“Out of my sight,” cried the queen angrily. “’Ods death! is there none to keep the door that every minion that lists may enter? Out of my sight, and plague me not with a sight of that boy. Away, varlet!”
With crestfallen visage Lord Shrope arose, bowed profoundly and hurried Francis out of the chamber.
“I should have heeded thy warning, sir,” he said to the usher. “Now I cannot seek the queen until she bids me to her.”
“What shall I do?” asked the girl almost in tears. “Whither shall I go?”
“Thou shalt come with me, my child. My lady wife will look to thy comfort. There shalt thou abide until it shall be safe to approach Elizabeth. Thy star is not in the ascendant.”
“And I have involved thee too in Her Grace’s displeasure,” said Francis with contrition.
“Nay; Elizabeth is too just to harbor ill toward me who hath but wrought her 136 pleasure. Though verily the humors of princes like their favors are uncertain. But come!”