"Yea, madam, but the French herald had it all his own way before. So
it was but just we should have our turn."

Here a cry from the other hunters greeted them, and they found Lord
Shrewsbury, some of the ladies, and a number of prickers, looking
anxiously for them.

"Here we are, good my lord," said the Queen, who, when free from
rheumatism, was a most active walker. "We have only been stalking my
sister Queen's court in small, the prettiest and drollest pastime I
have seen for many a long day."

Much had happened in the course of the past years. The intrigues
with Northumberland and Norfolk, and the secret efforts of the
unfortunate Queen to obtain friends, and stir up enemies against
Elizabeth, had resulted in her bonds being drawn closer and closer.
The Rising of the North had taken place, and Cuthbert Langston had
been heard of as taking a prominent part beneath the sacred banner,
but he had been wounded and not since heard of, and his kindred knew
not whether he were among the unnamed dead who loaded the trees in
the rear of the army of Sussex, or whether he had escaped beyond
seas. Richard Talbot still remained as one of the trusted kinsmen of
Lord Shrewsbury, on whom that nobleman depended for the execution of
the charge which yearly became more wearisome and onerous, as hope
decayed and plots thickened.

Though resident in the new lodge with her train, it was greatly
diminished by the dismissal from time to time of persons who were
regarded as suspicious; Mary still continued on intimate terms with