"I will take thy wager," said she, "for I know right well where to place those things that thou hast spoken of.

Now, who will be on my side in this matter ?" And she looked around upon them that stood about; but no one spake or cared to wager upon the Queen's side against such archers as Tepus and Gilbert and Clifton.

Then the Queen spoke again, "Now, who will back me in this wager?
Wilt thou, my Lord Bishop of Hereford ?" "Nay," quoth the Bishop hastily, "it ill befits one of my cloth to deal in such matters.

Moreover, there are no such archers as His Majesty's in all the world; therefore I would but lose my money.
"Methinks the thought of thy gold weigheth more heavily with thee than the wrong to thy cloth," said the Queen, smiling, and at this a ripple of laughter went around, for everyone knew how fond the Bishop was of his money.

Then the Queen turned to a knight who stood near, whose name was Sir Robert Lee.