“Where do you suppose that jewel went, Sir Governor,” said the favorite, — ”that jewel which was overnice to shine at court, which set up its will against the King’s, which would have none of that one to whom it had been given?”

“I am a plain man, my lord,” replied the Governor bluntly. “An it please you, give me plain words.”

My lord laughed, his eyes traveling round the ring of greedily intent faces. “So be it, sir,” he assented. “May I ask who is this lady?”

“She came in the Bonaventure,” answered the Governor. “She was one of the treasurer’s poor maids.”

“With whom I trod a measure at court not long ago,”