I sprang to my feet in an instant; there was only one who used such perfume as this. There, standing by the table, wrapped in a dark cloak that concealed her face, one little jeweled hand resting upon the table, stood a lady. I could not see her face; but that radiant hair that sparkled like gold in the light, that proud bend of the head, the little foot that peeped out from the folds of her dress, they belonged only to one of earth's creatures, and she--Margaret Carroll. "Margaret!" I cried. "Is it thou?" And I would have caught her in my arms in my delight. But she drew back from me, the cloak falling from her as she did so, and raised her hand. "Stop, sir," she said hurriedly. "Thou must think me bold and unmaidenly." "Say rather divine!" I cried. "Like some ministering angel, to bless poor mortals," and I took a step nearer where she stood. The faint color had deepened on her rose cheeks at my words. "Stop," she said. "Thou dost misinterpret my visit, as I feared thou wouldst; but I knew not what else to do. There was no one I could trust, so I persuaded Sir Robert Vane to bring me. He awaits outside," and she turned as though to call him in. "A moment, Lady Margaret," I said--"a moment before thou dost call him in. I have something of importance for thy ear alone. Wilt thou not hear me, before thou callest Sir Robert?" She looked at me a moment doubtfully. "No," she murmured. "Thou canst have naught for my ears that Sir Robert should not hear." And she turned again and took a step towards the door. "Margaret!" I cried, "hast thou no pity for me? To-night is my last on earth, and thou wilt not hear me one moment. Is that all that thou dost think of one who knew and admired thee in the old days? To-morrow thou canst hear others, but if thou hear me not to-night, thou never wilt. I would tell thee of my strange adventures since I left London," I finished artfully, with an imploring look. She turned, and then coming back towards me, seated herself upon one of the rough chairs near the table. "I will hear thy tale," she said, a smile upon her lips. "But list to me, sir, the moment that thou dost digress from that I am gone, and thou mayst depend upon it. "And what is this marvelous tale of thine?" she continued gently, her azure eyes upon my face. "Sir Robert, who was out of town, only returned this evening, and I immediately sent for him, and told him that thou wast here, condemned to die. He waited not a moment, but came at once with me here, and a time we had getting in I can tell thee," and she laughed, a little ringing laugh.