Before a small worm-eaten inner doorway that she had not noticed stood a comely child of five or six years, gazing at her intently. The colour fluttered into the Queen's face; they stood staring at each other—the woman and the child—as if they were both afraid.
"What are you doing here?" asked Mary coldly, after a second.
The child did not answer; he had as little expected to see this tall young lady in the fine blue gown as she had expected to see him.
"You have no business here," said Mary, in the same tone; "this is private. Go, find your people."
And she turned towards the window again so that she could not see him.
He answered now.
"I have lost my way."
"There are the stairs," said Mary, without looking round. "Go down there, and you will find your way."
There was silence, and she waited a little; then looked over her shoulder to see him still standing there, staring at her.
"Why don't you go?" she asked harshly. "You are not allowed here."