"'Twas naught," smiled Captain Fortescue. "It is to my praise that thou didst accost me as an holy man. My lord, methinks the maid will serve our purpose well." "I trow so," answered Lord Stafford with a proud look. "She hath spirit and courage to a rare degree in a maid. I know no lad of her age that can equal her in hunting or hawking. No tercelet for her, but the fiercest goshawk that e'er seized quarry. How now, Francis?" "My father, I knew that thou wouldst believe my skill," said Francis eagerly. "Yet a lad did but now contend that he it was who shot a deer in the forest," and she related the incident graphically. "Beshrew me, I doubt not but that thine was the arrow that slew the buck, yet it contents me well that the lad should endure the penalty of the deed in thy stead. How now, Greville?" to the tutor. "Was the youth of noble birth?" "Methought there seemed something of the gentle in him, though he was but meanly garbed. Yet the apparel doth not always make the man," answered Greville. "Not always," acquiesced Lord Stafford. "He was not noble," interjected Francis shortly. "Else he would not have claimed the deer. I would, good my father, that you compass his release, and let me take the consequences of my action. I killed the deer." "Be that as it may, child, the lad must bear the penalty. There are matters of grave import that must now be considered, and thou canst aid me." "I aid thee?" asked the girl in surprise. "Father, didst thou say my aid?" "Thine, child. Come to me anon, and I will acquaint thee with the full import of the matter. Greville, thou standest like a hind. Give greeting to our guest. One would think that thou hadst never been at court." "I give thee welcome, sir," said Greville bowing. "As my lord's friend, I welcome thee." "Methinks thy countenance is not unfamiliar, Master Greville," and the soldier returned his obeisance courteously. "In London mayhap thou hast seen me. It was mine abode for a time," replied the tutor carelessly. "Perchance 'twas there," mused the other with a searching look at the old man. "But howsoe'er that may be, later will I pledge to our better friendship." "I drink with no enemy of the queen," said Greville coldly. "Greville!" exclaimed Lord Stafford. "We differ not, Master Greville," smiled the soldier. "My life, my service, my all is devoted to our queen. God bless Her Majesty!" "God bless Her Majesty, Elizabeth," returned Greville pointedly. "Thy mother waits thee, Francis, in her tiring-room," interposed Lord Stafford hastily. "Come to me anon. Greville, no more of this an thou lovest me." The tutor without another word withdrew from the room accompanied by his pupil. "Was it not strange, cousin, that I should have thought our guest a priest?" queried Francis when they were beyond the portals of the door. "Nay; the habit doth not always proclaim the monk," quoth Greville sententiously. "You spoke truer than you knew when you called him 'father.'"