Say that you forgive me."
Return me to the Tower, or use your pleasure upon me in any fashion as seemeth best to you, only forgive me." "Hast thy father schooled thee to speak thus?" demanded the queen. "My father? Nay; I know not where he is. I have not seen him since I entered the Tower nearly two years ago," answered the girl. The queen said something in a low tone to Lord Shrope.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking