s and prepared to obey.

All eyes turned curiously to the door as it opened to admit the two
suitors, who were followed by the page. Sir Percevall, with plumed hat
in one hand and sword hilt in the other, advanced ponderously, bowing
low at every other step. Droop hurriedly deposited his two boxes upon
the floor and followed his monitor, closely imitating his every step and
gesture. Having no sword, he thought it best to put his left hand into
his bosom, an attitude which he recollected in a picture of Daniel
Webster.

The fat knight was about to kneel to kiss the royal hand, but Elizabeth,
smiling, detained him.

"Nay, nay!" she said. "You, Sir Percevall, have paid your debt of homage
in advance for a twelvemonth. He who kisses the dust at our feet hath
knelt for ten." Then, turning to Droop, who was down on both knees, with
his hand still in his breast: "What now!" she exclaimed. "Hath your hand
suffered some mischance, Sir American, that you hide it in your bosom?"

"Not a mite--not a mite!" Droop stuttered, quickly extending the member
in question. "Nay, your Majesty--in sooth, no--my hand beeth all right!"

"We learn from the Lord Treasurer," said Elizabeth, addressing Sir
Percevall, "that your petition hath reference to a monopoly. Know you
not, Sir Knight, that these be parlous days for making of new
monopolies? Our subjects murmur, and 'tis said that we have already been
too generous with these great gifts. Have you considered of this?"

"My liege," said Sir Percevall, "these things have we considered. Nor
would we tempt this awful Presence with petitions looking to tax further
the public patience. But, please your Majesty, Master Droop, my client
here," indicating the still kneeling man with a sweeping gesture, "hath
brought into being an instrument, or rather two instruments, of
marvellous fashion and of powers strange. Of these your Majesty's
subjects have had hitherto no knowledge, and it is in the making and
selling of these within this realm that we do here crave a right of
monopoly under the Great Seal."

"Excuse me, forsooth, your Majesty," Droop broke in, "but would thou
mind if I get up, my liege?"

"Nay, rise, rise, Master Droop!" exclaimed the Queen, smothering a
laugh. "We find matter for favor in your sponsor's speech. Can you more
fully state the nature of this petition?"

"Yes, ma'am--your Majesty," said Droop, rising and dusting off his
knees. "I am the inventor of a couple of things,