Tom mumbled something that stood for assent, but felt that he was getting

Upon dangerous ground. Somewhat later it was mentioned that Tom was to

study no more at present, whereupon her little ladyship exclaimed:

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''Tis a pity, 'tis such a pity! Thou were proceeding bravely. But bide thy time

in patience; it will not be for long. Thou'lt yet be graced with learning like thy

Father, and make thy tongue master of as many languages as his, good my

prince.'

'My father!' cried Tom, off his guard for the moment. 'I trow he cannot speak

His own so that any but the swine that wallow in the sties may tell his

meaning; and as for learning of any sort soever —'

He looked up and encountered a solemn warning in my Lord St. John's eyes.

He stopped, blushed, then continued low and sadly: 'Ah, my malady

persecuteth me again, and my mind wandereth. I meant the king's grace no

irreverence.'

'We know it, sir,' said the Princess Elizabeth, taking her 'brother's' hand

between her two palms, respectfully but caressingly; 'trouble not thyself as to

that. The fault is none of thine, but thy distemper's.'

'Thou'rt a gentle comforter, sweet lady,' said Tom, gratefully, 'and my heart

moveth me to thank thee for't, and I may be so bold.'

Once the giddy little Lady Jane fired a simple Greek phrase at Tom. The

Princess Elizabeth's quick eye saw by the serene blankness of the target's