“Nay, madam,” he replied coolly, “great men have come to me, but not my lord privy seal. Yonder is the cardinal’s great book,” he added, pointing to a tome upon a cabinet, “and this is a ring he wore. I foretold the day that he would sit upon a mule, with his legs bound under its belly, for his machinations against the queen’s grace; but he heeded me not, and lo, the end was accomplished even as I said. Whose horoscope shall I first cast, fair ladies?” he added, bowing to the group, for the others had gathered eagerly about the queen. “Mine,” answered Anne, laughing; “’tis I who would discern the future, sir; one, at least, of these good dames is too affrighted to ask her fortune,” she added, with a haughty glance at Lady Rochford. “Madam, I pray you, think,” protested Mary Wyatt, plucking at her mantle; but the queen withdrew it with an imperious gesture. “I am happy to serve you,” said the wizard, blandly; and he turned, and ascending the little stairway, opened the door above. “Madam will ascend,” he said, “while I read the stars.” Without a moment’s hesitation Anne went up the stairs, and her maids would have followed her, but Sanders barred the way. “But one here,” he said with his odd smile; “more would destroy the spell.” “I will go with her,” cried Mrs. Wyatt, too alarmed and suspicious to consider her words. “That you will not,” said the queen, haughtily; “you shall not spoil my entertainment. Remain there, good friends,” she added, recollecting her disguise; “we must propitiate the sage. Lead on, Sir Wizard; I will follow.” “Be assured, madam, that I feel the honor of the visit,” he replied complaisantly, holding the door open for her to enter and then shutting it deliberately in the faces of her discomfited escorts. “This is your fault, Mistress Wyatt,” cried Lady Rochford, angrily; “and if harm comes to her, you will rue it!” “Have patience, madam,” said Raby, smiling; “what harm could come to her grace when we are here? and why should the little man design evil against her?” “There be plenty who do design it,” she replied coldly, “and would gladly compass it.” “Ay, those who are jealous of her beauty and her high estate,” said Mary Wyatt, with a hard glance at Lady Rochford, who affected not to notice it. “’Twas no place to bring her in her nervous state,” remarked Mistress Gaynsford; “’tis enough to set a strong man’s heart beating. How could you dream of it, Mistress Wyatt?” “Alas!” said Mary, passionately, “’tis hard that I who greatly love the queen’s grace should be held charged with this expedition. How could I know that she would plan it? It was as unlooked for by me as by any of you, and from my heart I do regret my careless tongue which tripped out the idle story.”