she spoke and without another glance at the girl passed
back to the house. Francis stood looking at the coin for a moment
undecided what to do for she saw that Will's cart was nowhere in sight.

"Get thee gone," said the guard coming toward her menacingly. He had
overheard Mary's remarks and noted her demeanor, and thought that the
carter lad before him was really seeking to profit by Mary's well-known
generosity. "Go, fellow! or I will take thee to my master. And if thou
troublest the lady again, I will run thee through with my rapier. Go!"

Without a word in reply, glad to have the matter end so, Francis followed
him meekly as he led her to the kitchen doors where Will and other
carters were busy unloading their wagons.

"With which of you came this fellow?" demanded the guard.

"With me, master," spoke Will sullenly.

"See that he accompanies thee no more. 'Tis a mischievous wight and like
to get into trouble. Quick with thy load. I wish to see thy cart safely
beyond the gates."

"Will," said Francis when they were once more outside the gates, "art
angry with me?"

"Ay! 'twere an ill turn that thou did serve me," growled Will. "'Twere an
ill turn, master."

"Forgive me, and you shall have this groat that the queen gave me," and
Francis handed him the coin. "My lord, I know, will give me more to give
thee."

"Well, mayhap it be all right," said Will somewhat mollified, "but you go
no more, young master."

"No, Will; I will not ask it of thee. I have both seen and spoken with
the lady. What more need I?"

"No more, I'll be bound, master," growled Will. "There was more in't than
seeing and speaking, I'll warrant. But I ken none of it. Here we are at
Stafford, master."

"I thank you, Will, for your courtesy," said Francis sweetly as she left
him.

Lord Stafford was awaiting her return anxiously. He folded her close to
his breast as she entered his chamber, saying earnestly:

"Thank Heaven, my daughter, that thou hast returned safely to me. Not for
all the queens in the world would I have thee adventure such a thing
again."

"Why, 'twas naught," laughed the girl. "Mary hath the letters now. 'Twas
not hard to give them after all." She recounted the whole affair.

"Well hast thou done, my child. There will need to be further
communication with Mary, but not from us. We have done our part. No more
of plots or conspiracies will I have, and never again will I subject thee
to such danger. Now we will wend h