evidence is enough to hang him fifty times over. Whether or not I produce
it depends, as I say, on the depth of your affection for him."

"I shall know how to save my father, my lord, when the time comes. Now,
perhaps, having played your last card, you will leave me."

"My dear Margaret," was the cool reply, "your innocence amazes me. My
last card! Not at all, sweet queen. You are my last card."

"I? How so?"

"You, too, are a rebel, if I choose to say the word, and a dangerous one
to boot. So here's your choice: come where love awaits you or go where the
gallows awaits you."

"And if I could so far forget my nature as to come where love of your
sort, the love of a mere brute beast, awaits me, you would forget
everything?"

"Everything, Margaret."

"Your duty to your King included?"

"Certainly. There's nothing I will not do, or leave undone, at your
behest for your fair sake."

"You flatter me, my lord, far above my poor deserts. And now, if your
lordship will excuse me,"--she arose at the words, pale and determined as
death,--"I will e'en go and give myself up to some responsible officer and
acquaint him with your conduct."