Thereupon, I approached the King, taking care that my access to him should be on the side of Bishop Ken, who drew back courteously as I came near. I knelt before the King and extended the papers. His Majesty took them, examined them cannily, laid them on the table before him, and extended his hand. I had just bought his favour in the most barefaced and open way, yet such as it was I had received mercy, although I knew that without the money, all my pleas would have been of no avail. There was no help for it; although I could rather have bitten it, I had to kiss the royal hand. "Here are the writings, Your Majesty," said Bishop Ken. The King signed them; they were sealed with the royal seal which lay upon the table, folded, tied, waxed by the Bishop's own hand, and then were handed to me. I had triumphed in all points. I could not resist a look at Jeffreys as I took them. And if looks could kill, he had been a dead man. Indeed, for that matter, my lord repaid my envenomed glance with interest. I little knew what was brewing behind his malevolent aspect. "Here, too," said the King, "is your safe-conduct." "I thank Your Majesty once more," said I, "with all the gratitude in a daughter's heart, and now I crave leave to withdraw." "Wait!" cried Jeffreys hatefully. "Your Majesty, you have pardoned two notorious criminals, one an atrocious rebel, the other a traitor against your person. You have not, however, disposed of this woman." "What mean ye, Jeffreys?" "By her own confession she, too, is a traitor to Your Majesty. She robbed Sir Hugh Richmond on the King's Highway. She burned the warrant for her father." "Shame!" protested the Bishop, rising. "This passeth all bounds, Your Majesty. I have kept silent while this bloodthirsty Man of Belial hath raved and blasphemed. Were I not a man of peace..." "I wear a sword as I have said, Your Majesty," interposed Feversham, "and I will most gladly make this lady's cause my own if you will but give permission." "Peace, gentlemen all! No brawling in our presence. My Lord Chief Justice hath spoken true. This woman is a traitor, and we have not yet disposed of her personal affairs." I would have given the world at that moment for another five thousand pounds. "Perchance," sneered Jeffreys, almost, as it were, reading my thoughts, "she hath come prepared with another offer to Your Majesty's needy charities. Is it so, madam?" "Alas, sir," said I, lifting my hands, "you have my all. My only hope is in your clemency." "You shall not hope in vain," said the King promptly and to the great surprise of everybody, I am sure. "Thank God that I hear Your Majesty speak those words," cried the Bishop. There was a muffled roar from Jeffreys. "Is she to go scot-free, Your Majesty?" "No," said the King. "Her punishment shall be suited to her crime." What could that be, I thought, but death? Well, if I had saved my father and Sir Hugh, I could well die.