“What did your father when the proposition was made to kill the queen?” asked Walsingham so suddenly that Francis was caught unawares.
“He would have naught to do with it,” answered she promptly, glad to speak in his favor. “He rejected it with horror.”
“Ah, ha! he did know of it!” ejaculated the secretary. “Thou hast betrayed thyself. Come! Let us have the full particulars.”
“Sir,” said Francis, perceiving the snare into which she had fallen, “I am unable to meet your craft with like guile. Therefore question me no further. I will say no more.”
And despite all attempts to trip her into answering, she maintained an obstinate silence with regard to all their questions.
“Let us leave him,” said Walsingham at length. “Obdurate lad, thou wilt regret thy stubbornness ere long. There are other means of dealing with such spirits than gentleness. We will return ere long, and if thou art still of the same mind, thou shalt taste them.” And he withdrew, leaving Francis to face this new trial.