Nor was the petting what it was at first. Mary was far from being in
the almost frolicsome mood which had possessed her at Buxton; her
hopes and spirits had sunk to the lowest pitch, and though she had an
admirably sweet and considerate temper, and was scarcely ever fretful
or unreasonable with her attendants, still depression, illness, and
anxiety could not but tell on her mode of dealing with her
surroundings. Sometimes she gave way entirely, and declared she
should waste away and perish in her captivity, and that she only
brought misery and destruction on all who tried to befriend her; or,
again, that she knew that Burghley and Walsingham were determined to
have her blood.

It was in these moments that Cicely loved her most warmly, for
caresses and endearments soothed her, and the grateful affection
which received them would be very sweet. Or in a higher tone, she
would trust that, if she were to perish, she might be a martyr and
confessor for her Church, though, as she owned, the sacrifice would
be stained by many a sin; and she betook herself to the devotions
which then touched her daughter more than in any other respect.

More often, however, her indomitable spirit resorted to fresh
schemes, and chafed fiercely and hotly at thought of her wrongs; and
this made her the more critical of all that displeased her in Cicely.

Much that had been treated as charming and amusing when Cicely was
her plaything and her visitor was now treated as unbecoming English
rusticity. The Princess Bride must speak French and Italian, perhaps
Latin; and the girl, whose literary education had stopped short when
she ceased to attend Master Sniggius's school, was made to study her