He coloured with pleasure, and bent over her fine hand.
"Now I must go wait for letters." She smiled and left them with her usual little formal salutation.
Devonshire looked round at the other councillors.
"There is more courage in that lady than in most of us," he said gently. "I did mark the tears lying in her eyes even while she smiled."
"She will need her courage," answered Caermarthen briefly; "for seldom hath the country been in the pass it is now."
Mary had gone no farther than the antechamber with the French tapestries and crystal candelabra when she was met by the news that the Duke of Shrewsbury required an immediate audience.
Her face hardened; she could not forgive Shrewsbury either his secret treachery or the vexation he had caused the King by his sudden resignation; she hesitated, then commanded his presence.
When he entered she was standing before the great gilt mantelpiece, very cold and contained.
"What is the reason of your coming, my lord?" she said.
His gentle face was flecked with feverish colour in the cheeks, he drew his breath sharply, his riding-suit was dusty; indeed, he was spent with rapid riding.