Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords], Complete

f the Royal Palace at Greenwich, his eye busy in inspection-for the Queen would soon pass on her way to chapel-his head nodding right and left to archbishop, bishop, coun

lendent in red velvet and gold chains, in peevish argument with a boisterous Seigne

means this turmoil? Her Majesty comes hither!" he cried, and scowled upon the intruder, who now stepp

es I come also," the Sei

our name a

nd I shall know

d Chamberlain

riere, Seigneur of Rozel

l?" asked my L

suddenly flushed, his mou

e contempt-"of Governor Hugh Pawlett?" The Lord Chamberlain nodded. "Then ask his Excellency when next you see him, W

he Lord Chamberlain, smiling now; for Lempriere's words and ways were of s

have dove-totes, which is the everlasting thorn in the side of De Carteret

ts of the garter, in brave attire, with bare heads and sumptuous calves. The Lord Chamberlain had scarce got to his place when the Chancellor, bearing the seals in a red silk purse, entered, flanked by two gorgeous fo

aze," he was wont to say with loud guffaws. But what he spoke of afterwards with preposterous ease and pride was neither pride nor ease at the moment; for the Queen's eyes fell on him as he shoved past the gentlemen who kept the door. For

g attempt at composure, but ended by flaming from head to foot, his face shining like a cock's comb, the perspiration standing out like beads upon his forehead, his eyes gone blind with confusion.

idge." With a flippant step before the Seigneur, he shook his bells at him. "Thou shalt stay, Nuncio, and staying speak the truth. So doing you shall be as noted as a comet with three tails. Yo

the doings of the Queen and her courtiers with wide-eyed curiosity. He saw the Earl of Leicester, exquisite, haughty, gallant, fall upon his knee, and Elizabeth slowly pull off her glove and with a none too gracious look give him her hand to kiss, th

empriere's heated senses a judge's robe, and Elizabeth the august judge of the world. His eyes blinded again, for it was as if she was bearing down upon him. Certainly she was looking at him now, scarce heeding the courtiers who fell to their knees on either side as she came on. The red doublets of the fifty Gentlemen Pensioners-all men of noble families pro

ty. He was aware that two gentlemen touched him on the shoulder and bade him retire; but the Queen motioned to them to desist. So, with the eyes of the whole court on him again, and Elizab

ore than homage that bent him to his knees as the Queen looked him full in the eyes

ege do you seek

," said the choking voice of the Jerseyman. The Queen raise

Queen did not know him, then! "Fro

r to us. And what i

one may have dove-cotes in the isle; and I only may have the perquage-on

nce-chamber. "God preserve us," she said-"that I should not have r

re mirth at his words; and though she had no ken or memory of him, she read his nature and was mindful to humour him. Bec

eur of Rozel

age. By my father's doublet, but that frieze jerkin is well cut; it suits thy figure well-I would that my Lord Leicester here had such a tailor. But this perquage-I doubt not there are those here at Court who are most ignorant of its force and moment. My Lord Chamberlain, my L

en in marriage, multiple or singular, even as I," said

or himself in Jersey. In large words and larger manner he explained most innocently the sac

en years, your

n la

jesty." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "

h is your well-born Majesty to your loyal Jersiais." And thereupon he plunged into an impeachment of De Carteret of St. Ouen's, and

through others than the Seigneur of St. Ouen's. He is an unlikely squire of dames.

e-chapel, y

th in sudden amazement. "In

igure of Buonespoir, his good-natured, fearless fare, his sh

his rank offences, your beni

e two such naive folk at court. There was not a hair of duplici

ing. Standing still just inside the doorway, she motioned Buonespoir to come near. The pirate, unconfused, undismayed, wit

showed that he had no real estimate of his crimes, and was indifferent to what mig

ain. "You came, then, to speak for

e Angele Aubert, who l

le a fortnight ago-" She turne

our Majesty," said Leicest

Foret?" said Elizabeth.

ame he

acerbity in Elizabeth's voice. Elizabeth seemed about to speak, then d

ill I recall his existence again," she said to a captain of men-at-arms; "and you, Monsieur of Rozel, since you are my butler, will get you to my dining-room, and do your duty-the office is n

lace grounds, your imperial

eur; "and you shall see that they have comforts and housing

mour, set the highest in the land to at