"I thank thee that thou hast spoken so favorably and kindly of the friendship that once held between us," replied Lord Stafford. "Albeit, I would not curry favor with thee because of it. But to the matter in hand. Know then that when the Queen's Majesty was about to come hither, and we were preparing for her reception, Hugh Greville, my daughter's tutor and my kinsman, did lament that I had no son to speak the welcome to Elizabeth. In an idle moment, I unwittingly consented that Francis should don the habit of a page and deliver the speech not thinking that the queen would do more than to listen to it. But she was drawn to the girl and spoke words of approbation to her, enquiring her name. 'Francis,' she observed as the child gave it her, 'ah! well do I ken, my lord, that that was your father's name.' Then as she moved on she asked if I had other children. To which I answered, 'No.' Methought that that would end the matter, but mark you! She bade my supposed son to attend her in her chamber; and then, thou knowest the tenor of the court talk, she asked if she did not deem her mother fairer than she, the queen, was. My daughter, Shrope, knows naught but to speak the truth. She is a maiden of tender years, simply brought up, and as wild and free as the linnet that sings upon yon bough. She spoke the truth when she answered that to her, her mother was the fairest woman that lived. Elizabeth spurned her from her presence, and conveyed threat as to the manners of my son when she left the hall. 'Ods life, my lord! to what pass hath England come when children must be taught to dissemble and fawn else they be subjected to discipline by the queen? Had she not enough courtiers to hail her as 'Diana,' and 'The Miracle of Time,' and other things of like ilk that she must needs try to subvert my child from truth? Gramercy! I am ready at this moment to enter the tilt-yard to defend the girl's saying against all comers. Her mother is the fairest lady that ere the sun shone on. I----" "Hold, Stafford, thou ravest! Be not so heated in thy words. Give pause while I think on what thou hast told me." Lord Stafford tried to subdue his feelings while the other sat in thought. Presently Lord Shrope looked up. "Stafford, for the sake of that old friendship to which I have before referred, bear with me for what I am about to say. Rumor hath whispered that thou hast given entertainment to Jesuits which, as thou knowest, is felony. Nay;" as Lord Stafford was about to speak, "I would not ask thee if it be true or no. But for that cause do I say, let the girl assume once more her male attire and go with me to the court. Elizabeth likes not to be made the victim of a hoax, but there are times when none enjoys a jest more than she. When the time is propitious, I and other of thy friends, will disclose the matter to the queen. Believe me when I say that it will be best so."