"Nay, my lord; I know that thou dost speak from the fulness of experience, and therefore do thy words carry weight. I am not weary but my heart doth fail me when I think of the queen and the court. I am but a maiden, my lord, unlearned in the ways of courtiers, and should I fail to find favor with the queen, who shall stand between me and her will? Who is there who would brave her displeasure to speak one word for me? Marry! not one!" "Think not on that aspect, girl, an thou wouldst maintain thy spirit. He who would achieve his end dwells not on failure. Think on thy father. For his sake thou must get the favor of the queen. For his sake so demean thyself that all that he hath done will be condoned. Mark thee, Francis! There are those who whisper that he is the more inclined to Mary of Scotland than to Elizabeth of England. There lies his danger." "I thank you, my lord, for your words," said Francis. "Well will I heed them. Thou hast been to me as a father in the discharge of thy duty, though it must be irksome to thee to be burdened with so troublesome a charge. Nathless, I thank thee for thy words and for thy care." Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke and she turned her head quickly that he might not see them. "Thou art welcome to all that I have done," said Lord Shrope brusquely to hide his feelings for he was filled with pity for the forlorn state of the girl. "Troublesome thou hast not been, but full of courage until now. How now? Wilt thou play the girl when thou dost wear that garb? Command thyself, I pray, for we draw near the palace." "'Tis true I wear this garb," sobbed Francis, "but yet I am a maiden, with a maiden's fears and a maiden's weakness. Prithee bear with me for a moment until I am myself again." She gave way to the emotion that overwhelmed her, for she was wearied by the journey, excited over the new and strange scenes of the past few days, and overwrought with her fears. Lord Shrope bent a look of compassion upon her, but uttered no word.