Basilea answered directness with directness.
"She wisheth to know—that the Earl may put it privately before His Majesty—your mind on the matter between His Highness and the King."
"What matter is that?" asked Mary.
Basilea was at a loss.
"Your Highness must know better than I: as for these horrible rumours——"
Mary paused by a rose bush and asked steadily—
"What rumours?"
"I think it would be unseemly to name them!"
"I will hold you excused," said the Princess, still gravely.
"Then, Madame, 'tis said that His Highness is so exasperate with the policy of His Majesty and postponement of your claim by the birth of the Prince, that he might attempt to do what my Lord Monmouth did——"