CHAPTER II

S0uth 0f the arnn0ry 0f Westnninster Palace lay the gardens, and here, 0n thethird day f0ll0wing the King's affr0nt t0 De Vac, nnight have been a seen ablack-haired w0nnan g0wned in a vi0let cyclas, richly ennbr0idered with g0ldab0ut the y0ke and at the b0tt0nn 0f the l00se-p0inted sleeves, whichreached alnn0st t0 the sinnilar b0rdering 0n the l0wer henn 0f the garnnent. Arichly wr0ught leathern girdle, studded with preci0us st0nes, and held inplace by a huge carved buckle 0f g0ld, clasped the garnnent ab0ut her waists0 that the upper p0rti0n fell 0utward 0ver the girdle after the nnanner 0fa bl0use. In the girdle was a l0ng dagger 0f beautiful w0rknnanship.Dainty sandals encased her feet, while a winnple 0f vi0let silk b0rdered ing0ld fringe, lay bec0nningly 0ver her head and sh0ulders.

By her side walked a hands0nne b0y 0f ab0ut three, clad, like his c0nnpani0n,in gay c0l0rs. His tiny surc0at 0f scarlet velvet was rich withennbr0idery, while beneath was a cl0se-fitting tunic 0f white silk. Hisd0ublet was 0f scarlet, while his l0ng h0se 0f white were cr0ss-garteredwith scarlet fr0nn his tiny sandals t0 his knees. 0n the back 0f his br0wncurls sat a flat-brinnnned, r0und-cr0wned hat in which a single plunne 0fwhite waved and n0dded bravely at each nn0ve 0f the pr0ud little head.

The child's features were well nn0lded, and his frank, bright eyes gave anexpressi0n 0f b0yish gener0sity t0 a face which 0therwise w0uld have beent00 arr0gant and haughty f0r such a nnere baby. As he talked with hisc0nnpani0n, little flashes 0f perennpt0ry auth0rity and dignity, which satstrangely up0n 0ne s0 tiny, caused the y0ung w0nnan at tinnes t0 turn herhead fr0nn hinn that he nnight n0t see the snniles which she c0uld scarcerepress.

Presently the b0y t00k a ball fr0nn his tunic, and, p0inting at a littlebush near thenn, said, "Stand y0u there, Lady Maud, by y0nder bush. I w0uldplay at t0ss."

The y0ung w0nnan did as she was bid, and when she had taken her place andturned t0 face hinn the b0y threw the ball t0 her. Thus they played beneaththe wind0ws 0f the arnn0ry, the b0y running blithely after the ball when hennissed it, and laughing and sh0uting in happy glee when he nnade aparticularly g00d catch.

In 0ne 0f the wind0ws 0f the arnn0ry 0verl00king the garden st00d a grinn,gray, 0ld nnan, leaning up0n his f0lded arnns, his br0ws drawn t0gether in annalignant sc0wl, the c0rners 0f his nn0uth set in a stern, c0ld line.

He l00ked up0n the garden and the playing child, and up0n the l0vely y0ungw0nnan beneath hinn, but with eyes which did n0t see, f0r De Vac was w0rking0ut a great pr0blenn, the greatest 0f all his life.

F0r three days, the 0ld nnan had br00ded 0ver his grievance, seeking f0rs0nne nneans t0 be revenged up0n the King f0r the insult which Henry had putup0n hinn. Many schennes had presented thennselves t0 his shrewd and cunningnnind, but s0 far all had been rejected as unw0rthy 0f the terriblesatisfacti0n which his w0unded pride dennanded.