Chapter 5, Keeping the Faith Summary and Analysis

The Lady Elizabeth is finally restored to favor, and Edward requests her portrait. The wise and business savvy William Cecil becomes her surveyor, and Roger Ascham is invited back into the household as a friend to share Elizabeth's intellectual pursuits. Elizabeth is praised for her skill in languages, and enjoys her independence.

The Lady Mary is still suffering under the religious restrictions placed upon her by Dudley, and England's power in Europe is declining because of internal politics. She and van der Delft begin planning her escape from England, but he is recalled home because of his ill health. He promises to come back for her, but once he reaches Flanders he becomes seriously ill and dies, after confessing to the escape plot. Jean Dubois is sent to rescue her in van der Delft's place...