The lady said no more but embraced them mournfully. Both father and child were silent as they swept out of the courtyard into the park beyond. Presently the sky began to soften in the east, and the gray uncertain light gave place to the blushing dawn. Soon the dark shadows that lurked under the trees fled before the golden beams of the sun. Suddenly the note of a lark rang out silvery and joyous. Bird after bird took up the note until from every tree and shrub there swelled a grand chorus as larks and throstles poured forth their matin song of praise. 39
“How beautiful!” cried Francis, her eyes sparkling, her spirits rising. “My father, right glad am I to be here with thee.”
“Thine is a wild spirit, Francis,” said her father rousing himself. “You mind me of these birds, so wild and free yet sweet withal. Child, mayhap I have done ill in taking thee thus from thy mother. And yet, we are not in the queen’s favor! Should misfortune overtake one it would involve all.”
“Father, if by act of mine I can further thy purpose, make use of me, I pray. Glad am I that thou dost deem me worthy of thy confidence. And do we not go to the aid of Mary, our rightful queen? What excuse need we for so doing? Oh, if I can once behold her, can but once kiss her hand, then would I be willing to lose even my life if ’twere needful.”
Lord Stafford smiled at her enthusiasm.
“Has the infection seized upon thee too, child? In like manner so do I feel, and so do hundreds of others. Strange what an influence Mary Stuart wields over human hearts! God forfend that thy life should be required, Francis, though many have been lost in her 40 cause. But I would not that thine should be numbered among them. Marry, it saddens me to think on’t. No more of this!”
“What name shall you call me by, my father, since I am your page?” asked Francis presently.
“Thine own. ’Tis a name that thou dost wear because it was my father’s, and will serve. But bear thyself in accordance with it and none will deem thee other than thou seemest. And I—I must teach my tongue to say boy instead of child. We have a long ride before us, and I fear that thy strength will fail ere we reach its end.”
“Fear not, good my father. Thou knowest how used to fatigue I am in hunting and hawking.”
“I know thy strength, else I should have feared to risk thee for so long a jaunt. And thou hast never been so far from home before.”