give the queen most royal welcome. Here she will not find the 'princely
pleasures of Kenilworth,' but nathless! hearty welcome and good cheer are
much even to a queen. How now, girl! Thou dost not look displeased?"

"Neither am I, good my father," spoke Francis quickly. With the natural
instinct of youth she delighted at the prospect of the pleasures in
store. "Glad will I be to see the queen even though she be old and not so
beautiful as Mary."

"Beshrew me, girl! let no such words pass thy lips," cried her father in
consternation. "'Twere treason, forsooth."

"Have no fear. I will speak naught of that order to any save thee and my
lady mother. Discreet am I and full of matter, but nothing will I
disclose."

"Thou hast need to be discreet," replied her mother. "Be not malapert and
froward, child."

"Said the messenger when she was coming?" now asked the nobleman.

"On the third day from this, my lord."

"'Tis but short notice for what must be done," mused Lord Stafford.
"Supplies must be obtained for the queen's retinue, and pageants prepared
to amuse her. Call Greville, my wife. Bid him hasten to the presence
chamber. Francis, repair to thy chamber and rest. Thou dost merit it. It
will be thy part, madam, to attend to the ordering of the royal
apartments. As for me there will be much to employ me during the next few
days. Pray Heaven, that Ballard come not during the festivities."

CHAPTER IX

THE COMING OF ELIZABETH

The days that followed were full of bustle and activity. The officers of
the household scoured the country far and near to secure provisions and
delicacies sufficient for the queen and her retinue. Game, droves of
bullocks, sheep, hogs and great hampers of groceries filled the larders
to overflowing. Near and remote neighbors and kinsmen embraced the
opportunity to send contributions. No man knew when his own time might
come and sympathized accordingly. The queen was not tolerant of any but a
royal reception, and a visit, while an honor, was not always an unmixed
blessing; as many an impoverished nobleman could testify.

Hugh Greville, the tutor, was overjoyed at her coming, and, as master of
the pageants preparing for the amusement of the queen, assumed a pompous
importance greatly at variance with his usual manner.

"We must have a play, my lord," he said to Lord Stafford who was for the
moment idle. "Her Majesty doth take delight in a play. This to be
preceded by an address in La