"Madam, this is an urgent crisis—there is almost an open panic—as I rode up from Epsom, the people came running out of their cottages crying that the French were coming; in the country all are looking out their arms——"
The Queen interrupted.
"Some, I fear, with the design of joining the invader."
"Why, God forbid!" he cried.
"I have commanded the Guards down to Devon to seize the arms and houses of suspect persons," said Mary quietly; "and to-night, my lord, all the leaders of this Fuller plot will be in prison—yea, even to my Lord Clarendon."
"Ah!" exclaimed Shrewsbury sharply.
Mary fixed him with a proud but kind gaze.
"There are many others whose guilt I know who have not been arrested," she said slowly.
The young Duke pressed his hand to the embroidered ruffles over his bosom.
"Why is Your Majesty thus tender with these—traitors?" he asked, in a trembling voice.