"How dare you violate the sanctity of my bed-
chamber at this hour of the night, Robert Dudley?
I trusted you when I delivered you the key, thinking
that I might occasionally have your companionship,
undisturbed by the curious eyes and ears of my at-
tendants; but I find that you are but a creature of
your vile passions and I despise you for it. Leave
my presence at once, and return the key to me in-
stantly !"

The Earl opened his lips in protest, but she would
have none of it.
"Out of my sight," she commanded, "or I will
arouse my attendants and have you committed to the
Tower !"

As she stormed, Anne, who had been standing in
the passage and had heard the angry words, think-
ing that her presence would have a reassuring effect



I



Her Majesty's Siunmons 281

upon her mistress, stepped into the chamber and
stood quietly at Leicester's side.
This last arrival was too much for the Queen, and
flinging aside all semblance of modesty along with
the royal bed-clothing, she leapt upon the floor and
strode across the room, her silken night-robe flying
wildly about her bare feet. Arriving in front of
Anne, she struck her viciously upon the cheek with
the flat of her hand.
"You infamous wench !" she said, as the girl sank
sobbing at her feet, "you, too, are in his confidence.
No doubt he has half the ladies of my court as his
mistresses, though he thinks to deceive me with his
lying tongue."

A dark flush mounted Dudley's brow, and he
seized the Queen's wrist in his iron grasp and looked
into her face with such a world of anger in his
glance that even this fearless woman quailed before
him.
