ffian was on the point of assailing the Queen, he caught him
with one hand by the collar, with the other tried to master the arm
that held the weapon. It was a sharp struggle, for the fellow was a
trained soldier in the full strength of manhood, and Humfrey was a
youth of twenty-three, and unarmed. They went down together, rolling
on the ground before Mary's chair; but in another moment Humfrey was
the uppermost. He had his knee on the fellow's chest, and held aloft,
though in a bleeding hand, the dagger wrenched from him. The victory
had been won in a few seconds, before the two men, whom his whistle had
brought, had time to rush forward. They were ready now to throw
themselves on the assailant. "Hold!" cried Humfrey, speaking for the
first time. "Hurt him not! Hold him fast till I have him to Sir
Amias!"

Each had an arm of the fallen man, and Humfrey rose to meet the eyes of
the Queen sparkling, as she cried, "Bravely, bravely done, sir! We
thank you. Though it be but the poor remnant of a worthless life that
you have saved, we thank you. The sight of your manhood has gladdened
us."

Humfrey bowed low, and at the same time there was a cry among the
ladies that he was bleeding. It was only his hand, as he showed them.
The dagger had been drawn across the palm before he could capture it.
The kerchiefs were instantly brought forward to bind it up, Dr.
Bourgoin saying that it ought to have Master Gorion's attention.

"I may not wait for that, sir," said Humfrey. "I must carry this
villain at once to Sir Amias and report on the affair."

"Nay, but you will come again to be tended," said the Queen, while Dr.
Bourgoin fastened the knot of the temporary bandage. "Ah! and is it
Humfrey Talbot to whom I owe my life? There is one who will thank thee
for it more than even I. But come back. Gorion must treat that hand,
and then you will tell me what you have heard of her."

"Naught, alas, madam," said Humfrey with an expressive shake of the
head, but ere he turned away Mary extended her hand to him, and as he
bent his knee to kiss it she laid the other kindly on his dark curled
head and said, "God bless thee, brave youth."

She was escorted to the door nearest to her apartments, and as she sank
back on her day bed she could not help murmuring to Mary Seaton, "A
brave laddie. Would that he had one drop of princely blood."

"The Talbot blood is not amiss," said the lady.

"True; and were it but mine own Sc