“With what am I charged, sir?” asked Francis.
“With that most atrocious of all crimes,—treason,” was the reply.
“My lord, I meant not to be guilty of treason against the queen,” said the girl earnestly. “If aught that I have done seemeth so in her eyes, believe me I pray you, when I say that it was not so intended.”
“I do believe it,” answered the secretary. “I think that thou hast been made use of by others to further design of bold and unscrupulous men. Didst thou ever meet with Anthony Babington?”
“Yes, Sir Francis.”
“Where?”
“Once at Salisbury, and once in the forest as I left London.” 246
“What passed at those meetings?” Walsingham drew closer, expecting from the girl’s demeanor to find ready answers to his inquiries.
“I cannot tell you, sir, of the nature of the first,” answered Francis. “I will gladly do so of the second.”
“Relate it then.”