And if he failed"-- she smiled acidly--"he would get him home to Kenilworth and show himself no more--if he failed, and the White Knight failed not! What think you, dove ?" she cried to the Duke's Daughter.

"Would he not fall in the megrims for that England's honour had been over thrown?
Leicester could not live if England's honour should be toppled down like our dear Chris Hatton and his gallants yonder." The Duke's Daughter curtsied.

"Methinks England's honour is in little peril--your Majesty knows well how to 'fend it.

No subject keeps it." "If I must 'fend it, dove, then Leicester there must not fight to-day.
It shall surely be Sir Harry Lee.

My Lord Leicester must have the place of honour at the last," she called aloud.