"Your ladyship," he said softly, "I am not only an attorney, but in a remote degree I am kin to your family and of your blood. My ancestors followed Clanranald in peace and war. They served him with the sword, I with the pen, 'tis true, but natheless..." "Master Dunner," said I, vastly touched, "you say true, and for the Earl I accept your proffer. Think ye that together we could raise two thousand pounds?" "With your ladyship's jewels and those of the family which you took precaution to remove before the troopers seized the house, I think with my own poor savings added thereto we might even compass three thousand." "Scots?" quoth I. "English, madam." "'Tis a goodly sum." "Ay, indeed, but as I had the honour to tell you a moment since, 'tis not money we lack but time." "Will you explain that to me again, Master Attorney?" Indeed, I had become quite bewildered by the sudden changes of fortune which had plunged us into this dire misery. "'Tis true undoubtedly, madam, that your honoured father did conspire with the Duke of Monmouth or his partisans in Scotland to raise the country in revolt against King Jamie of England, his brother, but there were extenuating circumstances. He was in a manner forced into the enterprise, although his influence and voice were ever raised in restraint. I have prepared a brief here, well attested. Indeed, those of the meaner sort lately executed for treason have cheerfully borne testimony to the Earl's unwillingness, and I have here their depositions. Then, too, there is a recommendation from the Lord Chief Justice, together with a petition signed by various gentlemen praying the King to exercise his royal clemency. If we could get that into his hands backed by that sum of money of which we have spoke, I think there would be no doubt that His Majesty would be pleased to commute the sentence." He smiled confidently as he concluded. "Why not send it to him at once then?" I asked rather sharply. "Why delay and waste hours in idle talking?" "But, your ladyship, I have told you there is no time." "What mean you?" "The proceedings in the trial, which was most unduly hurried despite our earnest protests and in which no proper opportunity was given to establish these facts, have been sent to His Majesty in London. On account of the Earl's rank and importance, a royal warrant is required for his execution." I shuddered at that word, but Master Dunner ran on inflexibly, knowing that I was privy to the worst already.