"His Eminence tells me that you are just arrived in London from St. Quentin; when did you leave that town?"
"Four days since, may it please your Majesty," answered Geoffrey, now standing erect.
"Only four days," murmured the Queen; "how small doth seem the space which separates me from my lord the King!"
She sighed deeply; then, recovering herself, she asked—
"How fares his Majesty? did he take part in the siege?"
"The King is in excellent health," replied Geoffrey, "and he took an active part in the siege of St. Quentin."
"You saw him there?" inquired Mary.
"Many times, your Majesty; he was the cynosure of all eyes as he rode through the flaming streets clad in splendid armour."
"Yes, I know," replied Mary, a wan smile flickering awhile on her careworn face; "he would surely be found where duty and danger called him.
"Oh, I can call him to mind as he sat on his war-horse, wearing that wondrous suit of Milanese armour which becomes him so well. I mind me that it was in that suit that Titian painted him; I have a copy of it."