"Your Eminence's pardon," replied the man, "'tis for a woman I am told to watch."
"A woman?"
"By Her Grace the Duchess of Lincoln's orders."
"Ah!" remarked His Eminence, with sudden interest.
"Mayhap some thief or vagrant, Your Eminence."
"Aye, mayhap! Then go thy way, good watchman; we'll not hinder thee."
Slowly the man shuffled off, dangling his lanthorn before him. The Cardinal watched the patch of brilliant light until it disappeared behind a projecting bosquet.
His Eminence had been exceedingly thoughtful.
"Know you aught of this, my lord?" he asked of Lord Everingham, who also seemed wrapped in meditation.
"I suspect something of it," replied the young man slowly. "There is a story afloat—gossip, I thought it—that one of the Queen's maids-of-honour has been playing some curious pranks at night . . . and in disguise. . . ."