to
me she is a feminine benediction, and nought else."

Ralph rose swiftly and looked across at a tall slender girl that was
sitting contentedly on an outlying root of the lime tree, beside of Sir
Thomas, and who rose with him.

"Mr. More cannot let my name alone, Mr. Torridon," she said tranquilly,
as she drew back after the salute. "He made a play upon it the other
day."

"And have been ashamed of it ever since," said More; "it was sacrilege
with such a name. Now, I am plain Thomas, and more besides. Why did you
send for me, Beatrice?"

"I have no defence," said the girl, "save that I wanted to see you."

"And that is the prettiest defence you could have made--if it does not
amount to corruption. Mr. Torridon, what is the repartee to that?"

"I need no advocate," said the girl; "I can plead well enough."

Ralph looked up at her again with a certain interest. She seemed on
marvellously good terms with the whole family, and had an air of being
entirely at her ease. She had her black eyes bent down on to a piece of
grass that she was twisting into a ring between her slender jewelled
fingers, and her white teeth wore closed firmly on her lower lip as she
worked. Her long silk skirts lay out unregarded on the grass, and her
buckles gleamed beneath. Her voice was pleasant and rather deep, and
Ralph found himself wondering who she was, and why he had not seen her
before, for she evidently belonged to his class, and London was a small
place.

"I see you are making one more chain to bind me to you," said More
presently, watching her.

She held it up.

"A ring only," she said.

"Then it is not for me," said More, "for I do not hold with Dr.
Melanchthon, nor yet Solomon in the matter of wives. Now, Mr. Torridon,
tell us all some secrets. Betray your master. We are all agog. Leave off
that ring, Beatrice, and attend."

"I am listening," said the girl as serenely as before, still intent on
her weaving.

"The King breakfasted this morning at eight of the clock," said Ralph
gravely. "It is an undoubted fact, I had it on the highest authority."

"This is excellent," said Sir Thomas. "Let us all talk treason. I can
add to that. His Grace had a fall last night and lay senseless for
several hours."

He spoke with such gravity that Ralph glanced up. At the same moment
Beatrice looked up from her work and their eyes met.

"He fell asleep," added Sir Thomas.

* * * * *

It was very pl