"Art hurt, Francis?" and Lord Shrope bent over the girl with solicitude. "My lord, methought just now that I was dying, but the weakness that overcame me hath departed," and the girl staggered to her feet with his assistance. "But thou art wounded? Girl, girl, what doth it mean?" Lord Shrope caught hold of the sleeve that dangled from her bared arm. "Edward," said the lord chamberlain sternly, "I am surprised at thee. Is this thy honor? Thou wert to treat this girl with gentleness. I had thy word. Thou knowest also that no brawling is permitted near the person of the queen. It shall go hard with thee for this. Francis Stafford might not know the law, albeit ignorance excuses none, but thou didst. Besides, in the name of chivalry, what cause had you to draw your sword against a maiden?" "My lord," said Devereaux who had received the rebuke with bowed head, "deal with me as you list. There is no penalty too severe to be visited upon me. There is naught that can restore self-esteem to Edward Devereaux. But, I beseech you, believe me when I say that I knew not until now that yon maiden was a boy only in attire. My lord, believe this, and you may do with me as you will." "'Tis true," corroborated Francis. "He is no more at fault for the encounter than I, my lord. And he knew not that I was not a boy, until, thinking that my end was near, I told him. I know not why I felt so weak." "Thou didst swoon, child," said Lord Shrope. "'Tis a matter that is of frequent occurrence among thy sex. Didst never experience it before?" "Never," replied Francis with a light laugh. Save for the sting and smart of the wound she was fully herself. "And I like it not. I' faith, were I to have them often, there would be few sins of Francis Stafford's that would be unknown." "Didst confess to Edward?" laughed Lord Shrope. "You two should be great friends anent this." "No;" said Francis. "I confessed that he killed the deer, and that its horns were justly his. I will not retract that, but still do I count him mine enemy, even as his father and mine are at feud." "So be it," said Edward Devereaux mournfully. "Thou canst not, maiden, hate me more than I loathe myself." "Come, Francis," said Lord Shrope, "we must to my lady. We were filled with alarm when thou didst not come at the usual hour, and my lord and I have sought for thee everywhere. It was lucky chance that brought us this way. Child, child, I would that thy father had thee with him, or else were here. I would also that the queen were not so obdurate in her mind against thee. But she will not have thy name broached to her. Something lies underneath it all. Hadst thou been concerned in treasonous undertakings the matter would be plain. As it is--but why think of it? That wound of thine which to a man would be a mere scratch must with thee be looked to. Let us away."