Medici, most radiant Majesty."

"That's plain. But there are weighty matters 'twixt France and England,
and De la Foret may turn the scale one way or another. What follows,
beggar of Rozel?"

"That Mademoiselle Aubert and her father may live without let or
hindrance in Jersey."

"That you may eat sour grapes ad eternam? Next?"

"That Buonespoir be pardoned all offences and let live in Jersey on
pledge that he sin no more, not even to raid St. Ouen's cellars of the
muscadella reserved for your generous Majesty."

There was such humour in Lempriere's look as he spoke of the muscadella
that the Queen questioned him closely upon Buonespoir's raid; and so
infectious was his mirth, as he told the tale, that Elizabeth, though she
stamped her foot in assumed impatience, smiled also.

"You shall have your Buonespoir, Seigneur," she said; "but for his future
you shall answer as well as he."

"For what he does in Jersey Isle, your commiserate Majesty?"

"For crime elsewhere, if he be caught, he shall march to Tyburn, friend,"
she answered. Then she hurriedly added: "Straightway go and bring
Mademoiselle and her father hither. Orders are given for their disposal.
And to-morrow at this hour you shall wait upon me in their company. I
thank you for your services as butler this day, Monsieur of Rozel. You