“I would not be a queen,” exclaimed she, “for then I should have none to love me or to tell me the truth.”
“None to love thee!” replied Eleanora. “Do not the people love her gracious majesty, my royal mother?”
“Thou shouldst hear what all men say of her,” exclaimed the child, almost frightened at her own audacity.
“And what do men say?” inquired Eleanora, her curiosity getting the better of her judgment.
“They say,” continued Eva, “that all the troubles in England are owing to the queen and her relations. That King Henry took the marriage portion of his sister Isabella to furnish the decorations for the coronation; and thou knowest well, my lady, that she hath nine garlands for her hair, besides a great gold crown most glorious with gems.”
“In sooth,” returned the princess, “thou knowest more than I of the queen’s wardrobe. But how learnedst thou these things?”
“Her maidens, who love her none too well, tell me everything.”
“And dost thou encourage them in evil speaking of their mistress, by listening to their idle tales?”
“Nay, I told them they were sinners, and that the father of evil would surely get them; but they only laughed, and said, in that case, I should certainly bear them company.”
Eleanora, looking gravely, said, “I fear my darling is learning sad ways, and I must henceforth keep her always by my side.”