Sir Amyas knelt perfunctorily, as if impatient of it; and rose up again at once without waiting for the signal. Mary lifted her fingers a little as a sign to the other two.
"I have brought the French doctor, madam," said the soldier abruptly.
"But he must see your Grace in my presence."
"Then you might as well have spared him, and yourself, the pains, sir," came the quiet, dignified voice. "I do not choose to be examined in your presence."
Robin lifted his eyes to her face; but although he thought he caught an under air of intense desire towards him and That which he bore, there was no faltering in the tone of her voice. It was, as some man said, as "soft as running water heard by night."
"This is absurd, madam. I am responsible for your Grace's security and good health. But there are lengths—"
"You have spoken the very word," said the Queen. "There are lengths to which none of us should go, even to preserve our health."
"I tell you, madam—"
"There is no more to be said, sir," said the Queen, closing her eyes again.
"But what do I know of this fellow? How can I tell he is what he professes to be?" barked Sir Amyas.
"Then you should never have admitted him at all," said the Queen, opening her eyes again. "And I will do the best that I can—"