Have you come to inspect me, and, perchance, to buy ?" Sir George's face bore an expression of mingled shame, wonder, and alarm, and the queen and her suite laughed behind their fans.
"It is well," continued Dorothy.

"Here am I, ready for inspection." Thereupon she began to disrobe herself before the entire company.
Leicester laughed outright, and the queen and her ladies suppressed their merriment for a moment, and then sent forth peals of laughter without restraint.

Sir George stepped toward the girl and raised his hand warningly, but the queen interposed:-- "Silence, Sir George, I command you;" and Sir George retreated to his former place beside the Earl of Derby.

Dorothy first removed her bodice, showing her shoulders and a part of her arms, clothed in the fashion of a tavern maid.
Leicester, who stood by me, whispered, "God never made anything more beautiful than Mistress Vernon's arms." Sir George again spoke angrily, "Doll, what are you doing ?" But the queen by a wave of her hand commanded silence.

Then the girl put her hands behind her, and loosened the belt which held her skirt in place.