"Ah then, we have made the first step in our voyage of discovery. So you see, fair Mistress Constance, although you would condemn yourself you cannot get another to condemn you. And truly this is a strange thing, for hitherto I have found it true, especially of women, that they be always ready to excuse themselves, while others be always ready to blame them. Master Killigrew, here is a subject for a poem, and see that it is fittingly done." At this moment I looked again at Constance's face, and for the first time I beheld fear. I saw her lips trembling, while in her eyes there was a look of terror, as though she would fain have escaped. "Thank you, Your Majesty, then you pronounce me innocent?" "Ay, innocent of that fair Constance. Not that I have doubted it from the first moment I saw you. Yet have I to ask these questions that no man might doubt." "Then I may even go my ways and rid Your Majesty of my presence?" she said eagerly. "Nay, nay, not so soon, fair maid," said Charles. "It is not so oft that one heareth speech so pleasant. Besides the matter is not dealt with yet. Tell me, I pray thee, how thou didst accomplish this, and how thou didst so long evade thy pursuers?" For a moment Constance hesitated, while the king watched her, a smile half of irony, and half of merriment being upon his lips. "Is it your will that I shall tell you this, Your Majesty?" she asked. "Ay, that it is. I would not that my lords and ladies should miss such a story. Its matter must be, I am sure, strange to them." "There is little to tell, Your Majesty; besides it was very easy." "You mean that your pursuers were such fools?" said the king with a laugh. "Ay, I can well believe it. But to your story. And mark you I have become so accustomed to listen to lies that I can detect one from afar." I saw anger gleam from Constance's eyes as he said this. "Even although I tried to save my sister, I have never lied concerning it," she cried. "Nay?" said the king smiling. "Truly your conversation becomes more and more interesting. Truth is so rare. Pray listen carefully my lords and ladies." "When my sister came to my father's house, having done this thing, I e'en clothed myself in her attire, and then having shewed myself to her pursuers I escaped." "And they followed you?" "Ay, they followed me." "Ah; but this is a rare jest!" said the king laughing. "Truly the most of mankind is made up not only of knaves, but of fools. But how did you escape them?" "Oh, it was night and I knew ways which they did not." Again the king laughed, and then continued, "And now, Mistress Constance, there is but one other thing I would ask, and if thou answerest truly, although thou art the daughter of a man whom I find it hard to forgive, thou shalt be free as air. Dost thou know where this sister of thine is now?" I knew this was the question which Constance dreaded, but she answered bravely. "I do Your Majesty." "Then tell me." She was silent.