on, thou
didst not kill the deer. I slew it myself."

"Marry! dost thou take thy sister's quarrel upon thee," cried the boy.
"Know then that I slew it, and I am ready to maintain the matter by force
of arms."

"Francis," Greville came up opportunely at this moment, "thou art
forgetting thyself. Thy mother wishes thy presence. Why doth thou show
choler toward this lad? Why, it is the lad who shot the deer!"

"You too, Greville," exclaimed Francis bitterly. "I think the sight of
Elizabeth hath addled thy wits. As for you, young sir, 'tis well that my
duty to my mother calls me hence else thou shouldst not get off so
easily."

"At another time then," replied the boy, "thou wilt find me at thy
service. We can settle our difference then."

"Now heaven forfend!" ejaculated the tutor urging Francis away. "This
comes of donning male habit. I will report the matter to my lady,
Francis. She will see to't that thou dost conduct thyself in more seemly
manner. 'Twould but amuse my lord."

"Keep a still tongue in thy head, cousin," said the girl sharply. "Meddle
not with that that doth not concern thee. Couldst thou not see that the
fellow did but laud himself? The varlet dare not meet me."

"Methought he spoke not without courage," observed Greville. "I should
judge by his dress that his rank was equal to thine."

"His dress, forsooth! What doth hinder any hind from appearing in rich
attire?"

"The law of the queen. It regulates dress according to rank, and works
with severity against those who dare transgress it," returned Greville.
"There stands thy lady mother. I entreat thee, girl, abide close by her
side during the queen's visit else thy sharp tongue may work mischief for
all of us. My lady, here is the child."

Lady Stafford who stood near the queen and her ladies looked
reproachfully at her daughter.

"Hast thou not changed thy garb yet, my child?" she asked. "It behooves
thee to do so at once for it savors of disrespect to the queen not to
appear in other array."

"Nay;" said Elizabeth who had overheard her words. "The lad is well
enough as he is. We warrant that he wished not to miss any of this
pageant which hath been prepared in our honor. He shall attend us in our
own chamber to which we and our ladies will now retire for some privacy.
Come, my boy."

Much embarrassed Lady Stafford strove to stammer forth the truth but the
queen waved her hand peremptorily.

"No more, madam. It is our wish that he atte