It was about as insulting a thing as I could say, and the King's position was about as degrading a one as he could well occupy. A moment's reflection upon it goaded the unhappy man to madness. "Stenwold!" he cried out suddenly in a high-pitched voice. What more he would have added I do not know, for my sword was at his throat. I even pricked him a little, for I saw a spot of blood stain the lace of his tie. I pressed him hard, too, until he shrank against the wall, helpless. "Now I am in mind," said I fiercely, "in that you have disobeyed me in calling out, to pin you to the wainscoting and leave you there." "Would you kill your King?" gasped out James, alarmed beyond measure. "You are no King of mine," I answered roughly. "For one thing, you have banished me, proscribed me, I am an outlaw, and I would kill you as I would any other rat that came beneath my notice." "But Stenwold?" "Would it not otherwise alarm the castle, you might call on Lord Stenwold forever." "Is he dead?" "Ay!" "Did you kill him?" "Yonder, in the antechamber," I said. "And you would murder..." "Stop," I interposed. "I killed Lord Stenwold in fair fight." "But I have no weapon, or..." said the King, eagerly grasping at straws to save the rags and tatters of his self-respect. And here my wife interposed--she lifted from the chair the jewelled sword which the King had laid aside for his love-making and handed it to him. "Now you have the means of defence!" I exclaimed, throwing her an approving look for her splendid action and the evidence of her confidence in me. "I stand here to see fair play," said Lady Katharine fiercely. I drew back from him a little space to give him room, and fell on guard, but the King's sword hung listlessly from his hand. "I cannot fight with a subject; 'tis beneath me," he muttered. "You would fight with a woman, though; you did not find that beneath you," said my wife quickly. "You would contrive to spoil her of that which is infinitely dearer than life. You hesitated not to attempt that." "But he did not succeed, Kate!" I cried. "I should be deader than Stenwold then," said my wife. "If he had, his own life would not be worth a moment's purchase," said I grimly. "Your conduct passes belief, sir." "Let us end this comedy," said the King desperately. "'Tis not yet decided, sir," I said ironically, "from the first act of the play, whether it shall turn out a comedy or a tragedy." "You have me in your power," returned James. "What is it you wish?" "Freedom to depart instantly from this castle with my wife without let or hindrance by you or any one." "Needs must," said the King. "My hour will come, but this is yours. Go! You are free, but, if you are found within my domains within the hour, God help you." "Threats," said I mockingly, "ill become the powerless." "Death and fury!" exclaimed the King, in futile rage.