On the Wednesday we knew that Brand's council had assembled. On Thursday while we waited for news it rained, on Friday a merry breeze was laughing among the trees. On Saturday great clouds came sailing up from the west, and scattered their sparkling showers through the sunlight; but still we heard no tidings, saw no ships. On Sunday it rained again, and Margaret, with her knights and gentlemen, attended the service of the Eucharist. After luncheon Margaret left the Russian Prince as usual to his wine, and walked with her hounds beside the garden lake. Nobody knew what our Lady thought, nobody guessed how much our Lady hoped, but Sydney found her sitting in the rose arbour. At her feet the rippling lake pawed with tiny insistence on the pebbles, but the Queen was watching the clouds, a squadron of big white clouds which came from Avalon, from Lyonesse. Trooper Browne, as usual, was with Sydney, but the recruit hung back a little so that my lord was alone when he bent on his knee before the Queen. "What is it, Sydney?" "We are sent, madam, to be in attendance on the Queen's Majesty." "But I want to be alone." Sydney looked up, and in his grave, grey eyes there was trouble. "We all know," he said, "that our Lady wants to be alone." "And yet you come?" "I can't help it." She saw the trouble deepen in his face. "God guard you, Sydney. What's the matter now?" "Nothing serious, madam, but please sit quite still for a moment." Even while he spoke a gunshot rang out close beside the Queen, a deep groan sounded from the bush behind her, and Trooper Browne rushed past with a smoking pistol. "Let our Lady keep still," said Sydney, never moving; and presently Browne came back, with over elaborate calmness, to report. "It's all right," he saluted; "only a duck." "Ducks are out of season," remarked the Queen, gravely. "Trooper Browne, don't you know it's unlawful to poach ducks? This is not Canada." "A wooden decoy duck," Browne explained, calmer than ever. "Is it dead?" "Quite dead, madam." "Was it armed?" "Yes--that is--no, madam." "English?" "Imported." "Poor duck! I've heard the bushes rustling this last ten minutes. I even heard your wooden decoy duck breathe. Come, gentlemen, sit in the arbour with me, and look out for ducks." They both protested. "Nay, I command you, gentlemen." So they removed their helmets, and Browne, sheathing his pistol, sat down very gingerly all on edge, nursing his sword, red hot with embarrassment. Sydney crouched down on a stool at our Lady's feet. "At ease, dear lads," said Margaret, pleading against their silence. "Only a minute ago you saved my life--now you must make glum faces. You're most depressing." Still both men were silent. "Come," urged the Queen. "We're two men and a maid under the roses, and it's your bounden duty to amuse the maid. Tell me the news. How is our guest, the Russian?" Sydney turned away his face.