PARDON AND HAPPINESS
The final blow which sent the Armada flying northward had been given.
With not a single ship taken and but one, the small bark of Cock, lost,
and not more than sixty men killed, the English fleet sent up a paean of
joy, and drew up for conference before following further the fleeing
enemy.
"Ye two," said the lord admiral to Francis and Devereaux, "seeing that ye
lie under Her Most Sovereign Majesty's displeasure, shall bear to her the
tidings of our victory. None deserve it more, and, please God, by so
doing ye shall win pardon from her. As for me I shall on after the
Spaniard as long as provisions and ammunition will permit."
And so it came about that Francis and Devereaux proceeded to the camp at
Tilbury, where the queen was at this time. She was dining in the tent of
Lord Leicester, the lieutenant general of the land forces, herself being
the generalissimo, when they arrived. There were present, beside the
queen and the earl, Sir Francis Walsingham, who had come down from London
for conference with the queen; Hatton, the vice chamberlain, the young
Earl of Essex who, despite his inexperience, had been made the
captain-general of the cavalry, and Lord Shrope, who had hastened to
return to England upon hearing of his country's peril. Francis flashed a
glance of joyful recognition at him, but was deterred from other greeting
by the presence of the queen.
Elizabeth had risen at their approach, and when the girl beheld her high
pale forehead furrowed by lines of care, the lofty features sharpened by
anxiety, she felt her heart glow toward her sovereign and the last
feeling of animosity which had lain so long in her heart faded away never
to return. It was therefore with a sincere feeling of reverence that she
knelt before Elizabeth, who had shown herself at this time to be a true
daughter of the lion-hearted Plantagenets.
"Ye bear messages from the lord admiral," cried the queen somewhat
anxiously. "Rise, Edward Devereaux, and deliver thyself of them."
"Most gracious madam," said Edward, rising gracefully, "the strength of
the enemy is broken. Dispirited and distraught they fly before the lord
admiral. Madam, the Armada is no more. Here are letters writ by Lord
Howard, in which he gives the victory in detail."
"Now God be praised," ejaculated the queen, "but this is news indeed. My
Lord of Essex, do you spread the tidings throughout the camp that my
loving people may rejoice with me. Thy indulgence, Master Devereaux,
while I peruse my Lord Howard's dispatches. Retain thy place that I may
confer with thee later."
Rapidly she glanced over the epistles, and then turned to the assembled
lords.
"My lords," she cried, "behold these lads! They have borne themselves
with signal valor during the meeting with the Spaniards. They two, in
company with two others of whom more anon, set fire to the ships which
brought fear and panic into the fleet of the enemy. Which same device was
recommended by us to the lord admiral. Speak, Edward Devereaux! What
reward dost thou wish for thy service?"
"Thy pardon, Most Gracious Lady, for breaking the bounds in which you
placed me."
"Ah, Ned, Ned," said Elizabeth with that archness which, despite her
fifty-five years, she continued to employ, "didst thou not know that thy
queen placed thee there for thy safety?"
"True, madam;" assented Devereaux. "But not the strongest dungeon of the
Tower should have held me in durance when thy person, and my country were
in danger."
"Thy silvery tongue no less than thy service doth well incline me to thy
will, Ned," said she graciously. "Thou art forgiven. And thou?" she added
turning to the kneeling girl. "Art thou not that Francis Stafford lately
concerned in plot against our person?"
"I am that most unhappy being, madam," said Francis, rising and looking
the queen steadfastly in the face. "I throw myself upon your mercy, Your
Majesty, and crave forgiveness. My only plea for so great a fault is,
that at that time I had not been brought near your person and knew you
not. Had I known you I would never have transgressed. Do with me as you
will. Return me to the Tower, or use your pleasure upon me in any fashion
as seemeth best to you, only forgive me."
"Hast thy father schooled thee to speak thus?" demanded the queen.
"My father? Nay; I know not where he is. I have not seen him since I
entered the Tower nearly two years ago," answered the girl.
The queen said something in a low tone to Lord Shrope. That nobleman
immediately left the tent, and all eyes centred expectantly upon the
queen. Francis looked at her with a growing anxiety as she remained
silent. Was she going to remand her to the Tower? Were not her services
deserving of some recognition? What was meant by that continued
stillness? The queen stood regarding her with those keen, piercing eyes
whose fires age had not dimmed, and Francis met her gaze with a sort of
fascination, her eyes dilated, her lips parted as she waited the issue.
Presently Lord Shrope reentered the tent and with him there came one at
sight of whom Francis gave a great cry.
"My father!" And not even the presence of the queen could prevent her
from running forward to embrace him. Her father gave no sign that he knew
of her presence, but advancing to where the queen stood, knelt before her
saying:
"You sent for me, Your Grace, and I am here."
"My Lord Stafford," said Elizabeth affably, "thou knowest that when thou
didst present thyself before us, beseeching us to permit you to be of
service in defending our person, that we agreed that time should prove
thy worth. My lord, thou and thy son have redeemed yourselves nobly in
our eyes. Rise, my lord! You are restored to your right of blood and to
your property. Thy son also hath our full and free forgiveness."
"Madam, thou art graciousness itself," said Lord Stafford kissing her
hand. "I do repent me of all my transgression against you, but from this
time forth, my queen, by the grace of God, you will have no stauncher
subject than William Stafford. As for my daughter----"
"Thy daughter?" cried Elizabeth. "Thy daughter? What mean you,
Stafford?"
"He means, Your Highness," cried Lord Shrope, "that his son is not a boy,
but a girl."
"Hold thy tongue, Shrope!" commanded the queen sharply. "Thy wits are
addled. Who is there who will read the riddle clearly? Thou, Francis
Stafford?"
But Francis, utterly miserable in that her father took no notice of her,
was sobbing bitterly and therefore could not reply.
"Let me read it, Your Majesty," said Lord Stafford, and receiving consent
he related the whole story from the time of her coming to Stafford Hall,
concluding with,
"I know not, Your Highness, why she doth continue to wear the garb unless
from dire perversity----"
"Nay;" cried Francis, her spirit asserting itself. "'Tis because 'twas at
thy bidding that I donned it, and I vowed never to remove it until thou
didst bid me so to do. Oh, would that I had perished in battle ere thy
hardness toward me should pierce me with such agony!" And she again gave
way to her grief.
"Why, what hath she done, my lord?" asked the queen curiously.
"She betrayed my trust, Your Grace," answered Lord Stafford.
"Nay, Stafford," exclaimed both Walsingham and Lord Shrope together. "You
wrong the girl."
"Wrong her?" asked Lord Stafford eagerly. "Speak, my lords! If ye can
convince me of that ye shall remove all that my heart holdeth of
bitterness. I long to take her to my breast again, but I would not so
long as I believe that she betrayed trust."
"She would not betray thee, Stafford, even when threatened with torture,"
spoke the secretary. "My Lord Shrope can bear witness to the truth of
what I speak."
With a bound Lord Stafford reached the weeping girl and caught her to
him.
"My daughter! My daughter!" he cried. "Can you ever forgive me? Say that
you forgive me."
"And you do believe in me?" questioned Francis clinging to him
convulsively. "Say that you do, my father."
"I do, I do, my child."
"My lord, we will permit you to retire until you are calmer," came from
the queen.
"Thank her, Francis," said Lord Stafford leading the girl forward. "Thank
our gracious queen who hath shown so much of kindness to us."
"There, sweetheart!" said Elizabeth as Francis with streaming eyes tried
to articulate her gratitude. "'Twill suffice for the present. We like thy
spirit, and later will receive thee into service near us. When thou hast
donned thy maiden attire we would see thee again. Though, by my faith, if
all men would honor the garb as thou hast done, there would be few knaves
in the kingdom."
* * * * *
"And this is Mistress Francis Stafford?" cried Edward Devereaux as, two
days later, Francis stood on the banks of the river watching the queen as
she embarked for London. "Upon my word, Francis; thy attire well becomes
thee."
"'Hast thou found me, oh, mine enemy?'" quoth the girl gaily turning a
bright face toward him.
"Thine enemy, Francis?" said the youth reproachfully. "I thought that
that had passed. After all that we have been through together thou
shouldst not call me so."
"And art thou not mine enemy?" asked she archly. "Nay;" as a pained look
crossed his face, "I know that thou art not."
"And neither art thou mine," asserted Edward. "Ah, Francis, may not we
two bury that old enmity by a union of our families in us? If thy father
give consent wilt thou agree also?"
"If my father consent, then so will I also, Edward," spoke the girl
softly, adding saucily--"'tis the only way that I'll ever get that deer's
horns."
STORIES FOR GIRLS
=BETTY WALES, FRESHMAN=. By MARGARET WARDE. ILLUSTRATED BY EVA M. NAGEL.
"Every nice girl likes college, though everyone likes it for a different
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=EARNING HER WAY=. By MRS. CLARKE JOHNSON. Illustrated by IDA WAUGH. A
charming story of an ambitious girl who overcomes in a most original
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While many of her experiences are of a practical nature, and show a
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and inspiration that is most helpful and pleasing.
=HER COLLEGE DAYS=. By MRS. CLARKE JOHNSON. Illustrated by IDA WAUGH.
This is a most interesting and healthful tale of a girl's life in a New
England college. The trustful and unbounded love of the heroine for her
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=TWO WYOMING GIRLS=. By MRS. CARRIE L. MARSHALL. ILLUSTRATED BY IDA
WAUGH. Two girls, thrown upon their own resources, are obliged to "prove
up" their homestead claim. This would be no very serious matter were it
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=THE GIRL RANCHERS=. By MRS. CARRIE L. MARSHALL. ILLUSTRATED BY IDA
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eventually results successfully.
=IN DOUBLET AND HOSE.= By LUCY FOSTER MADISON. ILLUSTRATED BY CLYDE O.
DELAND. A story of the time of Queen Elizabeth. The heroine and her
family favor the claims of Mary of Scotland to England's throne. During a
visit of Elizabeth to the home of the heroine's parents, the queen
becomes displeased, and as a punishment, orders the girl to attend her at
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STORIES FOR GIRLS
=A DAUGHTER OF THE UNION=. By LUCY FOSTER MADISON. ILLUSTRATED BY CLYDE
O. DELAND. A story of the Civil War in which the interest centers about a
brave young girl who is sent by her father from New York to New Orleans
as a bearer of important messages. Aided by Admiral Farragut she delivers
these after running the Mississippi blockade. Later she is forced to
leave New Orleans and is captured and held a prisoner at Vicksburg until
its surrender to General Grant.
=A COLONIAL MAID OF OLD VIRGINIA=. By LUCY FOSTER MADISON. Illustrated by
CLYDE O. DELAND. The heroine, while yet a motherless babe, is adopted by
a wealthy planter of Virginia. At an early age she evinces a strong love
for the cause of the colonies, while her uncle and his family are ardent
adherents of the King. Her many deeds of heroism carry her to
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the Wyoming massacre, and finally to the surrender at Yorktown.
=A MAID AT KING ALFRED'S COURT=. By LUCY FOSTER MADISON. Illustrated by
IDA WAUGH. This is a strong and well told tale of the 9th century. It is
a faithful portrayal of the times, and is replete with historical
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=A MAID OF THE FIRST CENTURY=. By LUCY FOSTER MADISON. Illustrated by IDA
WAUGH. A little maid of Palestine goes in search of her father, who for
political reasons, has been taken as a slave to Rome. She is shipwrecked
in the Mediterranean, but is rescued by a passing vessel bound for
Britain. Eventually an opportunity is afforded her for going to Rome,
where, after many trying and exciting experiences, she and her father are
united and his liberty is restored to him.
=THE WHIRLIGIG=. By EVELYN RAYMOND. Illustrated by RUTH ROLLINS. She is
called "The Whirligig" because she is so apt to be blown about by her
emotions. It is not until she goes to live with an old aunt and uncle and
is thrown upon her own resources, that she develops a steadier and
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a time when the whole village is threatened with a flood, she rides down
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=A YANKEE GIRL IN OLD CALIFORNIA=. By EVELYN RAYMOND. Illustrated by IDA
WAUGH. A young girl, reared among most delightful surroundings in
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she must make her future home with relatives in the lower portion of old
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=A QUAKER MAIDEN=. By EVELYN RAYMOND. Illustrated by IDA WAUGH. A young
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=A DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST=. By EVELYN RAYMOND. Illustrated by IDA WAUGH.
The heroine of this unusual tale resides with her uncle on an island in
the backwoods of Maine, and her exciting adventures, her unique animal
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=MY LADY BAREFOOT=. By EVELYN RAYMOND. Illustrated by IDA WAUGH. A
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in a secluded place with an eccentric uncle, until his death. The
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=THE LITTLE LADY OF THE FORT=. By ANNIE M. BARNES. Illustrated by HELENE
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Spanish settlers for supremacy in the Carolinas. The heroine is an only
daughter of the French commandant and is enticed from the fort and held
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Spaniard whom she befriended, but not until after she has endured many
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=THE FERRY MAID OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE=. By ANNIE M. BARNES. Illustrated by
IDA WAUGH. An heroic little Georgia girl, in her father's extremity,
takes charge of his ferry, and through many vicissitudes and several
impending calamities, succeeds in carrying out her purpose of supporting
her invalid parent and his family. The heroine's cheerfulness and hearty
good humor, combined with an unflinching zeal in her determination to
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=DOROTHY DAY=. By JULIE M. LIPPMANN. Illustrated by IDA WAUGH. This is a
most interesting story of a bright and spirited young girl whose widowed
mother remarries. The impulsive girl chafes under the new relationship,
being unwilling to share with another the bounteous love of her mother
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Transcriber's Notes:
Archaic and variable spelling, as well as punctuation, has been
preserved as printed except as indicated below.
The following changes, shown in brackets, were made to the original
text:
Page 30: "My mother, there is something that I would fain ask.
[added missing double quote mark at the end of the sentence]
Page 86: More than ever, my father, Never have I [changed comma to
a period]
Page 138: and Frances noted with dismay [Francis]
Page 141: The lord chamberlain turned to Frances [Francis]
Page 155: with true page-like officiousness, proferred [proffered]
Page 209: her face softening at the apellation. [appellation]
Page 214: With a loud laugh at his discomforture [discomfiture]
Page 306: The great galleons and galleases [galleasses]
Page 318: A huge gallease had her rudder [galleass]
The following words were found in both hyphenated and unhyphenated
forms in the original text and both forms have been retained: hunting
party (hunting-party) lifetime (life-time); also, the obsolete spelling
of Shakespeare (Shakspeare) was retained.
Illustrations have been moved where necessary so that they are not
in the middle of a paragraph.
There is one footnote and it has been placed at the end of the chapter
in which it appears.
End of Project Gutenberg's In Doublet and Hose, by Lucy Foster Madison