"I will gladly give an hour from any service I may follow to teach the Earl of Leicester that he is less a swordsman than a trickster."
Leicester flushed, but answered coolly: "I can understand your chagrin. You should have locked your door. It is the safer custom." He bowed slightly towards Angèle. "You have not learned our English habits of discretion, Monsieur de la Forêt. I would only do you service. I appreciate your choler. I should be no less indignant. So, in the circumstances, I will see that the gates are opened--of course you did not realize the flight of time--and I will take mademoiselle to her lodgings. You may rely on my discretion. I am wholly at your service--tout à vous, as who should say in your charming language."
The insolence was so veiled in perfect outward courtesy that it must have seemed impossible for De la Forêt to reply in terms equal to the moment. He had, however, no need to reply, for the door of the room suddenly opened, and two pages stepped inside with torches. They were followed by a gentleman in scarlet and gold, who said, "The Queen!" and stepped aside.
An instant afterwards Elizabeth, with the Duke's Daughter, entered.
The three dropped upon their knees, and Elizabeth waved without the pages and the gentleman-in-waiting.
When the doors closed, the Queen eyed the three kneeling figures, and as her glance fell on Leicester a strange glitter came into her eyes. She motioned all to rise, and, with a hand upon the arm of the Duke's Daughter, said to Leicester:
"What brings the Earl of Leicester here?"
"I came to urge upon monsieur the wisdom of holding to the Sword, and leaving the Book to the butter-fingered religious. Your Majesty needs good soldiers."
He bowed, but not low, and it was clear he was bent upon a struggle. He was confounded by the Queen's presence--he could not guess why she should have come; and that she was prepared for what she saw was clear.
"And brought an eloquent pleader with you?" She made a scornful gesture towards Angèle.
"Nay, your Majesty; the lady's zeal outran my own, and crossed the threshold first."
The Queen's face wore a look that Leicester had never seen on it before, and he had observed it in many moods.