in thy place that I may
confer with thee later."

Rapidly she glanced over the epistles, and then turned to the assembled
lords.

"My lords," she cried, "behold these lads! They have borne themselves
with signal valor during the meeting with the Spaniards. They two, in
company with two others of whom more anon, set fire to the ships which
brought fear and panic into the fleet of the enemy. Which same device was
recommended by us to the lord admiral. Speak, Edward Devereaux! What
reward dost thou wish for thy service?"

"Thy pardon, Most Gracious Lady, for breaking the bounds in which you
placed me."

"Ah, Ned, Ned," said Elizabeth with that archness which, despite her
fifty-five years, she continued to employ, "didst thou not know that thy
queen placed thee there for thy safety?"

"True, madam;" assented Devereaux. "But not the strongest dungeon of the
Tower should have held me in durance when thy person, and my country were
in danger."

"Thy silvery tongue no less than thy service doth well incline me to thy
will, Ned," said she graciously. "Thou art forgiven. And thou?" she added
turning to the kneeling girl. "Art thou not that Francis Stafford lately
concerned in plot against our person?"

"I am that most unhappy being, madam," said Francis, rising and looking
the queen steadfastly in the face. "I throw myself upon your mercy, Your
Majesty, and crave forgiveness. My only plea for so great a fault is,
that at that time I had not been brought near your person and knew you
not. Had I known you I would never have transgressed. Do with me as you
will. Return me to the Tower, or use your pleasure upon me in any fashion
as seemeth best to you, only forgive me."

"Hast thy father schooled thee to speak thus?" demanded the queen.

"My father? Nay; I know not where he is. I have not seen him since I
entered the Tower nearly two years ago," answered the girl.

The queen said something in a low tone to Lord Shrope. That nobleman
immediately left the tent, and all eyes centred expectantly upon the
queen. Francis looked at her with a growing anxiety as she remained
silent. Was she going to remand her to the Tower? Were not her services
deserving of some recognition? What was meant by that continued
stillness? The queen stood regarding her with those keen, piercing eyes
whose fires age had not dimmed, and Francis met her gaze with a sort of
fascination, her eyes dilated, her lips parted as she waited the issue.

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