Elizabeth waited their approach.
"Your gracious Majesty," said Cecil, in a voice none heard save Elizabeth, for all had fallen back at a wave of her hand, "the Queen of Scots is the mother of a fair son." Elizabeth's face flushed, then became pale, and she struck her knee with her clinched hand.

"Who bringeth the news ?" she inquired in a sharp voice.
"Sir Andrew Melvill here." "Who is with him yonder ?" "One who hath been attached to the Queen of Scots." "He hath the ill look of such an one," she answered, and then said below her breath bitterly: "She hath a son--and I am but a barren stock." Rising, she added hurriedly: "We will speak to the people at the May Day sports to-morrow.

Let there be great feasting." She motioned to Sir Andrew Melvill to come forward, and with a gesture of welcome and a promise of speech with him on the morrow she dismissed them.
Since the two strangers had entered, Angele's eyes had been fastened on the gentleman who accompanied Sir Andrew Melvill.

Her first glance at him had sent a chill through her, and she remained confused and disturbed.

In vain her memory strove to find where the man was set in her past.