“This is absurd, madam.  I am responsible for your Grace’s security and good health.  But there are lengths—­”

“You have spoken the very word,” said the Queen.  “There are lengths to which none of us should go, even to preserve our health.”

“I tell you, madam—­”

“There is no more to be said, sir,” said the Queen, closing her eyes again.

“But what do I know of this fellow?  How can I tell he is what he professes to be?” barked Sir Amyas.

“Then you should never have admitted him at all,” said the Queen, opening her eyes again.  “And I will do the best that I can—­”

“But, madam, your health is my care; and Mr. Bourgoign here tells me—­”

“The subject does not interest me,” murmured the Queen, apparently half asleep.

“But I will retire to the corner and turn my back, if that is necessary,” growled the soldier.

There was no answer.  She lay with closed eyes, and her woman began again to fan her gently.

* * * * *

Robin began to understand the situation a little better.  It was plain that Sir Amyas was a great deal more anxious for the Queen’s health than he pretended to be, or he would never have tolerated such objections.  The Queen, too, must know of this, or she would not have ventured, with so much at stake, to treat him with such maddening rebuffs.  There had been rumours (verified later) that Elizabeth had actually caused it to be suggested to Sir Amyas that he should poison his prisoner decently and privately, and thereby save a great deal of trouble and scandal; and that Sir Amyas had refused with indignation.  Perhaps, if all this were true, thought Robin, the officer was especially careful on this very account that the Queen’s health should be above suspicion.  He remembered that Sir Amyas had referred just now to a suspicion of poison....  He determined on the bold line.

“Her Grace has spoken, sir,” he said modestly.  “And I think I should have a word to say.  It is plain to me, by looking at her Grace, that her health is very far from what it should be—­” (he paused significantly)—­“I should have to make a thorough examination, if I prescribed at all; and, even should her Grace consent to this being done publicly, for my part I would not consent.  I should be happy to have her women here, but—­”

Sir Amyas turned on him wrathfully.

“Why, sir, you said downstairs—­”

“I had not then seen her Grace.  But there is no more to be said—­” He kneeled again as if to take his leave, stood up, and began to retire to the door.  Mr. Bourgoign stood helpless.

Then Sir Amyas yielded.

“You shall have fifteen minutes, sir.  No more,” he cried harshly.  “And I shall remain in the next room.”

He made a perfunctory salute and strode out.

The Queen opened her eyes, waited for one tense instant till the door closed; then she slipped swiftly off the couch.