The next day at noon, as her Majesty had advised the Seigneur, De la Foret was ushered into the presence.

The Queen's eye quickened as she saw him, and she remarked with secret pleasure the figure and bearing of this young captain of the Huguenots.

She loved physical grace and prowess with a full heart.

The day had almost passed when she would measure all men against Leicester in his favour; and he, knowing this clearly now, saw with haughty anxiety the gradual passing of his power, and clutched futilely at the vanishing substance.

Thus it was that he now spent his strength in getting his way with the Queen in little things.