“It may not be,” said the chamberlain. “Let the girl be in attendance with the pages in accordance with the queen’s command until she learns of the child’s sex, which, for the damsel’s sake, I would discover soon.”
“I thank you, my lord, for your kindness,” returned Lord Shrope. “It is my desire also that the queen should learn of the affair at an early season. But the time must be propitious.”
“Yes; the time must be propitious.” The lord chamberlain turned to Francis who had listened to the above conversation with blushing cheeks. “It seems best, my child, to carry out the queen’s command at least in part. Canst thou so bear thyself that none will be the wiser of thy sex? The discipline of the palace is strict and the pages observe punctiliously the outward forms of respect. Still the minions do ofttimes o’erstep the 142 bounds and indulge in rare pranks. Methinks ’twould be wise for them to know naught of thy disguise. The knaves are as full of mischief as sprites.”
“I fear them not,” said Francis spiritedly. “I fear naught but the queen’s displeasure. For any other, I care not who he be, woe to him who dares touch Francis Stafford.” She touched the poniard that dangled from her belt significantly as she spoke.
“Child,” cried the old lord in delight, “thou wearest the proper garb. Thou wast never meant for a girl. Zounds! what spirit! And so thou fearest naught in all England but the displeasure of the queen. Gramercy! the air of the court is beginning to tell upon thee for those are the words of a courtier. Come! I no longer fear for thee so long as thou dost continue to bear thyself in so fearless a manner.”
“I bid you farewell, my lord,” said Francis to Lord Shrope.
“Farewell for a season, my child. Return to my lady when thy duties are ended,” said her friend. “Lighter will my heart be when thou art once more in thy father’s house. 143 Marry! I would that I had not advised bringing thee thither. Now I know not what may befall.”
“Chide not thyself, my lord,” returned Francis who had recovered her natural courage now that the interview with the queen was over. “All will be well in a few days, I doubt not. Meantime, it suits me well that I am to see somewhat of the court.”
“Marry! it suits not me,” returned his lordship bluntly. “I like not to see a wild bird caged. The linnet is never so sweet as in its own woodland.”
“But the hawk flies as high for its keeper as when seeking its own quarry,” said Francis as she moved away. “Again, my lord, farewell until the eventide.”