changed it into a pleading, "I did but tell the fair young lady that
I could cast a spell that would bring her some good fortune. Would
her Grace hear it?"

"So," said Mary, "I could but answer him as I did, Sadler and Somer
being both nigh. I gave him my purse, with all there was therein.
How much was it, Andrew?"

"Five golden pieces, besides groats and testers, madam," replied Sir
Andrew.

"If he come again, he must have more, if it can be contrived without
suspicion," said the Queen. "I fear me he may become troublesome if
he guess somewhat, and have to be paid to hold his tongue."

"I dread worse than that," said Melville, apart to Jean Kennedy;
"there was a scunner in his een that I mislikit, as though her Grace
had offended him. And if the lust of the penny-fee hath possessed
him, 'tis but who can bid the highest, to have him fast body and
soul. Those lads! those lads! I've seen a mony of them. They'll
begin for pure love of the Queen and of Holy Church, but ye see, 'tis
lying and falsehood and disguise that is needed, and one way or other
they get so in love with it, that they come at last to lie to us as
well as to the other side, and then none kens where to have them!
Cuthbert has been over to that weary Paris, and once a man goes
there, he leaves his truth and honour behind him, and ye kenna
whether he be serving you, or Queen Elizabeth, or the deil himsel'.
I wish I could stop that loon's thrapple, or else wot how much he
kens anent our Lady Bride."