Part 48 (2/2)

Queen Catherine extended her hand for my salute.

”Her Majesty is pleased to ask what has become of the sailor-lad and his bride,” said Hortense.

”Hath the little Puritan helped to get them married right?” asked the queen, with the soft trill of a foreign tongue.

”Your Majesty,” said I, ”the little Puritan holds back.”

”It is as you thought,” said Queen Catherine, looking over her shoulder to Hortense.

”Would another bridesmaid do?” asked the queen.

Laughing looks pa.s.sed among the ladies.

”If the bridesmaid were Mistress Hillary, Your Majesty,” I began.

”Hortense hath been to see them.”

I might have guessed. It was like Hortense to seek the lonely pair.

”Here is the king. We must ask his advice,” said the queen.

At the king's entrance all fell back and I managed to whisper to Hortense what we had learned the night before.

”Here are news,” smiled His Majesty. ”Your maid of the north is Osmond's daughter! The lands young Lieutenant Blood wants are hers!”

At that were more looks among the ladies.

”And faith, the lieutenant asks for her as well as the lands,” said the king.

Hortense had turned very white and moved a little forward.

”We may not disturb our loyal subject's possession. What does Osmond's daughter say?” questioned the king.

Then Hortense took her fate in her hands.

”Your Majesty,” she said, ”if Osmond's daughter did not want the lands, it would not be necessary to disturb the lieutenant.”

”And who would find a husband for a portionless bride?” asked King Charles.

”May it please Your Majesty,” began Hortense; but the words trembled unspoken on her lips.

There was a flutter among the ladies. The queen turned and rose. A half-startled look of comprehension came to her face. And out stepped Mistress Hortense from the group behind.

”Your Majesties,” she stammered, ”I do not want the lands----”

”Nor the lieutenant,” laughed the king.

”Your Majesties,” she said. She could say no more.

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