“Heave ho! rumbelow!”
“And the swans,” she cried excitedly.
“Yes; ’tis a pleasant sight, and many have wondered that they should stay upon the river when it is so busy, but they are kindly treated and no harm suffered to come to them. Behold the dwellings of the nobles.”
Nothing could have been more picturesque at this time than the north bank of the Thames with its broad gardens, lofty trees and embattled turrets and pinnacles of the palaces, 128 each of which had its landing-place and private retinue of barges and wherries.
“This is the Tower,” said the nobleman as they drew near that grim fortress. A low browed projecting arch, above which was a tower forming a striking part of the stronghold, attracted the girl’s attention. Steps led up from the river to a small ricket in the arch which gave entrance into the Tower.
“That is the Traitors’ Gate,” said Lord Shrope. “Through that wicket pass all those guilty of treason.”
A shudder passed over Francis as she gazed at the forbidding portals.
“Why dost thou shiver?” asked Lord Shrope kindly, as he noticed her involuntary tremor.
“Sir,” answered Francis, in mournful tones, “I fear that Tower. Something seems to whisper me that yon grim walls and I will become better acquainted.”
“Now Heaven forfend!” ejaculated Lord Shrope. “Thy doubts of thy reception at the queen’s hands render thee fearful. Take courage, child. All will yet be well. ’Tis not amiss that thou shouldst be doubtful, as 129 the issue is uncertain. Were you but as the queen thinks, and not in masquerade, you would fare well at court. For ’tis worthy the ambition of any young man, be his rank of the highest, or his prospects the most brilliant, to become one of the queen’s pensioners. For thus doth Her Majesty accomplish divers things: she honoreth those who are such; obligeth their kindred and alliance, and fortifieth herself; for none can be brought near her person without becoming willing to lay down life itself in her behalf.”