“’Tis not for you to ask, or for me to answer, niece,” Sir William answered sharply; “it is done, and the Act of the Succession hath set aside the Lady Mary. Mind, therefore, that you fall into no error in these matters, but do your duty, leaving these questions to the bishops and the king’s grace.” “But wherefore do they send me thither?” she asked, her voice betraying her discontent; “what need is there for me?” “Now listen well to me, Betty,” her uncle said sternly; “you are young to be sent on such an errand. The princess has been surrounded only with her own creatures, there has been some plotting, and my lord privy seal would have one woman there who, being not of it, will be a check upon them; and he sent to me, because he puts some confidence in me, and was recommended, too, by our kinsman, the master of horse, Sir Nicholas Carew.” For a moment there was silence, and then Betty spoke with passionate feeling. “See you not, uncle, that they would make a spy of me?” she cried; “how can you bear that this should be? Surely you are too honorable to see your niece sent to watch and betray a noble and an injured princess!” “Hark ye, fair niece!” said Sir William, in a low tone, “I am not without sympathy for yonder great lady; she has been hardly used, though it is my peril to say so, and if you go not to her, my lord privy seal will surely send another who may, being tempted, work some deep mischief to her. See ye not how grievously an enemy might hurt her?” “I see, I see,” Betty answered, “yet I can never play the part of a spy!” “Nor did I ask you, wench,” Carew answered grimly. “I would wring your neck with my own hand, thought I you were so mean a traitress. But remember that you owe allegiance to the king’s grace and you cannot break it without as great dishonor. Let not soft words prevail with you. It is commonly reported that this poor lady is plotting mischief with the Emperor of Germany and the Bishop of Rome. Not that I greatly blame her, Heaven knows, but it is a damnable treason against this realm and is like to pull us all by the pates if it succeeds. Meddle not with it, bear no secret messages, open no barred doors, steal no keys, though the lack of them may lay a royal head upon the block. Remember your allegiance, do your duty and leave the rest to wiser brains than yours.” “That will I promise to do right cheerfully,” Betty answered, “but never could I betray a woman in so sad a case.” “It is well,” Sir William said soberly; “do your duty and mind well your tongue, for it may be that there will be some who would right willingly set a snare for you to bring you to disaster and work my downfall. I know not how close an eye Cromwell hath upon me, nor how he means to try me withal. He is a cat who plays with many mice, and his trap is the Tower.” “Hast thou then so many enemies, uncle?” Betty asked, in some wonder.