She looked more than once at the wherry in which the young adventurer was seated, spoke to those around her, and seemed to laugh.

At length one of the attendants, by the Queen's order apparently, made a sign for the wherry to come alongside, and the young man was desired to step from his own skiff into the Queen's barge, which he performed with graceful agility at the fore part of the boat, and was brought aft to the Queen's presence, the wherry at the same time dropping into the rear.

The youth underwent the gaze of Majesty, not the less gracefully that his self-possession was mingled with embarrassment.

The muddled cloak still hung upon his arm, and formed the natural topic with which the Queen introduced the conversation.
"You have this day spoiled a gay mantle in our behalf, young man.
We thank you for your service, though the manner of offering it was unusual, and something bold." "In a sovereign's need," answered the youth, "it is each liegeman's duty to be bold." "God's pity! that was well said, my lord," said the Queen, turning to a grave person who sat by her, and answered with a grave inclination of the head, and something of a mumbled assent.--"Well, young man, your gallantry shall not go unrewarded.

Go to the wardrobe keeper, and he shall have orders to supply the suit which you have cast away in our service.