Christian pulled an affirmative face. She was evidently ready to continue the conversation to any extent; but both the chamberers were so tired that when their duties were over, they were only too thankful to lie down in bed. Only, before they dropped asleep, Frideswide said,—
"What shall be the next move?"
"God wot," said Avice, gravely.
"Know you if the Queen hath or no any leaning toward our doctrine?"
"Hush, prithee! I cannot tell, in any wise. The King is good man and holy—men say, holy as any saint. The Queen, I have heard, is a great almsgiver—or so were, when she had alms to give. Poor lady! now 'tis well nigh come to asking alms, with her."
"Poor lady!" echoed Frideswide.
And then they went to sleep.
CHAPTER IV.
SCENE-SHIFTING.
"What a world this is!—a cur of a world, which fawns on its master, and bites the beggar. Ha, ha! it fawns on me now, for the beggar has bought the cur."—EDWARD, EARL LYTTON.