"That this Master Droop desires the grant of a monopoly in——"
"A monopoly!" cried Elizabeth. "What! This independent young barrister—this parliamentary meddler in opposition, forsooth! He craveth a monopoly? God's death! A monopoly in all the impudence in this our realm is of a surety this fellow's right! We grant it—we grant it. Let the papers be drawn forthwith!"
The baron bent before the storm and, bowing, remained silent. Rebecca, however, could scarce see the justice of the Queen's position.
"Well, but look here, your Majesty," she said. "'Tain't Mr. Bacon as wants this patent; it's Mr. Droop. Mr. Bacon only gave him a letter to Mr. Burleigh here."
Astonishment was depicted in every face save in that of the Queen, whose little eyes were now turned upon her sister sovereign in anger.
"Harkye, Lady Rebecca!" she exclaimed. "Is it the custom to take the Queen to task in your realm?"
Rebecca's reply came pat. The type was prepared beforehand, and she answered now with a clear conscience.
"Why, of course. We talk jest as we feel like to all the queens there is in my country."
The equivocation in this reply must have struck the Queen, for she said, without taking her eyes from Rebecca's face:
"And, prithee, Lady Rebecca, how many queens be there in America? We begin to doubt if royalty be known there."