“Thou!—A girl!” The youth drew back in astonishment. “And I struck thee with my sword? O chivalry! I am undone! I am undone!”
“Nay; take it not so to heart. The blame is not thine. How couldst thou know that I was other than I seemed?”
“But I struck thee!” The boy seemed almost stunned. “Would Sidney have been guilty of such an act? Would the basest hind in the field have lifted a sword against a woman? Fair mistress,” he cried in distress offering his sword to her, “do one last favor for Edward Devereaux. Bury that sword in the breast of him who is unworthy to bear it.”
“In the name of St. George, what means this?” cried Lord Shrope as he and Lord Hunsdon ran out from among the trees.
“By my faith, my lord,” cried the chamberlain bursting into a laugh. “If there has not been a duel!” 163
“Art hurt, Francis?” and Lord Shrope bent over the girl with solicitude.
“My lord, methought just now that I was dying, but the weakness that overcame me hath departed,” and the girl staggered to her feet with his assistance.
“But thou art wounded? Girl, girl, what doth it mean?” Lord Shrope caught hold of the sleeve that dangled from her bared arm.
“Edward,” said the lord chamberlain sternly, “I am surprised at thee. Is this thy honor? Thou wert to treat this girl with gentleness. I had thy word. Thou knowest also that no brawling is permitted near the person of the queen. It shall go hard with thee for this. Francis Stafford might not know the law, albeit ignorance excuses none, but thou didst. Besides, in the name of chivalry, what cause had you to draw your sword against a maiden?”
“My lord,” said Devereaux who had received the rebuke with bowed head, “deal with me as you list. There is no penalty too severe to be visited upon me. There is naught that can restore self-esteem to Edward Devereaux. But, I beseech you, believe me 164 when I say that I knew not until now that yon maiden was a boy only in attire. My lord, believe this, and you may do with me as you will.”