that though I verily believe it is nobleness of heart and spirit that
inclines poor Antony to espouse your Grace's cause, there is to my
mind a shallowness and indiscretion about his nature, even when most
in earnest, such as would make me loath to commit any woman, or any
secret, to his charge."

"You are an honest man, Mr. Talbot," said Mary; "I am glad my poor
maid is in your charge. Tell me, is this suit on his part made to
your daughter or to the Scottish orphan?"

"To the Scottish orphan, madam. Thus much he knows, though by what
means I cannot tell, unless it be through that kinsman of mine, who,
as I told your Grace, saw the babe the night I brought her in."

"Doubtless," responded Mary. "Take care he neither knows more, nor
hints what he doth know to the Countess."

"So far as I can, I will, madam," said Richard, "but his tongue is
not easy to silence; I marvel that he hath not let the secret ooze
out already."

"Proving him to have more discretion than you gave him credit for, my
good sir," said the Queen, smiling. "Refuse him, however, staunchly,
grounding your refusal, if it so please you, on the very causes for
which I should accept him, were the lassie verily what he deems her,
my ward and kinswoman. Nor do you accede to him, whatever word or
token he may declare that he brings from me, unless it bear this
mark," and she hastily traced a peculiar-twisted form of M. "You
know it?" she asked.