"Now, by my faith, my lord! thou dost try our patience," said Elizabeth sharply. "Said we not that affairs of state awaited us. We go at once to the council chamber. My lord chamberlain," turning to that official whose white staff indicated his office, "place this lad where his manners will meet with the most improvement." She swept out of the room followed by her ministers, while the courtiers and ladies dispersed according to their fancy. Francis had remained in a kneeling posture all this time scarcely able to control her tears. A tap on the shoulder aroused her, and looking up she saw the kindly face of Lord Hunsdon, the lord chamberlain, bending over her. "Be not disheartened, boy," he said compassionately. "The tide will turn, and thou wilt soon be swept upon the flood into the sunshine of Her Majesty's regard. Come, and I will show thee those who are to be thy fellow companions." "My lord chamberlain," said Lord Shrope hurriedly, "out of the goodness of your heart, permit me one word. The lad is unacquainted with the court, and unused to the society of pages whom as thou knowest, albeit their outward 'havior conforms to custom, yet still are ofttimes unmannerly in their demeanor to each other. For that reason, and for the love which once I did bear his father, I entreat you, let the lad remain with me. I will see to't that his deportment is all that could be asked." "My lord, I dare not," was the chamberlain's reply. "Thou knowest that where the queen commands she exacts obedience to her behests. He must go with the pages." "My lord, a word in your ear. The lad is not as he seems." And Lord Shrope rapidly explained the matter. "Ha! sayst thou so?" explained Lord Hunsdon regarding Francis earnestly. "By my halidom, my lord, there is none who would take her to be other than she appears. Somewhat delicate looking, forsooth, but there are many lads as maiden-like. If the matter be given to the queen in proper manner she will regard it with lenient eyes, but if not, she may treat it as deceit practised upon herself. That she would not forgive." "True;" assented Lord Shrope. "'Tis that aspect of the affair that troubles me. Thou seest that for this cause I would that the girl might remain with my lady wife." "It may not be," said the chamberlain. "Let the girl be in attendance with the pages in accordance with the queen's command until she learns of the child's sex, which, for the damsel's sake, I would discover soon." "I thank you, my lord, for your kindness," returned Lord Shrope. "It is my desire also that the queen should learn of the affair at an early season. But the time must be propitious."