his own.

"You had commerce with these traitor lords," she reminded him. "It
is by your decree that they are returned from exile. What was your
aim in this?"

"To win back the things of which this fellow Davie had robbed me,
a share in the ruling and the crown matrimonial that was my right,
yet which you denied me. That and no more. I had not intended
that Davie should be slain. I had not measured the depth of their
hatred of that upstart knave. You see that I am frank with you."

"Aye, and I believe you," she lied slowly, considering him as she
spoke. And he drew a breath of relief, suspecting nothing of her
deep guile. "And do you know why I believe you? Because you are
a fool."

"Madame!" he cried.

She rose, magnificently contemptuous.

"Must I prove it? You say that the crown matrimonial which I denied
you is to be conferred on you by these lawless men? Believing that,
you signed their pardon and recall from exile. Ha! You do not see,
my lord, that you are no more than their tool, their cat's-paw. You
do not see that they use you but for their ends, and that when they
have done with you, they will serve you as they served poor Davie?
No, you see none of that, which is why I call you a fool, that need
a woman's wit to open wide your eyes."