"Because I can make the greater speed if I be not hampered by an escort of soldiery." "Would you take a woman's word, Your Majesty?" growled Jeffreys. "Not that of the women with whom you consort, my lord," said the King caustically, "but of this one, yes. How if you should be stopped, madam?" "I can defend myself," I answered, "and these papers would be of no value to any one but myself. There is not a highwayman in Scotland who would despoil me of them, or who, knowing my story, would not aid my progress." "You shall go as you came, alone," said the King. "Feversham, take orders for the lady's departure on the morrow, escort her safely beyond the limits of the town." "It shall be done, Your Majesty," returned the soldier. "And now, Sire," I asked, "have I leave to retire?" "You may go," said the King magniloquently, "and hereafter, when men speak ill of me as they often do of kings, remember that in your case at least I used you well." "I shall not forget, Your Majesty," said I, bowing low, "your royal kindness, nor the reasons therefor," I could not help adding in spite of the danger, as I thought how I had bribed him. The King looked at me suspiciously at this equivocal compliment, which was a great act of folly on my part, for I had not yet got away with my precious documents, but by great good-fortune for me he said nothing. "Have I Your Majesty's leave to speak a word of farewell and acknowledgment to Your Majesty's friends?" I asked further. The King nodded gravely. "As for you, sir," then said I, turning to the Bishop, "you have been a father in God indeed to the afflicted and the troubled, the cast down and the weak. I shall remember it in far Scotland, and before I go, may I ask your prayers and your blessing?" I humbly knelt before him as I had not knelt since I had knelt to the King himself when I first entered the room. The old man, his homely face lighted with divine and tender compassion, laid his hands upon my head and prayed for my defence. "You have said well," commented the King, somewhat touched by this tender action, "for you owe more to the cleric than you dream of. Now, 'tis your turn, Jeffreys." He laughed viciously. "As for you, sir," said I, rising and turning toward him,--I stood this time with my head up and my hand upon my sword,--"I would to God I were in truth instead of seeming a man, for, saving the royal presence, I would drive this weapon through your black heart, and were there any men of my race alive, they would never rest until they had struck you down." "Treason, treason!" bellowed Jeffreys. "She would raise a weapon against the King, his Justice, Your Majesty!" "You brought it on yourself," said the King coolly. "Faith, I like the woman's spirit. Look to it, Jeffreys! Look to it! Hast any word for me, madam?" "No more than I have said, Sire, save to wish that I had another five thousand pounds." The King started. "For Your Majesty's charities."