"I do not think I understand you, sir. Will you be plain with
me?" She stood erect and stiff, and frowned upon him after the
manner of her bullying father. But de Quadra held the trumps, and
was not easily intimidated.
"About the prophecy?" said he. "Why, did not your Majesty
foretell the poor lady's death a full day before it came to pass?
Did you not say that she was already dead, or nearly so?"
He saw her blench; saw fear stare from those dark eyes that could
be so very bold. Then her ever-ready anger followed swiftly.
"'Sblood, man! What do you imply?" she cried, and went on without
waiting for his answer. "The poor woman was sick and ill, and
must soon have succumbed; it will no doubt be found that the
accident which anticipated nature was due to her condition."
Gently he shook his head, relishing her discomfiture, taking
satisfaction in torturing her who had flouted him and his master,
in punishing her whom he had every reason to believe guilty.
"Your Majesty, I fear, has been ill-informed on that score. The
poor lady was in excellent health--and like to have lived for
many years--at least, so I gather from Sir William Cecil, whose
information is usually exact.
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