"Hosanna to-day, and to-morrow crucify!" he answered. "I shall not long be popular—the great lords have not loved me from the first. They offer me the throne because there is no other to serve their turn, and I take it because it is the only way to secure them against France. But I undertake hard service, Marie." "You mean—the difficulties?" "The difficulties! I confess I am overwhelmed by them; everything is confusion—everything! To get the bare Government on a business footing would take a year’s hard work, saying every one was honest—and every one is corrupt. I can trust none of them. There is Ireland in a ferment and the Scottish affairs in a tangle; there are a hundred different parties, with indecipherable politics, waiting to fly at each other’s throats; the Church is hydra-headed with factions—and a cow might as well be set to catch a hare as I set to put this straight, and I have had the business of Europe to conduct already." Mary’s pride and pleasure were utterly dashed. Troubles and difficulties she had been prepared for, but they had been vague and distant; she had not thought to find the Prince already whelmed in them. She reflected swiftly on the anxiety, labour, and anguish that had gone to this expedition, the odium they had both incurred, the violence she had done her own feelings, and she wondered desperately if it had been worth the price. The Prince took her hand, having noticed the paling of her face and the distress in her eyes. "We will talk of other things," he said, with an effort over his tired voice. "I am weak to burden you at once with this; you at least will be beloved here——" Mary broke in passionately— "I do not love England—nor want to be Queen. I doubt I can do it—I was made for little things and peace—I hate this palace," she glanced desperately round her father’s splendour; "our own homes—where we were so happy—are they not better?" The Prince went very pale. "I should not have repined," he said; "it is my task, which I must put through ... the part you have been made to take is the worst for me—the part you may have to take——" "If it serveth you I am very content," she answered; "if I can do anything to help I shall be happy——" The tears sprang into the Prince’s eyes. He looked away out of the window. "Marie—about His late Majesty—I could not help—that he was stopped in Kent ... I would not have had it happen——" "Do not fear," she answered wildly, "that I do not in everything hold you justified?" Her voice broke, and she began to weep. The Prince rose and helped her to her feet. "We must not show tears here," he said gently, "for we are not at home—but among many enemies——" She dried her eyes and smiled bravely. "Do we feel constraint so soon?" "We pay something," he said sadly, "that we are, by the grace of God, Monarchs of England." PART II THE QUEEN