“I see her not, good Will.”
QUEEN MARY’S WIT GRASPED THE SITUATION
“In the main garden, master. To the right.”
Francis looked in the direction indicated and soon descried the form of a woman seated in a large rolling chair which was wheeled by an attendant. Along the walks of the garden they went pausing ever and anon to pluck some flower or the cherries which were ripening in the sun. For a moment only Francis gazed and then, before Will had time to say her nay, she leaped off from the wagon and bounded swiftly in the direction of the garden.
“Uds!” growled Will his mouth agape with astonishment. “Methought there was more to ’t than appeared,” and he went on to the kitchens.
Meantime Francis, trampling over flowers and vegetables in her haste, reached the side of Mary, and thrust into her hand the package of letters. Mary’s quick wit grasped the situation instantly. Concealing the papers about her she drew back from the seeming carter, crying in a loud voice for she saw one of the guards approaching:
“Well, what meaneth this? Forgive me,” 78 she whispered hurriedly, “if I seem angry. ’Tis but for thine own safety.” So saying she drew back still further from the kneeling girl exclaiming as the guard came up, “I know thee not, boy. Why dost thou trouble me?”