Is the little Arbell come back with them?"

"Yea, madam."

"And is she installed in my former rooms, with the canopy over her
cradle to befit her strain of royalty?"

"I think not, madam. Meseems that my Lady Countess hath seen reason
to be heedful on that score. My young lady hath come back with a
grave gouvernante, who makes her read her primer and sew her seam,
and save that she sat next my Lady at the wedding feast there is
little difference made between her and the other grandchildren."

The Queen then inquired into the circumstances of the wedding
festivities with the interest of one to whom most of the parties were
more or less known, and who seldom had the treat of a little feminine
gossip. She asked who had been "her little Cis's partner," and when
she heard of Babington, she said, "Ah ha, then, the poor youth has
made his peace with my Lord?"

"Certes, madam, he is regarded with high favour by both my Lord and
my Lady," said Richard, heartily wishing himself rid of his host.

"I rejoice to hear it," said Mary; "I was afraid that his childish
knight-errantry towards the captive dame had damaged the poor
stripling's prospects for ever. He is our neighbour here, and I
believe Sir Ralf regards him as somewhat perilous."

"Nay, madam, if my Lord of Shrewsbury be satisfied with him, so
surely ought I to be," said Sir Ralf.