Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords], Complete

easure the figure and bearing of this young captain of the Huguenots. She loved physical grace and prowess with a full heart. The day had almost passed when she would measure all

sence-chamber by her frown; and another in urging her to come to terms with Catherine de Medici in this small affair-since the Frenchwoman had set her revengeful heart upon it-that larger matters might be settled to the gain of England. It was not so much that he had reason to destroy De la Foret, as that he saw that the Queen was disposed to deal friendly by him and protect him. He did not see the danger of rousing in the Queen the same unreasoning tenaciousness of

e. Here was one, she thought, who might well be in her household, or leading a regiment of her troops. The clear fresh face, curling hair, direct

ise. "Monsieur de la Foret," she said, "I do not reco

ey in the robes of a priest of France. The passport for a priest of France was found upon your person when ou

e was a soldier, and that the prie

soldier and Huguenot, must have been ill at ease-the

o a safe dove-cote, your gracious Maje

made a gesture of annoyance. "Our cousin France makes you to us a dark intriguer and conspirator, a danger

turned to France, I pray you set me upon its coast as I came from it, a fugitive. Thence will I try to find my way to the

aith, but you are

oor impatiently, then caught the Quee

id not quail. "Bold only by your high Majesty's faith

It touched a chord in her deeper than that under Leicester's finger.

"We will prove you. You shall have a company in my Lord Leicester's

more-the widow of my dead chief, Gabriel de Montgomery, is set down in this land unsheltered and alone. I have sworn to one who loves her, and for my dead chief's sake, that

aunt his devotion to another woman was little to her liking. The woman in her, which had never been blessed with a noble lov

rn that," she said petulantly-"and to one who

rned to Leicester and whispered in his ear. Leicester frowned, then

shall preach. A priest you came into my kingdom, and a priest you shall

nce. As a rebel and conspirator I were bound to do so, unless you were an officer of my army. The Seigneur of Rozel has spoken for you, and the Comtesse de Montgomery has written a pleading letter. Also I have from another source a tearful prayer-the i

here squiring of distressed dames, save as a priest? You shall hence to Madame of Mont

's face now, for he had no thought that De la Fore

the perfect soldier, with the brown face of a picaroon and an ath

to the Medici, and Madame of Montgomery shall mourn her protector, and Mademoiselle your mistress of the

of restraint. There seemed little the Queen did not know concern

then made a motion to Leicester, and he,

ozel, who made a lumbering obeisance,

e lady safely-with h

at the Queen, then replied: "Both are

ther were in England, and he looked Lempriere suspiciously in the eyes; but the swa

ty," said he, "if I may ask Mademoisell

lady in due season,"

" said De la Foret, with a touch of humour, for he saw th

sex to have a fondness for both," she answe

aid: "My sword has spoken freely for the Cause; God forbid that

ad determined a great thing, and Elizabeth was one who had a heart for high deeds. "The man is brave indeed,

pidation, but looked before her steadily. She knew not what was to be required of her, she was a stranger i

, warm of colour, clear of eye, and purposeful of face, some thing kindled in her. Most like it was that love for a cause, which was more to be encourag

eadings. There were fine words and adjurations-

Majesty," answered the girl

betrothed to a roistering

oice, for the pure spirit of the girl worked upon her. "I am told that Monsieur de la Foret fights fairly. If he can pray as well, methinks he shall have safet

mberlain that Monsieur de la Foret's durance must be made comfortable in the west tower of my palace til

will come with me, mistress," she sai

She greatly desired to look backward towards De la Foret, but some good angel bade her not. She realised that to offend t

, leaving Lempriere and De la Foret gazing at each other, the one bewildered, t