Through all her amiable converse Mary betrayed some slight inner agitation and expectation, as if she feared the visit might have another meaning than mere courtesy; and Basilea guessed that she, whose position was one of such importance in Europe, must be used to oblique attempts to sound her views.
With a half-faint amusement she made her own essay—
"Highness, I was in good hopes that you would not seem such a stranger to me, because I am instructed to make the venture to speak with you——"
Mary looked at her quickly, and interrupted—
"By whom instructed?"
"Lady Sunderland, Madame, for whom your Highness was wont to have some kindness."
The Princess flushed, and Basilea wondered why, as her sole answer was—
"I think Lady Sunderland a good woman."
Basilea smiled.
"She is also, as Your Highness knoweth, a great politic, which I never was nor could be, and hath set me to ask Your Highness some questions bearing on great affairs."