d, kind friend that he is!"

From this time forward her recovery was rapid. And when the following
month brought a bouquet of sweet smelling flowers, the third, a basket of
cherries, her joy knew no bounds. Thereafter no month went by without
some token reaching her from that unknown person who seemed so full of
sweet remembrance of her.

"Now blessings be upon his head who hath so much of thought for me," she
exclaimed rapturously as a guitar took the place of fruit or flowers. "No
more shall I be lonely with such companion."

And so with books, guitar, and an occasional walk in the gardens of the
lieutenant where she went to take the air, Francis passed her time not
unhappily. She was upheld by the thought that she was not forgotten. Thus
summer passed into fall; fall into winter, and winter in turn gave way
to spring, to that memorable spring of 1588 when all England was stirred
by the rumor of the threatened invasion of Spain. At this time the gifts
to Francis ceased, and such an important part of her existence had they
become that their stoppage grieved her more than the threats of the
invasion.

Books and music lost interest, and she took to watching the comings and
goings of prisoners through the grated loop-hole overlooking the south
ward through which all personages must pass to reach the Garden Tower
which was over the principal entrance to the inner ward. One day while
thus engaged she uttered an ejaculation and bent forward to take a nearer
view of a prisoner who was just brought within by way of the Byward Tower
through which lay the main gate to the Tower. This was used from Tower
Hill and by royalty when the Tower was used as a castle.

"What is it, deary?" asked Mrs. Shelton, who was in the chamber.

"Edward Devereaux," answered the girl excitedly. "Now why hath he been
sent here? Gramercy! methought none of the pages stood higher in the
queen's favor than he."

"'Tis past knowing," remarked the woman in a matter-of-fact tone. "He who
stands high with the queen to-day, to-morrow may be beheaded on Tower
Hill. Marry! 'tis better to be one of the people, for they are held dear
by the queen. Beseems that Her Grace cares naught for the courtiers. They
are always being sent here, either to be held in durance for life, else
to be beheaded. I am glad that I am not of the court."

Francis did not heed her words, but was so excited at beholding a face
that she knew that she leaned forward as far as she co