The mother of Eleanor had passed away, and the girl had grown strong and able in spirit through carrying burdens and facing responsibilities. She knew the limitations of her father and she knew his worth; and she also knew that he was a sort of unofficial fool for the court, being duly installed through the clever and heedless tongue of Sir Walter Raleigh.
Who would ever have thought that Sir Walter, the diplomat, the strong, the able, was to be brought low by this fair-haired daughter of John White, the court fool!
"You are Sir Walter Raleigh," said this girl of nineteen one day to Sir Walter when they met squarely face to face in a hallway. It was a bold thing to do to stop this statesman, and she only a daughter to a court fool, and herself a worker below stairs!
Sir Walter smiled, removed his hat in mock gallantry, and said, "I have the honor to be your obedient servant. And who are you?"
The girl, bouyed up by a combination of pride and fear, replied, "I am Eleanor White, the daughter of the man whom your wit has rendered famous." And their eyes met in level, steady look. Fair femininity aroused caught the eye and the ear of Sir Walter.
"Yes," said he, "I think I have seen you. And what can I do for you?"
"Only this," said Eleanor, "that from this day forth you will not attribute any more of your ribaldry to my father."
"Otherwise, what?" asked Sir Walter.
"Otherwise you will have me to deal with," said the proud Eleanor, and walked past him.
He tried to call her back; he felt humiliated that she did not turn and look, much less listen. He had been snubbed.