第30章

"My lords Craven and Ashley dead!" exclaimed the queen, in tones of some surprise, but very little anguish; "that is singular, for we saw them not two hours ago, in excellent health and spirits.""True, poor majesty," said the duke, dolefully, "and it is not an hour since they quitted this vale of tears.They and myself rode forth at nightfall, according to Custom, to lay your majesty's tax on all travelers, and soon chanced to encounter one who gave vigorous battle; still, it would have done him little service, had not another person come suddenly to his aid, and between them they clove the skulls of Ashley and Craven; and I," said the duke, modestly, "I left.""Were either of the travelers young, and tall, and of courtly bearing?" exclaimed the dwarf with sharp rudeness.

"Both were, your highness," replied the duke, bowing to the small speaker, "and uncommonly handy with their weapons.""I saw one of them down at the Golden Crown, not long ago," said the dwarf; "a forward young popinjay, and mighty inquisitive about this, our royal palace.I promised him, if he came here, a warm reception - a promise I will have the greatest pleasure in fulfilling""You may stand aside, my lord duke," said the queen, with a graceful wave of her hand, "and if any new subjects have been added to our court since our last weekly meeting, let them come forward, and be sworn."A dozen or mare courtiers immediately stepped forward, and kneeling before the queen, announced their name and rank, which were both ambitiously high.A few silvery-toned questions were put by that royal lady and satisfactorily answered, and then the archbishop, armed with a huge tome, administered a severe and searching oath, which the candidates took with a great deal of sang frond, and were then permitted to kiss the hand of the queen - a privilege worth any amount of swearing - and retire.

"Let any one who has any reports to make, make them immediately,"again commanded her majesty.

A number of gentlemen of high rank, presented themselves at this summons, and began relating, as a certain sect of Christians do in church, their experience! Many of these consisted, to the deep disapproval of Sir Norman, of accounts of daring highway robberies, one of them perpetrated on the king himself, which distinguished personage the duplicate of Leoline styled "our brother Charles," and of the sums thereby attained.The treasurer of state was then ordered to show himself, and give an account of the said moneys, which he promptly did; and after him came a number of petitioners, praying for one thing and another, some of which the queen promised to grant, and some she didn't.

These little affairs of state being over, Miranda turned to the little gentleman beside her, with the observation"I believe, your highness, it a on this night the Earl of Gloucester is to be tried on a charge of high treason, in it not?"His highness growled a respectful assent.

"Then let him be brought before us," said the queen."Go, guards, and fetch him."Two of the soldiers bowed low, and backed from the royal presence, amid dead and ominous silence.At this interesting stage of the proceedings, as Sir Norman was leaning forward, breathless and excited, a footstep sounded on the flagged floor beside him, and some one suddenly grasped his shoulder with no gentle hand.