Droop's jaws fell apart and his eyes opened wide.
"Royal Highness!" he murmured.
"Well, I've got to go now," said Rebecca, smiling at her friend's astonishment. "But don't you go 'way fer a while yet. I'll try an' get the Queen to let you in soon. I want to talk with you 'bout lots of things."
In a moment she was gone, leaving Copernicus rooted to the floor and dumb with amazement.
Someone touched his elbow and, turning, he saw Sir Percevall, with the light of triumph on his fat face.
"Fortune's smiles have turned to mere laughter, my lad," he said, chuckling. "This American princess hath the Queen's good-will. How the fiend's name came you acquainted?"
CHAPTER XIV
THE FATE OF SIR PERCEVALL'S SUIT
In the inner chamber, Elizabeth was seated at a small table, at the opposite end of which sat Rebecca. Burleigh, Nottingham, and two or three other great lords stood near at hand, while one dish after another was brought in from the outer room by maids of honor.