Though he had been beaten all along the line, he hid his deep chagrin, choked down the rage that was in him.
Smiling, he bowed low.
"I will do myself the honour to visit your prison to-morrow," he said.
"My father will welcome you, my lord," she answered, and, gathering up her skirt, ran down the pathway.
He stood unmoving, and watched her disappear.

"But I shall have my way with them both," he said aloud.
The voice of a singer sounded in the green wood.

Half consciously Leicester listened.

The words came shrilling through the trees: "Oh, love, it is a lily flower, (Sing, my captain, sing, my lady!) The sword shall cleave it, Life shall leave it Who shall know the hour?
(Sing, my lady, still!)" Presently the jingling of bells mingled with the song, then a figure in motley burst upon him.

It was the Queen's fool.
"Brother, well met--most happily met!" he cried.