"THINE."
Little space was left for deliberation. The bell rang out its signal
for the actors to arrange themselves; hearing which, she thrust the
billets behind her stomacher, and hastened to the great court, where, on
a platform supported by four wheels, was builded a sort of hut,
decorated in a tawdry and fanciful style, and yeleped "The Bower of
Beautie."
Into this bower the queen was to be conducted, but the uproar and
confusion was indescribable; strange and antic figures hurrying to and
fro, seeking their companions, and crying lustily for their places. Sir
John Finett and Sir George Goring fulfilled the office of whippers-in,
attempting to establish order out of these undisciplined elements. Grace
drew back; but suddenly there came forth an armed knight from the bower
towards her, wearing a black visor and a mantle of spotted silver,
courteously beseeching her that she would accompany him to her station.
A great curtain of figured arras hung in front, concealing the interior,
where the queen and her maidens were supposed to be held captive. Grace
stepped into this temporary confinement, in which were four other ladies
masked, who graciously saluted their queen.
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