"Indeed," said Sir Hugh, laughing, "I think in truth she hath." _Chapter_ VII _Wherein, at the Request of Lady Katharine Clanranald, whom he loved, Sir Hugh Richmond takes up the Tale, relating what happened to him in the Tolbooth Prison_ Lady Katharine Clanranald has asked me to make this personal contribution to her veracious narrative. I shall not soon forget the mystification and surprise of worthy Master Dunner, counsellor-at-law. I could well understand his amazement. That the emissary of the King, presumably bearing the royal warrant for his patron's execution, should appear at his carefully selected hiding-place in the company of her ladyship was surely inexplicable. His wonderment and admiration grew after we had entered the dining-room and were seated about the table partaking of the excellent repast his worthy factotum had provided when, with some promptings from me when she would fain have minimised her own heroic part, the adventures of Lady Katharine were related to him. His legal mind was quick to grasp the salient fact that the warrant had been destroyed and that no execution could take place, therefore, until it had been supplied by a new one. When this fact had been thoroughly apprehended to his satisfaction, he had time to give thought to other matters, and he proceeded to cross-question us both with a searching power by which he learned everything that had occurred. "Why," he asked me, "did you determine upon this quixotic action which would result in such serious consequences to yourself, sir, were it disclosed to the King?" "Master Dunner," said I meaningly, "if the good reason for my action be not apparent to you, then all I can say, sir, is that you are a very blind man." At which her ladyship blushed divinely. She looked charming as a boy, so winning, indeed, that I could scarce imagine her fascination enhanced by any change of apparel whatsoever, and I should have kept her a boy forever were it not that I could not see how in that capacity I could change her name from Clanranald to Richmond, which I was firmly purposed to do at the first convenient opportunity, provided her consent could be obtained, and of that I was bold enough to feel hopeful. "Sir Hugh," she said, almost in answer to my unspoken thought, "I have to thank you for kindness so great that I know not how I shall ever repay you." "I have rendered you some slight service, madam, a tribute to your gallantry and devotion, as one soldier might to another, and there is no word of repayment ever to be mentioned betwixt us," I said. "But now it grows late. I am expected at the castle to-night, I infer from what Master Dunner hath said, and it will be necessary for me to take my departure without further delay."