"God forbid, Your Majesty, but there must be some worthy friend, some needy charity which Your Majesty would be glad to relieve with this benefaction and evidence of our gratitude." "What would you do, Jeffreys? The maid speaks fair." "Were I the King," growled the Justice, "I would have the head of the Earl, the five thousand pounds, and the woman as well." "And your advice, Lord Bishop?" "I would give the maid her father's life, her own liberty, and return her the five thousand pounds." The King paused. "I choose the middle course. She shall have her liberty and her father's life, and we will keep the five thousand pounds ... for charity, my lords." _Chapter_ X _In which I bargain successfully for that which is as dear to me as the Life of my Father_ I had succeeded in saving my father's life. It was incredible, but none the less true. Yet my task was but half achieved. All my joy would be turned into bitterness, if, through my action my good friend, Sir Hugh Richmond, were to suffer. "Make out a pardon," continued the King, "for the traitorous Earl of Clanranald. Let it be conditioned upon his instant departure from our realm of Scotland. If he be found alive therein four days after he hath been enlarged from prison, his head shall be forfeit. Make out also a safe-conduct for this brave young lady back to Scotland." The King spoke directly neither to the Bishop nor to the Justice. It was Jeffreys who broke the silence. "Do it thou, Lord Bishop," he said roughly. "Thy hand is more used than mine to the writing of pardons." "Thank God for that!" said the good Bishop, drawing writing materials toward him and at once beginning. "Art satisfied with our royal clemency, madam?" said the King, smiling. "Sire," I replied, "it fills me with joy, but 'tis only what I might have expected from your royal mercy." May God forgive me for that atrocious lie! I whispered the instant I had uttered it, as I continued: "I have yet another petition to lay before Your Majesty." "What's that, girl?" said the King. "Hast another father?" "Not a father this time. A lover, as I live!" roared Jeffreys triumphantly. "Said I not so, Your Majesty?" "Not a lover," said I to the King, "but Sir Hugh Richmond lieth charged with treason under close arrest. I would also have a full pardon for him." "Pardon for a traitor?" "He is not so guilty as he seems, Your Majesty. I robbed him of the warrant fairly and burned it. It was not until after it had gone that he retook me, and then his treason consisted in letting me go free that I might appeal with confidence to Your Majesty's tender heart." The King swelled visibly. "Ay," he said, "tenderhearted should be the King. My lord Jeffreys, did any one ever attribute tender heart to you?" "Not in the service of Your Majesty," bellowed the Justice. "I have no heart to pity treason to Your Majesty."