'Right? What right? Yes, the right that is mine, that for long, long years he has been as the sun in my sky. I have gloried in all his great gifts, I have said a thousand times that there were none like him, none. I have seen him as he is, and his goodness and truth have inspirited me in my weakness and ignorance to reach after what is pure and noble. Yes, I have a right, and oh! if, indeed, I never see him again, to my latest day I shall thank God I have known him, Philip, Sir Philip Sidney, true and noble knight.'
There was now a sound of more arrivals in the hall, and Lucy was leaving the room, fearing, hoping, that there might be yet further tidings, when the Earl of Pembroke came hastily along the corridor.
'How fares it with my lady, Mistress Forrester? I have come to give her what poor comfort lies in my power.'
The Earl's face betrayed deep emotion and anxiety.
Will came running after his father, delighted to see him; and in this delight forgetting what had brought him.
'Father! father! I have ridden old black Joan, and I can take a low fence, father.'
'Hush now, my son, thy mother is in sore trouble, as we all must be. Take me to thy mother, boy.'
'Uncle Philip will soon be well of his wound,' the child said, 'the bullet did not touch his heart, Master Ratcliffe saith.'
The Earl shook his head.