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LADY KATHERINE MAKES AN IMPRESSION ON THE KING
kneeling, and with blue eyes beseeching, she begged for her father's life and the life of Sir Harry Richmond. The King listened perplexedly, and Jeffries' eyes were cold in amazement. The Bishop and General Feversham shared their sire's perplexity.
"Rise, Lady Katherine," commanded King James ; then Jeffries interposed eagerly:
"Sire, the Lady Katherine is asking the impossible. Justice has been done in the sad case of the Earl of Clanronald. Sir Harry Richmond has arrived in Edinburgh these two days past."
Lady Kate turned on him swiftly, and the rose of her courage dyed her cheeks.
"Sir Harry Richmond did arrive in Edinburgh, sir, but the warrant did not! A highwayman saw to that. The highwayman was — I ! ' '
The amazement caused by the girl deepened on every face, and Kate turned again to the King, who, somehow, seemed not to be thinking of death-warrants and executions. She
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held out her hands appealingly, and the lace fell away, leaving her arms — rounded, white — uncovered. A sob broke her voice, and the light in her eyes was put out by the pity of her tears. "Ah, sire," she pleaded, "not as King James of England, but as a man with a human heart of flesh and tears and pity and understanding, grant me this boon, I beg. What is the feeble, aged Earl of Clanronald to you? His days of conspiracy — poor, futile attempts — are over. Monmouth is dead. Living or dead, Clanronald can mean naught to Your Gracious Majesty. To me — ah ! sire, he is all I have. He has dandled me on his knee as a babe; taught me my first lisped word; guided my tottering steps; been friend and counselor, guardian and parent. Now he is old and defeated and doomed, and I want to give him — life." The slender hands found the King's, and clung there with potent appeal. The prayerful eyes found the weak spot in His Majesty's armor. Capitulation showed in the indulgent, appraising look he accorded her. Jeffries saw how the day