He led her back to her seat, then he touched the handbell, and when the page appeared he said firmly—
"I am at the Lieutenant's service."
He knelt once more before the Queen and finally bade her farewell. She could neither speak nor move, and scarcely had the strength to take a last look at the loved one, as with a firm step he passed out of her sight.
There was a clash of steel against steel, a few words of command, the sound of retreating footsteps, then silence.
Queen Mary Tudor was alone with her grief.
CHAPTER XXXII
A BARGAIN
But Mary would not have been the woman she was if she admitted a failure, whilst there was still a chance of victory.
The first half-hour after Wessex' departure she gave way to weakness and to a flood of tears, she turned to her prie-Dieu and prayed fervently for resignation to the heavenly will, for strength to bear her cross.
"Holy Mother of our crucified Lord, pray for me now and at the hour of his death," was the burden of her passionate orisons.