When we drew up at the privy stairs, Frances stepped out of the boat to
the landing and whispered:--
"I shall arrange in some way to return, just as soon as the king signs
the treaty, but if you hear me scream, come to my rescue. I am prepared
to defend myself, and shall give the signal only when I must."
After climbing the narrow steps, she entered the king's closet and found
him alone. Almost at the same instant she caught the sound of heavy steps
in the adjoining room and heard the clang of steel on a bare oak floor.
This demonstration was made, I suppose, by the king's order, for the
purpose of intimidating Frances lest she prove rebellious.
In response to her frightened look of inquiry, the king said, "Only a
half dozen troopers whom I always keep in my anteroom to be at hand if
needed."
"A wise precaution, your Majesty," returned Frances, bringing herself
together as quickly as possible. "Here are the copies of the treaty, your
Majesty, and here is the bill on Backwell. The Abbe du Boise instructed
me to ask your Majesty to sign his copy of the treaty immediately and
return it to him. He waits in a boat at the foot of the privy stairs, and
is anxious to go down the river to his ship before the tide turns."
"Waits at the foot of the stairs?" exclaimed the king. "Odds fish! What
is he doing there? But it shall be done at once. I had the Great Seal
brought to me, so that I might fully execute the treaty without delay.
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