"Your Majesty shall judge."
Nest went towards the door, but turned. "Oh, Sire, forget not my entreaty for my people."
"Away—fetch the boy. I will think on it."
Nest left the room.
In the ante-chamber all present were in obvious consternation, pale, and dejected.
She had left her little son with a servant, and she crossed the chamber.
Then the Chancellor, who was present, came to her, drew her into the embrasure of a window, and spoke to her in awestruck tones. At his words her cheek blanched.
"None dare inform him," said the Chancellor. "We have instructed the child. Suffer him to enter alone and tell the tale."
For a moment Nest could not speak; something rose in her throat. She signed to the boy to come to her. "Do you know what to say?"
"Yes, mother; that the White Ship——"