Part 12 (1/2)

Once more they knelt, and then slowly withdrew, with faces downcast and troubled. They had secret knowledge which she did not yet possess, but which at any moment she must know, and her ambiguous speech carried no conviction to their minds. Yet their conference with her was most opportune, for the news she must presently receive, brought by a messenger from Scotland who had outstripped all others, would no doubt move her to action which should set the minds of the people at rest, and go far to stem the tide of conspiracy flowing through the kingdom.

Elizabeth stood watching them, and remained gazing after they had disappeared; then, rousing herself, she turned to leave the room, and beckoned to Angele to follow.

XII

As twilight was giving place to night Angele was roused from the revery into which she had fallen, by the Duke's Daughter, who whispered to her that if she would have a pleasure given to but few, she would come quickly. Taking her hand, the Duke's Daughter--as bright and true and whimsical a spirit as ever lived in troubled days and under the aegis of the sword--led her swiftly to the Queen's chamber. They did not enter, but waited in a quiet gallery.

”The Queen is playing upon the virginals, and she playeth best when alone; so stand you here by this tapestry, and you shall have reward beyond payment,” said the Duke's Daughter.

Angele had no thought that the Queen of her vanity had commanded that she be placed there as though secretly, and she listened dutifully at first; but presently her ears were ravished; and even the Duke's Daughter showed some surprise, for never had she heard the Queen play with such grace and feeling. The countenance of the musician was towards them, and, at last, as if by accident, Elizabeth looked up and saw the face of her lady.

”Spy! spy!” she cried; ”come hither--come hither, all of you!”

When they had descended and knelt to her, she made as if she would punish the Duke's Daughter by striking her with a scarf that lay at her hand, but to Angele she said:

”How think you, then, hath that other greater skill--Darnley's wife, I mean?”

”Not she or any other hath so delighted me,” said Angele, with wors.h.i.+p in her eyes--so doth talent to majesty become lifted beyond its measure.

The Queen's eyes lighted. ”We shall have dancing, then,” she said.

”The dance hath charms for me. We shall not deny our youth. The heart shall keep as young as the body.”

An instant later the room was full of dancers, and Elizabeth gave her hand to Leicester, who bent every faculty to pleasing her. His face had darkened as he had seen Angele beside her, but the Queen's graciousness, whether a.s.sumed or real, had returned, and her face carried a look of triumph and spirit and delight. Again and again she glanced towards Angele, and what she saw evidently gave her pleasure, for she laughed and disported herself with grace and an agreeable temper, and Leicester lent himself to her spirit with adroit wit and humility. He had seen his mistake of the morning, and was now intent to restore himself to favor.

He succeeded well, for the emotions roused in Elizabeth during the day, now heightened by vanity and emulation, found in him a centre upon which they could converge; and, in her mind, Angele, for the nonce, was disa.s.sociated from any thought of De la Foret. Leicester's undoubted gifts were well and cautiously directed, and his gift of a.s.sumed pa.s.sion--his heart was facile, and his gallantry knew no bounds--was put to dexterous use, convincing for the moment. The Queen seemed all complaisance again. Presently she had Angele brought to her.

”How doth her dance compare--she who hath wedded Darnley?”

”She danceth not so high nor disposedly, with no such joyous lightness as your high Majesty, but yet she moveth with circ.u.mspection.”

”Circ.u.mspection--circ.u.mspection--that is no gift in dancing, which should be wilful yet airily composed, thoughtless yet inducing.

Circ.u.mspection!--in nothing else hath Mary shown it where she should.

'Tis like this Queen perversely to make a psalm of dancing, and then pirouette with sacred duty. But you have spoken the truth, and I am well content. So get you to your rest.”

She tapped Angele's cheek. ”You shall remain here to-night, 'tis too late for you to be sent abroad.”

She was about to dismiss her, when there was a sudden stir. Cecil had entered and was making his way to the Queen, followed by two strangers. Elizabeth waited their approach.

”Your gracious Majesty,” said Cecil, in a voice none heard save Elizabeth, for all had fallen back at a wave of her hand, ”the Queen of Scots is the mother of a fair son.”

Elizabeth's face flushed, then became pale, and she struck her knee with her clinched hand. ”Who bringeth the news?” she inquired, in a sharp voice.

”Sir Andrew Melvill here.”