hath never written before in this fashion. She must smile
above the letter as though it were good news from her ministers--the
smile that tires the mouth and the poor heart. What shall she do?' Again
her voice changed.

'You are to fancy that the music of a sudden wavers away. Chris Hatton,
Captain of her bodyguard, quits the table all red and ruffled, and
Gloriana's virgin ear catches the clash of swords at work behind a wall.
The mothers of Sussex look round to count their chicks--I mean those
young gamecocks that waited on her. Two dainty youths have stepped
aside into Brickwall garden with rapier and dagger on a private point of
honour. They are haled out through the gate, disarmed and glaring--the
lively image of a brace of young Cupids transformed into pale, panting
Cains. Ahem! Gloriana beckons awfully--thus! They come up for judgement.
Their lives and estates lie at her mercy whom they have doubly offended,
both as Queen and woman. But la! what will not foolish young men do for
a beautiful maid?'

'Why? What did she do? What had they done?' said Una.

'Hsh! You mar the play! Gloriana had guessed the cause of the trouble.
They were handsome lads. So she frowns a while and tells 'em not to be
bigger fools than their mothers had made 'em, and warns 'em, if they do
not kiss and be friends on the instant, she'll have Chris Hatton horse
and birch 'em in the style of the new school at Harrow. (Chris looks
sour at that.) Lastly, because she needed time to think on Philip's
letter burning in her pocket, she signifies her pleasure to dance with
'em and teach 'em better manners. Whereat the revived company call down
Heaven's blessing on her gracious head; Chris and the others prepare
Brickwall House for a dance; and she walks in the clipped garden between
those two lovely young sinners who are both ready to sink for shame.
They confess their fault. It appears that midway in the banquet the
elder--they were cousins--conceived that the Queen looked upon him with
special favour. The younger, taking the look to himself, after some
words gives the elder the lie. Hence, as she guessed, the duel.'

'And which had she really looked at?' Dan asked.

'Neither--except to wish them farther off. She was afraid all the while
they'd spill dishes on her gown. She tells 'em this, poor chicks--and it
completes their abasement. When they had grilled long enough, she says:
"And so you would have fleshed your maiden swords for me--for me?