“I will try to follow your counsel,” replied Mary. “And now, my good Lord Cardinal, answer me one question. Have I wrongfully suspected Constance Tyrrell?” “Madam, I truly think so,” replied Pole. “Then send for her instantly, that I may repair the wrong I have done,” cried Mary. The Cardinal readily complied, and ere long Constance made her appearance. “Come hither, child,” said the Queen, in a kind voice, on seeing her. “I have done you injustice. But I will make amends. You told me that you fled from Hampton Court with Osbert Clinton. Why did you trust him?” “I trusted him because—because he loved me, gracious Madam,” replied Constance. “Since then we have been affianced.” “Is the King aware of your betrothal?” inquired Mary. “He is, Madam,” replied Constance. “But he has forbidden Osbert, on pain of death, to see me again.” “Indeed!” exclaimed Mary. “Then I cannot aid you as I should wish to do. You must think of Osbert no more.” “I cannot obey you in that respect, Madam,” replied Constance. “He is never absent from my thoughts.” “Poor child!” exclaimed Mary. “Your fate is as sad as my own. We are both doomed to unhappiness.” “But it is in your Majesty’s power to make me happy—to make Osbert happy,” cried Constance. “Alas! child, you give me credit for more power than I possess,” rejoined Mary. “I dare not oppose the King in this matter. Osbert must not see you again. Should he do so, I cannot save him from the King’s resentment. But I will do all I can for you. You shall be released from confinement, but you must remain for a time with the good Cardinal, who, I am sure, will be a father to you.” “I will willingly take charge of her,” said Pole. “She shall have free range of the palace.” “But she must not quit it without my consent,” said Mary. “Neither must she see Osbert Clinton.” “I will answer for her,” rejoined the Cardinal. “Nay, I will answer for myself,” cried Constance. “I thank your Majesty from the bottom of my heart, and will faithfully obey your injunctions.” “It will be a period of probation, that is all,” said the Queen. “You will be better and happier for it in the end—at least, I trust so. And now, child, you may retire. Remember what I have said about Osbert Clinton.” “I shall not fail, gracious Madam,” she replied. And kissing the hand extended to her by the Queen, she withdrew. Some further conversation then took place between Mary and the Cardinal, which had the effect of restoring the Queen to comparative cheerfulness, and she declared that she now felt quite able to return to Whitehall. By her desire, Pole then summoned her ladies, and, on their appearance, quitted her to communicate the glad intelligence of her recovery to the King. [Illustration] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration] CHAPTER IX. THE FRANCISCAN.