he gallery? Did he not call her 'My poor child!'
looking down at her with that light of sympathy in his eyes which seemed at
the moment to compensate for all else?

Perhaps unconsciously to himself, Philip Sydney touched the hearts of many
a fair dame and youthful beauty about the Court of Queen Elizabeth. Indeed,
we know it to have been so, and that the charm he exercised was as subtle
as it was irresistible. This charm increased year by year, and perhaps
never was greater than at the time of which we are writing, when the
struggle within--a struggle in which he was to come out the victor--gave a
pathetic earnestness to his manner, and quickened his sympathies for every
kind and degree of sorrow or disappointment.

It was as poor little Lucy said: 'He was not too high to stoop to care for
her, or for others.'

In the early morning of the next day Lucy stood disconsolately in the
courtyard of Lord Pembroke's city house watching the packing of the
baggage, and awaiting the orders of the gentleman who was Master Thomas
Sydney's tutor, and was in command for the journey.

All was in the bustle of departure, and Lucy felt that no one cared on
which pillion she was to ride, nor where her own modest packages were to be
stowed.

She wore a scarlet riding-robe, with a hood which was lined with white
taffeta. It fell back, and made a background to her shining hair, and
defined the outline of her small, well-shaped head as she leaned against
the doorway in listless dejection, which was a contrast indeed to her
bright, sparkling mood as she bent over the edge of the booth at the
tournament.

A sharp altercation was going on between two of the servants, each wishing
to have the honour of taking Lady Mary Sidney's youngest son on his
pillion.

Presently the boy himself appeared in his black velvet riding suit, booted
and spurred, his red-gold locks--the true Sidney badge--falling over his
shoulders from under the stiff, pointed cap which shaded his forehead.

'I am to ride alongside of you, not on the pillion like a babe. Peace! I
tell you, Mr Philip saith so. I am to ride Joan, the black mare, Master
Paynter saith it is Mr Philip's order.'

'Philip,' the boy said, springing towards his brother who now came into the
yard, 'Philip, do not let them treat me as an infant.'

Thomas Sidney was very small for his age, and was treated as youngest
children often are treated by the elders of a family, as if he were much
younger t