CHRISTMAS WITH QUEEN BESS 197

faltering lad upon the back. Nick and Colley were peep-
ing by turns through a hole in the screen at the throng
in the audience-chamber.

They could see a confusion of fans, jewels, and faces,
and now and again could hear a burst of subdued laughter
over the steadily increasing buzz of voices. Then from
the gallery above, all at once there came a murmur of
instruments tuning together; a voice in the corridor was
heard calling, “Way here, way here!” in masterful tones;
the tall folding-doors at the side of the hall swung wide,
and eight dapper pages in white and gold came in with
the Master of Revels. After them came fifty ladies and
noblemen clad in white and gold, and a guard of gentle-
men pensioners with glittering halberds.

There was asharp rustle. Every head in the audience-
chamber louted low. Nick’s heart gave a jump—for the
Queen was there!

She came with an air that was at once serious and royal,
bearing herself haughtily, yet with a certain grace and
sprightliness that became her very well. She was quite
tall and well made, and her quickly changing face was
long and fair, though wrinkled and no longer young.
Her complexion was clear and of an olive hue; her nose
was a little hooked ; her firm lips were thin; and her small
black eyes, though keen and bright, were pleasant and
merry withal. Her hair was a coppery, tawny red, and
false, moreover. In her ears hung two great pearls; and
there was a fine small crown studded with diamonds upon
her head, beside a necklace of exceeding fine gold and