“Father,” Francis spoke quickly, a roguish light coming into her eyes, “I could put on the page’s dress again, and who would be the wiser? Not the queen, I trow, for she doth not know whether or no thou hast a son.”
“If it might be,” said Greville eagerly. “The girl is brighter than most lads, and could quickly con the speech. What say you, my lord?”
“Let the child have her way in this, my lord,” spoke Lady Stafford joining them. “Did she not don the garb to please thee? Now that it be for her pleasure deny her not, I entreat.”
“When thou pleadest for her, madam, I cannot deny,” said her husband slowly. “I thought never to see thee in such dress again, 93 Francis. There seemed necessity for it before. Now——”
“Now there is necessity also,” broke in Francis. “Shall the queen go without her welcome for the want of a boy? I trow not, when Francis Stafford makes so good an one. Fear not, my father. I have become so accustomed to the dress that each day do I don it. And ’tis but sport.”
“Have thine own way,” said Lord Stafford resignedly. “Do but honor the queen, and I will not inquire too closely concerning the manner.”
Pleased at receiving the permission, Francis applied herself to memorizing the speech prepared by the tutor while the other preparations went on royally. Elizabeth was to arrive in the afternoon, and on the morning of that day her master of horse, the Earl of Leicester, with his stepson, the Earl of Essex, came to see that everything was in readiness. Then in company with Lord Stafford they went forth to escort the queen to the Hall.
A great concourse of people stood without the gates. Lord Stafford’s retainers were 94 drawn up on either side of the base court ready to shout a welcome so soon as the queen appeared. At the top of the stairs leading to the terrace stood Francis arrayed in doublet and hose of purple velvet. A short cloak of the material hung gracefully from her shoulders. A purple velvet bonnet with a long white feather crowned her head. Her curls were blown about her cheeks by the breeze; her color was coming and going for she was somewhat dismayed at the magnitude of the task she had set herself. Stories that she had heard of the great queen’s anger at those who failed to perform well their parts rushed to her mind and almost overwhelmed her with confusion.
“Courage,” whispered Greville who stood near her. “Courage, girl. Remember who thou art, and whom thou art to welcome. Do thy father credit, else I will repent me of having intrusted so important a duty to thee.”
“I will, good cousin,” returned Francis her spirit rising at his words. “Not even the presence of the queen shall make me forget what is due my father. But hark!”