A Ladder of Swords

n where all his passions, ambitions, and sentiments are at white heat, will readily throw away the whole game of life in some mad act out of harmony with all he ever did. It matters little w

t one; the most trivial event may produce the grea

Medici grimly gave him by desiring his head. It appeared absurd that the great Leicester, whose nearness to the throne had made him the most feared, most notable, and, by virtue of his opportunities, the most dramatic figure in England, should have sleepless nights by reason of a fugitive like Michel de

ummons which never came, though he had sent a message that his hours were at her Majesty's disposal. Waiting, he saw Angèle's father escorted from the palace by a Gentleman Pensioner to a lodge in the par

. As he still waited irritably for a summons from Elizabeth, he brooded on every word and every look she had given him of late; he recalled her manner to him in the antechapel the d

was the one thing needful, and Michel de la Forêt was gently born; and he had still his sword, though he chose not to use it in Elizabeth's service. My lord knew it might be easier for a stranger like De

came forth again he wore a sword the Queen had sent him, and a packet of Latimer's sermons were under his arm. Leicester was unaware that Elizabeth herself did not see De la Forêt when he was thus hastily called; bu

en the sermons are in his hand, that his choice have every seeming of fairness. For he

gold-bound book under his arm as he came forth, and in a rage he left th

t the risk to England was too great. It would be like the Queen, if her temper was up, to demand from the Medici the return of De la Forêt, and wa

ate offence against his own dignity. A seed of rancor had been sown in his mind which had grown to a great size, and must presently burst into a dark flower of vengeance. He, Lemprière of Rozel, with three dove-cotes, th

that day two fools (there ar

ter, I crave a

onded Leicester, with a look

re, Lord of R

d of that, I believe you keep doves, and wear a jerkin that fi

gave me honor, and 'tis not for th

icester, with a faint smile, but in

eath around its point," answered Lemprière, simply, unsuspecting irony, and

eicester. "A

tellas-my hope is

th-of parsley

tood, and he shook w

t on the heads of insolents like Lord Leicester!" His face w

and then Leicester said,

my lor

e no se

ay, my lord, to be stickl

n secret, Lemprière of Rozel. Also, m

yes was as that of a mad bull in a ring. "You won't fight wi

cruel look. "We cannot fight am

and saw the Duke's Daughter a

his sword. "When,

answer, and Leicester went forward hastily

evere than to keep him within the palace yard. There he found the fool and the pirate in whimsical converse. The fool had brought a letter of inqu

" he said. "You have gramma

d the fool. "Here is needed

ir heads together