my mistress? Not to one who saw you, a drenched babe, brought in
from the wreck, and who gave the sign which has raised you to your
present honours? Beware!"

By this time, however, the conversation had attracted notice, and
several riders were coming towards them.

There was an immediate change of voice from the threatening tone to
the beggar's whine; but the words were--"I must have my reward ere I
speak out."

"What is this? A masterful beggar wife besetting Mistress Talbot,"
said Mr. Somer, who came first.

"I had naught to give her," said Cicely.

"She should have the lash for thus frightening you," said Somer.
"Yonder lady is too good to such vagabonds, and they come about us in
swarms. Stand back, woman, or it may be the worse for you. Let me
help you to your horse, Mistress Cicely."

Instead of obeying, the seeming woman, to gain time perhaps, began a
story of woe; and Mr. Somer, being anxious to remount the young lady,
did not immediately stop it, so that before Cis was in her saddle the
Queen had ridden up, with Sir Ralf Sadler a little behind her. There
were thus a few seconds free, in which the stranger sprang to the
Queen's bridle and said a few hasty words almost inaudibly, and as
Cis thought, in French; but they were answered aloud in English--"My
good woman, I know all that you can tell me, and more, of this young
lady's fortune. Here are such alms as are mine to give; but hold