d, "it is my prayer that thou wilt grow here in thine own
home as a wild flower without sight of queen or court. But if it should
chance, which God forfend, that thou art called to the court, then
remember what thy tutor hath told thee, and count the queen the most
beautiful of women."

"But is she?"

"The queen is learned, child, beyond what is usual for her sex. Greville
will tell thee that there never was her like for knowledge, save and
except the Lady Jane Grey, the which would be treason to speak. I mind
well when Elizabeth was crowned that she was fair to look upon, but that
was twenty-eight years ago. The queen is now past fifty years of age.
Doth a flower retain its loveliness forever? I trow not. Yet methinks I
do but ill in speaking thus to thee. Elizabeth believes that time for her
hath stopped, and that age but enhances those charms which are the pride
of women. Yet I have heard otherwise."

"You go not to court, my mother. Why?"

"Because of its troubles and its dangers, Francis. Better to bide afar
off in this remote spot than to dwell among the jealousies of courtiers.
The favor of princes is uncertain, and even royalty is not always well
disposed toward the happiness of a subject. I would fain never behold the
court again, and I pray that thou mayst never be called to its
treacherous pleasures."

"Art thou here, my child?" asked Lord Stafford coming in at this moment.
"This is a favorable time, I ween, for me to unfold my wishes to thee.
Madam, will you bring the page's dress?"

Lady Stafford arose and drew from a chest of drawers the doublet, hose
and short cloak of a page.

"Withdraw, Francis, to the tiring room, and don these habiliments,"
commanded her father.

"But why," began the girl, but Lord Stafford waved his hand impatiently.

"Do as I tell thee, girl. When thou art habited, return and hear the
reason for thy strange attire."

Presently with a merry laugh Francis bounded into the room, and, doffing
the jaunty bonnet that perched upon her tresses, swept him a deep bow.

"Am I not a fair boy, my lord?" she cried gaily. "Do I not grace the
garb?"

"By my halidom, thou dost in very truth," exclaimed her father laughing.
"But thy tresses? Should they not be clipped?"

"Nay, good my lord," spoke Lady Stafford entreatingly. "Command not that,
I pray thee. Thou shalt see how cunningly my hand can knot them up with
silken strings. It will not be amiss in a lad."

"Leave them then, if