more, but meekly
followed her as she started once more on her way. Through the great
doors, which were of weathered oak thickly studded with nails, over which
hung the family coat of arms, a shield, azure, three quatrefoils, argent,
the girl and the old man passed across the paved courtyard, up a flight
of steps to the terrace which led to the porch and from thence to the
ante-hall passage.

Serving men clothed in blue with the family arms upon the left sleeve,
and retainers clothed also in blue but without the heraldic device
thronged courtyard, terrace and hall. Francis hastened through the
ante-hall passage to the great hall which lay beyond. The floors were
freshly strewn with rushes, the walls were hung with rich tapestries
representing stories from the classics. The upper end contained an oriel
window under which was a fringed dais. On one side of the apartment was a
huge fireplace over which the ancestral arms hung with the arms of
England over them. On the other side towered lofty windows. A screen
gallery, an organ and a high table completed the hall which was the
principal room of the castle and the place where all of the feasts,
mummeries and masques were held.

Ushers were hurrying through the great hall for it was "covering time,"
and the household was mustering for the midday meal. Francis threaded her
way through the crowd of yeomen to the door of the presence chamber, and
drawing aside the arras that hid the entrance, opened it and entered.

"My father," she began abruptly, and then paused for she saw that her
father was not alone.

"Is it you, my daughter?" Lord Stafford rose to meet her. The resemblance
between them was very striking. "I had just asked for you. This is my
child, Fortescue. She of whom we were speaking. Give greeting, Francis,
to my good friend Captain Fortescue."

Francis gave a quick glance at her father's guest. He was a man of
commanding stature, with black hair and keen black eyes that held a cruel
light in them. He was arrayed in a blue velvet jerkin with hose of the
same material. A large beaver hat with a long feather in it lay on the
table. A rapier depending from his belt completed his attire which was
that of a soldier. Without heeding this fact something in his bearing
caused the girl to address him as a priest.

"I give thee welcome, good father."

"Said I not that the wench was shrewd?" asked Lord Stafford with a hearty
laugh.

"Ay, my lord; and 'twas well said,"