"Assuredly. Where is he? Ah, Greville," as the tutor overwhelmed with rapture at her notice, threw himself on his knees before her, and seizing the hand which she graciously extended to him, covered it with kisses. "Art well?" "Ah, madam, madam," murmured the old man, "can you ask that when it hath been so long since I have been in your presence? As well expect the flower to flourish without the rays of the sun." "There, flatterer," said the queen tapping him lightly on the shoulder to Francis' amazement for she expected her to take no notice of such adulation. "Thou must come to the court oftener, Greville." Greville arose as she passed on, his face aglow with gratification. "Child, is she not the most gracious, the most lovely of sovereigns?" he whispered to Francis. "Gracious, I grant thee, cousin; but lovely, no. My mother is fairer by far than she." "Hark ye, lad," said a courtier who had overheard the girl's words, "a hint in thine ear: repeat not that speech. Nay; think it not even. It behooves thee, and me, and all of us to believe that the queen is the loveliest, the fairest, and the most learned of all women, bar none; which she is. God bless her!" "God bless Elizabeth," echoed Greville fervently, but Francis, with a haughty look at the speaker, turned upon her heel, and entered the hall. CHAPTER X THE QUEEN TAKES OFFENSE The queen at length reached the great hall of the castle, gorgeously hung with tapestries for her reception, and resounding to the strains of soft and delicious music. At the upper end of the chamber was a throne and beside it a door which opened into a suite of apartments for the queen whenever it should be her pleasure to be private. The hall was thronged with spectators, for a masque was to be given, and menials as well as courtiers were interested in the pageant. Francis mingled with the crowd purposing to retire very soon to her bower to don habit more befitting her sex, but enjoying for the nonce the freedom which her garb gave her. Presently she felt her cloak twitched as some one said: "Where is your sister, sir? I see her not among those who attend the queen." "My sister?" The girl wheeled about, and uttered an exclamation of amazement as she recognized the speaker. "What dost thou here?" she demanded sternly. "And why art thou in that attire?" The boy, for it was the lad who had shot the deer in the chase, gave vent to a low laugh. "I came to see the queen. Why should I not? I am her leal and true subject, which is more than thou canst say even if thou didst rattle off her welcome so glibly in Latin. As for my dress, it is my own. Why should I not wear it, Master Stafford?" "I am as true a subject to the queen as thou art," retorted Francis. "Why art thou here? Thou shouldst be in durance for the deer which thou didst shoot in the forest," and a sneer curled her lips. "So she told you of it," exclaimed the lad. "She? Whom mean you?" queried Francis in bewilderment.