These words were a satisfaction to Richard, who had begun to feel somewhat jealous for his son’s sake, and to doubt whether the girl’s affection rose to the point of requiting the great sacrifice made for his sake, though truly in those days parents were not wont to be solicitous as to the mutual attachment between a betrothed pair.  However, Cicely’s absolute resignation of herself and her fate into Humfrey’s hands, without even a question, and with entire confidence and peace, was evidence enough that her heart was entirely his; nay, had been his throughout all the little flights of ambition now so entirely passed away, without apparently a thought on her part.

It was on the Friday forenoon, a day very unlike their last entrance into Hull, that they again entered the old town, in the brightness of a crisp frost; but poor Cicely could not but contrast her hopeful mood of November with her present overwhelming sorrow, where, however, there was one drop of sweetness.  Her foster-father took her again to good Mr. Heatherthwayte’s, according to the previous invitation, and was rejoiced to see that the joyous welcome of Oil-of-Gladness awoke a smile; and the little girl, being well trained in soberness and discretion, did not obtrude upon her grief.

Stern Puritan as he was, the minister himself contained his satisfaction that the Papist woman was to die and never reign over England until he was out of hearing of the pale maiden who had—­ strange as it seemed to him—­loved her enough to be almost broken-hearted at her death.

Richard saw Goatley and set him to prepare the Mastiff for an immediate voyage.  Her crew, somewhat like those of a few modern yachts, were permanently attached to her, and lived in the neighbourhood of the wharf, so that, under the personal superintendence of one who was as much loved and looked up to as Captain Talbot, all was soon in a state of forwardness, and Gillingham made himself very useful.  When darkness put a stop to the work and supper was being made ready, Richard found time to explain matters to Mr. Heatherthwayte, for his honourable mind would not permit him to ask his host unawares to perform an office that might possibly be construed as treasonable.  In spite of the preparation which he had already received through Colet’s communications, the minister’s wonder was extreme.  “Daughter to the Queen of Scots, say you, sir!  Yonder modest, shamefast maiden, of such seemly carriage and gentle speech?”

Richard smiled and said—­“My good friend, had you seen that poor lady—­to whom God be merciful—­as I have done, you would know that what is sweetest in our Cicely’s outward woman is derived from her; for the inner graces, I cannot but trace them to mine own good wife.”